Australian Visa Guides

Every Australian visa, explained and kept up to date

Pick a visa to see who it is for, the main requirements and the latest information we have checked against the Department of Home Affairs.

Skilled Migration

Points-tested and nominated visas for skilled workers.

Subclass 189Skilled Independent VisaA points-tested permanent residence visa for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer, state or family member.Permanent Subclass 190Skilled Nominated VisaA points-tested permanent residence visa for skilled workers nominated by an Australian state or territory government.Permanent Subclass 491Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) VisaA provisional visa for skilled workers who live and work in a designated regional area of Australia, with a pathway to permanent residence.Provisional Subclass 191Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) VisaThe permanent residence step for holders of eligible regional provisional visas such as the 491 and 494.Permanent Subclass 858National Innovation VisaA permanent visa for people with an internationally recognised record of exceptional achievement in their field.Permanent

Employer-Sponsored Work

Work visas where an Australian employer sponsors you.

Subclass 482Skills in Demand VisaA temporary work visa that lets an approved Australian employer sponsor a skilled worker to fill a position.Temporary Subclass 186Employer Nomination Scheme VisaA permanent residence visa for skilled workers nominated by their employer.Permanent Subclass 494Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) VisaA provisional visa for skilled workers sponsored by an employer in a designated regional area of Australia.Provisional Subclass 407Training VisaA temporary visa for workplace-based occupational training or professional development in Australia.Temporary Subclass 408Temporary Activity VisaA temporary visa for a range of specific activities such as sport, entertainment, research, religious work and special programs.Temporary Subclass 400Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) VisaA temporary visa for short-term, highly specialised, non-ongoing work in Australia.Temporary Subclass 192Pacific Engagement VisaA permanent visa for citizens of eligible Pacific countries and Timor-Leste, allocated through a ballot.Permanent

Business & Investment

Visas for business owners, investors and innovators.

Subclass 188Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) VisaA provisional visa under the Business Innovation and Investment Program. This program has been restructured, so always check whether it is currently open.Provisional Subclass 888Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) VisaThe permanent stage of the Business Innovation and Investment Program for eligible provisional visa holders.Permanent

Partner & Family

Visas for partners, children and parents.

Subclass 820 / 801Partner Visa (Onshore)A two-stage visa for the partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen who applies while in Australia.Temporary then permanent Subclass 309 / 100Partner Visa (Offshore)A two-stage visa for the partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen who applies from outside Australia.Temporary then permanent Subclass 300Prospective Marriage VisaA temporary visa for a fiancé(e) of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen to come to Australia to marry.Temporary Subclass 101 / 102Child VisaPermanent visas for dependent children of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, including adopted children.Permanent Subclass 103Parent VisaA permanent visa for parents of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. Processing queues for non-contributory parent visas are very long.Permanent Subclass 143Contributory Parent VisaA faster permanent parent visa that requires a much higher application charge than the standard parent visa.Permanent Subclass 804Aged Parent VisaA permanent visa for parents of an Australian sponsor who are old enough to receive the Age Pension and are applying from within Australia.Permanent Subclass 864Contributory Aged Parent VisaA permanent visa for aged parents that is processed more quickly than the standard aged parent visa in return for higher charges.Permanent Subclass 870Sponsored Parent (Temporary) VisaA temporary visa that lets parents of an Australian sponsor stay for an extended period without a permanent residence pathway.Temporary

Student & Graduate

Study in Australia and work after graduation.

Subclass 500Student VisaA temporary visa to study full time in Australia at a registered education provider.Temporary Subclass 590Student Guardian VisaA temporary visa for a guardian who will stay in Australia to care for a student visa holder under the age of 18.Temporary Subclass 485Temporary Graduate VisaA temporary visa that lets recent graduates of Australian institutions live and work in Australia after their studies.Temporary

Visitor & Working Holiday

Short stays, tourism and working holidays.

Subclass 600Visitor VisaA temporary visa for tourism, business visits and visiting family in Australia.Temporary Subclass 601Electronic Travel AuthorityAn electronic authority for short visits to Australia for eligible passport holders.Temporary Subclass 651eVisitorA free electronic visa for short tourism or business visits by citizens of eligible European countries.Temporary Subclass 417Working Holiday VisaA temporary visa for young people from eligible countries to holiday and work in Australia for up to a year, with options to extend.Temporary Subclass 462Work and Holiday VisaA temporary visa for young people from eligible partner countries to holiday and work in Australia.Temporary

Humanitarian & Protection

Refugee, humanitarian and protection visas.

Subclass 200Refugee VisaA permanent visa for people outside Australia who have been subjected to persecution and are referred for resettlement.Permanent Subclass 202Global Special Humanitarian VisaA permanent visa for people outside Australia who are subject to substantial discrimination or human rights abuses and are proposed by a suitable sponsor.Permanent Subclass 866Protection VisaA permanent visa for people in Australia who engage Australia's protection obligations. Eligibility is complex and limited.Permanent

Other Visas

Bridging, resident return, New Zealand and more.

Subclass 010 / 020 / 030 / 050Bridging Visas (A, B, C and E)Temporary visas that let you stay lawfully in Australia while another visa application or review is being processed.Temporary Subclass 155 / 157Resident Return VisaA visa for permanent residents or former permanent residents who need to return to Australia after their travel facility has expired.Permanent Subclass 444Special Category Visa (New Zealand Citizens)A temporary visa that New Zealand citizens usually receive on arrival in Australia, allowing them to live and work here.Temporary

General information only, not migration advice. Rules change often, so always confirm details on the official Department of Home Affairs website before you apply.