Visa subclass guide

Visa Subclass Guide

Our Visa Subclass Guide provides quick information on key Australian visa subclasses that international students and migrants often seek. Below are some common visas, along with a brief description of each:

• Subclass 500 – Student Visa: For international students who want to study full-time in a registered Australian education institution. This visa is typically valid for the duration of your course (up to 5 years) and allows limited work rights. It enables students to live in Australia while pursuing an education​immi.homeaffairs.gov.au, subject to conditions like maintaining enrollment and OSHC.
• Subclass 485 – Temporary Graduate Visa: A visa for recent graduates of Australian institutions. It allows you to live, study and work in Australia temporarily after finishing at least 2 years of study in Australia. The 485 visa has two streams: Graduate Work (18 months for graduates with skills in demand) and Post-Study Work (2–4 years for higher education graduates). This is an excellent opportunity to gain Australian work experience or improve your English and skills profile after graduation.
• Subclass 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme Visa: A permanent residency visa for skilled workers who have a sponsoring employer in Australia. It involves a two-step process: nomination by an employer and then the visa application by the candidate. There are three streams: Direct Entry (for workers who meet skill and experience requirements and have an employer nomination), Temporary Residence Transition (for eligible 457/TSS visa holders with 3 years with their employer), and Labour Agreement (for workers sponsored under a labour agreement). Once granted, the 186 visa lets you live and work in Australia permanently and enjoy all PR benefits (including Medicare and the option to apply for citizenship later).
• Subclass 494 – Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa: A provisional visa for skilled workers sponsored by employers in regional Australia. Similar to the 482, but specific to regional areas, the 494 visa lasts for 5 years. It requires employer sponsorship in a designated regional area and a job offer for at least 5 years. After 3 years on this visa (meeting minimum taxable income each year and living in regional area), holders can apply for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa subclass 191. The 494 visa aims to channel skilled migrants into regions needing talent and comes with conditions to ensure holders stay in regional Australia.
• Subclass 820/801 – Partner Visa (Onshore): A two-stage visa for spouses or de facto partners of Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens who apply from within Australia. Subclass 820 is the initial temporary Partner visa that lets the applicant live in Australia while awaiting the permanent stage. Subclass 801 is the permanent Partner visa granted usually 2 years after the 820 (if the relationship is ongoing and genuine). Applicants must be in a genuine relationship and provide substantial evidence (joint finances, cohabitation, social recognition, etc.). Holding an 820 visa also gives work and study rights and access to Medicare. Once the 801 is granted, the applicant becomes a permanent resident of Australia.
• Subclass 309/100 – Partner Visa (Offshore): This is the equivalent partner visa for those who apply from outside Australia. Subclass 309 is a temporary (provisional) Partner visa granted first, allowing the partner to enter and stay in Australia. After a qualifying period (about 2 years) and further assessment, subclass 100 permanent Partner visa can be granted. The relationship evidence requirements are similar to the onshore process. The main difference is the applicant must be offshore when applying and when the 309 visa is decided. Once on the 309, they can come to Australia and later obtain the 100 PR visa to settle permanently.
• Subclass 600 – Visitor Visa: A visa for people visiting Australia temporarily for tourism, family visitation, or short business trips. The Visitor visa (subclass 600) offers several streams: Tourist (for leisure or seeing family/friends), Sponsored Family (requiring a bond by an Australian relative), and Business Visitor (for short business activities like meetings, conferences). It is typically granted for stays of 3, 6, or 12 months​. Visitors must genuinely intend to stay temporarily and may need to show evidence of sufficient funds, itinerary, and strong ties to home country to assure they will return. This visa does not allow work (only very limited business activities) and no government healthcare, so visitors often need private health insurance​.