_edited.png){kind=small}
VISA and Migration - Australia
Explore the right visa pathway for your study, work, or permanent residency goals.
Planning your move to or stay in Australia requires choosing the right visa pathway based on your goals — whether for study, work, family, or permanent residency.
At Study Square, we have a team of experienced and registered MARA agents who can guide you through your visa and migration journey professionally and ethically. We help you understand your available options, assess suitable pathways, and connect you with the right migration agent based on your individual circumstances and goals.
Whether you are an international student, graduate, skilled worker, or looking for long-term settlement pathways in Australia, our team is here to assist you with personalised guidance and support.
Please enquire with us today to book an appointment and discuss your future pathway in Australia.
Visa Pathways
Student Visa (Subclass 500)
This visa allows international students to live and study in Australia at recognized institutions.
The Student Visa (Subclass 500) is the most common entry point for students planning to pursue higher education, vocational training, or English language courses in Australia. It provides flexibility to study full-time while gaining international exposure and limited work experience.
Key Highlights:
-
Work up to 48 hours per fortnight during study
-
Full-time work rights during holidays
-
Stay for the duration of your course
-
Option to include dependents (spouse/children)
-
Pathway to post-study work visa
👉 Ideal starting point for study + global career pathway
Partner Visa
(Subclass 820/801 & 309/100)
For spouses or de facto partners of Australian citizens or PR holders
These visas allow partners to join their loved ones in Australia. The process usually begins with a temporary visa, followed by permanent residency after meeting relationship requirements.
Key Highlights:
-
Temporary → Permanent pathway
-
Full work and study rights
-
Includes married and de facto partners
👉 For couples planning long-term settlement together
Parent Visa
(Subclass 103 / 143)
Allows parents to migrate to Australia if their children are settled there.
Parent visas enable family reunification. There are both contributory (faster but higher cost) and non-contributory (slower processing) options available.
Key Highlights:
-
Long-term stay or PR options
-
Sponsored by eligible child
-
Multiple processing timelines
👉 For families planning to reunite in Australia
Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)
A post-study visa that allows international graduates to stay and gain work experience in Australia.
This visa is designed for students who have completed eligible qualifications in Australia. It allows graduates to gain local work experience, which can significantly improve their chances of securing permanent residency.
Streams:
-
Post-Study Work Stream (for degree holders)
-
Graduate Work Stream (for skills in demand occupations)
Key Highlights:
-
Full-time work rights
-
Stay duration: 18 months to 4+ years
-
Opportunity to gain Australian work experience
-
Strong pathway toward PR visas
👉 Best for transitioning from student to skilled migrant
Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)
A points-based permanent residency visa for skilled workers without employer or state sponsorship.
This visa grants full permanent residency rights, allowing skilled workers to live, work, and study anywhere in Australia indefinitely — across three streams: Points Tested, New Zealand, and Hong Kong.
Key Highlights:
-
No employer or state sponsorship required
-
Freedom to live and work anywhere in Australia
-
Include eligible family members (spouse, de facto partner, dependent children)
-
Access to Medicare and Australian educational institutions
-
Pathway to Australian citizenship (after 4 years, including 12 months as PR)
👉 Ideal for skilled workers seeking full independence in their Australian PR journey
Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)
A points-based permanent residency visa for skilled workers nominated by an Australian state or territory government.
This visa grants immediate permanent residency to skilled professionals whose occupations are in demand in a specific state or territory. Unlike the Subclass 189, nomination from a state adds 5 bonus points to your application, making it more accessible for candidates with slightly lower points scores.
Key Highlights:
-
Permanent visa — live, work, and study anywhere in Australia
-
Requires nomination from an Australian state or territory government
-
State nomination adds 5 bonus points to your points test score
-
Must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect and be invited to apply
-
Occupation must be on the relevant state's skilled occupation list
-
Minimum 65 points required on the points test
-
Include eligible family members; pathway to Australian citizenship
-
Travel to and from Australia freely for 5 years from visa grant
👉 Ideal for skilled workers with state-specific in-demand occupations looking for a supported pathway to Australian PR
Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 489)
A temporary visa for skilled workers to live and work in designated regional or low-population growth areas of Australia.
This visa allowed skilled workers, sponsored by either an eligible relative in a regional area or a state/territory government, to live and work in regional Australia for up to 4 years — with a pathway to permanent residency via Subclass 887.
Key Highlights:
-
Three pathways: Invited, Extended Stay, and Subsequent Entry
-
Must live, work, and study in specified regional areas of Australia throughout the visa period
-
Extended Stay pathway is for holders of subclass 475, 487, 495 or 496 visas
-
Subsequent Entry is for family members of 489, 475, 487, 495 or 496 visa holders
-
Travel to and from Australia freely while visa remains valid
-
PR pathway via Subclass 887 after regional residence and work requirements are met
👉 No longer available — applicants should now apply under Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional Provisional)
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa (Subclass 494)
A provisional visa for skilled workers sponsored by a regional Australian employer to address local labour shortages.
This visa allows skilled migrants to live, work, and study exclusively in designated regional areas of Australia for up to 5 years, with a clear pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 191 visa after 3 years.
Key Highlights:
-
Employer-sponsored visa valid for 5 years in designated regional areas
-
Work must be in a designated regional area (outside Sydney, Melbourne & Brisbane — includes Perth, Gold Coast, Adelaide, Hobart, Canberra)
-
Employment must continue for at least 5 years after visa grant
-
Minimum 3 years relevant work experience in nominated occupation required
-
Skills assessment required (unless exempt); relevant registration/licensing must be held
-
Pathway to permanent residency via Subclass 191 after 3 years + meeting income threshold (AUD 53,900/year)
👉 Ideal for skilled workers with a regional employer sponsor looking for a stepping stone to Australian PR
Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491)
A regional visa with a pathway to permanent residency.
This visa encourages migrants to live and work in regional areas of Australia. It is a temporary visa but offers a clear pathway to PR after meeting eligibility criteria.
Key Highlights:
-
Valid for 5 years
-
Requires state or family sponsorship
-
Work and live in regional Australia
-
PR pathway via Subclass 191
👉 Great option for lower points or regional demand occupations
Training Visa
(Subclass 407)
A temporary visa for workplace-based occupational training to improve skills in your current job, field of expertise, or area of tertiary study.
This visa allows skilled workers and students to undertake structured workplace training or professional development programs in Australia for up to 2 years, under an approved sponsor's nomination.
Key Highlights:
-
Temporary visa valid for up to 2 years
-
Must have an approved sponsor and nomination before applying
-
Covers workplace-based training to enhance skills in your current occupation or field
-
Also applicable for completing professional development training programs
-
Commonwealth Government agency sponsors may invite applicants directly (nomination not required)
-
Approved sponsor must lodge nomination before the visa application can be submitted
👉 Ideal for professionals and students seeking structured skill development or occupational training experience in Australia
Visitor Visa
(Subclass 600)
A temporary visa for tourists, business visitors, and those visiting family in Australia for 3, 6, or 12 months.
This visa covers six streams tailored to different visit purposes — from tourism and family visits to business activities and approved destination status tours. You cannot work on this visa, and you must genuinely intend to leave before it expires.
Key Highlights:
-
Stay for 3, 6, or 12 months depending on stream and circumstances
-
Six streams: Tourist (Offshore), Tourist (Onshore), Sponsored Family,
-
Business Visitor, Approved Destination Status (ADS), and Frequent Traveller
-
Cannot work or enrol in long-term study (short study/training up to 3 months permitted)
-
Must demonstrate genuine temporary intent, sufficient funds, and strong ties to home country
-
May be granted single or multiple entry — check grant letter for conditions
-
Health insurance strongly recommended throughout stay
Can apply from inside or outside Australia (depending on stream)
👉 Ideal for tourists, parents visiting family, short-term business travellers, and holiday visitors to Australia
Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417)
A visa for young adults aged 18–30 (or 35 for some countries) who want an extended holiday in Australia and to work here to fund it.
This visa has three progressive stages — First, Second, and Third — each requiring completion of specified regional work in Australia to qualify for the next. Unlike the Subclass 462, there is no ballot requirement for any nationality.
Basic Eligibility:
-
Must be 18 to 30 years old (or 35 years old for some countries)
-
Must have a passport from an eligible country or jurisdiction
-
Must not be accompanied by dependent children
Key Highlights:
-
Work any kind of job while in Australia
-
First visa holders can apply for a Second visa upon meeting eligibility criteria
-
Second visa holders can apply for a Third visa upon meeting eligibility criteria
-
Must complete 3 months of specified Subclass 417 work to qualify for the Second visa
-
Must complete 6 months of specified Subclass 417 work to qualify for the Third visa
-
If in Australia when applying for Second or Third visa, must hold a substantive visa or last substantive visa expired less than 28 days ago
-
Do not arrange travel to Australia before receiving written confirmation of visa grant
👉 Ideal for young travellers from eligible countries (including UK, Ireland, Canada, France, Germany, and more) looking to explore Australia while funding their stay through work
Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462)
A visa for young adults aged 18–30 who want an extended holiday in Australia and to work here to fund it.
This visa has three progressive stages — First, Second, and Third — each requiring completion of specified work in regional Australia to qualify for the next. Passport holders from China, India, and Vietnam must go through a pre-application ballot process for the First visa.
Basic Eligibility:
-
Must be 18 to 30 years old (inclusive)
-
Must have a passport from an eligible country
-
Must not be accompanied by dependent children
Key Highlights:
-
Work any kind of job while in Australia
-
First visa holders can apply for a Second visa upon meeting eligibility criteria
-
Second visa holders can apply for a Third visa upon meeting eligibility criteria
-
Must complete 3 months of specified Subclass 462 work to qualify for the Second visa
-
Must complete 6 months of specified Subclass 462 work to qualify for the Third visa
-
China, India, and Vietnam passport holders must participate in a pre-application ballot for the First visa
-
Do not arrange travel to Australia before receiving written confirmation of visa grant
👉 Ideal for young travellers from eligible countries who want to explore Australia while funding their trip through work
Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482)
A temporary employer-sponsored visa for skilled workers to fill positions where no suitable Australian worker is available.
This visa operates under a three-stream system — Specialist Skills, Core Skills, and Labour Agreement — allowing employers to address workforce shortages by sponsoring overseas talent for up to 4 years.
Key Highlights:
-
Employer-sponsored temporary visa (up to 4 years; 5 years for Hong Kong passport holders)
-
Three streams: Specialist Skills, Core Skills, and Labour Agreement
-
Must work only for the sponsoring employer in the nominated occupation
-
Specialist Skills stream covers ANZSCO major groups 1, 2, 4, 5 & 6 above income threshold (AUD 141,210)
-
Core Skills stream for earnings between AUD 76,515–141,210
-
Clear pathway to permanent residency (via Subclass 186)
👉 Ideal for skilled professionals with an Australian employer ready to sponsor them
Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186)
A permanent residency visa for skilled workers nominated by an Australian employer.
This visa grants full permanent residency rights through three streams — Direct Entry, Temporary Residence Transition (TRT), and Labour Agreement — for both onshore and offshore applicants.
Key Highlights:
-
Permanent visa with no geographical restrictions
-
Three streams: Direct Entry, TRT (for 457/482 holders), and Labour Agreement
-
TRT stream requires 2 years of full-time employment with the same sponsoring employer
-
Direct Entry stream requires a positive skills assessment + 3 years work experience
-
Employment must continue for at least 2 years after visa grant
-
Include eligible family members (spouse, dependent children)
-
Pathway to Australian citizenship
👉 Ideal for skilled workers already employed in Australia on a 482/457 visa, or those directly nominated by an Australian employer
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa (Subclass 494)
A provisional visa for skilled workers sponsored by a regional Australian employer to address local labour shortages.
This visa allows skilled migrants to live, work, and study exclusively in designated regional areas of Australia for up to 5 years, with a clear pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 191 visa after 3 years.
Key Highlights:
-
Employer-sponsored visa valid for 5 years in designated regional areas
-
Work must be in a designated regional area (outside Sydney, Melbourne & Brisbane — includes Perth, Gold Coast, Adelaide, Hobart, Canberra)
-
Employment must continue for at least 5 years after visa grant
-
Minimum 3 years relevant work experience in nominated occupation required
-
Skills assessment required (unless exempt); relevant registration/licensing must be held
-
Pathway to permanent residency via Subclass 191 after 3 years + meeting income threshold (AUD 53,900/year)
👉 Ideal for skilled workers with a regional employer sponsor looking for a stepping stone to Australian PR
Confused about which visa suits you best?
Talk to our experts and get a clear migration roadmap tailored to your profile.
How Study Square Helps?
• Personalized visa assessment
• Course + migration pathway planning
• Documentation & application guidance
• PR strategy consultation
• Direct linking to official immigration resources