Australian visas explained in plain English

Subclass numbers, invitations, nominations, bridging visas. Australia’s visa system looks like alphabet soup at first, but it makes sense once you see how it fits together. This is the map, without the jargon.

The basics: subclasses, temporary and permanent

Every Australian visa has a name and a subclass number, like the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189). People mostly use the number. The Department of Home Affairs runs the system and publishes the full list of visas, with the rules, costs and processing times for each.

The biggest split is between temporary visas, which let you stay for a set period, and permanent visas, which let you live here indefinitely. Many people start on a temporary visa and move to a permanent one later. Each visa also comes with conditions, such as whether and how much you can work. You can check your own visa’s conditions any time with the government’s free VEVO service.

The main visa families

Skilled visas (points tested)

For skilled workers whose occupation Australia needs. You can’t just apply: you first submit an expression of interest (EOI) through the government’s SkillSelect system, and you can only apply if you’re invited. Your EOI is scored on a points test covering things like age, English, qualifications and work experience. The main ones are:

• Skilled Independent (subclass 189): permanent, no sponsor needed, live and work anywhere. You must be under 45 to be invited. As of October 2026, it costs from AUD 6,135 for the main applicant.
• Skilled Nominated (subclass 190): permanent, but you need a nomination from a state or territory government.
• Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491): temporary, for living and working in regional Australia, nominated by a state or territory or sponsored by an eligible relative. It can lead to permanent residence later.

Before you apply, most skilled visas need a skills assessment from the body that assesses your occupation, and proof of your English.

Employer-sponsored visas

Here an Australian employer sponsors you for a job they can’t fill locally. The main temporary one is the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482): you need to be nominated by an approved sponsor, have the skills for the job and meet the English requirements. Permanent employer-sponsored options include the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186), and for regional areas, the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 494).

Family and partner visas

For partners, children, parents and some other relatives of Australian citizens, permanent residents and eligible New Zealand citizens. Partner visas come in pairs: subclass 820 and 801 if you apply in Australia, and 309 and 100 if you apply from outside. There’s also a Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300) for people engaged to an Australian.

Study, working holiday and graduate visas

The Student visa (subclass 500) covers full-time study. Young people from partner countries can come on a Working Holiday (subclass 417) or Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa. Some international graduates can stay on after study with a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485).

And the rest

There are also visas for exceptional talent (the National Innovation visa, subclass 858), refugee and humanitarian visas, and New Zealand citizens, who usually get a Special Category visa (subclass 444) when they arrive. Visitor visas let you come for a holiday or a short business trip, but not to work.

Words you’ll hear a lot

• EOI: expression of interest, your profile in SkillSelect.
• Invitation: what you need before you can apply for a points-tested skilled visa.
• Nomination: a state, territory or employer formally backing you.
• Sponsor: the employer or relative supporting your application.
• Bridging visa: a temporary visa that keeps you lawful in Australia while another application is processed.
• Conditions: the rules attached to your visa, like work limits. Check them on VEVO.

Costs and waiting times

Visa charges may be adjusted on 1 July each year, and there are extra charges for family members and some services. The only reliable number is the one from the government’s Visa Pricing Estimator. Processing times vary too, and Home Affairs prioritises some applications over others, so check the processing time guide for your visa rather than relying on what worked for a friend.

Who can help you, legally

In Australia, only registered migration agents, Australian legal practitioners and a few exempt people can lawfully give you immigration assistance, like advising which visa to apply for or preparing your application. Before you pay anyone, check them on the official register of migration agents run by the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA). If someone isn’t on the register and isn’t a lawyer, walk away.

Next: when you actually need a migration agent, and what the visa and the move really cost. Already have your visa? Head to your first 72 hours.