How these visas work.
Guides to the visas we are asked about most often, and to what happens when an application is refused.
I want to apply for a visa
Partner
How the Department assesses whether a relationship meets the partner visa requirements, including the financial, household, social and commitment factors.
Read more 482 · 186 · 494Employer Sponsored
The 482 and 494 need an approved sponsor before the nomination. A standard 186 does not: the employer nominates under regulation 5.19 and the worker lodges the visa.
Read more 189 · 190 · 491 · 191Skilled
You cannot simply apply. You have to be invited first, and almost everything is measured on the day the invitation issues – your age included.
Read more 485Temporary Graduate
Just finished studying in Australia? You have six months from completing the course to apply, and the age limit is 35.
Read more 600 · 651 · 400 · 408Visitor and Short Stay
What you may and may not do once you are here, and what No Further Stay closes off.
Read moreGo straight to a subclass482 Skills in Demand186 Employer Nomination494 Regional
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Refusals and ART Review
Whether a decision is reviewable, who may apply and the deadline are fixed by legislation. In sponsored matters, the person with standing may be the sponsor or nominator rather than the visa applicant.
Read more s.109 · s.116 · s.501Visa Cancellation
Cancellation procedures depend on the power being used. Some involve notice before cancellation; others can operate without prior notice or involve a later revocation process.
Read more s.501 · s.501CA · s.499Direction 123
The character direction from 31 October 2026, and what changes from Direction 110.
Read more s.351 · s.501J · s.195AMinisterial Intervention
Since September 2025 a request reaches the Minister only if it meets one of ten criteria. The rest are finalised by the Department.
Read moreFree tools
Check the fee, the wait and your occupation.
Visa fee calculator
The visa application charge for your visa and your family, worked out live by the Department of Home Affairs’ own estimator.
Work out the feeVisa processing times
How long the Department is taking to decide each visa, and where the queue is under the current Ministerial Direction.
See processing timesIs my occupation on the list?
Search 1,076 occupations by title or in your own words, and see every visa occupation list each one is on, from the instruments in force.
Search occupationsAlso on this site: migration updates · case law · Department policy questions
Not sure which page applies to you?
If your situation involves more than one thing at once – a refusal, the section 48 bar, a bridging visa and a partner application, say – start by telling us what has happened. Working out which pathway is open to you is our job.
Contact us if you need help.
Whether you are at the very start, waiting on a decision, or holding a refusal letter, start with a conversation about where things stand.
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