A short, factual index of Australian visas. Follow the official link for current requirements, forms, charges and application steps.
Subclass 600
For tourism, visiting family and friends, or short business visitor activities. Several streams exist; the stay period is set on grant and work is not permitted. Applying from outside Australia attracts a lower charge than applying onshore.
Subclass 601
App-based travel authority for passport holders of eligible countries (including the US, Canada, Japan, Korea, Singapore and the UK). A small service charge applies instead of a visa application charge.
Subclass 651
Free online authority for passport holders of eligible (mostly European) countries to visit Australia for tourism or business visitor purposes, usually granted very quickly.
Subclass 485
For recent graduates of Australian institutions to live and work in Australia temporarily after finishing their studies. Stream and stay period depend on the qualification. The base charge doubled to $4,600 for applications lodged from 1 March 2026.
Subclass 500
For international students enrolled in a CRICOS-registered course. Requires a Confirmation of Enrolment, the Genuine Student requirement, adequate health insurance (OSHC) and evidence of financial capacity. Work is capped per fortnight while studying.
Subclass 590
For a parent or relative providing care for an international student under 18. The guardian must be able to support themselves and the student, and generally cannot work.
Subclass 189
Points-tested permanent visa for skilled workers not sponsored by an employer, state or family member. Requires an invitation through SkillSelect after an Expression of Interest, a positive skills assessment in an eligible occupation, and competitive points.
Subclass 190
Points-tested permanent visa for skilled workers nominated by an Australian state or territory. Like the 189 plus a state nomination, which adds points and its own criteria (occupation lists, residence or job-offer conditions vary by state).
Subclass 491
Points-tested provisional visa for skilled workers nominated by a state/territory or sponsored by an eligible relative, to live and work in designated regional Australia. Leads to permanent residence via the 191 after meeting regional residence and income requirements.
Subclass 186
Permanent employer-sponsored visa. The Temporary Residence Transition stream suits 482 holders who have worked with their sponsor for the published period; the Direct Entry stream requires a skills assessment and experience. The employer nominates; you apply.
Subclass 400
For short-term, highly specialised work that an Australian worker cannot reasonably do — installations, commissioning, specialist repairs and similar. Not for ongoing roles.
Subclass 407
For workplace-based occupational training or professional development with an approved sponsor. Training must be structured and related to your occupation or studies.
Subclass 100
The permanent stage of the offshore partner pathway, usually assessed about two years after the combined 309/100 lodgement. No separate application charge — it was paid with the 309.
Subclass 103
The non-contributory permanent parent visa: far cheaper than the 143 but with a queue published in decades. Many families weigh it against the contributory and temporary options with professional advice.
Subclass 143
Permanent visa for parents who meet the balance-of-family test, with a much faster queue than the non-contributory 103 in exchange for a substantially higher cost: the charge is paid in two instalments, the second of which is around $49,000 per applicant — check the official estimator. Queues are still measured in years.
Subclass 858
Permanent visa for exceptionally talented individuals with an internationally recognised record in an eligible field — it replaced the Global Talent visa. Requires nomination by a recognised individual or organisation and an invitation to apply.
Subclass 888
The permanent stage for existing Business Innovation and Investment (188) provisional holders. The BIIP closed to new 188 applications in 2024, but eligible 188 holders can still progress to the 888.
Subclass 200
Offshore humanitarian visa for people referred by UNHCR who are outside their home country and subject to persecution. Part of Australia's offshore humanitarian program (subclasses 200–204); there is no application charge.
Subclass 790
A legacy temporary protection visa. Most former TPV/SHEV holders became eligible for permanent Resolution of Status visas from 2023 — current holders should check the official pathway and seek free specialist advice.
Subclass 866
For people already in Australia who engage Australia's protection obligations as refugees or under complementary protection. The application charge is nominal ($45). Free or low-cost legal help is available from specialist services — seek advice early.
Subclass 155
For permanent residents whose travel facility has expired or is expiring, so they can keep leaving and re-entering Australia as permanent residents. Grant length depends on time spent in Australia.
Subclass 417
For young adults (generally 18–30, 35 for some countries) from eligible partner countries to holiday and work in Australia. Second and third years are possible after specified regional work.
Subclass 444
Granted automatically and free to most New Zealand citizens on arrival. Since July 2023 a direct citizenship pathway exists for long-term resident SCV holders.
General information only — not immigration assistance or legal advice.
Subclass 408
Covers a basket of specific activities — entertainment, sport, research, religious work and more — each with its own stream and conditions.
Subclass 482
Employer-sponsored temporary work visa (formerly the TSS). An approved sponsor nominates a role in an eligible occupation; streams (Core Skills, Specialist Skills, Labour Agreement) have different salary and occupation settings. Pathways to permanent residence exist via the 186.
Subclass 494
For skilled workers sponsored by an employer in designated regional Australia. Provisional, with a pathway to permanent residence via the 191 after meeting regional requirements.
Subclass 300
The "fiancé visa": for people engaged to an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible NZ citizen, applying from offshore. After marrying in the validity window, holders typically apply for the onshore partner visa.
Subclass 309
The offshore counterpart of the partner pathway: apply from outside Australia, with the permanent 100 stage following. One combined application charge covers both stages.
Subclass 445
For a dependent child of a provisional partner visa holder/applicant, so the child can join the parent in Australia and be added to the permanent stage.
Subclass 801
The permanent stage of the onshore partner pathway, usually assessed about two years after the combined 820/801 lodgement. No separate application charge — it was paid with the 820.
Subclass 820
For the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, applying from inside Australia. The 820 is the temporary stage; the permanent 801 is usually assessed about two years after lodgement. One combined application charge covers both stages.
Subclass 870
Lets parents of Australian citizens and permanent residents visit for longer periods without a pathway to permanent residence. The child sponsor must be approved first and meet income requirements; no work is allowed.
Subclass 461
For non-New Zealand family members of a New Zealand citizen living in Australia on a Special Category visa — live, work and study for five years at a time.
Subclass 462
The Working Holiday counterpart for a different set of partner countries (including the US, China, and many in Asia and Latin America), often with education and English requirements and country caps.