VISA & MIGRATION
Getting the wrong advice at the wrong time costs you years — not just money. We're MARA-registered agents who tell you exactly what your situation calls for.
STUDENT VISA
Everything begins with the student visa.
The Subclass 500 Student Visa is your entry point into Australia's international education system. It lets you study full-time at a CRICOS-registered institution, work up to 48 hours per fortnight during term, and bring eligible family members with you.
Getting it right the first time matters enormously. A poorly prepared application — missing documents, inconsistent financials, a weak genuine temporary entrant statement — can result in a refusal that follows you for years. We prepare applications properly, the first time.
GRADUATE VISA
Now build your future.
The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) lets you stay and work in Australia after you graduate. It's the most important bridge between your studies and permanent residency — and since 2024, the rules have tightened significantly.
You must be under 35 at the time of application (exceptions apply for PhD and Masters by Research graduates, who can apply under 50). You must have held a Student visa, completed a CRICOS-registered course of at least 2 academic years, and apply within 6 months of finishing.
VET/trade graduates: up to 18 months. Bachelor and Masters coursework graduates: 2 years. PhD graduates: 3 years. Studied in a regional area? You may qualify for additional time. Duration depends on your qualification and study location.
You need IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 5.5 — or the equivalent in PTE, TOEFL, or other accepted tests. Results must be from within 12 months of your application date. Don't leave this to the last minute.
From 1 March 2026, the visa application fee is AUD $4,600 for the main applicant. Additional charges apply for secondary applicants. Current Home Affairs fee applies — always verify the exact figure at homeaffairs.gov.au before lodging.
⚠️ The 485 is a once-only opportunity in most cases. Choosing the wrong stream, missing the 6-month lodgement window, or submitting an incomplete application can cost you your entire post-study work entitlement. Get advice before you apply.
EMPLOYER SPONSORED
This visa keeps you in Australia.
The Skills in Demand visa (Subclass 482) is Australia's main employer-sponsored temporary work visa. If an Australian employer wants to hire you and can't find a suitable local candidate, they can sponsor you — and after two years of full-time work, you may be eligible for permanent residency through the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186).
The 482 replaced the old TSS visa in December 2024. The structure changed significantly — three streams, new occupation lists, updated salary thresholds. If you're still relying on information from 2023 or earlier, it's probably out of date.
Occupation: 456 occupations on the CSOL
Salary: Min. AUD $76,515/year (rising to $79,499 from 1 July 2026)
Duration: Up to 4 years
PR: Eligible via Subclass 186 after 2 years
Occupation: High-skill, high-salary roles
Salary: Min. AUD $141,210/year (rising to $146,717 from 1 July 2026)
Duration: Up to 4 years
PR: Eligible via Subclass 186 after 2 years
Occupation: Industries with formal DHA agreements
Salary: Negotiated — concessions may apply
Duration: Up to 4 years
PR: Pathway depends on agreement terms
Salary thresholds are indexed annually. Figures shown are current as at April 2026. Verify at homeaffairs.gov.au before lodging.
PERMANENT RESIDENCY
How people actually get there.
There's no single path to Australian PR — and anyone who tells you otherwise isn't being straight with you. The right route depends on your occupation, your points score, your work history, and what state you're in. Here are the main routes our clients use.
01
Subclass 189 · 190 · 491
If your occupation is on the skilled list and you have enough points — age, English, qualifications, work experience — you can apply for an invitation through SkillSelect. The 189 is independent (no employer or state needed). The 190 needs state nomination. The 491 is regional. All lead to PR.
02
Subclass 186 · 187
If you've been working for an Australian employer on a 482 visa for at least two years, your employer can nominate you for permanent residency. This is the most common PR pathway for trade and skilled workers — and since 2025, the two-year clock is portable across employers.
03
485 → 189/190/491 or 186
The 485 is not a PR visa — but it's the bridge that makes PR possible. Use your 485 years to gain Australian work experience, hit English score targets, and build the points or employment history you need for your next visa. Planning this from day one makes all the difference.
04
Subclass 491 → 191
Studying or working in a designated regional area can unlock additional visa time on your 485, higher points for SkillSelect, and access to the 491 regional sponsored visa — which leads to the 191 permanent visa. If you're flexible on location, regional pathways are worth serious consideration.
SKILLS ASSESSMENTS
We've done hundreds of these.
Most skilled migration visas require a positive skills assessment before you can lodge. The assessing body depends on your occupation — and submitting to the wrong body, or with the wrong evidence, wastes months and money. We know exactly what each body needs.
Professionals and some technical occupations — including business, education, community services, and many trade-adjacent roles
One of the most complex assessments — evidence requirements are strict and vary significantly by occupation code. Don't guess.
Trade occupations — carpentry, tiling, bricklaying, automotive electrical, and other Certificate III/IV trade qualifications
Requires a skills assessment interview in most cases. The Job Ready Program (JRP) is a separate TRA pathway specifically for recent VET graduates.
Nursing and midwifery occupations
Mandatory for all internationally-qualified nurses. Registration with AHPRA must follow a positive ANMAC assessment.
ICT and technology occupations
Required for most IT-related skilled migration applications. Outcome affects your points score and occupation eligibility.
All engineering disciplines
Uses the Washington, Sydney, or Dublin Accord depending on your qualification level. Processing can take several months — start early.
Not sure which assessing body applies to you? That's exactly the kind of question we answer in a free call.
Book now →COMMON QUESTIONS
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Book a free 30-minute call with one of our MARA-registered agents. We'll look at your visa history, your qualifications, and your goals — and give you a straight answer about what's actually possible.
Or call us: 0490 055 545
Sydney · Kogarah NSW · MARA-registered