If you wish to come to Melbourne for a holiday, our experienced tourist visa agents may advise you to apply for a visitor visa (subclass 600) tourist stream, also known as a tourist visa.
An Australian tourist visa is a subclass of the visitor visa which applies to a broad range of temporary visas which allow you to stay in Australia for a limited time.
The tourist stream visa only allows you to:
• Stay in Australia for up to 12 months
• Visit friends and family, cruise or have a holiday
• study or train for up to 3 months.
You cannot work on this visa.
If you intend to come to Australia for a purpose other than a holiday, such as work or long-term study, a tourist visa may not be your best option. One of our visa agents will be able to provide you with the best options available.
HOW DO I APPLY FOR A TOURIST VISA?
If you wish to visit Melbourne on a tourist visa, you can either apply for one while you are in Australia, or you can apply for one when you are outside of Australia. Applying for a tourist visa can be a complex process as it requires various forms of documentation. This is why a lot of people use a tourist visa agent. Your tourist visa agent will help you figure out which tourist visa is right for you and guide you through the application process.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR A TOURIST VISA
Though everyone’s needs are different, the basic requirements our tourist visa agents will list are:
Meet health requirements:
In order to be eligible for a tourist visa you will have to undergo a health examination.
Meet character requirements:
To prove you are of good character, you may need to provide military service or police records.
Have enough money:
To prove this, you may have to provide personal bank statements, taxation records and other financial documents such as payslips. In certain cases, credit card limits may be accepted as proof that you have sufficient funds.
To be considered a genuine visitor, you must fit into one of these classifications:
• In order to prove that you are a genuine visitor, you will need to provide documentation that shows your Australian travel plans or itinerary.
• If you are staying with friends or family, you will also have to provide a letter from them inviting you to visit. The letter should state their relationship to you, the purpose and length of your stay and whether you will be staying with them. If this person is paying for your stay, they will need proof of their funds.
• You will also have to provide a reason to return to your country of origin such as a letter from your employer, school or educational institution. Documentation to prove that you have significant assets or property in your home country can also be used, as can a letter by an immediate family residing in your country of origin.
Other criteria:
Other criteria may be applied if the tourist visa applicant is under the age of 18. If so, they must have written parental permission to travel, as well as supporting documentation to show that appropriate arrangements have been made for their general wellbeing, including accommodation and financial support.
HOW MUCH DOES A TOURIST VISA COST
The cost of applying to come to Melbourne on a tourist visa will depend on a few factors. These can broadly be broken down into three parts:
- the cost of the visa application,
- if you are using a tourist visa agent, the cost of their fees
- Other costs such as health checks, police certificates, biometrics
Depending on whether you are applying for the visa from within Australia or outside Australia will also affect the cost of the tours visa application.
Currently, the cost to apply for a tourist visa from within Australia is $475. The cost to apply from outside Australia is $190 for each applicant.
The cost of your tourist visa agent will generally depend on the amount of their involvement in your application process.
You may be eligible for a waiver of the Visa Application Charge (VAC) if you have been impacted by COVID-19 related travel restrictions. For more information, talk to one of our tourist visa agents to see if you are eligible.
HOW LONG YOU CAN STAY ON A TOURIST VISA
The normal period granted is 3 months, but a stay of up to 12 months may be granted in certain circumstances.
VISITOR VISA (600)
Australia is a fantastic place to visit because of its wonderful weather, beautiful landscape, and friendly communities. If you want to visit the land down under for a cruise, a vacation, or just to see friends and family, you’ll need to apply for a visitor visa.
A visitor visa is a broad term that refers to several different temporary visas that allow you to stay in Australia for a limited time. Depending on your specific needs and reasons for visiting, the Australian government will grant visitor visas for the following purposes:
• travel and leisure activities
• pay a visit to Australian friends or family members
• receive medical consultations or treatments
• conduct general business activities
Am I eligible for a visitor visa?
To apply for a visitor visa, you must:
• be a genuine visitor
• fund your entire stay in Australia
• be able to afford your departure from Australia
• meet the Australian government’s health and character requirements.
Since visitor visas are only granted to genuine visitors, this type of visa will not allow you to work in Australia.
WHICH VISITOR VISA SHOULD I APPLY FOR?
Overseas visitors can apply for one of several visitor visa subclasses available. However, to speed up your application, it is best to clarify the objective for your visit and apply for the appropriate visa. The Australian government will ultimately decide which type of visitor visa you are eligible for based on your reasons for visiting Australia.
TYPES OF VISITOR VISAS IN AUSTRALIA
You can apply for a visitor visa while you are already in Australia. However, most visitor visas only have an online application process which you must complete and receive approval for before entering the country. We’ve listed four applicable visitor visas below.
VISITOR VISA (SUBCLASS 600)
This is the most extensive visitor visa subclass, with numerous streams that correspond to your specific reason for visiting Australia. These different categories include:
• Tourist stream
• Sponsored family stream
• Business visitor stream
• Approved Destination Status stream
• Frequent traveller stream
Visitors with a People’s Republic of China passport are eligible for the Approved Destination Status and Frequent Traveller streams. These streams are primarily intended for PRC citizens who are visiting Australia as part of an organised tour group or who frequently visit Australia for various business purposes.
The subclass 600 visa allows visitors to stay in Australia for 3, 6, or 12 months in exceptional circumstances. If you want to remain in Australia for up to 12 months, you must provide a valid reason for your stay. The Australian government will then assess your situation before they grant you the requested period of time.
For this visa, you
• must be in Australia when you begin your application process and when your visa is granted
• must pay the application fee, which excludes the cost of any necessary health checks or police clearances
• must leave the country before your visa expires
• cannot stay in Australia for more than 12 consecutive months within a 24-month period
• This visitor visa also allows you to study or attend training courses for up to 3 months.
• If you’d like to stay in Australia for longer than 12 months, you might like to consider applying for a permanent resident visa instead of an Australian tourist visa.
EMPLOYER SPONSORSHIP (186)
Any employer knows that skilled workers are hard to find. So, as a business owner, when you find someone who is perfect for the role, you may want to sponsor that employee’s visa.
Or, perhaps you are looking to bring some extra helping hands into your growing business. Perhaps you have already provided sponsorship to one of your employee’s visas, and they may be looking to transition to permanent residency?
How can I provide sponsorship for my employee’s visa?
If you would like to provide sponsorship for your employee’s visa, as an employer there are a few things that you must first consider.
Before sponsoring a visa for your employee, you will need to consider which visa type is the right one for your employee and your business.
There are three main types of visas when it comes to employee sponsorship:
• The Direct Entry Stream
• The Labour Agreement Stream
• Temporary Residence Transition stream.
Each of these visas have different eligibilities and sponsorship requirement.
EMPLOYER SPONSORSHIP VISA | DIRECT ENTRY STREAM
The direct entry stream is perfect for employees who have the necessary skills for an occupation on the skilled occupation list and have at least three years of relevant work experience.
if you wish to provide sponsorship for your employee’s visa under this stream, as an employer you must prove that:
• You are actively and lawfully operating in Australia
• meet the relevant training requirements
• have no unfavourable information against you or your business
• Evidence that the position is currently occupied by a temporary resident,
• Proof of an increase in activity or plans for increased activity
• Ability to pay the applicant the market wage
In order to be eligible for this visa sponsorship, your employee must:
• be under 50 years of age
• have competent English skills
• hold a successful skills assessment for your nominated occupation from the relevant assessing authority (unless exempted)
• have at least three (3) years of highly relevant work experience
• meet relevant health and character requirements.
EMPLOYER SPONSORSHIP VISA | LABOUR AGREEMENT STREAM
A Labour Agreement Stream visa is one where the sponsoring employer has a labour agreement.
If you work in an industry that has a special agreement with the Australian Government to bring employees to Australia on either a temporary or part-time basis, you may consider sponsoring your employee under this visa stream.
If you are considering sponsoring an employee under this visa stream, they will need to meet the age, skill and English requirements, as well as relevant health and character requirements.
EMPLOYER SPONSORSHIP VISA | TEMPORARY RESIDENCE TRANSITION
If your employee already holds a 457 or TSS visa, you may consider sponsoring your employee’s visa through the temporary residence stream. However, sponsorship of an employee’s visa through this stream will require both you and them to meet certain eligibility requirements.
How long will my employee’s visa sponsorship take?
Because each employee's visa sponsorship application is assessed on a case-by-case basis, it can be difficult to tell how long it will take. Processing times can change due to individual circumstances, including:
• How quickly you reply to any requests and the time it takes to perform necessary checks
• The number of places the migration programme has available
• Time for external agencies to deliver information on health, character, and national security checks
• Additional time to correct any mistakes
TEMPORARY SKILL SHORTAGE VISA (482)
The TSS visa, or 482 visa, is a temporary visa that permits the holder to live in Australia while working full-time for the sponsoring employer, in a nominated occupation that is listed on the Short Skilled List or Medium Long Term Skilled List.
482 visa requirements
You are required to:
• Have a job offer
• At least two years of experience in the position
• Genuine intention to work in the nominated position
• Qualifications that are relevant to the position
• Adequate arrangements for health insurance
• Meet health, character and English requirements
TSS nomination (position) requirements
• A genuine, full-time position
• Work in the sponsor’s business unless an associated entity
• A salary in line with market rates, not below $53,900
• Subject to Labour Market Testing, unless exemptions apply
• On the relevant occupation lists
Age Restriction for a TSS 482 Visa
There is no age limit for a TSS visa; however, there is for Permanent Residency. If you are granted a visa in an MLTSSL occupation and intend to apply for permanent residency after three years of working for the same sponsor, you will need to be under 45 at the time of lodging your permanent residency application; unless you meet the exemptions.
482 VISA STREAMS
There are three streams applicable to the TSS 482:
The Short-Term Stream
Applicants with occupations on the Short-Term Skilled Occupations List (STSOL) may be eligible for visas of up to two years, renewable onshore once, for a further two years, and potentially renewable for an additional two-year period if applying from offshore. You must continue to meet the Genuine Temporary Entrant requirements;
The Medium & Long-Term Stream and Regional Stream
Applicants on the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) or the Regional Occupation List (ROL) can apply for up to four years (with eligibility for permanent residency after three years, depending on meeting age, English, Health and Character requirements);
The Labour Agreement Stream
The TSS 482 visa subclass involves a three-step process:
• a sponsorship application by the employer
• a nomination application for a skilled position by the employer
• a visa application by the proposed employee
WHAT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY CAN DO WHILST ON A 482 VISA?
If you are granted this visa as a primary applicant, you can travel to and from Australia for the duration of the visa and will be entitled to work only for the approved sponsor who has nominated you in your chosen occupation.
Whilst holding this visa, your family members included in your application can travel to and from Australia for the duration of the visa and can work or study in Australia without restriction.
PERMANENT RESIDENCY (189, 190, 491)
With a warm climate, diverse population, healthy economy, and laid-back lifestyle, Australia is a fantastic place to live, work, study, and raise a family.
If the land down under is on your radar, then apply for your permanent resident visa and gain some of the great benefits that securing your PR allows. Applying for your permanent residency visa in Australia means you can:
• Move freely around Australia and live wherever you choose
• Study at university and apply for higher education loans
• Become eligible for welfare benefits after two years
• Apply for government jobs
AM I ELIGIBLE FOR A PERMANENT RESIDENCY VISA?
Depending on your unique circumstances, you can apply for a permanent residency visa under various categories. However, something to bear in mind when you apply for your permanent residency is that each of these categories has its own set of rules. We will look at these different sets of rules later but, for now, let’s look at the general eligibility requirements, which apply to everyone.
AUSTRALIA’S PERMANENT RESIDENCY POINTS SYSTEM
In general, when you are applying for your permanent residency in Australia, a points system determines your eligibility. You must score at least 65 points, although 80 or more is ideal. When you apply for your permanent residency visa the points are calculated as follows:
AGE (MAXIMUM 30 POINTS)
You must be 45 years old or younger when applying for your permanent residency visa in Australia. Here’s an overview of the points breakdown for different ages:
• 18-24 years – 25 points
• 25-32 years – 30 points
• 33-39 years – 25 points
• 40-44 years – 15 points
ENGLISH PROFICIENCY (MAXIMUM 20 POINTS)
To secure a maximum of 20 points for the English proficiency section of applying for your permanent residency visa, you are required to achieve a score of 8 bands in the IELTS exam. Australian immigration authorities also accept other English proficiency examinations, including PTE, TOEFL, and IELTS.
Here’s an overview of the points you can earn for the English proficiency section of applying for your permanent residency:
• Competent English – 0 points
• Proficient English – 10 points
• Superior English – 20 points WORK EXPERIENCE OUTSIDE OF AUSTRALIA (MAXIMUM 15 POINTS)
If you have eight to ten years of work experience in a country outside Australia, you will score a total of 15 points. Fewer years’ experience awards your fewer points:
• Less than three years – 0 points
• Three to four years – 5 points
• Five to seven years – 10 points
• Eight to ten years – 15 points
WORK EXPERIENCE WITHIN AUSTRALIA (MAXIMUM 20 POINTS)
• Less than 1 year – 0 points
• One to two years – 5 points
• Three to four years – 10 points
• Five to seven years – 15 points
• Eight years or more – 20 points
YOUR EDUCATION (MAXIMUM 20 POINTS)
Your education level can earn you a maximum of 20 points toward your Australian permanent residency visa. Here’s how it works:
• Doctorate degree from an institution in or outside of Australia – 20 points
• Bachelor or Master’s degree from an institution in or outside of Australia – 15 points
• Trade qualification or diploma from an Australian institution – 10 points
YOUR SPOUSE OR DE FACTO PARTNER (MAXIMUM 10 POINTS)
If your spouse or de facto partner is also applying for a permanent residency visa in Australia, their qualifications can bolster your own application. Keep in mind that both you and your partner must meet the age and language requirements for permanent residency visa applications set out above.
Here’s how your spouse impacts your permanent residency visa application:
• They have a PR visa or are an Australian citizen – 10 points
• They are competent in English and have a Positive Skill Assessment – 10 points
• They are competent in English – 5 points
OTHER SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
You can earn extra points for your permanent residency visa application if you meet any of the following criteria:
• You studied in a regional area of Australia – 5 points
• You are accredited in community language (NAATI) – 5 points
• You underwent a professional year in Australia in a skilled program – 5 points
• You have secured state sponsorship (Subclass 190 visa) – 5 points
• You have a specialist educational qualification – 10 points
PARTNER/SPOUSE VISA
Obtaining an Australian partner visa will enable you to join your partner and start your new life together in Australia. Australian Immigration will carefully examine your relationship during the application process to check that it is genuine. Applications with insufficient proof will be refused.
Unfortunately, you won’t automatically receive an Australian partner visa upon marriage.
To apply for a partner visa in Australia, you must be sponsored by your spouse or de facto partner. They have to either be:
• An Australian citizen
• A permanent Australian resident
• A New Zealand citizen residing in Australia
In the guide below, we clearly outline the different types of Australian partner visas, their eligibility criteria, and what you can expect with each one.
AM I ELIGIBLE FOR AN AUSTRALIAN PARTNER VISA?
There are different Australian partner visas that you can apply for, depending on where you are. The requirements for each of them are slightly different. But first, let’s go through the requirements they have in common.
WHICH AUSTRALIAN PARTNER VISA SHOULD I APPLY FOR?
There are four types of partner visas available in Australia. You will be able to live and study with any of them during your time in this country. However, some of them only provide temporary residency rather than permanent status. You will also be permitted to work in Australia, and your job rights and benefits will be safeguarded by Australian workplace law.
TYPES OF PARTNER VISAS IN AUSTRALIA
You may apply for an Australian partner visa if you’re currently living abroad or stationed in Australia. We’ve listed the four Australian partner visas below.
APPLYING FOR A PARTNER VISA OUTSIDE OF AUSTRALIA 309/100
If you are outside of Australia, the Australian partner visa you may be eligible for is a permanent Partner (Migrant) visa (subclass 100).
Obtaining the permanent Partner (Migrant) visa (subclass 100) is a two-stage process. To be eligible for a permanent partner visa in Australia you first need to be granted a temporary Partner (Provisional) visa (subclass 309). You apply for both the permanent and temporary visas at the same time and pay only one fee. If you are granted the temporary Partner (Provisional) visa (subclass 309), you are eligible to be assessed for the permanent Partner (Migrant) visa (subclass 100) about two years after you lodged your application. You will need to provide further documents for this assessment.
If you have been in a long-term relationship before you lodge your application, the permanent Partner (Migrant) visa (subclass 100) will be granted immediately after the temporary Partner (Provisional) visa (subclass 309).
You must be outside Australia when you lodge your application and when a decision is made on the temporary Partner visa (subclass 309).
You can be in or outside Australia when a decision is made on the permanent Partner visa (subclass 100).
PROVISIONAL PARTNER VISA (SUBCLASS 309)
This is a temporary Australian partner visa that you can only apply for outside of Australia. It allows you to remain within the country while your permanent migrant partner visa is being processed.
You’ll also be able to:
• Leave and return to Australia whenever you like
• Take advantage of free English classes
• Sign up for Medicare services
MIGRANT PARTNER VISA (SUBCLASS 100)
You must first have a provisional Australian partner visa to be eligible for this visa. The subclass 100 visa will:
• Provide you with permanent residency
• Allow you to sponsor relatives who wish to apply for an Australian visa
• Allow you to leave and return to Australia anytime (depending on Government Covid restrictions)
• Attend free English classes
• Sign up for Medicare services
• Receive benefits from the Australian government
You can also apply to become an Australian citizen 12 months after receiving your migrant partner visa if you’ve had a valid Australian visa for at least four years.
APPLYING FOR A PARTNER VISA WITHIN AUSTRALIA
You can also apply for an Australian partner visa within Australia. The following information will guide you through the process.
PARTNER VISA (SUBCLASS 820/801)
Subclass 820 and 801 partner visas are for those applying from within Australia. You will be eligible to apply if your spouse or de facto partner is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or a New Zealand citizen residing in Australia and can sponsor your stay.
You must be in Australia when you lodge your application and when a decision is made on the temporary Partner visa (subclass 820).
You can be in or outside Australia when a decision is made on the permanent Partner visa (subclass 801).
TEMPORARY PARTNER VISA (SUBCLASS 820)
You’ll be included in the application process for a permanent partner visa after you apply for this visa. While your permanent partner visa is being processed, the subclass 820 visa will allow you to stay in Australia temporarily.
During this time, you are free to
• Leave the country and return as often as you like
• Attend free English classes
• Sign up for Medicare services.
If you previously held a prospective marriage visa (subclass 300), the overall cost of your subclass 820 visa will be reduced, and you’ll be able to extend your application to include members of the family unit who wish to stay in Australia as well.
PERMANENT PARTNER VISA (SUBCLASS 801)
To be eligible for this Australian partner visa, you must first hold the temporary partner 820 visa. The subclass 801 visa will:
• Provide you with permanent residency
• Allow you to sponsor relatives who wish to apply for an Australian visa
• Allow you to leave and return to Australia anytime (depending on Government Covid restrictions)
• Attend free English classes
• Sign up for Medicare services
• Receive benefits from the Australian government.
HOW DO I PROVE THAT MY RELATIONSHIP WITH MY SPOUSE OR DE FACTO PARTNER IS GENUINE?
To apply for a partner visa in Australia, you will need to prove that your relationship is genuine. In order to prove your partner, you will need to supply documentation, such as:
• Bank statements for joint accounts
• Proof of shared ownership for properties and vehicles
• Photos of you and your partner taken over an extended period of time
• You can apply to become an Australian citizen 12 months after receiving your migrant partner visa if you’ve had a valid Australian visa for at least four years
PROSPECTIVE MARRIAGE VISA (SUBCLASS 300)
The purpose of the Prospective Marriage visa is to allow the fiancé(e) of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen to travel to Australia in order to be married. The marriage must take place within nine months of the visa grant date, following which the applicant is eligible to apply for a Partner visa 820/801.
This application is lodged with the Department of Home Affairs (DOHA) on behalf of you and your sponsor. The main criterion is that the relationship and your sponsor meet the requirements referred to above. In addition, you must meet the standard health and character checks.
This visa is valid for nine months and allows you to travel to Australia before being married to your fiancé(e). You must be outside Australia both when your application is lodged, and when your visa is granted. The marriage must occur during the validity period of your visa i.e. within nine months of the visa grant date. It may take place either in Australia or overseas.
The next step is once you have entered Australia and your marriage has taken place, you will be eligible to apply for an Australian Partner visa. This application must be lodged before your Prospective Marriage visa expires.
Once you meet the criteria, you will be granted a temporary Partner visa, which is valid for approximately two years from the date of the application’s lodgement. At the end of this two-year period, you will be eligible for a permanent Partner visa in Australia.
STUDENT VISA (500)
Australia is home to some of the best universities, schools and training institutions in the world, and is a popular destination for international students.
However, if you are an international student, you will require an Australian student visa to study in Melbourne.
TYPES OF STUDENT VISAS IN AUSTRALIA
If you are looking to study in Melbourne on a student visa, it is important to apply for the correct type. Our Melbourne based student visa consultants will be able to guide you on which vis type is most appropriate for your situation.
There are the following types of student visas in Australia:
• subclass 500
• subclass 590
The main type of visa our student visa consultants process for international students looking to study in Melbourne is the subclass 500 student visa. This visa can be applied for from within or outside of Australia, and it costs AUD $630.
If you are a guardian of a minor who has already obtained a subclass 500 visa, our student visa and migrations agent might suggest you apply for a subclass 590 visa for guardians. If you are a trainee or a tertiary student, our student visa consultant may advise you to apply for a student visa for your Melbourne studies.
STUDENT VISA (SUBCLASS 500)
Most international students coming to Melbourne hold a Subclass 500 student visa.
To apply for a subclass 500 student visa, you must:
• Be of the appropriate age (if you wish to enrol for primary school or secondary school education)
• Show evidence of your enrolment in a particular course of study
• Pass the official English language test set by the Australian government or show evidence that your English skills are of a particular level
• Be able to fund your stay in Australia
• Meet the Australian government’s health requirements
• Follow the laws set in Australia.
The Australian government will determine the length of your stay in Australia. The amount of time will be determined based on the duration of your course. If you intend to stay and study in Australia for more than 5 years, you must apply for a new subclass 500 visa when your current one expires.
STUDENT GUARDIAN VISA (SUBCLASS 590)
If your child holds a subclass 500 student visa, and you are over the age of 21, our visa and migration agents may suggest you apply for a subclass 590 student guardian visa.
This visa will permit you to accompany and support a minor who holds a subclass 500 student visa.
However, before you apply, your visa consultant will advise you that will need to have
the financial means to provide adequate accommodation, welfare, and other assistance for the student as well as yourself.
And since this is a temporary visa, you will not be permitted to work in Australia during your stay.
With this visa, you can also:
• Take up an English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS)
• Study in Australia for 3 months
• Participate in a training course for 3 months
• Travel both within and outside of the country (with the student visa holder for whom you are responsible)
• The validity of this temporary visa is determined by the length of the student’s course, age, and any unusual circumstances or special considerations.
TRAINING VISA (407)
Those who have a training visa will be able to stay in Australia for up to 2 years. The subclass 407 visa is for those who intend to study at an Australian tertiary institution or complete a professional training programme.
For this visa, you must:
• Receive sponsorship from a government-approved sponsor
• Be nominated by your sponsor
• Be 18 years of age or older
• Meet the Australian government’s health and character requirements.
• Be able to communicate in English at a functional level
• Follow the laws set in Australia.
• With a subclass 407 visa, you’ll be able to travel outside of Australia and return as many times as you’d like.
You will not be able to renew this training visa. Before you can apply for a new subclass 407 visa, you must present an acceptable justification for why you were unable to complete your course within the specified term.
Temporary Graduate Visa (485)
Are you an international student who wants to stay in Australia after graduation? If so, you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485). This visa allows you to live, study, and work in Australia for up to 6 years.
The 485 visa is a great way to gain valuable work experience in Australia, giving you the ability to work full-time or part-time. It can also provide a pathway to other visas, such as the skilled visa subclass 189 or 190.
The various streams for 485 visas
Graduate work stream:
• If you are a recent graduate from a recognised Australian university, you can apply for this visa category.
• It allows you to stay in Australia for up to 18 months.
• The cost of this visa currently is AUD 1,895.
• With a graduate visa subclass 485, you can live, study, and work in Australia and sponsor your family to come to Australia.
• To be eligible for this visa, you must hold a qualification related to an occupation on the skilled occupation list.
Post-study work stream:
• You are eligible to apply for this visa if you have graduated recently from a CRICOS registered course.
• The validity of this temporary visa is 2-4 years, dependent on the course you are attending.
• This visa allows you to bring your eligible family workers to Australia to live with you.
• With a post-study work stream visa, you can stay, study and work in Australia for the duration of the visa and are allowed multiple entry and exits.
Second post-study work stream:
• It is a temporary visa, and its validity is 18-24 months, depending on the course you are attending.
• It is meant for students who have recently completed their graduation degree from a recognised institution located in Australia’s regional area or territory.
• The regional area that applicant has lived in as the holder of his/her first temporary graduate visa PSW stream.
SKILLED RECOGNISED GRADUATE VISA (476)
This is a specific work visa suitable for you if you are a recent graduate who got an engineering degree. A 476 visa allows you to work, live, and study in Australia for a time period, but to get this visa, you need to have a degree from a recognized institution.
Document Checklist for a 476 Visa
If you want to apply for a 476 visa, then you have to assemble several documents depends on your circumstances:
• You are required to submit a copy of the information pages from your passport along with other identification documents. This may include an ID card if you have one, and any documents that prove your name change (if applicable).
• Qualification documents. To prove that you have an engineering degree from an accredited institution, submit a copy of your transcripts and a letter of completion- including the completion dates for your courses.
• Proof of English language proficiency. You must provide evidence that you have a proficient level of the language when you apply for this visa.
• Proof of character.
• Helping forms. Depending on who’s helping you submit either form 956 or form 956a.
If you are applying with your partner include:
• Their identification
• Marriage papers
• Proof of relationship
For dependents under 18 include:
• Birth certificate or family book
• A parental permission form 1229
• A statutory declaration
Who Can Apply for a 476 Visa?
You can apply for this visa if:
You are under 31 years of age.
• You have an engineering degree from a recognised institution affiliated with Washington Accord.
• Your engineering degree is in one of the following disciplines:
• Civil engineering
• Structural engineering
• Chemical engineering
• Environmental engineering
• Electrical and electronics engineering
• Mechanical, production and plant engineering
• Mining and material engineering
You have completed one of these degrees in the last two years:
You are not eligible to apply for a visa 476 if you previously held a temporary graduate visa 485 or a skilled graduate visa 476 unless you held one as a family member of the main applicant.
