482 Visa to PR 186 in 2 years

This article is updated regularly. Last updated: Thursday 9th of January 2025

New Skills in Demand Visa Subclass 482

The Department of Home Affairs introduced the Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482) on December 7, 2024, with three different streams: Specialist Skills Stream, Core Skills Stream and Labour Agreement Stream. The new Skills in Demand Visa replaces the Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) 482 Visa and provides more flexibility for both workers and employers.

Employer-sponsored 482 Visa to PR 186 in 2 years 

The Australian Government has announced changes that will allow short-term 457 or 482 visa holders to have a pathway to permanent residency in Australia after 2 years. If you have held and worked on a 482 visa for at least 2 years, you can apply for your PR. from November 25, 2023. The new rules started on November 25, 2023.

Employers will be able to nominate holders of all Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) 482 visa, including Medium-term, Short-term, and Labour Agreement streams. The nominated person will need to have held their TSS or subclass 457 visa(s) for 2 out of the 3 years before nomination.

Before, only Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) 482 visa holders whose occupations are on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) could apply for an Employer Nomination Scheme (186) visa under the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) pathway after 3 years of full-time employment with the sponsoring employer while on a 457 visa or 482 visa.

Short-term 482 visa to PR 186 visa

The 186 Temporary Residence Transition stream is available to the majority of 482 Temporary Skill Shortage visa holders. It will no longer be restricted to 482 visa holders with occupations listed on the Medium-term Skilled Occupation List. In addition, the required length of employment with your sponsoring employer will be reduced from 3 years to 2 years.

If your occupation is on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), you will also be eligible to apply for the 186 Temporary Residence Transition after working in Australia for your employer-sponsor with a 482 visa for 2 years.

Medium-term 482 to PR in 2 years

Previously, medium-term occupations required 3 years on a 482 visa to be eligible to apply for permanent residency. When the changes start, all 482 streams can access PR and the work experience requirement will now be reduced to 2 years.

Common medium-term occupations include roles such as Registered Nurse, Diesel Mechanic, Carpenter, and more.

Read more about the 482 Visa

Who will be eligible to apply for the 482 visa to 186 PR?

The changes will benefit most 482 visa holders, including individuals with occupations listed on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List. But there is still a requirement to meet 186 visa criteria, which include:

• Competent English - either all 6.0 IELTS or all 50 PTE
• Being under the age of 45, unless specific narrow exemptions apply

You can find more information about the 186 PR on our website.  

What about those over 45 years old on a 482 visa?

Changes will be made to age exemptions for regional medical practitioner applicants and high-income earning applicants aged 45 years and over to allow for a two-year pathway. The high-income threshold is currently $175,000.

Apart from this, there are no other changes to the age requirement for 186 (PR).

Changes to the TSS visa

Another change is that all short-term stream TSS visa applications can be lodged in Australia. Limits on the number of Short-term stream TSS applications visa holders can make in Australia will be removed. Applicants who wish to lodge a third or more Short-term stream TSS visa can do so from onshore.

Short-term stream TSS holders with visas expiring before the changes will need to travel outside Australia to lodge a third short-term stream TSS application.

What Short-term occupations will benefit from the change?

The occupations include Marketing Specialist, Primary School Teacher, Cook, Cafe or Restaurant Manager, Enrolled Nurse, ICT Sales Representative, ICT Support Engineer, Middle School Teacher, ICT Project Manager, Finance Broker, Graphic designer, Accommodation and Hospitality Manager, Barber, Hairdresser, Jewellery Designer, Project and Program Administrator, Metallurgical or Materials Technician, Veterinary Nurse, and Conference and Event Organiser.

You can check all the occupations on the occupation list.  

What about nominated occupation requirements?

Nominated occupations will no longer be assessed against skilled migration occupation list.

The nominated occupation will need to be listed in the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) and the nominated worker will need to continue to work in the occupation nominated for their TSS visas).

The applicant must use the same ANZSCO code for the 186 TRT visa as they hold on the 482/457 visa. Will this be the 4-digit or 6-digit ANZSCO?

The nominated occupation will need to have the same 4-digit ANZSCO occupation unit group code as the occupation in relation to which the identified person’s most recently held Subclass 457 visa or Subclass 482 visa was granted. This is an existing requirement and will not be changing. It goes along with the requirement for the 457/TSS holder to have been employed in the same position with the sponsoring employer.

For example, if your occupation is Marketing Specialist (ANZCO code 225113), you can also be nominated as an Advertising Specialist (ANZCO code 225111) because the first 4 digits are the same. However, you can't be nominated as a Sales and Marketing Manager (ANZCO code 131112) because the first 4 digits are different from the Marketing Specialist ANZCO code.

Read more about the 482 Visa

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How do I find a Sponsor?

How to Find an Employer Sponsor in Australia

One of the most common questions we receive is, "How do I find an Employer to sponsor me?"

The decrease in state nominations and the end of the 408 Covid work visa have led many people in Australia to look for different ways to get a temporary visa. Also, the new Migration Strategy introduced in December 2023 is making people consider finding a sponsor to help them stay in Australia, which might help them become permanent residents in the future.

Finding a sponsor in Australia requires diligence, patience, a bit of strategy, and even some good luck. In this blog, we will provide 8 tips to help you to find a Sponsor in Australia.

1. Learn about the visa options and what they require for both the applicant and the sponsor

 There are four types of visas for which you will need an employer sponsor:

• The new Skills in Demand Visa Subclass 482 - Specialist Skills, Core Skills and Labour Agreement enables Australian employers to address labor shortages by bringing in genuinely skilled workers.
• The 186 Employer Nomination Scheme Visa allows skilled workers who are nominated by an employer to live and work in Australia permanently.
• The 494 Skilled Employer-Sponsored Regional Visa is designed for skilled workers who wish to work in regional Australia.
• DAMA, or Designated Area Migration Agreements, for arrangements that offer a flexible approach to addressing unique economic and labor conditions across Australia. 

Click here to check the new Core Skills Occupation List! 456 Occupations available for the 482 Visa and the 186 Direct Entry Visa!

2. Preparing your profile for the employer-sponsored positions

First, make sure your CV and cover letter are relevant to Australian standards for an occupation on the relevant list. For example, if you are a Chef, highlight your relevant skills and experience and any training.

Questions you should ask yourself

• Is my LinkedIn profile updated to include experience and qualifications?
• Have I completed the English language testing required for many work visas?
• Does my occupation require registration, for example, for health professionals?

These steps can serve as the starting point in your search for a sponsor.

3. Searching the key online job websites

Seek is the most common job website in Australia. You can narrow the search by including keywords such as "482 sponsorship", "482 visa", "employer sponsor", or "DAMA", since many employers are not looking to hire employees that need a sponsored visa.

LinkedIn can also be a good place to look for potential sponsors in your field.

4. Researching and contacting employers that are already approved sponsors

Here is a list of approve Standad Business Sponsors (SBS) for the 482 visa in 2025.

Accredited sponsors are sponsors with a strong track record that are given faster processing times.

Many Australian employers will say they do not sponsor, which can waste your time when going through job adverts, submitting applications, or attending interviews.

Starting with approved sponsors is a great idea because it allows you to focus your energy on employers who are already familiar with the sponsorship process and have been officially approved by the Department of Home Affairs. These businesses understand what is involved in sponsoring a visa applicant and are more likely to be open to hiring skilled overseas workers.

By targeting approved business sponsors, you're giving yourself a better chance of securing a job that can actually lead to a 482 visa, 186 visa, or 494 visa. It also saves time and reduces the frustration of applying for positions where visa sponsorship isn't even an option.

You can search for approved sponsors through the Register of Standard Business Sponsors or look for employers that regularly post jobs mentioning visa sponsorship.

You can also find a Labour Agreement employer by searching those listed on the Department of Home Affairs website. See the searchable list in the Labour Agreement section in the link below: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/employing-and-sponsoring-someone/sponsoring-workers/nominating-a-position/labour-agreements/list-of-current-labour-agreements

Looking at the accredited sponsor or labour agreements lists can give you a starting point to try to identify companies that match your occupation. For example, restaurants or large hotels for Chefs.

5. Build your personal and professional network

Next, consider networking, including in-person events. Attend industry meetups, webinars, and forums, both online and in-person if possible. Conferences could be a good place to make connections within your industry. The more you network, the higher your chances of finding a potential sponsor.

6. Consider regional areas and smaller cities

Consider moving to regions where there are more shortages and potentially more opportunities to find a sponsor in your occupation.

For onshore candidates, consider roles in or related to the industry you are targeting, but possibly at a lower level than your desired job. For example, if you want to work as an Architect, also consider working as an architectural draftsperson. This could be your opportunity to start working in your field in Australia.

7. Engaging with the employer

When you find potential sponsors, it's time to engage.

For onshore applicants on temporary visas, you may want to consider getting a relevant job and building the relationship before you ask for sponsorship.

For offshore applicants, it can be more difficult because you may need to talk about wanting sponsorship very early on.

8. Getting professional help with the Visa

When you find a sponsor, consider seeking help from a registered migration agent or lawyer to help you with your visa application.

Contact us if you need help with an existing employer-sponsored visa such as 186 Visa Direct Entry, the new Skills in Demand 482 Visa, the 494 Visa or DAMA.

No Payment for Sponsorship 

It is important to know that you cannot pay an employer to sponsor you, and the employer is committing a crime if they ask for payment or receive a benefit for sponsorship.

The legislation imposes penalties on a person who asks for, receives, offers, or provides a benefit in return for a visa sponsorship or employment that requires visa sponsorship.

The aim is to:

• Prevent employers from asking potential employees for money or other benefits for a sponsored visa position.
• Prevent applicants from offering employees money or other benefits for a sponsored visa position.

Civil Penalties

• Infringement notice of up to AUD12,600 for a body corporate and AUD2520 for an individual for each failure.
• Civil penalty order of up to AUD63,000 for a corporation and AUD12,600 for an individual for each failure.

The visa holder can have their visa cancelled.

The sponsor can have their Standard Business Sponsorship cancelled.  If the employer has multiple employees on 482’s, then if their sponsorship is cancelled, none of the 482 holders can work for the employer.  This can be highly disruptive for an employer. 

Do you need help with your Sponsor visa application?

Our team of experienced Immigration Lawyers and Migration Agents look forward to assisting you with your visa application.

Based in Adelaide, South Australia, we provide Australian Immigration advice to people and businesses from all over the world.

You can book an appointment online or call us at (+61) 8 8351 9956.

To learn more about the 482 visa click on the following links:

TSS 482 Visa Application Process
TSS 482 Business Sponsorship Requirements
TSS 482 Sponsorship - How do I find a Sponsor?
TSS 482 Sponsorship Obligations
TSS 482 Nomination Requirements
TSS 482 Nomination – Occupation Requirements
TSS 482 Nomination – Labour Market Testing (LMT)
TSS 482 Nomination – Salary requirements including the TSMIT and Market Salary
TSS 482 Nomination – Position Requirements
TSS 482 Visa Application Requirements
TSS 482 Visa application – English Requirement
TSS 482 Visa application – Age Requirement
TSS 482 Visa Condition 8607
TSS 482 Visa and Changing Employers
TSS 482 Occupation List
TSS 482 Regional Postal Codes
What are common issues for the TSS 482 Visa?
TSS 482 Business Sponsor Compliance and Response to Monitoring

408 Visa For COVID-19 Pandemic Event

Read our latest Australian Immigration updates June 2022 here >>>

Subclass 408 COVID-19 pandemic event visa (AGEE stream) 2022

Last Updated : 3:25 pm, Thursday, 17 March 2022 (ACDT)

The Australian Government endorsed event stream has been adapted to assist temporary visa holders stuck in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

There is NO application charge for the 408 visa COVID-19 pandemic stream.

With this visa 408 Australia, you can:

• remain in Australia to work in ANY sectors during the covid-19 pandemic from 6-12 months
• include members of the familty unit in your application

*Important Update: If you apply on or after 21 February 2022, and claim that you are unable to depart Australia due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, you will NOT be eligible for a COVID-19 Pandemic event visa.

408 Covid Visa Applications made before 21 February 2022

The COVID-19 Pandemic event visa 408 changes announced by the Government on 2 March 2022 will not affect unfinalised COVID-19 Pandemic event visa applications lodged before 21 February 2022.

These applications will continue to be assessed under the arrangements applicable at the time they were lodged.

This means that the processing time of Visa 408 could be longer than expected.

408 Covid-19 Visa Requirements

This 408 visa is only for applicants who are working or intending to work in Australia. 

The requirements to obtain a 408 visa under the COVID-19 pandemic event stream are:

• You either:
  • Hold a temporary visa which is expiring in 90 days or less
  • Do not hold any visa and have substantive visa that expired 28 days ago or less
• You can work in ANY SECTOR within Australian economy

If you are a temporary substantive visa holder and apply for a COVID-19 Pandemic event visa on or after 21 February 2022, you may be eligible for this visa if, at time of application, you:

• were in Australia before 21 February 2022 and are working or intending to work in Australia; or
• arrive in Australia on or after 21 February 2022 and have work rights on your substantive visa; or
• have a job offer from a Commonwealth funded aged care service, even if you do not have work rights on your current substantive visa.

Note: A bridging visa is not a substantive visa.

Duration of the COVID-19 pandemic event visa 408

This is a temporary visa with multiple entries; however, please be aware of some travel restrictions.

If you apply in Australia, the visa starts the day you got it granted. If you apply outside Australia, you will not meet the requirements for the 408 AGEE Pandemic Event visa and you will get it refused by the Department of Home Affairs.

The duration of the visa depends on your circumstances. The different possible periods are:

• Up to 12 months if you work in a “critical sectors” of agriculture, food processing, health care, aged care, disability care, child care and tourism and hospitality
• Up to 6 months for all others

Importantly, all 408 Visa holders will have work rights, noting that they are granted this visa to provide them with more time to depart Australia. These visa holders may change employment and work for more than one employer.

At time of application, you must provide evidence of your ongoing employment or offer of employment. Evidence of employment must confirm:

• the dates of your employment
• the sector you are working or intending to work.

What are critical sectors in 408 AGEE Pandemic event visa?

Critical sector is a broad term referring to a number of industries which are in high demand during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The critical sectors include:

• Agriculture
• Food processing
• Health care
• Aged care
• Disability care
• Childcare
• Tourism and Hospitality

It is expected that the definition of this will continue to change as priorities develop.

You will need to provide a letter from your employer to confirm that you are working in a critical sector.

 Before the announcement day, workers who are working in Critical sector only can apply for 408 pandemic visa. 

With the new changes in 408 visa requirement, you are no longer asked for work experience in critical sector.

Issues applying for the Visa 408 COVID-19 pandemic event visa

Those who do not hold a substantive visa and have had a recent refusal or cancellation (that is, those affected by section 48 of the Migration Act) will not be able to apply for this visa.

If your current visa is affected by a no further stay condition 8503, 8534 or 8535, you will need to request a waiver of this in order to apply for the 408 COVID-19 pandemic stream.

Seasonal Worker Program visa holders will have this automatically waived for the 408 COVID-19 pandemic stream.

Further Requirements for 408 Visa Australia

In order to be eligible for the 408 visa:

• You must satisfy the genuine temporary entrant (GTE) requirement 
• You might be asked to provide evidence that you can financially support yourself and your accompanying family members while in Australia
• You must meet certain health requirements
• You will be responsible for all health requirements as you will not be covered by Australia's national health scheme
• You must meet certain character requirements
• You must have no outstanding debts to the Australian Government or have arranged to repay any outstanding debts to the Australian Government before this visa can be granted

What is the application process?

Visa applications must be made online.

Applicants and agents can access online services by creating an account in ImmiAccount. Once you have gathered documents that support your application, create an account and apply using our online application system ImmiAccount.

After you have applied for your visa you might be required to do the following:

• attend an interview
• provide additional information
• provide biometric information
• provide police certificates

Your application could take longer if you need character or health checks (including x-rays), if you need to provide more information, or if your application is incomplete. If you do not provide the documents requested, your visa application could be refused.

Note: If you plan to get a new passport, you should do so before applying for your visa.

FAQ for 408 pandemic event visa

I want to change employers while holding a 408 AGEE Pandemic event visa

The COVID-19 Pandemic event visa is part of the Subclass 408 (Australian Government Endorsed Event stream) visa. A criterion for this visa is that applicants seek to remain in Australia to undertake work directly associated with an event. The legislative instrument declaring this event sets out the classes of persons who are eligible, which includes those working in a critical sector, who are generally granted a 12-month visa, and those who are not working in a critical sector , who are normally granted a 6-month stay.

Visa 408 holders should continue to work in any sector.

408 visa holders are permitted to:

• Change employment as long as they stay employe
• Work for more than one employer in one or more 

Once a visa has been granted, the Department will not undertake further assessments or provide advice about employment changes.  

You must notify the Department of any changes of employment by completing a Notification of changes in circumstances (Form 1022) and emailing it to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. together with a letter of offer for each new employer and position.

Once you have notified the Department, this auto generated response will serve as confirmation of your update. Individual confirmations or updated grant notifications will not be provided.

Seasonal Worker Program participants must only work for a SWP approved employer under the program.

Employers can access information on your visa details and conditions through VEVO.

I currently hold a visitor visa, should I apply for another visitor visa or a 408 visa?

If you are currently holding any of the visitor visas including ETA subclass 601 visa, eVisitor Subclass 651 visa or Visitor subclass 600 visa and are looking to apply for another visa to extend your stay in Australia and get work rights, the 408 visa might be an option.

The basic difference between a visitor visa and a 408 visa is that a visitor visa does not provide work rights whereas the 408 visa does provide work rights. Therefore, if you are on a visitor visa and want to apply for a 408 visa, you need to show that you hold evidence of intending to work in any sector in Australia such as: Employment offer or contract, the sector you are intending to work.

I am eligible for a visitor visa and a 408 visa, which visa is better option for me?

It depends on your situation which visa works for you but in general 408 visa can be a better option out of the two mainly because it provides work and study rights unlike a visitor visa 600. 

Also, keep in mind that there is no application fee for a 408 (COVID-19) stream visa application. For a visitor visa you have to pay an application fee plus you may have to pay a subsequent temporary application charge of AUD 700. This makes a visitor visa much more costly than a 408 visa.

I am a backpacker working with a farmer, can I apply for 408 visa?

If you are currently on a Work and Holiday visa Subclass 462 visa or Working Holiday Visa Subclass 417 visa and are working with a farmer, you may apply for a 408 visa depending on your situation.

Initial Working Holiday visas are usually granted for 12 months. Completing 3 months of ‘specified work’ on the initial visa will you access to a second working holiday visa. Further, if you complete 6 months of ‘specified work’ during the second working holiday visa period, you can apply for a third working holiday visa.

Working Holiday Visa can either be Subclass 462 or Subclass 417 depending on the nationality of the applicant.

The following industries and areas are approved as ‘specified work’:

• Cultivation of plants and animals in regional Australia
• fishing in regional Australia
• pearling in regional Australia
• tree farming and felling in regional Australia
• mining in regional Australia
• construction in regional Australia
• bushfire recovery work in declared bushfire affected areas only, after 31 July 2019

If you fulfil the requirements of specified work, it is preferable that you apply for a second or third working holiday visa. If you have not done enough work or have not worked in an area or industry specified under the category of ‘specified work’, you might not be eligible for a further working holiday visa.

In this case, if you are currently working with a farmer, you might be eligible to apply for 408 visa. Farming/agriculture is considered as a critical sector and if the farmer is willing to continue to provide you work, you may apply for 408 visa.

I am currently on Temporary Graduate 485 visa, can I apply for 408 visa covid-19?

After finishing their studies many students may apply for a Graduate 485 visa. If your 485 visa is expiring soon and you are currently working in a any sector in Australia, you may be eligible for 408 visa.

This is a life saver for skilled migrants who have their Temporary Graduate visa 485 expring soon to have more time collecting work experience for skilled Visa 491 or 190.

I am not working in a critical sector, am I eligible for the 408 visa?

The 408 visa will allow you to lawfully remain in Australia if you have no other visa options and you will have full work rights if you are working or intending to work in Australia in ANY SECTOR. So the answer is yes, you will have work right even though you are not working in critical sectors on your visa 408 Australia.

I am applying for 408 visa as a last resort, will I get work rights?

If your current visa is expiring soon or it has already expired in the last 28 days, and you do not have any other visa options , you may be eligible for the 408 visa. In this case you must seek employment in Australia and ask for evidence to prove your employment such as: Job offer, the dates of your employment, the sector you are working or intending to work.

You want to include your overseas dependents to your 408 AGEE Covid-19 pandemic event visa application

The purpose of the subclass 408 Pandemic event visa is to facilitate those who are unable to depart Australia due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, and/or are supporting Australia’s COVID-19 labour supply issues.

You need to be in Australia both at time of application and decision.

You are unable to optain a medical appointment within the timeframe provided

If you have been requested to undertake a medical assessment, and you are unable to obtain a medical appointment within the timeframe provided, you do not need to seek an extension of time. The Department is aware of delays with medical appointment bookings due to the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Please book the earliest available medical appointment.

We understand that during lockdown periods, medical appointments are often suspended.

You should continue to monitor notifications through the Home Affairs and Bupa Medical Visa Services websites and make an appointment when services resume.

Please ensure all other information requested is provided to the Department within the specified time frames.

Once your medical examination has been completed the Department will be notified of the outcome of your results.

You lodged your application but a bridging visa has not been granted yet

If you were in Australia when you applied for this visa you may be granted:

• a Bridging visa A (BVA) if you held a substantive visa when you applied
• a Bridging visa C (BVC) if you did not hold a substantive visa when you applied

It may take up to 5 days for your Bridging visa to be granted. If you have not received your Bridging visa notification within this time please email the Major Events Visa processing mailbox and include the expiry date of your current visa.

Your Bridging visa will come into effect when your substantive visa ceases to maintain your lawful status in Australia while your new visa application is being assessed.

You currently hold a subclass 408 COVID-19 Pandemic event visa which is expiring soon

If you currently hold a COVID-19 Pandemic event visa that is about to expire you may be eligible for another COVID-19 Pandemic event visa if:

• you wish to remain in Australia to continue working

For more information on these requirements refer to Temporary Activity Visa (Subclass 408) Australian Government endorsed events.

You are close to meet visa 491/190 nomination requirement and currently applying for 408 visa, can you still apply for PR or skilled visa regional 491?

Yes, you can still use your work experience on your 408 visa to Permanent Residency in Australia.

Sources

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/temporary-activity-408/australian-government-endorsed-events-covid-19#Overview

Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408)

Why Choose the Temporary Activity visa subclass 408?

One of the most attractive aspects of the Training visa is that there is no Skilling Australia Fund payment required. 

Another advantage of the Temporary Activity visa is that it has 10 different streams to choose from including:

• Australian Government Endorsed Events (AGEE) - including the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic event
• Special Programmes
• Religious Work
• Research Activities
• Invited for Other Social and Cultural Activity
• Sporting Activities
• Entertainment Activities
• Superyacht Crew
• Exchange Arrangements
• Domestic Work for Executives

What does the Temporary Activity visa subclass 408 allow you to do?

This visa allows you to:

• stay in Australia for the period that aligns with the activities that you have been approved to undertake on this visa. The maximum stay periods allowed are:
• Invited participant activity type – up to three months
• Australian Government endorsed event activity type – up to four years
• Any other activity type – up to two years
• do the work or activity specified in your application
• bring eligible family members with you to Australia
• enter and leave Australia as many times as you want while your visa is valid.

While working, the Temporary Activity visa (Subclass 408) allows you to:

• work in the entertainment industry
• participate in activities at the invitation of an Australian organisation
• participate or observe in an Australian research project
• work in a skilled position under a staff exchange arrangement
• participate in high-level sports competitions or sports training programs
• participate in a special programme approved by the department that provides opportunities for youth exchange, cultural enrichment or community benefits
• do full-time religious work
• be employed as a superyacht crew member
• do full-time domestic work in the household of certain senior foreign executives
• participate in a government endorsed event.

Who is this visa for?

The Temporary Activity visa subclass 408 is for people who want to come to Australia on a temporary basis to undertake one of the following activities:

• Entertainer: to work in the entertainment industry in film, television or live productions in either a performance or behind-the-scenes role,
  such as directing, producing and other production roles.
• Invited participant: for people who are invited for stays up to 3 months by an organisation operating in Australia to participate in a specific cultural or social event or events.
  For example, conferences, sporting, religious and other community events.
• Researcher:
• to participate or observe in an Australian research project after being invited to do so.
• to undertake a research activity at an Australian tertiary or research institution related to your field of study.
• Religious worker: to be a full-time religious worker, serving the religious objectives of a religious institution in Australia.
• Special program: to participate in an approved special program that provides opportunities for youth exchange, cultural enrichment or community benefits.
• Sport:player, coach or instructor adjudicate under contract to an Australian sporting club or organisation
• participate in a high-level sports training program
• Exchange: to work in a skilled position under a reciprocal staff exchange arrangement to:
• give participants an opportunity to experience another culture
• enhance international relations
• broaden participants’ experience and knowledge.
• Superyacht crew: to be employed as a superyacht crew member on board a superyacht in Australia.
• Domestic worker (executive): to work full time in the household of certain senior foreign executives.
• Australian Government endorsed event: to participate in a government endorsed major event - including the COVID-19 pandemic event

This visa requires sponsorship if:

• you intend to stay in Australia is for more than three months
• you apply in Australia.

There is no nomination required for this visa.

485 Graduate Visa Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream

Who needs the Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream Visa?

The Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream visa is for Temporary Graduates holding a Post-Higher Education Work, Post-Study Work or Replacement visa with a degree from an Australian institution located in a regional area.

What this visa allows you to do?

This is a temporary visa that allows holders to live, study or work in Australia.

How long will this visa be granted for?

This visa allows you to stay in Australia for a duration of 1 to 2 years, depending on:

• The regional location of the educational institution that you graduated from that led to the grant of your first Temporary Graduate visa
• The regional area that you live in as the holder of your Temporary Graduate visa in the Post-Higher Education Work, Post-Study Work or Replacement stream

485 Graduate Visa Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream requirements

• Be aged 35 years or under when you apply. *Exceptions apply
• Be in Australia when you apply for this visa
• Hold a Temporary Graduate visa in the Post-Higher Education Work, Post-Study Work, or the Replacement stream and have held a Temporary Graduate visa in the Post-Higher Education Work or Post-Study Work stream, as the main applicant
• Have a degree from a CRICOS-registered course from an education institution based in an eligible designated regional area
• Have lived in an eligible designated regional area for at least 2 years before applying for your Second Temporary Graduate visa in the Post-Higher Education Work stream

Second Post-Vocational Education Work stream visa cost

The visa fee is AUD765.00 for the primary visa applicant.

In addition, there is a fee for each family member applying for the visa alongside you.

Subsequent entrants are required to pay the full Visa Application Charge as well.

You may also incur additional costs for health checks and police certificates.

How can Work Visa Lawyers help?

Work Visa Lawyers is highly experienced in Skilled Graduate Subclass 485 visas application process. We are able to assist with all aspects of the application, and can also advise on complications and upcoming deadlines which may affect your eligibility, such as age or expiring documents. We prepare your application efficiently to enable your visa application to be submitted as quickly as possible.

Work Visa Lawyers will provide an eligibility assessment before advising you to proceed with a visa application.

Our team of experienced Immigration Lawyers and Migration Agents look forward to assisting you with your Australian visa or appeal.

Based in Adelaide South Australia, we provide Australian Immigration advice to people and businesses from all over the world.

Contact us on +61 8 8351 9956 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Book an appointment with one of our experienced Immigration Lawyers and Registered Migration Agents here.

New Zealand Direct to Australian Citizenship

There is big news in relation to New Zealanders

New Direct Pathway to Australian Citizenship for eligible New Zealand citizens.

From 1 July 2023, New Zealand citizens who are long-term residents of Australia will be able to apply for Australian citizenship without first having to obtain a permanent visa

New Zealand citizens in Australia will be able to apply for citizenship after four years of residence in Australia without having to obtain a permanent visa first.

This will be viewed favourably by many New Zealand Citizens.  

There may be some talent drain from NZ, plus migrating to NZ just got a whole lot more attractive!

When Will the Australian Citizenship Changes for NZ start?

From 1 July 2023.

Children of New Zealanders born in Australia – straight to Citizenship

From 1 July 2023, any child born in Australia on or after 1 July 2022 to an special category 444 holder - may at birth automatically acquire Australian citizenship.

Please note, the changes effectively backdate eligibility to 1 July 2022. 

Positives for Australia from Giving Access to Citizenship to NZ Citizens:

How will the changes to NZ eligibility to Australian Citizenship be effected?

The changes will be effected through the residence requirements for Citizenship by Conferral in the Australian Citizenship Act 2007.

To meet the general residence requirement an applicant must be lawfully present in Australia for four years, including 12 months as a permanent resident, immediately before the date of application.

From 1 July 2023, directy from the Home Affairs Website:

• “All New Zealand citizens holding an SCV will be considered permanent residents for citizenship purposes.
• New Zealand citizens granted an SCV before 1 July 2022 will have their period of permanent residence for citizenship purposes backdated to 1 July 2022.
• New Zealand citizens granted an SCV for the first time on or after 1 July 2022 will be considered a permanent resident for citizenship purposes from the date of their SCV grant.”

Positives of NZ eligibility to Australian Citizenship for Australia:

The changes will provide a strong incentive for New Zealanders to consider moving to Australia.

Negatives for of NZ eligibility to Australian Citizenship for Australia:

There is no cap or control on how many NZ turn up on temporary work visas – the Special Category Visa 444. So this move could put pressure on:

-          Housing

-          Infrastructure

Australia’s rugby teams will improve!

Negatives of Australian Citizenship changes of 2023 for New Zealand?

New Zealand will face the challenge of a brain drain or loss of talent to Australia.

Living in South Australia, this is a challenge for where many young people choose to move to Melbourne and Sydney for employment or the bright lights.

Unfortuntately, NZ may experience the negatives of many of its young adults choosing to go to Australia.

Positives for New Zealand in Giving Access to Australia Citizenship:

New Zealand Citizens will be able to feel more confident about having a real future for themselves and their children in Australia. 

Suman Grewal

Suman Grewal: Registered Migration Agent and Education Agent

Email Suman: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call +61 8 8351 9956

Suman Grewal is a Registered Migration Agent (MARN 2117667) and a Qualified Education Agent Counsellor (QEAC No. S195).

Suman has been working in the migration industry since 2006. She has worked for 5 years in India and started working with Work Visa Lawyers in 2011, and has now been in the migration industry for over 16 years. Suman has performed a range of tasks including administrative and research tasks in support of the Migration Agents and Lawyers in the past. Suman’s excellence in customer relations and attention to detail are valuable skills contributing to our practice of Migration Law.

Suman has a Masters degree in Arts from Panjab University, India and also an Advanced Diploma in Computer Applications from DOEACC, India. She has completed a Graduate Diploma in Migration Law from Victoria University and has been registered as an Australian Migration Agent in 2021.

Spoken Languages: English, Hindi and Punjabi.

Jenny Phan

Jenny Phan: Accounts Officer

Email Jenny: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call +61 8 8351 9956

Jenny joined Work Visa Lawyers in January 2022. She has a Master's degree from the University of South Australia.

Diversity of previous employment on two continents equips her with a unique ability to assess and manage complex tasks calmly and effectively.

She is currently an Accounts Officer and also provides high-level support to other staff as an Office administrator. Jenny prides herself on her efficiency, collaboration, attention to detail, and customer-centricity. Her hard work and high performance are valuable contributions to Work Visa Lawyers' premium services.

Jenny is fluent in English and Vietnamese.