One system.
Many pathways.

For international students enrolled in an eligible full-time CRICOS-registered course. Applicants generally need a valid Confirmation of Enrolment, must satisfy the Genuine Student requirement, show financial capacity, hold Overseas Student Health Cover, and meet English, health and character rules. Granted in line with enrolment for up to six years. Work is generally capped at 48 hours per fortnight while study is in session, with different rules for research students.

For eligible recent graduates of Australian CRICOS courses. The stream depends on whether the qualification is vocational or degree-level, and some regional graduates may qualify for another stream. Applicants generally need a recent qualification, eligible visa history, English evidence, health cover and required checks, and must usually be 35 or under, with exceptions. Common first-stream stays range from 18 months to three years. Holders can work and study without the Student visa work cap.

Covers approved short-term activities such as entertainment work, research, religious work, invited participation and government-endorsed events. Applicants must qualify for the relevant stream and normally need an Australian supporter or sponsor, though limited exceptions apply. The stay is tied to the approved activity and may be up to two years in several streams. Work must remain connected to the approved activity, and study rights are not general — check them against the grant conditions.

Options include the temporary Skills in Demand visa (482), the permanent Employer Nomination Scheme visa (186), and the regional provisional visa (494). The former Temporary Skill Shortage name is outdated. Applicants need an employer nomination and must meet occupation, skills, experience, English, health and character requirements for the stream. Temporary visas usually tie work to the sponsor and the nominated role. Duration ranges from up to four years for subclass 482 to permanent residence under subclass 186.

The former Global Talent Independent pathway has been replaced by the permanent National Innovation visa. It is for exceptionally talented established or emerging leaders, including researchers, entrepreneurs, innovative investors, athletes and creatives. You submit an expression of interest, receive an invitation, and provide a nomination from an eligible Australian person or organisation with a national reputation in the same field. This is not an automatic graduate pathway.

Each family route has different sponsorship and relationship tests. Partner routes may begin with a temporary or provisional visa before permanent assessment, while some parent and child subclasses are permanent. The sponsor is commonly an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, subject to the subclass rules. Stay length and work or study rights vary, and temporary visa conditions must be checked individually.

For holidays, cruises, or visiting family and friends. Applicants must intend a temporary visit, have enough funds, and meet health and character requirements. The authorised stay, and whether entry is single or multiple, are stated in the grant letter. Paid work is not allowed. Study or training of up to three months may be permitted, but study should not be the main reason for travel.

For eligible passport holders wanting an extended holiday supported by short-term work. Applicants must meet nationality and age rules, generally 18 to 30 or up to 35 for some passports, have sufficient funds, and have no accompanying dependent children. Each visa normally permits a 12-month stay, study for up to four months, and work usually limited to six months with one employer. Later visas may require specified work, with passport-specific exceptions.