Are you living in Australia and want to stay here longer, or even long-term? We’re here to help.
Whether you’re loving your working holiday and want to extend your stay, or you’re planning to settle here for a while or more, there are various pathways you can consider.
Explore new visa classes and other information to help you extend your stay or make your move permanent.
Working Holiday visas are appropriate for people who are looking to work and holiday in Australia for up to 12 months. It is possible to extend this visa further if you complete 3 months of seasonal work in regional Australia whilst holding the Working Holiday visa.
Student visas are temporary visas that allow you to live, study and work in Australia for a specified time depending on the duration of your course. You first need to apply for admission to an educational institution and then apply for the visa. You may be eligible for a Student Visa if you are covered by Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) by an approved Australian health insurance provider for the period of your stay in Australia; have enough money for your stay and meet health and character requirements.
Temporary Skill Shortage (Subclass 482) visas (TSS) are one of the most popular work visa options as it allows employers to fill labour shortages by hiring skilled workers where they cannot find an Australian worker. The 482 visa can be issued for 2 years (if your occupation is on the short term stream) or 4 years (medium to long term stream). With the 482 visa, you can live, work and study in Australia temporarily, travel to and from Australia as many times as you want while the visa is valid and apply for permanent residency if you are eligible.
When it comes to permanent work visas, there are a few options available. However as requirements for each visa are complex, you will need to seek independent legal advice to confirm whether you qualify to apply. Some of the popular options are listed as follows:
This is a permanent residency visa for people who have an occupation that is on the relevant skilled occupation list and who are nominated by an Australian employer. Once granted, you can live, study and work in Australia permanently. This is a permanent residency visa for people who have an occupation that is on the relevant skilled occupation list and who are nominated by an Australian employer. Once granted, you can live, study and work in Australia permanently. You will need to be nominated by an Australian employer whose business is lawfully and actively operating and meet the relevant skill level for your nominated occupation which generally includes having relevant qualifications and at least 3 years of full-time, post qualification work experience. You also need to be under 45 of age (unless you qualify for an exemption) and meet English language, health and character requirements.
allows you to live, work and study in Australia permanently once the visa is approved. You may be eligible for the 190 Visa if you are sponsored by an Australian State or Territory government and have a suitable skills assessment including meeting the minimum points pass mark of 65 points. Similarly to the 189 visa program, you will first need to submit an expression of interest to be considered for the visa and if the state invites you to apply, you would then be eligible to submit your visa application.
If you are not sponsored by an Australian employer but have a suitable skills assessment and meet the minimum points pass mark, you may obtain the 189 Visa. Skilled Independent Visa allow you to live, work and study in Australia permanently. You will first need to submit an expression of interest to be considered for the visa and would only be eligible to apply if invited by the Government.
Got more questions? Check out our list of frequently asked questions.