Australian visas, explained plainly.
Student, graduate, skilled, partner and sponsored pathways — what each one actually requires, who it suits, and where most applications come unstuck. Advice from MARA-registered agents who have worked with international students and skilled applicants since 2014.
Visa pathway finder
Three questions, then the shortlist that fits your situation
This is a guide, not a legal assessment — it points you to the pathways worth reading about. A registered agent confirms eligibility properly, and will tell you when an application isn’t yet viable.
Where are you right now?
Which describes your situation?
When do you need to act? (optional)
Awaiting answers
Answer where you are and what your situation is, and the matching pathways appear here.
Pathways
Every visa we advise on, by subclass
Nothing hidden behind tabs. Each card states who it’s for, the core requirement, and the usual sticking point.
Student visa
500Full-time study with a registered provider, onshore or offshore. We help you choose a course that stands up to scrutiny, secure the Confirmation of Enrolment and lodge complete.
- Suits
- New and continuing students
- Core test
- Genuine Student requirement, funds, English
- Watch for
- Course changes that break your study progression
Temporary Graduate
485Stay and work after an Australian qualification. For most graduates this is the bridge that buys the time needed to build points or find a sponsor.
- Suits
- Recent graduates of Australian institutions
- Core test
- Australian study requirement, age, English
- Watch for
- Lodging after your student visa lapses
Skilled migration
189 · 190 · 491Points-tested permanent and provisional residence. Independent, state-nominated or regional — the right stream depends on your occupation list and score, not preference.
- Suits
- Skilled workers with an assessable occupation
- Core test
- Skills assessment, points score, invitation
- Watch for
- Points claims you can't evidence on request
Partner visas
820 · 801 · 309 · 100For the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. Onshore 820/801, offshore 309/100.
- Suits
- Married and de facto couples
- Core test
- Genuine, continuing relationship across four criteria
- Watch for
- Thin evidence — where most refusals happen
Employer sponsored
186 · 482Where an approved business nominates you for a position it can't fill locally. Permanent nomination (186) or skills-in-demand sponsorship (482).
- Suits
- Applicants with a willing Australian employer
- Core test
- Approved sponsor, nominated occupation, salary floor
- Watch for
- Sponsorship approval must land before you lodge
Temporary Activity
408Short-term stay for specific activities and events. Often the practical bridge for working holiday makers deciding what comes next.
- Suits
- Invited participants in an eligible activity
- Core test
- A supporting body and a defined activity stream
- Watch for
- Treating it as a general-purpose extension
How we work
Four steps, and we tell you where you stand at step two
You should know whether an application is viable before you spend money on it. If it isn’t yet, we say so and set out what would change that.
- 01
Tell us your situation
Visa status, qualifications, work history, family. The enquiry form below covers most of it.
- 02
Consultation and assessment
A registered agent maps your realistic options, the evidence needed, and the honest timeline — including the case for waiting.
- 03
Prepare and lodge
Document checklists, drafting, skills assessment and nomination coordination, then lodgement as a complete application.
- 04
Through to decision
We handle departmental requests, keep you updated, and advise on what your grant does and doesn't allow.
Fees
Professional fees, stated up front
Our professional fees only — they exclude Department of Home Affairs charges, skills assessment and English test costs. Your written quote is fixed before any work starts.
Migration agent consultation
60 minutes, in person or online
Full assessment of your options with customised advice. Credited towards your visa professional fee if you proceed.
AUD 150Free for Scholar Hub students
Temporary Graduate visa
Subclass 485
Australian study requirement check, skills assessment coordination and lodgement.
AUD 500*AUD 450 for Scholar Hub students
Skills assessment
All assessing authorities
Preparation and lodgement of your skills assessment. Fee is for the primary applicant.
AUD 500*
Visitor visa
Subclass 600
One applicant, stays of up to one year. No previous refusals; must be a genuine visitor.
AUD 600AUD 400 for Scholar Hub students
Parents visitor visa
Subclass 600
Both parents included, stays of up to one year. No previous refusals; must be genuine visitors.
AUD 400AUD 300 for Scholar Hub students
Tribunal review application
ART / former AAT
One hearing, two submissions, appeal lodgement and representation at the hearing.
AUD 1000*
Student visa
Subclass 500
Course and provider selection, CoE, Genuine Student statement and lodgement.
On quote
Skilled migration
Subclass 189 / 190 / 491
Points assessment, skills assessment, EOI, nomination and visa application.
On quote
Partner visa
Subclass 820 / 801 / 309 / 100
Evidence strategy, statements, sponsor documents and both stages.
On quote
Employer sponsored
Subclass 186 / 482
Sponsorship, nomination and visa application, applicant or employer side.
On quote
All professional fees are listed exclusive of GST. * Fees can be higher where a case is complex or non-standard, and are quoted for the primary applicant — additional applicants attract additional charges.
“On quote” services are priced after a consultation, once the scope of work is clear. Government charges change periodically; we confirm current amounts in writing with your quote.
Who advises you
Registered, accountable advice
Migration advice in Australia is regulated. Your file is handled by a MARA-registered migration agent bound by the Code of Conduct — which means the advice you act on is accountable, and you can verify the registration yourself.
MARN 1793706 — verifiable on the MARA Register of Migration Agents.
QEAC 1942 — Qualified Education Agent Counsellor, certified by PIER.
ICEF accredited — agency #4216, verified through the ICEF Agency Status service.
Established 2014 — students and skilled applicants, first enquiry through to decision.
Straight answers — including when an application is not yet viable.
Upasana Rai
Principal Migration Agent · MARN 1793706 · QEAC 1942
Upasana has spent 15 years in the education and migration services industry and has extensive experience across Australian education and visa pathways. She leads every file personally, from the first consultation through to the decision.
Reviews
What clients say
Verified Google reviews, unedited. Outcomes depend on individual circumstances and the policy in force at the time — nothing here is a guarantee of a result in your case.
Questions
The things people ask first
General guidance only, and current policy changes. Your own circumstances are assessed in a consultation.
Enquiry
Tell us where you are, and we’ll tell you what’s possible
The more detail you give, the more useful the first reply. We respond within one business day.
1002, 50 Clarence Street, Sydney NSW
Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm
Submitting an enquiry does not create a client relationship. We give formal advice only after a consultation and a written engagement.