Australia Visa Guide 2026
Australia offers a wide range of visa options for skilled workers, students, visitors, and families. The Department of Home Affairs manages one of the world's most sophisticated migration systems, processing millions of applications annually. This guide covers every major visa pathway.
Visa Options & Categories
Skilled Migration (189/190): Points-based PR. Occupation on MLTSSL/STSOL, minimum 65 points (cutoff 85-95). Processing 6-12 months. No employer sponsorship needed for 189.
Student Visa (500): Full-time study. Genuine Student requirement, 48 hrs/fortnight work. Graduate visa (485) 2-4 years post-study. IELTS 5.5-6.5.
Visitor Visa (600): Tourism/business up to 3-12 months. Processing 15-30 days. Frequent traveller stream for eligible passports.
TSS Visa (482): Employer-sponsored. Short-term (2yr) or Medium-term (4yr, leads to PR). Processing 3-8 months.
Working Holiday (462/417): 18-30 years. Work/travel 12 months. Extendable 2-3 years with specified work. For eligible countries.
Global Talent Visa (858): Fast-track PR. FinTech, HealthTech, Energy sectors. 2-4 week processing. No age restriction.
Partner Visa (820/801): Spouses/de facto partners of citizens/PR. 2-stage process. Processing 15-24 months.
Business Visa (188): For business owners/investors. Innovation (.25M+) or Significant Investor (). Leads to 888 PR.
Use our Visa Eligibility Checker to find the best visa category for your profile.
Processing Times
Skilled Migration: 6-12 months. Student: 4-8 weeks. Visitor: 15-30 days. TSS 482: 3-8 months. Working Holiday: 2-4 weeks. Global Talent: 2-4 weeks. Partner: 15-24 months.
Processing times vary based on application completeness, volume, and season. Apply well in advance. Check the official immigration website for current estimates.
Visa Fees & Costs
| Visa Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Skilled Migration (189/190) | AUD \,640 |
| Student Visa (500) | AUD \,600 |
| Visitor Visa (600) | AUD \ |
| TSS Visa (482) | AUD \,455-3,115 |
| Working Holiday (462) | AUD \ |
| Global Talent (858) | AUD \,640 |
| Partner Visa (820/801) | AUD \,850 |
| Business Visa (188) | AUD \,295-9,455 |
Fees are non-refundable and subject to change. Exchange rates fluctuate. Additional costs may include translation, courier, travel insurance, and biometrics.