Different types of Australian visas

If you’re entering Australia to study, work, do business, or visit your family and you are not from a country that is visa-free to Australia, you will need a visa.

You have to apply and get the visa that suits your purpose of coming. Of course, you already know that the visa you need, if you are coming here to study, is not the same visa you need if you are just visiting family or coming for business purposes.

The visa that will be issued to you depends on the purpose of your visit. Therefore, you can be issued any of the following types of Australian visas.

These are the different types of Australian visas that you can apply for

Australia has visas like:

1. Visitor Visas

This is the visa that many people go for. It receives the highest number of applications each year.

Purpose:

You need this visa when you want to visit Australia for a short time. For example, when you want to visit for a holiday, to see your family or to do some business activities.

Main types of Visitor Visas:

• • • Visitor visa (subclass 600)
    • Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) (subclass 601)
    • eVisitor (subclass 651)

More information on each type of visitor visa:

• Visitor visa (subclass 600):
  With this visa, you can visit the country for up to 12 months.
  When you come, you can see your family, go sightseeing, or attend meetings.
  If you need this visa, you can apply for it from anywhere in the word. 
  Cost: Records show that it costs about AUD 150 or more.

• Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) (subclass 601):
  This one is for people from countries like the USA, Canada, and Singapore.
  The thing about it is that it is cheaper, easier, and most times approved within a day.
  You just need a simple online form to apply for it.

• eVisitor (subclass 651):
  If you are from European countries like Germany, France, Italy and the rest, this one is for you.
  It is free and also applied for online.

2. Student Visas

Student visas are also common among people entering Australia, especially students.

Purpose:
You only need this visa if you want to study full-time at a school, college, or university in Australia.

The main type of Student Visa:

• Student visa (subclass 500)

More information about subclass 500:

To get this visa (the subclass 500):

• You must have a letter of enrolment from an approved school in the country.
• With the visa, you can stay till the end of your course in Australia.
• It also allows you to work up to 48 hours every two weeks.
• You can’t get this visa if you don’t show that you have enough money to sponsor yourself while in the country.

Australia currently has over 500,000 students in the country with this visa. This makes them one of the countries with the highest number of international students worldwide.

3. Working and Skilled Visas

Work and skilled visas are also popular among those coming to Australia, there are many persons in the country with this visa.

Purpose:
You need this visa if you are entering Australia to work temporarily or permanently.

Main types of Working and Skilled Visas:

• Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482)
• Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)
• Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)
• Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186)

More information on each type of Work and Skilled Visas:

• Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482):
  Before you get this visa, your employer must sponsor you and when you arrive, you will work for them.
  You can stay for 2 to 4 years.

• Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189):
  With this one, you do not need a job offer.
  This visa is only for people who have the skills that Australia needs. 
  To get it, you must pass a points test (minimum 65 points). You will get a permanent residency with this visa.

• Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190):
  This visa is almost like the 189 visa, the only difference is that for this one, you must be nominated by an Australian state or territory.

• Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186):
  Here, your employer will sponsor you to get permanent residence.

4. Family and Partner Visas

If you have family in Australia or your partner is in the country, this visa is for you.

Purpose:
With it, family members or partners can live together in Australia.

Main types of Family and Partner Visas:

• Partner visas (subclass 820/801 for people in Australia, 309/100 for people outside Australia)
• Parent visas (subclass 103 or 804)
• Child visas (subclass 101 or 802)

More information on each subclass:

• Partner Visas:
  This visa is only for people who are married or in a de facto (serious) relationship with an Australian citizen or resident.
  With it, you will go through two steps: first, you go for a temporary visa, then permanent residence after 2 years.

• Parent Visas:
  This visa is just for parents who want to live with their children in Australia.

• Child Visas:
  This is the visa for dependent children of Australian citizens or residents.

5. Humanitarian and Refugee Visas

Are you into humanitarian services or you are a refugee, this is the visa you should apply for if you want to visit Australia.

Purpose:
This visa helps people who are escaping war, danger, or discrimination to enter Australia.

Main types of Humanitarian Visas:

• Refugee visa (subclass 200)
• Global Special Humanitarian visa (subclass 202)
• Protection visa (subclass 866)

More details:

• Refugee Visa (subclass 200):
  This is the visa for people chosen by the United Nations (UN) to be resettled in Australia.

• Global Special Humanitarian Visa (subclass 202):
  If you are facing danger but are not referred by the UN, you can apply for this visa.

• Protection Visa (subclass 866):
  You can apply for this one if you are already inside Australia but need protection.

6. Business and Investment Visas

If you are a business person, this is your visa.

Purpose:
Through this visa, Australia attracts business owners and investors to the country.

Main types of Business and Investment Visas:

• Business Innovation and Investment visa (subclass 188)
• Business Talent visa (subclass 132) (now closed to new applicants)

More information on each type of business and investment visa:

• Business Innovation Visa (subclass 188):
  This is the visa for people who want to start a business or invest money in Australia.
• After successfully running a business or making an investment, you can apply for permanent residence.

7. Temporary Graduate Visa

If you recently graduated, Australia has a visa for you if you want to go further.

Purpose:
This visa is mainly for students who just finished their studies in Australia and want to stay longer to work or do other things.

The main type of Graduate Visa:

• Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485)

More information:

• With this visa, you can live, work, and study in Australia for 2 to 4 years after you finish your course.
• The only thing with this visa is that you must apply for it within 6 months after you finish your current course.

8. Temporary Activity Visas

If you have a short event or something to do that won’t last long, this visa can serve.

Purpose:
You need this visa if you want to come to Australia for a short work activity like acting, sports, religious work, or research.

Main type of Temporary Activity Visa:

• Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408)

Details:

• When you get this visa, you can stay in the country for up to 2 years depending on what you’re doing.
• People who use this visa often are artists, athletes, researchers, and religious workers.

9. Working Holiday and Work and Holiday Visas

These types of Australian visas are for you if you love travelling for work.

Purpose:
This is the right visa for young people who want to travel and work in Australia.

Main types of Working Holiday Visas:

• Working Holiday visa (subclass 417)
• Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462)

More details:

• You can only get this visa if you are aged 18 to 30 years (or 35 for some countries).
• With the visa, you can work while travelling in Australia, usually for up to 12 months.
• If you do farm work or some other jobs, you can also apply for a second or third visa.

Table showing different types of Australian visas and their subclass numbers

Table of different types of Australian visas showing their purpose, subclasses and who can apply for each visa

How to get an Australian visa

Getting an Australian visa can sometimes be hectic but since you can’t enter the country without it, you must go through the process.

You have to apply, and ensure your application contains all the required documents, that is; your application must meet the entire visa requirement before it’ll be approved.

The steps are simple to follow. Here’s how to do it.

First:

• You choose the right visa: If you want to get an Australia visa, your first step is to choose the right one. The one that suits your purpose of entering the country. If you want to study in Australia, then go for a student visa. If you are visiting for tourism, go for a visitor visa and so on.

• Check what you need for the visa you want to apply for: From what we have said so far, you can see that every visa has its requirements. Like, you will need a valid passport, to show that you can support yourself financially and sometimes, you will also need to submit your medical record. Know what you need for the visa you want to apply for.

• Get everything you need for the visa: After knowing what you need for the particular visa you want to apply for, gather everything that you need. Whether, it’s your passport, medical record or proof of funds, get them all together.
• Apply for the visa online: The good thing about most Australian visas is that you can apply for them on the government website. That said, there are still some that you must do a paper application for. Of course, online applications are faster, so go for that.

• Wait for them to approve your visa application: After you submit your application, the Australian authorities will go through it. If you deserve a visa, they will approve it.

• Get your visa: Once your visa is approved, you can use it to enter Australia. While you are there, make sure that you follow your visa’s terms and conditions. For example, do not work if your visa does not permit you to work. Likewise, you shouldn’t study if your visa does not allow you to do so.

Just like every other country, there are different types of Australian visas out there, the one you need (if you are entering the country) depends on the reason you want to enter the country.