Australian student and skilled visa subclasses
Studying in Australia starts with one visa, the student visa (subclass 500). If you decide to stay on after your course, a sequence of graduate and skilled visas follows. This page maps that sequence and links each subclass to a full breakdown of its eligibility, cost, and processing time.
Immigration rules change often. Treat this page as orientation and confirm current detail on each subclass page and its cited sources. Figures were last checked against official sources on September 4, 2026.
The study-to-PR pathway
The standard route from arriving as a student to permanent residence. Not everyone follows every step, and the employer-sponsored route (subclass 482 to 186) is a common alternative.
- 1StudyStudent visaSubclass 500How to apply for the subclass 500 student visa: eligibility, the Genuine Student requirement, cost, application steps, and the path to permanent residence after you graduate.
- 2Work after studyTemporary Graduate visaSubclass 485Post-study work visa for recent graduates of Australian qualifications. Full work rights, no employer sponsor needed.
- 3Permanent residence (independent)Skilled Independent visaSubclass 189Permanent residence for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer, state, or family member. Invitation only.
The core visas at a glance
| Visa | Stay | Points-tested | Base charge | Leads to PR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student visaSubclass 500 | Up to 6 years, matched to your course length | No | From AUD 2,500 for the main applicant (up from AUD 2,000 on 1 July 2026), plus AUD 1,530 for each family member aged 18 or over and AUD 500 for each under 18 for most students. A lower charge applies to eligible Pacific Island, Timor-Leste, and ASEAN citizens, and to Independent ELICOS and non-award applications; the Visa Pricing Estimator shows the exact concession amount. | No |
| Temporary Graduate visaSubclass 485 | 18 months to 3 years depending on qualification level; longer for some passport holders | No | From AUD 5,750 for the primary applicant. The second regional Post-Higher Education Work stream visa is cheaper. A lower charge applies to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens. | No |
| Skilled Independent visaSubclass 189 | Permanent | Yes (floor 65) | From AUD 6,135 for the primary applicant, indexed each 1 July. A lower charge applies to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens from 1 July 2026. | Yes |
| Skilled Nominated visaSubclass 190 | Permanent | Yes (floor 65) | From AUD 6,140 for the primary applicant, plus a separate state or territory nomination fee in some jurisdictions. A lower charge applies to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens from 1 July 2026. | Yes |
| Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visaSubclass 491 | 5 years provisional | Yes (floor 65) | From AUD 6,140 for the primary applicant. A lower charge applies to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens from 1 July 2026. | Yes |
Charges re-index on 1 July each year. Figures on each subclass page carry their own source and verification date.
Working holiday
1 visaFamily & partner
2 visas- Subclass 309/100 · Provisional (309) then Permanent (100)
Partner visa (offshore)
The offshore version of the partner visa, for partners who are outside Australia when they apply.
Stay: 309 is provisional; 100 is permanentPathway to PR - Subclass 820/801 · Temporary (820) then Permanent (801)
Partner visa (onshore)
For partners of Australian citizens, permanent residents, and eligible New Zealand citizens who are in Australia. Two stages, one application.
Stay: 820 is temporary until 801 is decided; 801 is permanentPathway to PR
Employer-sponsored
4 visas- Subclass 186 · Temporary Residence Transition and Direct Entry
Employer Nomination Scheme visa
Permanent residence for skilled workers nominated by their Australian employer.
Stay: PermanentPathway to PR - Subclass 407 · Occupational training
Training visa
An approved sponsor brings you to Australia for up to 2 years of workplace-based training. It is training, not a job, and has no path to permanent residence.
Stay: Up to 2 yearsNot a PR visa - Subclass 482 · Specialist Skills, Core Skills, and Essential Skills
Skills in Demand visa
Employer-sponsored work visa, up to 4 years, that replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage visa in December 2024.
Stay: Up to 4 years; 5 years for Hong Kong passport holdersPathway to PR - Subclass 494 · Employer Sponsored
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa
Five-year provisional visa for skilled workers sponsored by a regional employer. Leads to PR through the 191.
Stay: 5 years provisionalPathway to PR
Skilled migration
4 visas- Subclass 189 · Points-tested
Skilled Independent visa
Permanent residence for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer, state, or family member. Invitation only.
Stay: PermanentPoints floor: 65Pathway to PR - Subclass 190 · Points-tested
Skilled Nominated visa
Permanent residence for skilled workers nominated by an Australian state or territory. Adds 5 points.
Stay: PermanentPoints floor: 65Pathway to PR - Subclass 191
Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa
The permanent visa that 491 and 494 holders move to after three years of living and working in regional Australia.
Stay: PermanentPathway to PR - Subclass 491 · State or territory nominated, and family sponsored
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa
Five-year provisional visa for skilled workers in regional Australia. Adds 15 points and leads to PR through the 191.
Stay: 5 years provisionalPoints floor: 65Pathway to PR
Visitor
1 visaGraduate / post-study
1 visaStudent
1 visaBridging
1 visaAustralian visas: common questions
What visa do I need to study in Australia?
The student visa, subclass 500. One student visa covers your whole course, including a packaged pathway such as an ELICOS or foundation program feeding into a degree. You apply from outside or inside Australia and must hold Overseas Student Health Cover for the full visa period.
How much does the Australian student visa cost?
Base application charge for the subclass 500 student visa: From AUD 2,500 for the main applicant (up from AUD 2,000 on 1 July 2026), plus AUD 1,530 for each family member aged 18 or over and AUD 500 for each under 18 for most students. A lower charge applies to eligible Pacific Island, Timor-Leste, and ASEAN citizens, and to Independent ELICOS and non-award applications; the Visa Pricing Estimator shows the exact concession amount. Charges are re-indexed on 1 July each year, and family members included in the application pay extra. See the subclass 500 page for the current figure and its source.
Can I stay in Australia after I finish my degree?
Yes. The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) lets recent graduates live and work in Australia temporarily after completing an eligible qualification. How long it lasts depends on your qualification level and, for some applicants, where you studied.
Which visa leads to permanent residence after studying?
The permanent options most graduates target are the points-tested skilled visas: subclass 189 (independent), 190 (state-nominated), and 491 (regional, a provisional visa that leads to the permanent 191). Employer sponsorship through subclass 482 to 186 is the other main route. All require a positive skills assessment and, for the points-tested visas, an invitation through SkillSelect.
Are student visas points-tested?
No. The points test applies only to the skilled migration visas (189, 190, 491). The student visa is assessed on the Genuine Student requirement, financial capacity, English, health, and character, not on a points score.
How often does Australia issue skilled visa invitations?
The Department of Home Affairs runs SkillSelect invitation rounds, usually monthly, issuing invitations to apply for the 189, 190, and 491 visas above a points cut-off that varies by round and occupation. Our invitation-rounds tracker has the round-by-round history.
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