Australian Visa Pathways

Key visa information for international students — source: Department of Home Affairs (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au)

Currency
What's your situation?
Subclass 500
Student Visa
→
Subclass 485
Graduate Visa
→
Subclass 482
Skills in Demand
→
Subclass 186
Permanent Residency
Student Visa — Subclass 500
Step 1 — while you study
Currently studying
Stay
Up to 6 years
Cost
From $2,000
Work rights
48 hrs/fortnight
Requirements
·Enrolled in a CRICOS-registered course with a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
·Hold Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
·Be 6 years or older and meet health and character requirements
↗ Official Department of Home Affairs page
Next: Graduate visa (485) after you finish your course
Temporary Graduate Visa — Subclass 485
Step 2 — after you graduate
After graduation
Post-Vocational Education
Stay: Up to 18 months
Cost: From $4,600
For: Diploma or trade qualification on skilled occupation list
Post-Higher Education
Stay: 2–3 years
Cost: From $4,600
For: Degree from an Australian institution
Second Post-Higher Education
Stay: 1–2 years
Cost: From $1,810
For: Degree from a regional Australian institution
All streams include
·Unlimited work rights in Australia
·Can bring eligible family members
↗ Official Department of Home Affairs page
Next: Skills in Demand visa (482) if an employer sponsors you
Skills in Demand Visa — Subclass 482
Step 3 — employer sponsored work
Employer sponsored
Core Skills stream
Stay: Up to 4 years
Cost: From $3,210
Min salary: $76,515 AUD
For: Occupations on the Core Skills Occupation List
Specialist Skills stream
Stay: Up to 4 years
Cost: From $3,210
Min salary: $141,210 AUD
For: ANZSCO Major Groups 1,2,4,5 or 6
Labour Agreement stream
Stay: Up to 4 years
Cost: From $3,210
For: Employer must have a labour agreement with the Australian government
↗ Official Department of Home Affairs page
Next: Permanent residency (186) after 2 years work
Employer Nomination Scheme — Subclass 186
Step 4 — permanent residency
Permanent residency
Stay
Permanently
Cost
From $4,910
Age limit
Under 45
Temporary Residence Transition stream requirements
·Hold a subclass 457, 482 or eligible bridging visa
·Worked at least 2 years full time in sponsored employment while holding a 457 or 482 visa
·Nominated by an Australian employer whose nomination was approved in the 6 months before you apply
·Meet health and character requirements
With this visa you can
·Live, work and study in Australia indefinitely
·Sponsor eligible family members to come to Australia
·Apply for Australian citizenship, if eligible
↗ Official Department of Home Affairs page
Subclass 485
Graduate Visa
→
Subclass 482
Skills in Demand
→
Subclass 186
Permanent Residency
Temporary Graduate Visa — Subclass 485
Your next step — choose the stream that matches your qualification
After graduation
Post-Vocational Education
Stay: Up to 18 months
Cost: From $4,600
For: Diploma or trade qualification on skilled occupation list
Post-Higher Education
Stay: 2–3 years
Cost: From $4,600
For: Degree from an Australian institution
Second Post-Higher Education
Stay: 1–2 years
Cost: From $1,810
For: Degree from a regional Australian institution
All streams include
·Unlimited work rights in Australia
·Can bring eligible family members
↗ Official Department of Home Affairs page
Next: Skills in Demand visa (482) if an employer sponsors you
Subclass 482
Skills in Demand
→
Subclass 186
Permanent Residency
Skills in Demand Visa — Subclass 482
Employer sponsored temporary work visa
Employer sponsored
Core Skills stream
Stay: Up to 4 years
Cost: From $3,210
Min salary: $76,515 AUD
For: Occupations on the Core Skills Occupation List
Specialist Skills stream
Stay: Up to 4 years
Cost: From $3,210
Min salary: $141,210 AUD
For: ANZSCO Major Groups 1,2,4,5 or 6
Labour Agreement stream
Stay: Up to 4 years
Cost: From $3,210
For: Employer must have a labour agreement with the Australian government
↗ Official Department of Home Affairs page
Next: Permanent residency (186) after 2 years work
Employer Nomination Scheme — Subclass 186
Permanent residency through employer sponsorship
Permanent residency
Stay
Permanently
Cost
From $4,910
Age limit
Under 45
Temporary Residence Transition stream requirements
·Hold a subclass 457, 482 or eligible bridging visa
·Worked at least 2 years full time in sponsored employment while holding a 457 or 482 visa
·Nominated by an Australian employer whose nomination was approved in the 6 months before you apply
·Meet health and character requirements
With this visa you can
·Live, work and study in Australia indefinitely
·Sponsor eligible family members to come to Australia
·Apply for Australian citizenship, if eligible
↗ Official Department of Home Affairs page
Check if your occupation qualifies
Search the 2025 Occupation Shortage List to see if your job is in demand
·Jobs on the shortage list may qualify for the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)
·The list is updated annually by Jobs and Skills Australia
·Shortage status varies by state — check your target city
Search occupations →
⚠️ This page is a summary only and is intended as a general guide for international students. Visa conditions, costs and requirements change regularly. Always verify the latest information at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before making any decisions. This is not migration advice. Source: Department of Home Affairs, Commonwealth of Australia.