If you’re planning a trip to the land Down Under or considering studying or working in Australia, you’ll need to understand the intricacies of the Australian visa system. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything from the types of visas available to the application process and important considerations. Let’s dive in!
Understanding Australian Visas
What Is an Australian Visa?
An Australian Visa is a permit that allows you to travel to Australia for a predetermined period of time. Unlike most other countries, Australia does not issue visa stamps or labels on your passport. Instead, your visa privileges are recorded electronically on an online database and when you travel to Australia, the immigration officer will check the database to learn whether you have a visa.
Do I Need a Visa for Australia?
Apart from New Zealanders (who can get a visa on arrival), everyone else has to apply for a visa or authorization before they travel to Australia. For short-term visits, you can get an eVisitor, an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA), or a visitor visa, depending on your nationality:
Short-Term Visits
Visa Type | Eligible Countries |
---|---|
eVisitor | European Union countries, Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Vatican City |
Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) | Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Morocco, Hong Kong (SAR PRC), Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, United States |
Visitor Visa (Tourist Stream, Subclass 600) | All other countries |
Long-Term Purposes
For long-term purposes such as studying or working, everyone besides New Zealanders will have to get the relevant visa.
Australia Visa Policy for New Zealanders
Citizens of New Zealand can visit, conduct business, study, work, and live in Australia without applying for a prior visa. As a New Zealander, you are eligible for the Special Category Visa (subclass 444), which you can get upon arrival.
How Can I Get an Australian Visa?
You can get an Australian visa online or through an Australian Embassy/Consulate, depending on your nationality:
- You apply for the eVisitor through the Australian Department of Home Affairs’ online service.
- You apply for the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) through the official ETA portal of the Australian Department of Home Affairs.
- You may apply for an Australian visa either online or in-person at an Embassy or Consulate.
Do I Need to Submit Original Documents?
You do not need to submit your original documents for an Australian visa. If you are applying online, you have to scan your documents and attach them as electronic files. If you are applying on paper, then you should submit certified copies. This means that you make a copy of your document, send it to someone who can “certify” it for you, and they must write “This is a certified true copy of the original as sighted by me”.
Not everyone can certify your documents, however. It has to be an Australian citizen or a non-Australian who works in one of the “eligible professions”, like doctors, judges, clerks of court, bank officers, police officers, etc.
When Should I Apply For a Visa?
The time when you have to apply for an Australian visa depends on the type of visa you are applying for:
- If you are applying for a tourist visa, you should apply at least a month before you plan to travel, but you may think of giving it more time. Even though most applications are resolved in a few weeks, some tourist visa applications have taken more than four months.
- If you are applying for an eVisitor or ETA, then you can apply about a week before your trip and you should be fine.
- If you are applying for a long-term visa, such as a work visa, you will have to start the process as soon as possible since they can take months to over a year to complete.
Who Issues Australian Visas?
The authority that assesses and decides all visa applications is the Australian Department of Home Affairs.
Types of Australian Visas
Australian visas are divided into various categories based on the purpose of your visit:
Visitor Visas
- Tourist Visa (Subclass 600)
- Electronic Travel Authority (Subclass 601)
- eVisitor (Subclass 651)
- Medical Treatment Visa (Subclass 602)
Study and Training Visas
- Student Visa (Subclass 500)
- Training Visa (Subclass 407)
- Student Guardian Visa (Subclass 590)
Parent Visas
- Parent Visa (Subclass 103)
- Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804)
- Contributory Aged Parent Visas (Subclass 884 and subclass 864)
- Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 173) – Temporary
- Contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 143)
Family Visas
- Adoption Visa (Subclass 102)
- Aged Dependent Relative Visas (Subclass 114 and subclass 838)
- Carer Visas (Subclass 836 and subclass 116)
- Dependent Child Visa (Subclass 445)
- New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship Visa (Subclass 461) – Temporary
- Orphan Relative Visas (Subclass 117 and subclass 837)
- Remaining Relative Visas (Subclass 115 and subclass 835)
Partner Visas
- Prospective Marriage Visa (Subclass 300)
- Partner Visa (Subclass 309) – Provisional
- Partner Visa (Subclass 100) – Migrant
- Partner Visa (Subclass 820) – Temporary
- Partner Visa (Subclass 801) – Permanent
Humanitarian Visas
- Refugee Visa (Subclasses 200, 201, 203, and 204)
- Global Special Humanitarian (Subclass 202)
- Protection Visa (Subclass 866)
- Temporary Protection Visa (Subclass 785)
- Safe Haven Enterprise Visa (Subclass 790)
Bridging Visas
- Bridging visa A – BV (Subclass 010)
- Bridging visa B – BVB (Subclass 020)
- Bridging visa C – BVC (Subclass 030)
- Bridging visa E – BVE (Subclass 050 and 051)
Work Visas
- Global Talent Visa (Subclass 858)
- Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186)
- Permanent Residence Visa (Subclass 191) – Skilled Regional
- Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (Subclass 187)
- Skilled Employer-Sponsored Regional Visa (Subclass 494) – Provisional
- Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)
- Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)
- Skilled Recognised-Graduate Visa (Subclass 476)
- Skilled Regional Visa (Subclass 887)
- Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491) – Provisional
- Temporary Activity Visa (Subclass 408)
- Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)