Visas and immigration in Australia – 2026

Australia is the world’s biggest island nation, attracting visitors and new residents due to its natural beauty, unique culture, and strong economy. If you want to move to Australia, you’ll usually need a visa. The type will depend on your reasons for relocation. Here’s all you need to know about Australian visas and immigration, with sections on:

Immigration in Australia

Australia has a large migrant population. In 2024, 31.5% of Australia’s residents – around 8.6 million people – were born overseas, one of the highest proportions among major countries. The largest foreign-born populations are from the UK, India, China, and New Zealand.

All non-citizens need a visa to enter and stay in the country. There are various different types of visas in Australia, including tourist visas, work visas, student visas, and family visas. Although Australia is a popular destination for young professionals – especially in major cities – the immigration system is tightly regulated with specific eligibility requirements.

Australia uses a points-based system for most skilled work visas. Whether you are eligible depends on factors such as work experience, qualifications, age, English language skills, and sometimes sponsorship. The Australian government also places annual limits on permanent migration visas through its Migration Program.

Immigration updates in Australia for 2025-26 include:

• Maintaining the permanent migration annual limit at 185,000
• International student placement cap increased to 295,000 per year
• Restrictions on temporary visas, including rules to reduce ‘visa-hopping’ (switching between different types of temporary visa)

The Department of Home Affairs manages Australian visas and immigration, including enforcement, visa processing, and migration policy.

Who needs an Australian visa?

Unlike many countries, Australia does not offer visa-free entry, even for short-stay visitors. In most cases, you will need to apply for an Australian visa before traveling. New Zealand citizens can enter Australia without a visa and get a Special Category Visa (SCV) subclass 444 on arrival at the airport.

European Union (EU) and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) citizens, along with UK nationals and those from certain European microstates, can apply for a free eVisitor (subclass 651) visa, which allows multiple stays of up to three months at a time within a 12-month period.

Citizens from the following countries can apply for an ETA (subclass 601) visa, which allows stays on the same basis as the subclass 651 visa but carries a small service charge of AUD 20:

• US
• Canada
• Japan
• South Korea
• Singapore
• Malaysia
• Brunei
• Hong Kong (SAR passport holders)

Nationals from all other countries will need to apply for a full Australian visa before entry.

Types of Australian visa

There are essentially three types of visas for Australia:

• Visitor visas: These are short-stay visas for those wanting to visit rather than relocate, typically available for periods of up to one year.
• Temporary visas: Usually valid for a specified period (typically between 1–6 years), often with the option of extending or applying for a permanent visa.
• Permanent visas: For permanent migration, usually for certain work or family purposes.

Full details of these visas along with qualifying conditions, costs and application processes, are explained below.

Visitor visas in Australia

These visas in Australia allow holders to stay for limited short-stay periods for specific reasons.

Visitor visa (subclass 600)

This is the standard visitor visa for tourists, business visitors, and family visitors. The visa typically allows stays of up to 12 months, although the business visitor visa is restricted to a three month maximum.

With this visa, you cannot work during your stay. You cannot extend this visa once granted, but you may apply for another visa while in Australia, unless your visa includes a ‘No Further Stay’ condition.

You can apply for this visa by creating an ImmiAccount and providing the following information:

• Valid photo ID, such as a passport
• Proof that you have enough money to cover your stay
• Information relating to the purpose of your stay (e.g., business invitation or a letter from a relative/friend inviting you to stay)
• Proof of health insurance (if this is a condition of your visa)

The standard cost for this visa is AUD 200. There is also a frequent traveller version for citizens of certain South East Asian countries. This costs AUD 1,480 but allows repeated stays of up to three months at a time over a 10-year period.

Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) visa

This is a visitor visa for nationals of certain countries – including the US and Canada – available for multiple stays of up to three months within a 12-month period.

The details of this visa are largely the same as for the standard visitor (subclass 600) visa. However, you should apply using the ETA app.

The cost for this visa consists of just a service charge of AUD 20.

eVisitor (subclass 651) visa

This is a visitor visa for citizens of European countries (EU, EFTA, UK, and microstates) available for multiple stays of up to three months within a 12-month period.

The details of this visa are largely the same as for the standard visitor (subclass 600) visa. Applications are made through an ImmiAccount.

This visa is free and processing times are generally within a day.

Transit visa (subclass 771)

This visa allows stays of up to 72 hours if you are passing through Australia on your way to another country. It is free of charge but you must apply in advance of arriving in Australia through an ImmiAccount.

Working holiday visas

Australia has two temporary working holiday visas that allow visitors to work for a period of up to 12 months while vacationing. These are the subclass 417 visa (for citizens of many European countries, Canada, Japan, and South Korea) and the subclass 462 visa (for citizens of other countries including the US, China, India, Latin America, and South East Asia).

Applicants for these visas need to be aged between 18–30 (extended to 35 for citizens of certain countries applying for the 417 visa). In addition to employment, these visas allow holders to study in Australia for up to four months.

The 462 visa has additional minimum education and English language requirements, and sometimes requires a support letter from the applicant’s government.

The current cost of working holiday visas is AUD 670.

Fees for short-term visas must usually be paid in the local currency of the consulate. Using a Wise card can help you avoid the high transaction fees often associated with paying for government services in a foreign currency.

Temporary Australian visas

These cover a wide range of visas across different categories that allow holders to stay for periods ranging from several months to a few years. Here are the main ones.

Temporary study visas

The two main visas in this category are the:

• Student visa (subclass 500) – available for a maximum of six years (or three years for primary school children in years 1–4) to study at an Australian school, college, or university. Cost AUD 2,000.
• Training visa (subclass 407) – available for a maximum of two years to participate in work-based occupational training. Cost AUD 430.

Both of these visas involve an online application through ImmiAccount. You will need to provide:

• Proof of placement (enrolment for the student visa; sponsorship for the training visa)
• Proof of health insurance coverage
• Sufficient English language qualifications
• Evidence of finances to cover your stay
• Signed Australian Values Statement

For both of these visas, you can include spouses/partners and dependent children. For children aged under 18 applying for school placements, parents/guardians need to apply for a Student Guardian visa, which costs AUD 2,000 and is valid for the period of study.

Temporary family visas

These include:

• Contributory Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 173): For parents of Australian citizens and permanent residents. Valid for two years at a cost of AUD 32,525.
• Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 884): For those of pension age who are parents of Australian citizens and permanent residents. Valid for two years at a cost of AUD 34,170.
• Temporary Partner visa (subclass 820): For spouses/partners of Australian citizens and permanent residents. Valid until permanent visa goes through, at a cost of AUD 9,365 (reduced to AUD 1,560 for Prospective Marriage Visa holders).
• Dependent Child visa (subclass 445): For dependent children while their parent’s visa application is processed, costing AUD 3,235.
• Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300): Visa to marry in Australia before applying for a Partner Visa. Valid for up to 15 months at a cost of AUD 9,365.
• Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870): Allows parents of Australian citizens and permanent residents visit for up to five years at a cost of AUD 12,140 (or AUD 6,070 for up to three years).

With many of these visas, you can work, study, and enrol in public healthcare. Application processes vary – some are online applications made prior to entry, while others need to be applied for from inside Australia. You’ll need to sign the Australian Values Statement and provide evidence of your family relationship (birth certificate, marriage certificate, etc.).

Temporary work visas

These include:

• Provisional Business Innovation and Investment visas (subclass 188): Various different visas to start your own business or work as an entrepreneur in Australia.
• Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494): For sponsored skilled workers, lasting up to five years and costing AUD 4,910.
• Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491): For nominated skilled workers, lasting up to five years and costing AUD 4,910.
• Temporary Activity visas (subclass 408): For various work or research activities, available for periods or between three months and four years. Cost AUD 430.
• Temporary Graduate visas (subclass 485): For international students to stay for limited periods after their studies finish.
• Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa (subclass 400): Highly specialist work visa lasting up to six months and costing AUD 430.
• Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482): For skilled workers to fill labour shortages, lasting up to four years and costing AUD 3,210.

Most of these visas are points-based, with criteria and application processes depending on the specific visa type, so it’s important to check the information on the government website.

Permanent Australian visas

These visas allow holders to stay permanently in Australia. Application processes and requirements vary, but they are broadly similar to those for temporary visas in the same category.

Family visas

• Adoption visa (subclass 102): For children adopted outside Australia by Australian parents (AUD 3,235).
• Aged Parent visa (subclass 804): For senior-age parents of Australian citizens and permanent residents (AUD 7,345).
• Aged Dependent Relative visa (subclass 114): For senior-age single relatives (AUD 5,280)
• Carer visa (subclass 116): For carers of those with long-term medical conditions and limited access to care services (AUD 2,175).
• Child visa (subclass 802): For children to live with Australian parents (AUD 3,235)
• Parent visa (subclass 103): For working-age parents of Australian citizens and permanent residents (AUD 7,345)
• Partner visa (subclass 801): For partners/spouses who hold the Temporary Partner (subclass 820) visa.
• Remaining Relative visa (subclass 115): For those who want to relocate to be with their only close family members (AUD 5,280).

Work visas

• Business Innovation and Investment visas (subclass 888): For entrepreneurs, investors, and business owners (AUD 3,500).
• National Innovation visa (subclass 858): For people with a recognized record of achievement in an eligible area (AUD 4,985).
• Employer Nomination Scheme visas (subclass 186): For skilled workers nominated by their employer (AUD 4,910).
• Permanent Residents (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191): For workers already in Australia for at least three years on a temporary visa (AUD 505).
• Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189): Points-tested visa for invited workers with needed skills (AUD 4,910).
• Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190): For nominated skilled workers (AUD 4,910).

Asylum seekers and refugees in Australia

Australia has an estimated 234,000 refugees, asylum-seekers, and other displaced persons living in the country, which is around 0.8% of the total population (UNHCR, 2026). In 2022, it received 29,555 asylum applications (0.4% of global total), the 40th-largest amount worldwide.

You can apply for asylum if you arrive in Australia without a valid visa and feel that you would experience persecution if you returned home. There are two asylum visas:

• Temporary Protection visa (subclass 785): Valid for three years
• Safe Haven Enterprise visa (subclass 790): Valid for five years

Both of these visas cost AUD 50. You can apply online through the Department of Home Affairs. The application process involves giving details of your claim, undergoing a health exam, agreeing to Australia’s protection obligations, and signing the Australian Values Statement. You should provide a valid ID if you have it.

Asylum-seekers in Australia can usually seek work, access some public healthcare and education services, free English language classes, and the Status Resolution Support Services (SRSS) benefit payment. They can also travel outside of Australia with prior written approval, although returning to the country of claimed persecution may jeopardise their application. However, housing support is limited.

Applications can take months, or sometimes years, to process. Approved applicants can apply for a permanent Protection or Resolution of Status visa once their asylum visa expires.

Other Australian refugee visas include:

• Refugee category visas (subclass 200, 201, 203, and 204): Permanent visas for those applying for refugee status from outside Australia.
• Protection visa (subclass 866): For those already in Australia on a valid visa.
• Global Special Humanitarian visa (subclass 202): For those with family in or a connection to Australia.

Visit the Refugee Council of Australia for more information.

Residence and citizenship in Australia

Australia grants permanent residence through its various permanent visas. Once you are a permanent resident, you can:

• Remain in Australia indefinitely
• Work, study, and access the most of the same public services as citizens
• Sponsor eligible residents for visas or permanent residency in Australia
• Apply for Australian citizenship, if eligible

You can become a full Australian citizen if you are a permanent resident and have lived in Australia for at least four years (citizenship by conferral). The residency requirement is waived if you apply as an overseas national born to an Australian citizen (citizenship by descent).

If you apply for citizenship by conferral, you will need to take the Australian citizenship test if you are aged 18–59.

The general fee for citizenship application is AUD 575.

Arriving in Australia

When you arrive in Australia, you may want to:

• Apply for public healthcare (Medicare) through Services Australia, if you are eligible
• Sort out utilities and telecommunications contracts once you have found accommodation
• Get a Tax File Number (TFN) from the Australian Tax Office, if you plan to work
• Open an Australian bank account

Bear in mind that opening a local Australian bank account can take weeks. In the meantime, you can use Wise to pay for initial expenses like groceries, transport, and household bills. Wise uses the mid-market rate with low and transparent fees, meaning that you won’t pay hefty amounts when converting to AUD. With a Wise account in Australia, you can hold funds in 40 currencies and access 20 account details (local plus SWIFT).

Useful resources

• Department of Home Affairs – manages Australian visas and citizenship (accessed 25 Feb 2026)
• Refugee Council of Australia – information for refugees and asylum-seekers (accessed 25 Feb 2026)