Visa law, explained by the people who lodge it.
Rule changes, thresholds, evidence and the mistakes behind refusals, for the 482, the 186 and partner visas. Written by our lawyers, not a content agency.
What we track
- Government chargesvisa application charges and levieseach July
- Income thresholdsindexed annuallyCSIT, SSIT
- Occupation listsCore Skills Occupation List456 codes
- Processing timesas the Department publishes themmonthly
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Three Bridging Visas, Three Different Answers: Work and Travel During an 820 Application
Bridging visa rules for onshore partner visa applicants in 2026: when the BVA starts, work rights, the $575 Bridging visa B for travel, and what ends it.
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Australian visa settings in 2026-27: what has changed and what is fixed
Australian visa changes to 2026-27: Skills in Demand, National Innovation visa, the ART, and 1 July 2026 charges including the $4,015 482 and $6,140 186.
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Australian Open, Grand Prix and Melbourne Cup: The Annual Visa Calendar for Promoters
408 entertainment visa at $535, 400 for crews and $250 business visitors for the Australian Open, Grand Prix and Melbourne Cup. 2026 lead times by month.
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Refused? How the Administrative Review Tribunal works in 2026-27
ART review of a visa refusal in 2026: the $3,727 fee, hardship reduction, partial refund, how the deadline is counted and what a strong review file needs.
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A Public Sponsor Register Is Coming: What 482 Sponsors Should Tidy Up Now
The proposed Approved Work Sponsor Register would publish sponsor names, ABNs and nomination counts. A 2026 audit checklist for 482 sponsors at $79,423 up.
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482 Visa Salary in 2026-27: The Three Tests Every Nomination Must Pass
482 visa salary rules for 2026-27: the $79,423 Core Skills threshold, the $146,576 Specialist Skills threshold, market rate and what counts as earnings.
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Do You Qualify for a 482 Visa? The Seven Gates in Order
482 visa eligibility in 2026-27: sponsor, nomination, occupation, one year of experience, the $79,423 salary floor, English, health and character.
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482 Visa English Evidence in 2026-27: Approved Tests, Single-Skill Re-sits and the Three-Year Rule
482 visa English rules in 2026: seven approved tests, IELTS 5.0 in each component, single-skill re-sits for tests from 13 September 2025, 3-year validity.
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Permanent Now or Regional First? The 190 and 491 Decision in Plain Terms
190 vs 491 in 2026: permanent on grant or five years regional then the 191. Both charge $6,140, the 191 costs $630, and the 191 has no age limit.
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Sixty Days From Invitation: Getting a 189 Expression of Interest Ready Before the Round
How 189 invitation rounds rank expressions of interest in 2026, the 60-day lodgement window, the $6,135 charge, and the date-of-effect trap to avoid.
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Same Points Test, Three Different Deals: 189, 190 and 491 Compared Line by Line
189 vs 190 vs 491 in 2026: same 65-point test, different selectors, 5 or 15 nomination points, and charges of $6,135 and $6,140, line by line.
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Why 186 applications sit in a queue, and how to lodge one that does not
186 visa in 2026: the $6,140 charge, how the Department orders its queue, why accredited and regional sponsors move first, and a decision ready checklist.
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