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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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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Two Years, One Birthday, Six Months: The Three Dates That Decide a 482 to 186 TRT Application
The 186 Temporary Residence Transition stream is decided by three dates: when your two years finish, your 45th birthday and the six-month nomination window. A worked example and the 2026-27 figures.
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