Every Ceased and Repealed Australian Visa: Complete List
Australia's visa system has undergone constant reform since the Migration Act 1958 first created a formal visa framework. Dozens of visa subclasses have been created, renamed, replaced, or abolished over the decades. Some lasted decades; others barely survived a single government. This is a comprehensive guide to the major visa subclasses that no longer accept new applications — when they closed, what replaced them (if anything), and what happened to people who held them.
Quick Facts
| Period | Major Changes |
|---|---|
| 2018 | Subclass 457 replaced by TSS 482 |
| 2019 | Subclass 489 replaced by 491; Subclass 187 replaced by 494 |
| 2021 | Global Talent Visa (858) reformed |
| 2023 | Subclass 482 being replaced by Skills in Demand |
| 2024 | Entire 188 BIIP closed; TSS formally transitioning |
| 2025-26 | Skills in Demand fully operational |
Employer-Sponsored Visas
Subclass 457 — Temporary Work (Skilled)
- Status: Closed 18 March 2018
- Replaced by: Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage)
- What it was: The main employer-sponsored temporary work visa for over 20 years. Allowed skilled workers to work in Australia for up to four years.
- Why it closed: The Turnbull government abolished it as part of a broader crackdown on temporary migration, citing concerns about exploitation and job displacement.
- What happened to holders: Existing 457 holders retained their visas and could still apply for permanent residence through transitional arrangements under the Subclass 186 (Transition stream).
Subclass 482 — Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS)
- Status: Being replaced by Skills in Demand visa (from December 2024)
- Replaced by: Skills in Demand (SID) visa
- What it was: The replacement for the 457, with three streams: Short-term, Medium-term, and Labour Agreement.
- Why it's closing: The Albanese government's migration reform replaced it with a simpler two-stream structure. Read more about the TSS to SID transition.
- What happened to holders: Existing 482 holders transition under specific arrangements. Applications lodged before the changeover continue processing.
Subclass 187 — Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS)
- Status: Closed 16 November 2019
- Replaced by: Subclass 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional)
- What it was: A direct permanent residence visa for workers sponsored by employers in regional Australia. No need for a temporary visa first.
- Why it closed: Replaced by the 494 temporary-to-permanent pathway as part of the government's push toward provisional regional visas.
- What happened to holders: Existing holders retained their permanent residence. The 187 was grandfathered for applications already lodged.
Subclass 186 — Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS)
- Status: Transition stream still available for legacy 457/482 holders; Direct Entry stream being reformed
- What it is: The permanent employer-sponsored visa. Still exists but is being restructured as part of the SID reforms.
Skilled Migration Visas
Subclass 489 — Skilled Regional (Provisional)
- Status: Closed 16 November 2019
- Replaced by: Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional)
- What it was: A temporary visa for skilled workers nominated by a state/territory or sponsored by a family member in regional Australia.
- Why it closed: Replaced by the 491 with stronger regional residence requirements and a clearer pathway to permanent residence through the Subclass 191.
- What happened to holders: Existing 489 holders can still apply for the Subclass 887 permanent visa under transitional arrangements.
Subclass 887 — Skilled Regional
- Status: Still exists for legacy 489 holders only
- What it is: The permanent visa for 489 holders who met regional residence and work requirements. No new 489 visas are issued, so the 887 will eventually have no new applicants. Read the Subclass 887 guide.
Subclass 475 — Skilled Regional Sponsored
- Status: Closed 2012
- Replaced by: Subclass 489
- What it was: An earlier version of the skilled regional visa with a three-year duration.
Subclass 176 — Skilled Sponsored
- Status: Closed 2012
- Replaced by: Subclass 190
- What it was: The predecessor to the current state-nominated skilled visa.
Subclass 175 — Skilled Independent
- Status: Closed 2012
- Replaced by: Subclass 189
- What it was: The predecessor to the current points-tested independent skilled visa.
Business and Investment Visas
Subclass 188 — Business Innovation and Investment (All Streams)
- Status: Closed 24 March 2024
- Replaced by: Partially by National Innovation Visa (858); no direct replacement for investor streams
- What it was: Five-stream provisional visa for business owners, investors, and entrepreneurs. Streams included Business Innovation, Investor, Significant Investor ($5M), Premium Investor ($15M), and Entrepreneur.
- Why it closed: The 2023 Migration Strategy review found the program delivered poor economic outcomes. Read the full 188 closure guide.
- What happened to holders: Existing 188 holders can still apply for the Subclass 888.
Subclass 162 — Investor (Offshore)
- Status: Closed 2012
- Replaced by: Subclass 188 (Investor Stream)
- What it was: The original investor visa before the 188 consolidated multiple business streams.
Subclass 163-165 — Business Owner/Executive/State Sponsored
- Status: Closed 2012
- Replaced by: Subclass 188 (Business Innovation Stream)
- What it was: Multiple visa subclasses for different types of business migrants.
Student and Training Visas
Subclass 572-576 — Student Visa (Multiple Subclasses)
- Status: Closed 1 July 2016
- Replaced by: Single Subclass 500 (Student Visa)
- What they were: Under the old system, different student visa subclasses existed for different education sectors: 572 (VET), 573 (Higher Education), 574 (Postgraduate Research), 575 (Non-award), 576 (Defence).
- Why they closed: The Simplified Student Visa Framework (SSVF) consolidated all student visas into a single Subclass 500 to reduce complexity.
Subclass 570 — Independent ELICOS
- Status: Closed 2016
- What it was: A standalone visa for English language courses. Now covered by Subclass 500.
Subclass 402 — Training and Research
- Status: Closed 2016
- Replaced by: Subclass 407 (Training Visa)
- What it was: A temporary visa for occupational training or research in Australia.
Partner and Family Visas
Subclass 310 — Interdependency (Offshore) / 826 (Onshore)
- Status: Closed 2009
- Replaced by: Incorporated into Partner Visa (820/801, 309/100) when de facto relationships were included
- What they were: Visas for interdependent (same-sex and other non-married) relationships before de facto relationships were formally recognised in the partner visa framework.
Visitor and Temporary Visas
Subclass 676 — Tourist Visa
- Status: Closed 2013
- Replaced by: Subclass 600 (Visitor Visa)
- What it was: The standalone tourist visa before the 600 consolidated multiple visitor streams.
Subclass 456 — Business Visa (Short Stay)
- Status: Closed 2013
- Replaced by: Subclass 600 (Business Visitor stream)
- What it was: A separate visa for short-term business visits.
Subclass 651 — eVisitor
- Status: Still active but may be consolidated in future reforms
- What it is: Electronic tourist/business visa for European passport holders. Still operational.
Subclass 601 — Electronic Travel Authority (ETA)
- Status: Still active
- What it is: Electronic entry permission for select passport holders. Still operational.
Humanitarian and Other Visas
Temporary Protection Visa (TPV) and Safe Haven Enterprise Visa (SHEV)
- Status: TPV (Subclass 785) and SHEV (Subclass 790) were abolished in February 2024
- Replaced by: Holders transitioned to permanent Resolution of Status visas
- What they were: Temporary visas for refugees who arrived by boat, requiring periodic re-application. Highly controversial.
- Why they closed: The Albanese government fulfilled an election commitment to abolish temporary protection and grant permanent visas to affected refugees.
Subclass 497 — Graduate Skilled
- Status: Closed 2013
- Replaced by: Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate)
- What it was: An earlier graduate visa with different eligibility requirements.
Visas Affected by Recent Reforms
The 2023-2025 migration reform period has been the most significant restructuring of Australia's visa system in decades. Key changes still in progress:
| Old Visa | New Visa | Status |
|---|---|---|
| TSS 482 | Skills in Demand | Transitioning |
| 188 (all streams) | National Innovation (858) partially | Closed |
| TPV 785 / SHEV 790 | Permanent resolution visas | Abolished |
| Global Talent (858 old form) | National Innovation Visa (858 reformed) | Reformed |
Frequently Asked Questions
If I held a closed visa, do I lose my status?
No. When a visa subclass closes, existing holders retain their visas. The closure only prevents new applications. Transitional arrangements typically preserve pathways to permanent residence.
Can I still apply for permanent residence if I hold an old visa?
Usually yes. Transitional provisions protect holders of closed visa subclasses. For example, 457 holders can still access the 186 Transition stream, and 489 holders can still apply for the 887.
Why does Australia change its visa system so often?
Migration policy is politically sensitive and economically significant. Governments regularly adjust visa settings to respond to labour market conditions, public opinion, economic goals, and international obligations.
Where can I find information about a visa that no longer exists?
The Department's website archives some historical visa information. The Migration Act and Migration Regulations contain the legal framework. Migration agents with experience in the relevant period can advise on transitional arrangements.
Will there be more visa closures?
Almost certainly. The current reform program is ongoing, and further consolidation and simplification are expected. The government has indicated a preference for fewer visa subclasses with clearer pathways.
Are there visas that were created and never used?
Yes. Some subclasses in the regulations have never had significant numbers of applicants, and a few have had no applications at all. The Premium Investor stream of the 188 (requiring $15M investment) had minimal uptake before the entire 188 program closed.
