5 Australian Visas That No Longer Exist (And What Replaced Them)
Every month, thousands of people search Google for Australian visas that haven't existed for years. The "457 visa" still gets more searches than many active visa subclasses. These discontinued Australian visas live on in old blog posts, outdated migration agent websites, and word-of-mouth advice that hasn't been updated since the visa was scrapped.
If you're basing your migration plans on a visa that no longer exists, you're wasting time and potentially making decisions based on old rules. Here are 5 Australian visas that are gone for good — why they were removed, what replaced them, and where to direct your application now.
1. Subclass 457 — Temporary Work (Skilled) Visa
Existed: 1996 – March 2018 Replaced by: Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS), now Subclass 482 Skills in Demand (SID)
The 457 was Australia's workhorse employer-sponsored visa for over two decades. At its peak, there were over 180,000 workers in Australia on 457 visas. It was the go-to pathway for businesses that needed overseas talent — from chefs to software engineers.
Why it was scrapped: The 457 faced years of criticism for being exploited by some employers. Underpayment, sham sponsorships, and the displacement of local workers became political issues. In 2017, then-Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced the 457 would be abolished and replaced with a "more targeted" visa.
The replacement — then and now: The TSS 482 replaced the 457 in March 2018 with tighter requirements: a more restrictive occupation list, mandatory skills assessments for some occupations, and minimum salary thresholds. In December 2024, the TSS itself was overhauled and became the Skills in Demand (SID) 482.
The current SID visa has three streams:
- Specialist Skills: For workers earning above AUD $135,000 (fast processing, flexible occupations)
- Core Skills: For occupations on the Core Skills Occupation List
- Essential Skills: For lower-paid but critical occupations
Application fee: AUD $3,210
If you were looking for the 457: Apply for the 482 SID through your employer. The core concept — employer-sponsored temporary work — is the same. The rules are different, and generally stricter, but the pathway to permanent residency through the 186 still exists.
2. Subclass 489 — Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa
Existed: 2012 – November 2019 Replaced by: Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa
The 489 was Australia's main regional skilled visa, offering a pathway to permanent residency for skilled workers willing to live and work in regional areas. It gave 5 points (now available through the 491) and required living in a designated regional area.
Why it was scrapped: The government wanted to strengthen the link between regional visas and actual regional living. The 489 had a 2-year regional residence requirement for the permanent stage, but enforcement was considered weak. The replacement 491 came with stronger conditions and longer residence requirements.
What changed with the 491:
- Visa validity extended from 4 years (489) to 5 years (491)
- Points bonus increased from 10 provisional points to 15 points
- Regional residence requirement for PR (191) increased to 3 years
- Minimum income requirement of AUD $53,900/year for the PR transition
- Stricter conditions including 8579 (must notify address changes) and 8580 (must live and work in regional areas)
- Application fee: AUD $4,910
The 491 offers a genuine pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 191, but you must actually commit to regional living. The conditions are actively monitored, and breaching them can result in visa cancellation.
If you were looking for the 489: Apply for the 491 instead. You'll need either state/territory nomination or family sponsorship, plus enough points to be competitive. Check the most in-demand occupations for current priority lists.
3. Subclass 188 — Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) Visa
Existed: 2012 – July 2024 Replaced by: Nothing (program closed entirely)
The closure of the entire Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP) on July 1, 2024 was one of the most dramatic visa policy changes in recent history. Unlike the 457 and 489, which were replaced by updated versions, the 188 was eliminated with no direct replacement.
The 188's streams included:
- Business Innovation: For people with a successful business record wanting to establish a business in Australia
- Investor: Required AUD $2.5 million in designated investments
- Significant Investor Visa (SIV): Required AUD $5 million in compliant investments (fee: AUD $8,925)
- Premium Investor Visa: Required AUD $15 million
- Entrepreneur: For people with a viable business idea and third-party funding
Why it was closed: An independent review found the program produced poor economic outcomes. The SIV stream in particular was criticised — investors parked AUD $5 million in managed funds and contributed little else to the economy. Few created significant employment. The compliance costs of managing the program were high relative to the benefits.
The government concluded that Australia's immigration program should prioritise skills over wealth. Instead of paying your way in, the emphasis shifted to the Skills in Demand visa and traditional skilled migration.
What about existing holders? If you already hold a 188 visa, you can still apply for the permanent Subclass 888 when eligible. The closure only affects new applications.
If you were looking for the 188: There is currently no investment-for-residency pathway in Australia. If you're a high-net-worth individual seeking residency, your options are limited to traditional skilled migration, employer sponsorship, or the Distinguished Talent visa (858) if your achievements are exceptional. See the hardest visas to get for more on the 858.
4. Subclass 475/487 — Skilled Regional Sponsored Visas
Existed: 475 from 2007, 487 from 2007 – both replaced by 489 in 2012 Replaced by: Subclass 489 (now itself replaced by 491)
These older regional visas are two generations removed from the current system, but they still appear in search results and old migration advice.
The history:
- The 475 Skilled — Recognised Graduate was for graduates from a regional Australian institution
- The 487 Skilled — Regional Sponsored was for skilled workers nominated by a state/territory or sponsored by a relative in a regional area
- Both were replaced by the 489 in November 2012
- The 489 was then replaced by the 491 in November 2019
Why they keep appearing: Old blog posts and forum discussions from the 475/487 era still rank in search results. People find them, don't check the date, and assume the visa still exists. Some unscrupulous offshore agents still advertise these visas — a major red flag.
The current equivalent: The Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa at AUD $4,910. It requires either state nomination or family sponsorship, a valid skills assessment, and competitive points test results. After 3 years of living and working in a regional area (earning at least AUD $53,900/year), you can apply for the permanent Subclass 191.
5. Subclass 476 — Skilled Recognised Graduate Visa
Existed: 2007 – Closed to new applications Replaced by: No direct replacement
The 476 was a unique visa for recent engineering graduates from recognised institutions outside Australia. It allowed them to come to Australia for 18 months to gain work experience in their field — no job offer required, no points test, no employer sponsorship.
Key features (when it existed):
- For engineering graduates from specified universities (Washington Accord institutions)
- Must have graduated within 2 years of application
- 18 months duration
- Full work rights
- No points test
- Relatively low fee
Why it was closed: The 476 was a niche visa with a small uptake. As the broader skilled migration program evolved, the government determined that the 476's objectives were better served by the Student visa (500) to Graduate visa (485) pathway, which provides 2-4 years of post-study work rights.
If you were looking for the 476: Consider the Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa if you've studied in Australia. If you haven't studied in Australia, look at the 482 SID employer-sponsored pathway or the 189/190/491 skilled migration visas. Engineering occupations are consistently on Australia's in-demand occupation lists.
How to Spot Outdated Visa Information
With so many discontinued visas still appearing online, here's how to protect yourself:
Red flags that advice is outdated:
- References to the "457 visa" as if it's current
- Mentions of the BIIP or "Significant Investor Visa" being available
- Discussion of the "489 visa" without mentioning the 491 replacement
- Fee amounts that seem too low (pre-increase figures)
- No mention of the GS test for Student visas (still referencing GTE)
- Processing time estimates from pre-COVID years
How to verify:
- Check the date on any article or guide you're reading
- Cross-reference with the Department of Home Affairs website (homeaffairs.gov.au)
- Verify visa subclass numbers — if it doesn't appear on the Department's visa list, it doesn't exist
- Consult a registered migration agent for current advice
Our guides are updated regularly — check the visa fees schedule and processing times for current data.
Visas That Might Be Next
While there's no official word, industry speculation suggests several current visas could face changes:
- 870 Sponsored Parent: Originally introduced as a trial, its future isn't guaranteed
- 462 Work and Holiday: Could be merged with or aligned more closely to the 417
- Various bridging visa subclasses: Simplification has been discussed
- Student visa streams: Further differentiation between higher education and vocational may come
The one constant in Australian immigration is change. Build flexibility into your migration plans, and don't assume today's rules will apply tomorrow.
Frequently Asked Questions
I applied for a 457 visa years ago — is it still valid?
If you were granted a 457 visa, it remained valid until its expiry date. Most 457s have now expired. If you transitioned to a 186 permanent visa from your 457, that's unaffected. If your 457 has expired and you're still in Australia, you need a current valid visa — consult a migration agent immediately.
Can existing 188 BIIP holders still get permanent residency?
Yes. If you hold an existing 188 visa, you can still apply for the permanent Subclass 888 when you meet the requirements. The BIIP closure only prevents new 188 applications — it doesn't affect the permanent stage for existing holders.
Why do migration agents still advertise discontinued visas?
Legitimate registered agents don't. If you see an agent advertising the 457, 489, or 188 as currently available, that's a sign they're either not keeping their information current or they're operating dishonestly. Always verify agent registration through OMARA and check that their advice reflects the latest visa changes.
Are there any other visas that might come back?
Historically, Australia doesn't bring back discontinued visa subclasses — it creates new ones. The 457's replacement (TSS, then SID) serves a similar purpose but with different rules. If the government decides to reintroduce an investment pathway, it would likely be a new subclass, not a revival of the 188.
