Australia has over 100 visa subclasses across categories including visitor, student, skilled, employer-sponsored, family, humanitarian, and special purpose visas. Each subclass is identified by a number (e.g., subclass 189, 500, 600) and carries specific eligibility criteria, conditions, and entitlements. This is a reference list of the main visa subclasses, plus a section on ceased visas that you may still encounter in older documentation. The Home Affairs visa list is the official full list.
Visitor Visas
| Subclass | Name | Type | Work Rights | Stay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600 | Visitor | Temporary | No | Up to 3, 6, or 12 months |
| 601 | Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) | Temporary | No | 3 months per visit, 12-month validity |
| 651 | eVisitor | Temporary | No | 3 months per visit, 12-month validity |
| 771 | Transit | Temporary | No | Up to 72 hours |
| 995 | Diplomatic | Temporary | Varies | Duration of posting |
Notes: The subclass 600 encompasses multiple streams (tourist, business visitor, sponsored family, frequent traveller). The ETA is only available through the Australian ETA mobile app. The eVisitor is available only to European and select other passport holders.
Student Visas
| Subclass | Name | Type | Work Rights | Stay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 500 | Student | Temporary | 48 hrs/fortnight (study periods) | Course duration + buffer |
| 590 | Student Guardian | Temporary | Limited (20 hrs/fortnight) | Duration of student's visa |
Notes: The subclass 500 replaced eight separate student visa subclasses (570-576 and 580) in July 2016. All student types now apply under the single subclass 500.
Temporary Graduate Visas
| Subclass | Name | Type | Work Rights | Stay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 485 | Temporary Graduate | Temporary | Unrestricted | Up to 18 months, or usually 2 to 3 years (5 years for Hong Kong and BNO passport holders) |
| 476 | Skilled — Recognised Graduate (repealed) | Temporary | Unrestricted | 18 months |
Notes: The subclass 485 has a Post-Vocational Education Work stream (up to 18 months) and Post-Higher Education Work streams (length based on your qualification). The subclass 476 was for engineering graduates from recognised institutions and is now on the Home Affairs list of repealed visas.
Skilled Migration Visas
| Subclass | Name | Type | Work Rights | PR Pathway |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 189 | Skilled Independent | Permanent | Unrestricted | Direct |
| 190 | Skilled Nominated | Permanent | Unrestricted | Direct |
| 491 | Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) | Provisional | Unrestricted (regional) | Via 191 |
| 191 | Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) | Permanent | Unrestricted | Direct |
| 887 | Skilled Regional | Permanent | Unrestricted | Direct (legacy) |
Notes: The subclass 189 also has a Hong Kong stream. Its New Zealand stream permanently closed to new applications on 1 July 2023. The subclass 887 is a legacy visa for holders of the now-ceased subclass 489.
Employer-Sponsored Visas
| Subclass | Name | Type | Work Rights | PR Pathway |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 482 | Skills in Demand (SID) | Temporary | Employer-specific | Via 186 |
| 186 | Employer Nomination Scheme | Permanent | Unrestricted | Direct |
| 494 | Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) | Provisional | Employer-specific (regional) | Via 191 |
| 400 | Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) | Temporary | Specific activity | No |
| 403 | Temporary Work (International Relations) | Temporary | Specific purpose | No |
| 407 | Training | Temporary | Training only | No |
| 408 | Temporary Activity | Temporary | Specific activity | No |
Notes: The subclass 482 was formerly the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa. It was restructured as the Skills in Demand visa in December 2024 with three streams: Specialist Skills, Core Skills, and Labour Agreement. The subclass 186 has three streams: Temporary Residence Transition, Direct Entry, and Labour Agreement.
Working Holiday Visas
| Subclass | Name | Type | Work Rights | Stay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 417 | Working Holiday | Temporary | Unrestricted | 12 months (extendable) |
| 462 | Work and Holiday | Temporary | Unrestricted | 12 months (extendable) |
Notes: Both visas allow 12 months of work and travel. Specified work (typically regional agricultural or designated critical sector work) can qualify holders for second and third year extensions. The subclass 417 and 462 cover different sets of partner countries based on bilateral agreements. Applicants must be 18 to 30 years old, or 35 for some countries on the 417. The 462 is for people aged 18 to 30.
Partner and Spouse Visas
| Subclass | Name | Type | Work Rights | PR Pathway |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 820 | Partner (Onshore Temporary) | Temporary | Unrestricted | Via 801 |
| 801 | Partner (Onshore Permanent) | Permanent | Unrestricted | Direct |
| 309 | Partner (Offshore Temporary) | Temporary | Unrestricted on arrival | Via 100 |
| 100 | Partner (Offshore Permanent) | Permanent | Unrestricted | Direct |
| 300 | Prospective Marriage | Temporary | Unrestricted | Via partner visa |
Notes: Partner visas are typically a two-stage process. The temporary visa is granted first, and after 2 years (or immediately if the relationship is long-standing), the permanent visa is assessed. Cost: $11,710 for the combined temporary/permanent application.
Parent Visas
| Subclass | Name | Type | Work Rights | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 143 | Contributory Parent | Permanent | Unrestricted | Queued; dates up to Nov 2018 released |
| 173 | Contributory Parent (Temporary) | Temporary | Unrestricted | Queued; dates up to Nov 2018 released |
| 103 | Parent | Permanent | Unrestricted | Queued; dates up to Mar 2014 released |
| 804 | Aged Parent | Permanent | Unrestricted | Queued; dates up to Oct 2014 released |
| 884 | Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) | Temporary | Unrestricted | Queued; dates up to Nov 2020 released |
| 864 | Contributory Aged Parent | Permanent | Unrestricted | Queued; dates up to Nov 2020 released |
| 870 | Sponsored Parent (Temporary) | Temporary | No | 7-9 months |
Notes: The contributory parent visa (from $49,900) is substantially more expensive but has a processing time measured in years rather than decades. The non-contributory parent visa (from $8,665) has a much longer queue: as at 31 August 2026, Home Affairs had released Parent visa applications queued up to March 2014. The subclass 870 provides a temporary alternative allowing parents to stay for 3 or 5 years.
Child Visas
| Subclass | Name | Type | Work Rights | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 101 | Child (Offshore) | Permanent | Age-dependent | For children of Australian citizens/PRs |
| 802 | Child (Onshore) | Permanent | Age-dependent | Applied from within Australia |
| 102 | Adoption | Permanent | Age-dependent | Intercountry adoption |
| 445 | Dependent Child | Temporary | Age-dependent | Child born to partner visa applicant |
Other Family Visas
| Subclass | Name | Type | Work Rights | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 114 | Aged Dependent Relative | Permanent | Unrestricted | Must be old enough for aged pension |
| 115 | Remaining Relative | Permanent | Unrestricted | Last remaining relative overseas |
| 116 | Carer | Permanent | Unrestricted | Carer for Australian relative |
| 835 | Remaining Relative (Onshore) | Permanent | Unrestricted | Onshore equivalent of 115 |
| 836 | Carer (Onshore) | Permanent | Unrestricted | Onshore equivalent of 116 |
| 838 | Aged Dependent Relative (Onshore) | Permanent | Unrestricted | Onshore equivalent of 114 |
Notes: These visas have extremely limited places and processing times measured in decades. They require very specific family circumstances.
Business and Investment Visas
| Subclass | Name | Type | Work Rights | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 188 | Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) | Provisional | Business/investment only | Closed 31 July 2024 |
| 888 | Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) | Permanent | Unrestricted | Second stage of 188; still open to 188 holders |
| 132 | Business Talent (Permanent) | Permanent | Unrestricted | Closed 1 July 2021 |
Notes: The Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP) closed on 31 July 2024. Applications made before that date are still processed. For highly talented individuals, subclass 858 is now the National Innovation visa; the Global Talent visa closed in December 2024.
Humanitarian and Protection Visas
| Subclass | Name | Type | Work Rights | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200 | Refugee | Permanent | Unrestricted | UNHCR referred |
| 201 | In-country Special Humanitarian | Permanent | Unrestricted | Applied from country of persecution |
| 202 | Global Special Humanitarian | Permanent | Unrestricted | Proposed by Australian sponsor |
| 203 | Emergency Rescue | Permanent | Unrestricted | Emergency situations |
| 204 | Woman at Risk | Permanent | Unrestricted | Women and dependants at risk |
| 866 | Protection | Permanent | Unrestricted | Onshore asylum seekers |
| 785 | Temporary Protection | Temporary | Unrestricted | Specific cohort |
| 790 | Safe Haven Enterprise | Temporary | Unrestricted | Regional work/study pathway |
Bridging Visas
| Subclass | Name | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 010 | Bridging Visa A | Maintain lawful status while application is processed |
| 020 | Bridging Visa B | Allow travel while application is processed |
| 030 | Bridging Visa C | For unlawful non-citizens making a valid application |
| 040 | Bridging Visa D | Short-term bridge (5 business days) |
| 050/051 | Bridging Visa E | For unlawful non-citizens making departure arrangements |
Notes: Bridging visas are not applied for directly (except BVB). They are granted automatically as part of other visa processes. A BVA is the most common, granted when you apply for a new visa while holding a current visa.
Special Purpose and Other Visas
| Subclass | Name | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 444 | Special Category (New Zealand) | Special | Auto-granted to NZ citizens |
| 449 | Humanitarian Stay (Temporary) | Temporary | Emergency humanitarian situations |
| 580 | Student Guardian | Temporary | Legacy (replaced by 590) |
| 773 | Border | Temporary | Border residents |
Ceased Visa Subclasses (Historical Reference)
These visas are no longer available for new applications but you may encounter them in older documentation or if you hold one of these visas:
| Subclass | Name | Replaced By | Ceased |
|---|---|---|---|
| 457 | Temporary Work (Skilled) | 482 (TSS/SID) | March 2018 |
| 489 | Skilled Regional (Provisional) | 491 | November 2019 |
| 570-576 | Student (various) | 500 | July 2016 |
| 580 | Student Guardian | 590 | July 2016 |
| 187 | Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme | 494 | November 2019 |
| 858 (Global Talent) | Global Talent | National Innovation visa (also subclass 858) | December 2024 |
| 188 | Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional), all streams | — | 31 July 2024 |
| 163-165 | Business (various) | 188 | Various dates |
| 855-857 | Labour Agreement (855), Employer Nomination Scheme (856), Regional Sponsor Migration Scheme (857) | Later employer-sponsored visas | Various dates |
How to Read a Visa Subclass Number
Australian visa subclass numbers follow a loose pattern:
- 0xx: Bridging visas
- 1xx: Permanent family and skilled visas (older numbering)
- 2xx: Humanitarian visas
- 3xx: Prospective marriage, partner (offshore)
- 4xx: Temporary work, special purpose, child visas
- 5xx: Student and graduate visas
- 6xx: Visitor visas
- 7xx: Transit, special category
- 8xx: Permanent onshore visas (family, skilled, business)
- 9xx: Diplomatic and special
This pattern isn't rigid, as historical renumbering has created exceptions, but it provides a rough guide.
FAQ
How many active visa subclasses does Australia have? Approximately 100+ active subclasses, though the exact number fluctuates as visas are created, merged, or ceased. The trend has been toward consolidation (e.g., merging 7 student visas into one subclass 500).
Can I find my visa subclass number? Check your visa grant notification email, your ImmiAccount, or use VEVO to look up your current visa details including subclass number.
What's the difference between "permanent" and "provisional" visas? Permanent visas grant permanent residency with a 5-year travel facility. Provisional visas are temporary with a pathway to permanence if you meet specified requirements (like living regionally for 3 years on a 491).
