Types of Australian Visas: A Complete Guide
India is one of the most popular countries where travel enthusiasts visit Australia. Moreover, according to the Australian Government's Tourism Department, the annual visit of Indians to this "Land Down Under" is predicted to reach 1 million by 2030. However, aspiring travellers need to acquire a visa to move to Australia. There are different types of Australian visas discussed in the upcoming segment. Individuals can select one that suits their requirements.
What Are the Different Types of Australian Visas?
Wondering, "how many types of visas are there in Australia?"
If yes, take a look at the different types of Australian visas tabulated below:
| Types of Visas in Australia | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Visitor | This visa is applicable for travellers who intend to visit Australia for a short term, such as for family visits, tourism or business purposes. |
| Studying and Training | This visa allows trainees, international students, guardians or parents of underaged students to visit Australia for a limited time. |
| Family | It is issued to dependent adult members, minors or caregivers of permanent residents or citizens of Australia or New Zealand. |
| Parent | It is valid for parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or New Zealand citizens. |
| Partner | This visa is for de facto partners, spouses, or prospective spouses of New Zealand citizens, Australian citizens or permanent residents. |
| Humanitarian | It is issued to refugees to meet the protection obligations of Australia. |
| Work | As the name suggests, this visa entitles the holder to work in Australia. |
| Bridging | It allows travellers to stay in Australia during the processing of their requests for immigration applications. |
| Business and Investment | It is applicable for entrepreneurs planning to operate a new or an existing business or wish to invest in Australia. |
| Working Holiday | It is issued to travellers of selected countries that hold holiday and work contracts with Australia and allows them to work while travelling to Australia. |
| Transit | This visa is issued to those who want to transit through Australia for a maximum of 72 hours. |
| Special Category | This visa is issued to New Zealand citizens and permits them to study, stay and work in Australia for an indefinite time. |
| Resident Return | It allows Australian permanent visa holders to travel in and out of Australia without negatively hampering their permanent resident status. |
| Australia Declaratory | It is a travel permit issued to Australian citizens who cannot visit other foreign countries using their passports. |
What Are the Additional Requirements & Details of Each Australian Visa Type?
Go through the additional requirements and details of each Australian visa category, illustrated in each separate table below:
Visitor Visa
| Points of Consideration | Description |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Travellers must have sufficient funds to cover the cost of staying in and returning from Australia and have a genuine intention to visit this country. |
| Document requisites | Valid passport, old passport (if available), duly filled visa application form, documents to prove intention behind the visit to Australia, bank statements, IT returns, medical test report, fixed deposits and property investment (if available), accommodation proof, cover letter and travel insurance |
| Approximate visa fees | Ranges between AU$366.31 to AU$1074.20. |
| Validity | Ranges between 3 to 12 months |
| Sub-categories | Tourist, e-Visitor, Medical Treatment visas and Electronic Travel Authority |
Studying and Training Visa
Points of Consideration |
Explanation |
Eligibility |
Student visa Applicants must be enrolled in a full-time educational course, have a genuine reason to travel to Australia, meet health and character requirements, and have insurance cover. |
Training visa Individuals should be sponsored or nominated by a legitimate sponsor or invited by the institution of the Commonwealth Government; meet occupational training and character requirements. |
|
Document requisites |
Student visa Valid passport, duly filled visa application form, fee receipt, COE, acceptance letter, statement of purpose, English language test scores, documents to prove financial capacity and educational qualification, OSHC. |
Training visa Valid passport and IDs, invitation letter, proof of sponsorship, documents to show financial capacity, health insurance, English language test scores, assistance documents and volunteer forms |
|
Approximate visa fees |
Student visa AU$624.73 + AU$466.07 (for applicants aged 18 and above) or + AU$153.69 (for applicants below 18 years) |
Training visa AU$307.40 (excluding charges required for health checkups, English language tests, or migration fees) |
|
Validity |
Student visa It depends on the duration of the course |
Training visa Up to 2 years |
|
Sub-categories |
Student visa, Training Visa, and Student Guardian visa |
Family Visa
| Points of Consideration | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Permanent residents or citizens of Australia or New Zealand must sponsor the applicant's visa, meet character and health requirements, and provide proof of relationship with members residing in Australia. |
| Approximate visa fees | Ranges between AU$367.78 to AU$6450.99. |
| Validity | It is based on which visa individuals have applied for and the situation of the sponsor. |
| Sub-categories | Adoption, Carer, Aged Dependent Relative Visas, New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship (Temporary), Orphan Relative, Remaining Relative and Dependent Child visas |
Parent Visa
| Points of Consideration | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Purpose of issuance | Issued to aged and working parents of permanent residents, Australian citizens or citizens of New Zealand to stay in Australia permanently or temporarily. |
| Eligibility | Should be sponsored by a child who is a permanent resident or a citizen of Australia, or a citizen of New Zealand; if not applied for this visa as a retiree, must not hold or have applied for Sponsored Parent visa while submitting an application for it, meet health and character requirements, have health insurance cover and assurance of support. |
| Document requisites | Valid passport, passport size photographs, birth certificates, application form, documents to prove the legal status of the sponsor and family relationship, visa fee receipt, evidence of rendering military service (if any), proof of all children's resident status (if any) |
| Approximate visa fees | AU$4322.79 (for main applicant) + AU$2161.40 (for partner and child more than 18 years old)+ AU$1083.18 (per child age below 18 years) |
| Validity | 5 years |
| Sub-categories | Parent, Aged Parent Visa, Contributory Aged Parent, Contributory Parent, Contributory Parent Visa (Temporary) visas |
Partner Visa
| Points of Consideration | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | A relationship with an individual who is a citizen or permanent resident or a New Zealand citizen should be genuine, the applicant has been in a relationship with his or her spouse for the past 12 months and meets character and health requirements. |
| Document requisites | Documents as evidence of the relationship include joint ownership of assets and joint bank accounts, among others. Other documents include passport size photographs, PCC, passport, etc. |
| Approximate visa fees | AU$7784.61 (valid for sub-class 100, 309, 300, 801, 820) or AU$1299.08 (valid for sub-class 801, 820, through Prospective Marriage Visa sub-class 300) |
| Validity | This visa remains valid till the decision is finalised on a permanent visa of an applicant. |
| Sub-categories | Prospective Marriage, Partner (Provisional), Partner Visa (Temporary), Partner Visa (Migrant) And Partner visas (Permanent) |
Humanitarian Visa
| Points of Consideration | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | The applicant should not owe any outstanding amount before the Australian Government, meet character and health requirements, and abide by law and order of Australia. |
| Document requisites | Valid passport, visa application form, Forms Form 956 or 956a, photographs, family certificates, biometric details, parental consent form, required forms, photocopies of old visas, documents to show experience of applicants in a humanitarian circumstance |
| Approximate visa fees | It depends on each visa type. For example, fees for Protection Visas categorised as sub-class 785, 866, and 790 are 2,156, while fees for Humanitarian Visas- falling under the sub-class of 201, 200, 204 and 203 are nil. |
| Validity | The validity of temporary protection and safe haven enterprise visas is 3 and 5 years, respectively. Visas that feature indefinite validity are- protection visas, humanitarian visas – 204, 203, 202, 201 and 200 and Global Special Humanitarian visas 202. |
| Sub-categories | Refugee, Global Special Humanitarian, Temporary Protection, Safe Haven Enterprise, and Protection visas |
Work Visa
| Points of Consideration | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Applicants must meet character requirements, complete medical check-ups, be competent in the English language, possess 3 years of working experience, should be below 45 years of age, have signed the Australian value statement, and know the Australian way of life. |
| Document requisites | Valid passport, passport size photographs, employment offer letter, PCC, health and travel insurance, character assessment form 80, English language competency proof, and documents of educational qualification |
| Approximate visa fees | Ranges between AU$310.10 to AU$4041.09 and varies based on the types of visas |
| Validity | Ranges between 6 months to 5 years, depending on each visa type. |
| Sub-categories | Global Talent, Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional), Employer Nomination Scheme, Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme, Skilled Nominated, Skilled Employer-Sponsored Regional (Provisional), Skilled Independent, Skilled Work Regional (Provisional), Skilled Recognised (Graduate), Temporary Activity, Temporary Work Visa (International Relations), Temporary Work Visa (Short Stay Specialist), Temporary Graduate and Temporary Skill Shortage visas. |
Bridging Visa
| Points of Consideration | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Individuals must hold a Bridging visa B or Bridging visa A, have a genuine reason to return or leave Australia while waiting for the result of the visa application or waiting for a court appeal on a visa application. |
| Approximate visa fees | Bridging visa A - subclass 030, 010, 050, 040, 060 and 051 do not require any fees, while an application for a Bridging visa B- subclass 020 fetches a fee of AU$158.34 |
| Validity | 28 days |
| Sub-categories | Bridging visa A (BV), Bridging visa C (BVC), Bridging visa E (BE) and Bridging visa B (BVB) |
Business and Investment Visa
| Points of Consideration | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Must provide EOI or expression of interest in SkillSelect, should be invited to submit an application for the permit, Territory or State Government agency or Austrade should nominate the applicant. |
| Document requisites | Valid passport, recent photographs, documents to verify business and personal assets, financial documents, business details, English language proficiency certificate, applicant's managerial position, other documents such as birth certificates, relationship proof for family members need to be submitted. |
| Approximate visa fees | Ranges between AU$6083.07 and A$9452 depending on the visa type |
| Validity | 4 years (valid for provisional) |
| Sub-categories | Business Innovation and Investment Visa (Permanent), Business Owner, Business Innovation and Investment Visa (Provisional), Business Talent Visa (Permanent), State or Territory Sponsored Business Owner Visa, Investor Visa, State or Territory Sponsored Investor Visa |
Working Holiday Visa
Points of Consideration |
Explanation |
Eligibility |
Applicants must be aged between 18 to 30 years hold a valid passport documents to prove English language proficiency meet health and education requirements possess sufficient funds to cover the cost of living in Australia. |
Document requisites |
Photocopies of the first two pages of the passport, birth certificate, two recent passport size photographs, a copy of bank statement, and application form |
Approximate visa fees |
₹ 26,960 |
Validity |
12 months |
Sub-categories |
Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417 and 462) |
Transit Visa
| Points of Consideration | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Applicants must remain outside Australia, have confirmed tickets to visit the destination country within 72 hours of entering Australia and carry relevant documents to visit that particular country. Additionally, holders of Maritime Crew visas who wish to join a non-military ship's crew can apply for this visa . |
| Document requisites | Valid passport, national identity card, application form, recent photograph, itinerary, appropriate visa, flight ticket, duly signed Australian value statement, have a health insurance plan and meet character requirements are some of the documents that applicants need to submit. |
| Approximate visa fees | Free of charge |
| Validity | 72 hours |
| Sub-categories | NA |
Special Category Visa
| Points of Consideration | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Must hold a valid passport of New Zealand and meet character requirements. Applicants with a visa featuring a 'no further stay' provision cannot apply for this permit. |
| Document requisites | A valid New Zealand passport |
| Approximate visa fees | Free of charge |
| Validity | The validity ceases when applicants leave Australia. |
| Sub-categories | NA |
Resident Return Visa
Points of Consideration |
Explanation |
Eligibility |
Applicants must be residents of Australia for a minimum of 2 years provide evidence of substantial relationship with Australia meet character requirements did not experience visa cancellation previously |
Document requisites |
Valid passport, family certificate, national ID card and visa application form |
Approximate visa fees |
₹ 22,265 |
Validity |
3 months to 5 years, depending on the visa type |
Sub-categories |
Resident Return Visa (sub-class 155 and 157) |
Australia Declaratory Visa
| Points of Consideration | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Minor visiting Australia with a parent who is not a citizen of this country and urgent requirement of obtaining this visa |
| Document requisites | Valid passport, identity card, birth certificate, documents to prove a legal change in name (if any), proof of Australian citizenship, and written statement mentioning the urgency to obtain this visa |
| Approximate visa fees | The fee for Declaratory (Visa 998) is ₹ 13,063 and ₹ 10,069 for adults and children, respectively. |
| Validity | 5 years |
| Sub-categories | NA |
Knowing the details of multiple types of Australian visas will assist aspiring travellers in selecting one that meets their requirements and can apply the same without any hassle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there any processing time for the Australian Declaratory Visa?
The visa department processes an Australian Declaratory Visa within the least possible time. Therefore, there is no particular processing time for this visa.
Which countries' citizens are eligible to apply for a Working Holiday Visa?
Argentina, Poland, Bangladesh, Turkey, Chile, Thailand, Indonesia, Uruguay, Malaysia and the United States are a few selected countries where citizens can apply for this Working Holiday Visa.