KNOWLEDGE CENTRE
Everything You Need to Know About Australian Visas and Immigration Law
Straight answers on processing times, costs, eligibility and appeals, written by our immigration team and reviewed by our nominated solicitor.
Not sure where to start?
Tell us your situation in a free consultation and we will point you to the right guide, or the right pathway.
Working With a Lawyer
What it actually costs, how a lawyer differs from a migration agent, and when DIY is genuinely fine.
Partner and Family Visas
Processing times, full fees, evidence requirements and the onshore-vs-offshore decision.
Parent and Aged-Relative Visas
Realistic queue lengths, the true cost of a contributory visa, and how to choose a pathway.
Skilled and Employer-Sponsored Visas
Processing times and costs for 482, 189, 190, 491 and 485, plus which pathway to choose.
- 482 Visa Processing Times in 2026
- How Much Does a 482 Visa Cost? (Sponsor and Applicant Fees)
- 190 Visa Processing Times and State Nomination
- 491 Visa Processing Times and Regional Requirements
- 189 vs 190 vs 491: Which Skilled Visa Should You Apply For?
- 482 to PR: Your Pathway to Permanent Residence
- 482 vs 186: Which Employer-Sponsored Visa?
- 189 Visa Processing Times and How Points Work
- 485 Visa: Processing Times and Cost for Graduates
- How Much Does It Cost to Sponsor an Employee in Australia?
Study and Visitor Visas
Costs and requirements for tourists and students, and what to do if a visitor visa is refused.
Citizenship and Residency
Becoming a citizen, keeping your PR travel rights, and understanding bridging visa status.
Visa Refusals and Appeals
If your visa has been refused or cancelled, deadlines are strict. Start here.
Where to start
Most people arrive here with one of four questions. If you are not sure which guide you need, start with the one that matches your situation.
- You have decided to apply and want to know how long it takes. Start with the processing time guide for your visa. Published timeframes usually cover only the final stage, so read what sits before it.
- You are working out what it will cost. Start with the relevant cost guide. Government charges are separate from any professional fees, are generally payable up front, and are not refunded if an application is refused.
- You are choosing between two pathways. Start with a comparison guide. The right question is usually not which visa is best, but which one you can realistically qualify for now.
- You have been refused or your visa has been cancelled. Go straight to the appeals section and check your deadline first. Most migration review deadlines are short and cannot be extended.
Every guide is written for Australia, states figures in Australian dollars, and is reviewed before publication. Where a figure changes regularly we say so, because fees, processing times and occupation lists are updated often.
Common questions
How long does an Australian visa take?
It depends entirely on the visa. Some skilled visas are decided in months, partner visas commonly take well over a year, and parent visas are queued for years or decades. Published figures usually cover only the final stage of a multi-stage process.
How much does an Australian visa cost?
Charges range from no fee for some visitor options to over $9,000 for a partner visa and tens of thousands for a contributory parent visa. Government charges are separate from professional fees and are generally not refunded on refusal.
Do I need a lawyer, or can I apply myself?
Straightforward applications are often lodged successfully without help. The value of advice rises sharply where there is a previous refusal, a character or health issue, a complex relationship history, or a deadline you cannot afford to miss.
What should I do if my visa is refused?
Find the review deadline on your decision letter before anything else. It is often 21 or 28 days and generally cannot be extended, so confirming your review rights quickly matters more than preparing a perfect case.
Is the information in these guides legal advice?
No. These guides are general information about Australian migration law. They cannot account for your circumstances, and you should get advice on your own matter before making decisions.
Written and Reviewed by Our Immigration Team
Every guide in this Knowledge Centre is written by our immigration team and reviewed by our nominated solicitor before publishing. Figures and processing times are checked against current Department and Tribunal sources at the time of review.
Still not sure which pathway is yours?
Every situation turns on its own facts. Tell us yours in a consultation and we will confirm your options, your timing and what it will cost, before you commit to anything.