General Information » Entering Australia » Visas

Anyone who is not an Australian citizen needs a valid visa to enter the country. They must get this in advance as airlines may refuse permission to board without a visa. An Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) is the same as a visa and allows travel to Australia for a short stay. The ETA is available online from participating travel agencies and airlines, as well as Australian visa offices overseas.



XXX L 4 XXX Holiday Visas

The tourist visa (subclass 676) is a temporary visa for a stay of three, six or 12 months. This is for people visiting Australia on holiday and not working. It allows you to study for up to three months too. Visas are granted for single and multiple entries.

The sponsored family visitor visa (subclass 679) is for people wanting to visit family in Australia. This visa requires formal sponsorship by an Australian citizen or permanent resident and allows people to holiday or visit family. The applicant must have an eligible relative in Australia or an Australian government official willing to sponsor them. The sponsor provides a guarantee that their visitor will leave Australia before the visa expires.



XXX L 4 XXX Student Visas

If you want to study in Australia you will need a specific visa, depending on what you are studying. For complete details on each visa, visit ww.immi.gov.au/students/index.htm. Parents or relatives of students can apply to stay in Australia as a guardian of the student.



XXX L 4 XXX Professional Training

Sponsored training visas are available for people who want to come to Australia through a professional development programme as a trainee or an apprentice under an employer sponsored agreement. For further information on sponsored training visas, visit www.immi.gov.au/students/sponsored/index.htm.

The professional development visa (Subclass 470) allows sponsored foreign nationals who are professionals, managers or government officials, to attend development training programmes in Australia for up to 18 months.

The trade skills training visa (Subclass 471) is designed to help foreign nationals undertake an apprenticeship in regional Australia. An apprenticeship combines workplace-based training and classroom-based learning.

The occupational trainee visa (Subclass 442) gives you the chance to attend a workplace-based training programme, as long as it will provide additional skills in your current area of work.



XXX L 4 XXX Working Visas

Workers have a number of visa options open to them. For details on each category, visit www.immi.gov.au/skilled/index.htm.

The employer-sponsored workers visa is for people with recognised skills seeking t...