skilled migration visa australia, 189 subclass visa australia - VisaAdvisor
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Your path to Australian residency starts here

We help skilled workers, families, students, and employers navigate every stage of the visa process — clearly, compliantly, and stress-free.

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No obligation · 15-minute call · MARA-registered agents only

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✓ 500+ visas approved
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15+

Visa categories covered

456+

Eligible occupations

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Visas approved

100%

MARA-registered advice

About Visa Advisor

Visa Advisor is a Sydney-based migration agency registered with the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA 0852408). We help skilled workers, families, students and employers secure Australian visas across skilled, employer-sponsored, partner, refusal and regional categories. We work with onshore and offshore clients, with advisory services delivered online, by phone, and in-person by appointment.

Smart visa finder

Find the right visa

Without knowing the subclass number

What are you looking to do? Select all that apply.
Not sure which visa is right? Our agents assess your situation in 15 minutes — free, no obligation.
Book a Free Strategy Session →

Visa Options

Every pathway to Australia, covered

Deep expertise across every major visa category — from first
enquiry to final approval.

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482 · 186 · 494 · DAMA

Employer Sponsored

Work in Australia under employer nomination — temporary and permanent pathways for skilled workers.

Explore employer-sponsored visas →
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189 · 190 · 491 · 887 · 191

Skilled Migration

Points-based permanent residency pathways for qualified professionals — independent and state-nominated.

Explore skilled migration →
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820 · 801 · 309 · 100 · PARENT

Partner & Family

Reunite with your partner, children, or parents. Onshore and offshore options available.

Explore partner & family visas →
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500 · 485

Student & Graduate

Study in Australia and explore post-study work and PR pathways after graduating.

Explore student pathways →
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ART · S48 · S501 · MINISTERIAL

Refusals & Appeals

Expert help if your visa was refused or cancelled. Time limits apply — act within 28 days.

See urgent appeal options →
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888 · 858

Business & Innovation

Entrepreneurs and investors establishing or growing a business in Australia.

Explore business visas →

Permanent residency pathways

Three routes to calling Australia home

Every PR pathway is different — the right one depends on your
occupation, relationship, and points score.

189 · 190 · 491

Skilled migration pathway

Points-based permanent residency for qualified professionals. No employer or state sponsor required.

  • Skills assessment from your authority
  • Lodge Expression of Interest (EOI)
  • Receive invitation → apply for PR
Explore skilled migration →

482 → 186

Employer sponsored pathway

Work for an Australian employer on a 482 for 3 years, then transition to permanent residency via the 186.

  • Employer nominates you for 482
  • Work for sponsor for 3 years
  • Transition to 186 permanent visa
Explore employer-sponsored PR →

820 → 801

Partner migration pathway

Partnered with an Australian citizen or PR? The partner visa transitions automatically to permanent residency after 2 years.

  • Apply 820 (onshore) or 309 (offshore)
  • Live in Australia on temporary visa
  • 801 / 100 permanent visa granted
Explore partner migration →

How it works

Three steps from enquiry to approval

We take care of the complexity so you can focus on your future in
Australia.

1

Free strategy session

A 15–20 minute call with a MARA-registered agent. We assess your situation, identify the right visa, and outline a clear plan — at no cost and no obligation.

⏱ 15–20 min · Free · No obligation
2

Document preparation

We give you a personalised checklist and guide you through gathering and uploading the right documents via our secure online portal.

⏱ Typically 1–3 weeks
3

Lodgement & follow-through

We lodge your application and handle all communication with the Department of Home Affairs until a decision is made on your behalf.

⏱ We manage everything for you

Select your state or territory

NSW New South Wales VIC Victoria QLD Queensland WA Western Australia SA South Australia TAS Tasmania ACT Capital Territory NT Northern Territory DAMA Regional programs

Regional migration

Regional Australia — more options, faster pathways

Living and working regionally unlocks additional visa pathways and significant points bonuses not available in major cities.

+15 points with 491 650 occupations via 494 DAMA unlocks extra roles
🗺️

Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional

State or territory nominates you. Live and work regionally for 3 years, then apply for the 191 permanent residency.

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Subclass 494 — Employer Sponsored Regional

A regional employer sponsors you. 650 eligible occupations — broader than standard 482. PR via 191 after 3 years.

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DAMA — Designated Area Migration Agreements

Special agreements unlocking occupations not on standard lists. We handle 9 DAMA programs across Australia.

Check regional eligibility → View DAMA programs

For Employers

Hiring talent from overseas?
We handle everything.

From Standard Business Sponsorship approval to individual visa nominations — we manage the full process so your HR team doesn't have to.

482 Sponsorship 186 Nomination 494 Regional DAMA Programs Compliance support
Book a sponsorship briefing → Download employer guide
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Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS)

We manage the full SBS application and approval — typically 4–6 weeks. Once approved you can nominate overseas workers.

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Visa nomination & individual applications

We handle every worker's nomination and visa application — 482, 186, and 494 — from document collection to lodgement.

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Ongoing compliance support

Sponsorship obligations don't end at visa grant. We keep you informed of record-keeping and reporting requirements.

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DAMA & Labour Agreement support

If you're in a regional area, we help you access DAMA programs that unlock additional occupations for your workforce.

Client Stories

Real outcomes, real people

From first-time applicants to Australian citizens — here's what our clients say.

★★★★★

"After my partner visa was refused, the team guided our AAT appeal from start to finish. We got a favourable outcome I didn't think was possible. Their professionalism and thorough approach gave me the confidence to fight for my visa."

SP

Sita Pahari

Partner Visa · AAT Success
★★★★★

"Visa Advisor handled my Subclass 309 offshore and Subclass 100 permanent partner visa. Expert guidance throughout — smooth and completely stress-free both times. I highly recommend them to anyone applying."

SG

Subiksha Ghimire

Subclass 309 · 100
★★★★★

"They guided me from a 457 visa all the way to Australian Citizenship over many years. Same exceptional, reliable service at every single stage. I still use Visa Advisor and would recommend them to anyone."

GL

Gautam Lama

457 → PR → Citizenship
★★★★★

"The whole process was explained clearly and handled professionally. I always knew what documents were needed and what the next step would be."

VA

Visa Applicant

Successful Visa Outcome

Free Tools

Understand your options before you call

Use our free tools to check eligibility, calculate points, and prepare documents — before speaking to an agent.

Free
🧮

Points Calculator

Calculate your points score for the 189 and 190 skilled migration visas — instantly.

Calculate my points →
Free
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Visa Finder

Answer a few questions and we'll show you the right visa pathways — no jargon required.

Find my visa →
External
📋

Document Checklists

Government-published document requirements for every visa subclass.

View checklists →
Free
📚

Resources Hub

Guides, blog posts, FAQs, and policy updates covering every aspect of Australian migration.

Browse resources →

Blog & News

Stay ahead of Australian immigration changes

Policy updates, visa pathway guides, and expert commentary from our registered agents.

Common Questions

Answers to the questions we hear every day

The 482 Skills in Demand visa is temporary — your employer sponsors you to work in Australia for 2–4 years. The 186 Employer Nomination Scheme is permanent residency directly through your employer. Most people get the 186 after holding a 482 for 3 years via the Temporary Residence Transition stream. In short: the 482 gets you here, the 186 keeps you here permanently.
The minimum to lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) is 65 points. However, most invitations in recent rounds have gone to applicants with 85–100+ points, depending on the occupation. Use our free points calculator to check your score, then book a call to understand your invitation chances.
Act quickly — most ART appeals must be lodged within 28 days of the decision letter date. Do not wait. Read your refusal letter carefully to understand which grounds were cited, then contact us immediately. We offer a $150 urgent consultation for refusals with same-day availability in most cases.
You can apply yourself — there's no legal requirement. However, errors can result in refusals, delays, or character issues affecting future applications. A MARA-registered agent is legally accountable, bound by a code of conduct, and required to maintain up-to-date knowledge of migration law. For anything complex, professional advice is strongly recommended.
The onshore 820/801 typically takes 20–34 months for the temporary 820 stage, with the permanent 801 granted after the 2-year relationship requirement is met. The offshore 309/100 follows a similar timeline — 24–36+ months total. Complex cases can take longer. We help you prepare a strong application to avoid unnecessary delays.
A DAMA (Designated Area Migration Agreement) allows regional employers to sponsor overseas workers in occupations not normally available under standard visa programs. We handle 9 DAMA programs across Australia — including NT, Victoria, Queensland, NSW, South Australia, and Western Australia. Book a free call to check if your occupation and location qualify.
Yes — most Australian work visas allow you to include immediate family members such as your partner and dependent children as secondary applicants. They receive the same visa conditions and can live, work, and study in Australia alongside you. Parent and extended family migration requires separate applications.
The initial strategy session is free. Urgent refusal consultations are $150. For full visa applications, fees depend on the visa type and complexity. We provide a clear written fee agreement before any paid engagement. Government visa charges are separate. No hidden fees, ever.

Ready to start your Australian visa
journey?

Talk to a MARA-registered agent — free, no obligation, no jargon.Limited slots available each week.

Book a Free Strategy Session →Explore visa options

Limited slots available each week

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MARA Registered

Agent #0852408

⭐

18+ Years Experience

In Australian migration

⚖️

OMARA Code of Conduct

View at mara.gov.au ↗
📋

500+ Visas Approved

Across all categories

★
★★★★★

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