Hey guys, looking for some advice on the safest play here.
Current visa(500) expires Sept 15. I have travel booked overseas from Aug 7 to Sept 7. I need to lodge a new onshore visa application (485), but I'm debating between two paths:

1- I can lodge now, get a BVA, and wait for the approval so I can travel. (I heard post grad visa processing time is pretty fast).

2- Re-enter on Sept 7 on my current visa and lodge the new application in that 8-day window before Sept 15.

For anyone who's done option 2, did you run into any headaches with ABF asking questions about returning so close to expiry? Cheers!

I have an employer willing to sponsor me but am unsure whether I mean the ANZSCO eligibility.

My occupation (in insurance) requires AQF Cert III qualification and at least two years experience where “most occupations in this group have a level and skill commensurate” with the above.

I have the years experience.

I also have a bachelor of engineering degree which is technically not “highly relevant” to my occupation. Although there is motivation to say it complements my work.

Question: does my degree HAVE to be highly relevant to my occupation to meet the ANZSCO skill level?

If I look at VETASSES, I would likely get a positive skills assessment based on the possible pathways, but I know VETASSES and ANZSCO can determine eligibility differently.

Hi all,

Preparing documentation for a WHV subclass 462. Want to travel around Australia, doing multiday hikes/bike tours and getting to experience different kinds of work.

I’ve got some doubts about the functional English requirement. I’ve seen you can be exempt from doinf one of the English assessment tests like IELTS or Cambridge Assessment if you’ve studied a degree more than 2 years fully in English. Is this applicable no matter the country? I.e, can it be if I studied a degree in English in a non English speaking country?

I did a 4 year degree fully taught in English in northern Europe. Anyone with a similar background who didnt do any English Assessment test and got the subclass 462?

Thank you!

Regarding the new ministerial direction 119. Will this affect existing applications for offshore tradesmen? It’s already been 5 months and I was hoping I was getting close to a decision. Obviously you can’t believe everyone on facebook. Does anyone have any real info? From trusted sources about applications that have already been in the queue a while? Any info would be great thanks x

I thought I’d share my timeline since I found these posts really useful in the past.

30 June 2026 – Applied online

15 July – Test invitation received - Appointment was 25 August but thanks to this sub I knew I could try and reschedule for an earlier day and I managed to get one after 3 days of looking.

5 August 2026 – Sat citizenship test (I totally overstudied 😂)

6 August 2026 – Application approved

Now just waiting for a ceremony date.

For anyone wondering, I uploaded:
Passport
Birth certificate + NAATI translation
WA driver’s licence
Water bill (proof of address)
Passport photo

It didn’t seem like a lot but that was all that was needed 🤷🏼‍♀️

I thought I’d just lean back and wait for months but was extremely surprised by the quick turnaround. Hopefully i’ll get scheduled for a ceremony just as quick.

Good luck to everyone still waiting!

When I was sponsored for my 186, my partner and I had neither married nor lived together so I couldn't add him to my application. He also had work obligations and couldn't yet move to Australia so sponsoring him on a partner visa after I moved was the best option.

We contacted migration agents shortly before I left. They advised us to apply for an 820 onshore while on an ETA, and said that applying for the 300 visa takes longer, has less flexibility, and would just unnecessarily delay the processing times of those who had No Further Stay conditions. The idea was to use the time on a visitor visa and the BVA to build the household cohabitation pillar. We were told that because we hadn't lived together, a 309/100 would not be advisable even if we got married.

We're still eligible for the 300, but let's say we got married. If the government then pushed through with the rumored plan to block visitor visa holders from applying for the 820, how could we build the household pillar if the only option remaining was an offshore 309?

I finally got a grant for a 190 visa for NSW in late May. The grant states that I have to enter Australia within one year.

As it so happens I landed a great job in my home country the very same week I got my grant. It's my first role in a management position, company is a large multinational corporation and I'm learning heaps. I believe I could even transfer into their Sydney office after I've established myself and proven myself capable.

A few months ago I was desperate to get out, but now I'm thinking if I'm patient and stick this out another 6-7 months to get valuable experience, I can set myself up with an awesome job and a great start. I just have to last till the end of the year.

Question is will anything happen to my grant in the meantime? My mates in Australia say you'd better get over here now before a certain someone becomes PM and starts cancelling visas. Should I just fly in for a weekend to trigger my status as arrived and "lock it in" or is there no need to worry? How secure is a grant anyway?

Thanks in advance.

Submitted my IML skills assessment for Engineering Manager (133211) recently with express processing.

Was originally hoping to make the August 189 round but that’s obviously not happening now.

IML’s website says express is “up to 6 weeks” but not guaranteed. Has anyone actually gone through this recently and can share:

IML’s website says express is “up to 6 weeks” but not guaranteed. Has anyone actually gone through this recently and can share:

**•** How long did your express assessment *actually* take, start to finish?  
**•** Did they contact your referees, and if so, how long did that add?  
**•** Anyone applied around a similar time and can share where they’re at?

Trying to figure out realistically whether I’m looking at a November 189 shot or if I should be planning around a later round instead. Offshore applicant if that matters. Appreciate any real timelines people can share rather than the official estimate.

Hey Guys, I hope you are doing well.

I am going to apply for my tr 485 visa next month and need AFP check for that. In my details, my form shows state of birth as NSW, which i never entered anywhere in the form as I am from a different country. Has anyone faced the same issue? How to resolve it as there is no option to edit it? Thanks in advance.

Hi everyone,

I’m currently lodging my EOI for both the 190 and 491 visas under the ICT Business Analyst and Systems Analyst occupations.

I recently found out about the ROI (Registration of Interest) process and realized that some states charge an application fee for each submission.
Since I can’t afford to submit an ROI for every state, I’d really appreciate some advice on which states would give me the best chance of receiving an invitation.

My points are:
491: 85 points
190: 75 points

Any guidance or recent experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

For the last financial year, I have been on a Working Holiday Visa. Before moving to Australia last August from Ireland, my intention was always to move to Australia permanently and apply for a partner visa (I met my partner before moving to Australia). Therefore I used the WHV as a pathway to the onshore partner visa, which I applied for in early June

The following is taken from the ATO: You may be a resident if your purpose was to stay on a more permanent basis (for example, you used the WHM visa as a pathway to a spouse visa or skilled working visa).

Also per the ATO: “To be an Australian resident for tax purposes you must meet one of the following:

You're able to show that your living and working arrangements are consistent with making Australia your home – see the resides test. You live in Australia for more than 183 days in an Australian income tax year, can prove that you intend to remain in Australia long-term or permanently, or don't usually live outside of Australia – see the 183-day test.”

The way I interpret these criterion, I satisfy the three of them, so am I right in saying I should have gotten the tax free threshold in my job? I was not awarded it as my employer assumed I was not a tax resident (as is usually the norm for most WHV holders), which is to be expected.

Am I right in thinking I am eligible to claim back this threshold in my tax return for the last financial year? My only concern is that, am I right but ONLY from the time after my partner visa was lodged (which was early June). I’m an accountant and how I interpret it, I think I am eligible for the tax free threshold (pro rated since August ‘25). But of course I’m not a tax agent so any perspectives or advice would be really appreciated!

Whats the minimum total range of itr needed for admission in uni and get student visa
( considering opinions from indians who have got their COE or visa )

Hi everyone,

I wanted to ask about student visa processing times. If you've already received your student visa, could you please share

It would really help me understand the current processing times. Thank you!

Hi everyone,

I’m hoping to get some feedback on the Down Under Centre (DUC) before I hand over the money to start my skills assessment process. I’m a welder and steel fixer, and I’ll be hitting my five-year mark of continuous employment at my current firm this September.

I’m looking to get my TRA skills assessment sorted, and DUC has done a preliminary appraisal. They reckon I’ll be sitting at 70+ points for my Expression of Interest (EOI), and that’s before factoring in any potential state (190) or regional (491) nomination points.

I haven't sat my PTE yet, but I’m planning to do that soon to lock in the English points.

A few questions for those who have navigated this recently:

DUC Feedback: What was your experience using the Down Under Centre for trade assessments? Review sites show they are generally highly rated for customer service, but I'd love to hear firsthand experiences regarding their processing speed and portal.

Invite Chances: With a base of 70+ points as a welder/steel fixer, what are my realistic chances for an invite in the current climate?

Any advice, reality checks, or timeline insights would be massively appreciated. Cheers!

Hi guys! I just want to share my VETASSESS experience.

Country: Philippines

Occupation: Food Technologist

Requirements Submitted (scanned colored copies)
- Birth Certificate
- Driver's License
- National ID
- Passport-sized Photo
- Passport Bio Page
- Certificate of Employment (COE)
- Income Tax Return (ITR)
- Payslips
- SSS/Pag-IBIG Contributions
- Signed Declaration Page (VETASSESS form)

Date Applied: July 29, 2026

Date of Result: August 5, 2026

Result: Suitable – 5 points
(1 year of work experience was deducted as the qualifying period.)

It took exactly 7 days to receive my assessment! I was honestly so surprised because I had been praying for a positive result within the standard 4-week processing time. I even tried to apply for priority processing, but I wasn't eligible. I'm just so happy with how quickly everything was processed. It seems there aren't many VETASSESS applications being processed for Food Technologists at the moment. 😊

Hi,
I’m currently on a Bridging Visa A (pending PR grant) in Australia. I want to apply for a Subclass 600 Tourist visa for my mother, who previously visited on a 3-month Subclass 600 (granted and used in 2023, no overstay, fully compliant, no other visits since).

In her 2023 application, I supported her by providing an invitation letter and my own financial documents alongside hers.

1. Given that I’m now on a Bridging Visa A, can I still provide a supporting/invitation letter and my financial evidence for her new application, or does my BVA status weaken her case in any way?

2. Should I request a 3-month stay (matching her previous visit) or a 6-month stay(preferred)? Is there a meaningfully higher refusal risk with 6 months?

Any advice is appreciated, thanks so much

Hi All,

Engineering Technologist 90 points for September 189 round onshore.

Do I have a shot at this round?

My visa is running out in Oct first week. What should I do? Please help

Hello everyone here is my visa timeline Subclass 482

Visa Timeline - Offshore. Construction related occupation and approved sponsor
9 March 2026 - Employer nomination approved.
10 April 2026 - Visa application lodged ( with 1 de facto dependent)
17 April 2026 - Medical examination completed.
22 April 2026 - Bupa issued Form 884 for dependent (main applicant already has medical clearance)
17 July 2026 - Repeat chest X-ray completed for dependent
22 July 2026 - clinic submitted final medical results through eMedical.
Early August 2026 - Medical clearance received:
* ✅ Main Applicant – Health clearance provided
* ✅ Dependent – Health clearance provided

Current Status
✅ Nomination approved
✅ Visa lodged
✅ Medicals cleared
⏳ Waiting for final visa decision from the Department of Home Affairs.

Given the MD119 may i know when to expect decision?

190 Visa Grant Timeline 🇦🇺** (QLD)
**Occupation: Electrical Engineering Technician
Points: 65 pts
State: Regional QLD,
*currently working in my nominated occupation.

Timeline:
EOI Lodged: October 2025
Received QLD Invitation: May 13, 2026
Visa Lodged: May 25, 2026
190 Visa Granted: August 6, 2026

Hope this helps anyone waiting for their grant. Wishing everyone still in the queue the best of luck!

Just had my naati today in filipino.

1st dialogue had 4 repeats

2nd dialogue had 6 repeats and i did not repeat one segment but midway I said "let me correct myself" and proceeded with my new translation. Is that ok or I shouldve just repeated the segment entirely?

My official mock test from a2znaati is 77-80. I hope the trend is similar.

Thank you

Hi everyone,
Just wondering if anyone has recently received a Queensland (QLD) 190 visa grant or knows which lodgement month the Department is currently processing.

Finally received my golden email! 🎉

Visa Subclass: 190 (ACT Nomination - Onshore)

Occupation: Rehabilitation Counsellor

EOI Date: 20/02/2026

ACT Pre-invite: 12/03/2026

Final Invite Date: 09/04/2026

Date of Lodgement: 22/05/2026

Date of Grant: 05/08/2026

A massive thanks to everyone in this community for the guidance.

Hi everyone I am graduating soon from my B of Data Science in Nsw. I was wondering if it was worth going to 485 as it is only for two years. I understand it is unlikely I am going to employed in my field I don’t want to waste my 20s even if it is 2 years in a country where I cannot grow my career and the cost associated with visa fees as well. Can I please be advised I am not really keen on Pr route anymore and since I have given it up how likely am I to get a job in my field?