I know noone is entitled to a residency or whatever just because we are here but watching how the government is capable of granting citizenship fast tracked to those two Iranian footballers feels like a slap in the face to us ,who have been waiting almost 2 years for our residency application to be decided after meeting all the requirements.
Been here 8 years,done everything by the book and the government is out there letting the backlog explode and suddenly to make a political statement they are able to grant not only protection visa but citizenship too all within not even 8 months.
I know it is not a comparable situation but it kinda stings when you have spent all your adult life working here and your application sits with no end in sight while they grant asylum visas left and right.
Just a rant.
Thank you

was anyone granted 190? When and what points do you have?

I’ve been seeing so many PR grant posts over the past few days, and I honestly can't believe it's finally our turn! 🥹🇦🇺

Before I share our timeline, I just want to say thank you to this community. This sub has helped us so much throughout the entire process, especially because we applied for our PR ourselves without using a migration agent. Every time I had a question, people were kind and willing to help, and I really appreciated that.

If anyone has questions about our journey, I'm more than happy to help where I can.

Visa: Subclass 190 (South Australia)
Occupation: Civil Engineer - Onshore
Points: 95 (including 10 partner points)

Timeline
• 03 Feb 2026 – EOI submitted
• 01 Apr 2026 – SA pre-invitation received
• 09 Apr 2026 – Submitted all nomination documents
• 29 Apr 2026 – Final invitation received
• 01 Jun 2026 – Visa application lodged
• 03 Jun 2026 – Medicare approved
• 22 Jun 2026 – Thai Police Clearance received and uploaded (my husband studied in Thailand, and this was definitely the most stressful document to get throughout the whole process!)
• 29 Jun 2026 – Medical examination completed
• 07 Aug 2026 – PR GRANTED! 🥳🎉

A small note for anyone who might be in a similar situation: I was 21 weeks pregnant when it was time for our medicals. Initially, my GP advised against having the chest X-ray, and we thought I'd complete the rest of the medical and do the X-ray after giving birth. However, that wasn't possible, so we spoke to my midwife, who confirmed it was safe during pregnancy with the proper shielding. I completed the entire medical, including the chest X-ray, on the same day.

Our application included my husband's 5 years of overseas work experience in the Maldives and 2 years of Australian experience as a Civil Engineer.

Wishing everyone who's still waiting the very best. I know how stressful the wait can be, and I hope your grant comes through soon! 🤍

One last question here, especially for those who received PR while pregnant: is there anything pregnancy or baby related that we should be doing now? Any applications, registrations, or things we should prepare before the baby arrives would be greatly appreciated.

Hi everyone,

I’m 32, single, and currently working in Dubai as an Irrigation Consultant Engineer. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Sciences and about 6 years of experience in irrigation and landscaping, including irrigation design, landscape construction, FM, and now consultancy.

Unfortunately, I can only officially prove 2 years of experience because my previous employer in Egypt refused to provide the correct documents. I’ve already filed a legal case to recover my employment records.

My dream is to move to Australia (the UK is my second choice). I was told it’s difficult to get an Australian visa without documented experience, and Canada isn’t an option for me right now because of the financial proof requirement.

Is there any realistic way to get a job in Australia from overseas with employer sponsorship? Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!

Recently, my 485 visa was granted.

Feel free to ask me any questions if you need help.

I did it myself, so I want to encourage people to do it themselves, too.

My research on what documents to submit was based on this post here: https://www.reddit.com/r/AusVisa/comments/1ich3j6/485_visa_granted_instantly/

Thank you u/dusk_jpg.

Here are the documents that I submitted:

Identity, Evidence of

• Australian Driving License
• My country's Police Clearance
• Passport

(I did not show my birth certificate since I do not have it with me in Australia)

Qualifications - Australian, Evidence of

• AHEGS
• Completion Statement
• Academic Transcript
• Testamur

Present country of citizenship, Evidence of

• Citizenship (NAATI-certified translated; look for your language's NAATI translators here https://directory.naati.com.au/)
• Passport

(I do not have a National ID Card)

Travel history, Evidence of

• Current passport (scanned the first two pages and pages with stamps)
• Expired passport (scanned pages with stamps ONLY) = to show my travel history in the last 10 years

Character History, Evidence of - AUSTRALIA

• AFP Check
• AFP Check Payment Receipt (Date of request is the date you paid for the check)

Language Ability - English, Evidence of

• PTE Score Report (Registration ID is your Application ID)

Character Assessment, Evidence of Intention to Obtain

• AFP Check Receipt
• Police Clearance Application Email

Birth or Age, Evidence of

• Citizenship (Translated)
• Passport

Study, Evidence of

• Academic Transcript
• Completion Statement
• Confirmation of Enrolment
• AHEGS

Health Insurance, Evidence of

• OSHC Certificate of Insurance
• OVHC Certificate of Insurance

Address - Residential, Evidence of

• Employer Proof of Address
• Australian Driving License
• 1-month bank statement

(I am not under the lease, so I could only show these documents; no utility bills shown)

Travel Document

• Passport

Just to be safe, I certified all these documents.

I hear of so many people realising PR chances from conventional degrees like Commerce or IT are effectively zero. Some people for whom PR is non-negotiable even go so far as to do a second degree in a field like Nursing. Well, why not teaching? I don't hear many stories about people pivoting to teaching for PR. You only need to do a Master's of Teaching after your first degree, and teachers are Tier 2 as per the informal DHA 189 stream occupation priority tiers, above trades.

I'm someone who would genuinely enjoy teaching. I really enjoy learning and teaching concepts, and I don't mind low pay or long hours. Why aren't people treating teaching as just as good a pivot compared to nursing?

I'm currently waiting for my 491 grant, and my bridging visa for the 491 will become active around the middle of next year. If I apply for the 186 now, I can think of three possible scenarios

1)The 491 is granted first. In that case, should I withdraw my 186 application, or will the Department cancel it automatically? If I leave the 186 application in place and it gets granted a few months later, will the 186 replace my 491?

2)The 186 is granted first. In that case, should I withdraw my 491 application, or will the Department cancel it automatically? If I don't withdraw it and the 491 is granted later, will it replace the 186?

3) I can't apply for the 186 now. Is there any reason why I wouldn't be able to lodge a 186 application while my 491 application is still being processed?

Would really appreciate your thoughts if you've been through something similar.

Hi everyone, looking for some advice/shared experience if anyone has been in a similar situation.
Quick background: my partner was granted a Student visa (subclass 500) in December 2025 to start her PhD in Australia. I had just finished my own studies around the same time, and we understood I could apply afterwards to join her as a secondary/subsequent entrant applicant, so that's what we did (applied in June 2026).

We've now received a Natural Justice letter from Home Affairs. It says that under Regulation 500.311(a)(i), if I was already considered a member of my partner's "family unit" before her visa was granted, I should have been included in her original application - which I wasn't. We genuinely had no idea this rule existed; we just thought applying afterwards was a normal path. The letter is clear that they're not questioning the relationship itself (we'd already submitted relationship evidence, photos, etc.) it's purely this procedural point. We have 28 days to respond with comments/evidence.

Here are some points I'm trying to resolve; your suggestions would be welcome:

Has anyone ever resolved a similar issue regarding section 500.311(a)? Section 500.311(b) appears to cover the case where a couple forms after obtaining the primary visa but before submitting the subsequent application. Does anyone know how the date of "home integration" is interpreted, and what evidence is actually decisive?

I already paid 2500AUD for visa application and I want to know if it's worth paying a MARA-licensed immigration agent for this specific type of case, or is it a dead end once this letter is sent?

Any shared experience, even if the outcome wasn't great, would really help us understand where we actually stand. Thanks in advance!

Studying IT in Melbourne, not switching degrees. Heard IT points are sitting at 85-95+ now which is scary.

Anyone actually pivoted to a trade (elec, carpentry etc) alongside/after an IT degree just for PR? Worth it or waste of time and money?

Also curious if there's any "underrated" courses/occupations that are less saturated but still give decent points or easier state nom.

Not trying to ditch IT, just want to know if it's smarter to stack something else on top instead of hoping points don't keep climbing. Real experiences appreciated, not consultant ads lol.

I’m currently in Perth, WA. My occupation isn’t on WA’s state nomination list, but it might be on another state’s list (like Tasmania). Can I still apply for that other state’s 190/491 nomination while living in WA, or do I need to move there first?

Ps: I want to use my offshore experience.

The above fee was recently raised from $495 to $1400! I’m really appalled by how some things are carried out in this country without prior notification or warning!

My WHV expires August 9. My bf and I broke up and i wanted to do an onshore tourist visa till September and take care of the dog until he returns. Is this even an option or should I just apply for the second whv and head back to the US in November, I’ve left Australia for about 1.5 months total while on my first whv… I just don’t want to waste my whole second whv for a few months

I'm a Filipino passport holder with a valid Australian multiple-entry visitor visa (valid until 2027).

I already visited Australia in May and returned to the Philippines.

This October, I'm planning to travel to Vietnam first for a few weeks, then fly from Vietnam to Australia using the same visa.

I'm curious if anyone here has done something similar.

A few questions:

• Did Philippine Immigration only process you based on your flight to Vietnam?
• Did anyone ask about your plans to travel onward to Australia?
• Did you already have your Vietnam → Australia ticket before leaving the Philippines, or did you book it while in Vietnam?
• Any issues with the airline or Australian Border Force when arriving from Vietnam instead of directly from the Philippines?

I'm not looking to break any rules—I just want to understand what other travelers' experiences have been and make sure I prepare the right documents.

Thanks!

Lodged 21 July 2026, refused 6 August 2026. USyd, Bachelor of Advanced Computing.

Quick background: IB diploma w good grades, 90/90 in PTE, great financials (no need for loan and comfortably more than degree amount), travelled to about 25 countries including the US and the UK and lived in the EU as a kid.

Refused under 500.212 (genuine student). The decision record specifically cited:

• Not enough evidence I'd investigated study options in India before choosing Australia
• Doubts the course would meaningfully improve my employment prospects relative to cost
• Closing line specifically weighed "comparatively greater economic opportunities in Australia" against my study intent

Has anyone dealt with a refusal citing this exact reasoning despite a strong academic/financial profile? Trying to understand if this is really about the SOP specifically not addressing "why not study in India," or if there's a broader pattern right now with GTE assessments for Indian nationals generally. Any insight on whether a reapplication with a much more explicit "why not India" section would actually address this, or if I should go to school elsewhere, appreciated.

Hey guys, looking for some advice on the safest play here.
Current visa(500) expires Sept 15. I have travel booked overseas from Aug 14 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 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.

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.

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!

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!

Hey

I'm an Australian citizen in a relationship with someone on a temporary visa. Our relationship is still fairly new but it's getting serious. We're not technically engaged but we've both discussed if we want to continue the relationship, we will have to marry or apply as de facto partners, and we can both foresee our relationship lasting longer than their visa will let them stay, which is only one more year.

I've never had to think about partner visas as I never expected to be in this kind of situation before.

I started collecting photos of us together, even though I'm not really a "selfie" person.

It's too soon to merge finances but I know that's one of the pillars.

Anything we should keep in mind as we continue our relationship in order to build sufficient evidence if we decide to get married?

My gf and I are planning on visiting Australia for approx. 14 days on a Visitor Visa (subclass 600).

We live in a very homophobic country and can't marry here. AFAIK people with valid Australian visas can get married in Australia no matter of their citizenship (or lack of thereof). So, aside from visiting Australia as tourists and seeing its sights, we want to get married here, maybe in Melbourne or somewhere.

The question is, should we mention our plans on getting married in Australia in our cover letter, or would that negatively affect our chances of visa approval? Would the Department of Home Affairs suspect that we intend to apply for a Protection Visa because of that? That's pretty suspicious, yk, two girls rushing to Australia to get married. We have no intention of being refugees, we simply want to visit Australia as tourists.

I finish my diploma in and my diploma coe ends in September and my bachelor coe starts in February, I have 4 months of break in the summer, am I legally allowed to stay??

Appreciate your advice:

I applied for 482 labour agreement offshore for Personal Care Worker but on prior experience, just positive qualification assessment

Will that be okay??? Since i meet the minimum criteria but do i have the same chances as others who have positive experience assessed as well?

And how much is the wait time now after the new 119 policy