Visa types: Australian visa categories
Plain-English summaries of the main Australian visa categories: what each visa is for and who it suits, with a link to the official Home Affairs page. Descriptive only, never advice.
General information, not immigration advice. This page explains what these Australian visas are. It is not migration or legal advice, it does not recommend a visa, and it does not tell you how to qualify or how to apply. For advice about your own situation, consult a registered migration agent or an Australian immigration lawyer. Visa rules and fees change; the official detail is on the Department of Home Affairs website.
- Visitor visasVisitor visas are for a short, temporary stay in Australia: a holiday, visiting family or friends, or short business visitor activities such as meetings, negotiations or a conference.
- Student visasThese visas are for people who come to Australia to study, and for recent graduates of Australian courses.
- Skilled and employer-sponsored visasThese visas are for workers whose skills Australia is seeking.
- Partner and family visasThese visas are for the partners and family members of Australian citizens, permanent residents, and eligible New Zealand citizens.
- Temporary work and working holiday visasThese visas are for temporary work and working holidays that sit outside the skilled migration pathways.
- Business and investor visasThese visas were for people establishing or managing a business in Australia, or making a significant investment, under the Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP).
Visa application charges, income and asset thresholds, age limits, points and processing times change and are not listed here. Check the current figures on the Department of Home Affairs fees and charges and processing times pages (current as at 13 July 2026).
Source: the Department of Home Affairs visa list and visa finder.