Australian employers regardless of size, turnover and business structure are able to sponsor a foreign worker to work in Australia. Employers can sponsor new or existing employees and there are temporary and permanent options.
There are four types of sponsorship available to Australian employers, subject to different requirements and eligibility:
Standard Business Sponsorship (Most common);
Accredited Sponsorship (Best for large corporations);
Temporary Activity Sponsorship (Typically for employers with the temporary need of foreign workers); and
The Subclass 600 visa is your gateway to visiting Australia for tourism, business activities, or spending time with family and friends. Whether you’re planning a holiday, attending business meetings, or reconnecting with loved ones, this temporary visa offers flexible options to suit your travel needs.
Key Features
Flexible stay periods from 3 months up to 12 months
Multiple entry options available for frequent travelers
Electronic visa linked directly to your passport
Various streams to match your specific purpose of visit
Apply online from anywhere in the world
Family applications can include spouse and dependent children
Study permitted for courses up to 3 months duration
Are You Eligible?
General Requirements (All Streams)
Hold a valid passport with at least 6 months remaining validity
Demonstrate genuine intention to visit Australia temporarily
Provide evidence of sufficient funds to support your stay
Meet health and character requirements
Have adequate health insurance for your entire stay (mandatory from 2025)
No outstanding debts to the Australian government
Provide biometric data at approved collection centers (required from February 2025)
Purpose: Meetings, conferences, negotiations, site visits
Short-term business activities only
Stay duration: Up to 3 months typically
No paid employment permitted
Sponsored Family Stream
Purpose: Visiting family members in Australia
Requires sponsorship by Australian citizen or permanent resident
Stay duration: Up to 12 months
Must apply from outside Australia
Sponsor may need to provide financial security bond
Frequent Traveller Stream
Purpose: Regular business or personal travel
Mainly available to Chinese passport holders
Validity: Up to 10 years with multiple entries
Stay per visit: Up to 90 days
Approved Destination Status (ADS)
Purpose: Group tourism from specific countries
Organized tours only through approved operators
Stay duration: Up to 30 days
Limited to approved countries
Application Fees (as of May 2025)
Fees are subject to change and are non-refundable even if your application is refused
Watch Out For These Common Issues
Insufficient financial evidence: Provide comprehensive bank statements, payslips, and proof of funds covering your entire stay
Missing health insurance: Ensure your policy meets Australian requirements and covers your full visit duration
Incomplete travel plans: Show detailed itinerary, accommodation bookings, and return flight arrangements
Poor document quality: Use certified translations for non-English documents and ensure all copies are clear
Late application: Apply 3-4 weeks before intended travel to allow for processing delays
Visa condition breaches: Any previous overstays or condition breaches can seriously impact your application
Inadequate ties to home country: Demonstrate strong reasons to return home such as employment, property, or family commitments
Work restrictions: Remember that NO paid work is permitted on any Visitor Visa stream
How Riverwood Migration Can Help
Our experienced migration lawyers will:
Assess your eligibility across all streams to identify the best option for your circumstances
Prepare comprehensive applications with all required supporting documentation
Navigate complex cases involving health issues, character concerns, or previous visa refusals
Ensure compliance with the latest 2025 requirements including biometrics and health insurance
Handle Department correspondence and respond to any requests for additional information
Provide strategic advice on timing your application and building a strong case
Offer peace of mind with professional representation throughout the entire process
We understand that visiting Australia is important to you, whether for business opportunities, family connections, or the trip of a lifetime. Let our 20+ years of migration experience help make your Australian visit a reality.
Book a Consultation with Riverwood Migration
This information is current as of May 2025. For personalised advice on your Subclass 600 application, speak with our registered migration lawyers.
What is the Subclass 500 visa?
The Subclass 500 visa is Australia’s main student visa for international students wanting to pursue full-time study at registered Australian education providers. This visa allows you to live, study, and work part-time in Australia while completing your course, with pathways to permanent residency after graduation.
Key Features
Study duration up to 5 years depending on your course length
Part-time work rights of 48 hours per fortnight during study periods
Unlimited work during scheduled course breaks
Include family members in your application as dependents
Post-study work opportunities through Temporary Graduate Visa pathways
Pathway to permanent residency through skilled migration programs
Access to world-class education at CRICOS-registered institutions
Health cover included through Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
Are You Eligible?
Essential Requirements
Age: Must be at least 6 years old (welfare arrangements required if under 18)
Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE): Valid electronic CoE from a CRICOS-registered Australian education provider
Genuine Student Requirement: Demonstrate genuine intention to study in Australia (replaced GTE in 2024)
English proficiency: Meet minimum English language requirements for your course
Financial capacity: Prove access to sufficient funds for tuition, living expenses, and travel
Health and character: Pass medical examinations and provide police clearance certificates
Overseas Student Health Cover: Maintain OSHC for entire stay duration
English Language Requirements
IELTS: Minimum 6.0 overall (varies by institution and course)
TOEFL: Equivalent scores accepted
PTE Academic: Alternative English test option
Exemptions: Citizens of certain English-speaking countries or previous English-medium study
Financial Capacity Requirements (2025)
Living expenses: Minimum AUD $29,710 per year (increased May 2024)
Tuition fees: Full course fees or first year payment
Travel costs: Return airfare to Australia
Dependent costs: Additional funds required for family members
Evidence: Bank statements, loan approvals, or financial guarantees
Application Fees (as of January 2025)
Fees are subject to change and non-refundable even if application is refused.
Work Rights During Study (2025)
Watch Out For These Common Issues
CoE timing: Don’t apply without a valid Confirmation of Enrolment from a CRICOS-registered provider
Financial evidence: Ensure funds are readily available and properly documented – AUD $29,710 minimum per year plus tuition
Genuine Student assessment: Clearly articulate your study plans, career goals, and reasons for choosing Australia
English test validity: Ensure your English test results are current and meet specific course requirements
Work hour breaches: Strictly adhere to 48-hour fortnightly limit during study periods – violations can lead to visa cancellation
Course progress: Maintain satisfactory academic progress and attendance throughout your studies
OSHC coverage: Keep health insurance valid for entire visa duration
Address changes: Notify Department of Home Affairs of any changes to personal circumstances
Onshore application changes: New rules from January 2025 affect onshore applications – check current requirements
Assess your study goals and recommend the best course and visa strategy for your career objectives
Navigate complex requirements including the new Genuine Student criteria and increased financial thresholds
Prepare comprehensive applications with all supporting documentation and evidence
Manage CoE coordination with your chosen education provider
Plan your pathway from study to permanent residency through skilled migration options
Handle visa condition compliance advice to protect your student status
Provide ongoing support throughout your studies and post-graduation visa transitions
Maximise work opportunities within visa conditions to support your studies
With over 20 years of migration experience, we understand the complexities of Australian student visas and can guide you from initial application through to permanent residency pathways.
Book a Consultation with Riverwood Migration
This information is current as of May 2025. For personalised advice on your Subclass 500 application and study-to-PR pathways, speak with our migration lawyer.
Genuine Student Requirement – Critical Assessment for Student Visas
What is the Genuine Student Requirement?
The Genuine Student (GS) requirement is the key assessment criterion for all Australian student visa applications lodged from 23 March 2024 onwards. This requirement replaces the previous Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) criterion and focuses on ensuring that your primary purpose for coming to Australia is genuine study, not just work or migration opportunities.
Key Features
Primary study focus– must demonstrate study is your main reason for coming to Australia
Targeted questioning replaces the previous 300-word statement format
Post-study pathways recognised – acknowledges legitimate intentions for work or PR after graduation
Rigorous evaluation of personal circumstances, background, and intentions
Transparent process with clear assessment criteria and expectations
Are You Meeting the Requirements?
Essential Demonstration Areas
Study Purpose: Clearly articulate why study is your primary reason for coming to Australia
Course Selection: Explain your specific course choice and how it aligns with your background and goals
Academic Progression: Show logical progression from previous studies to your chosen Australian course
Career Alignment: Demonstrate how your course will benefit your future career prospects
Financial Capacity: Prove you can support yourself without breaching work visa conditions
Home Country Ties: Evidence of connections that support your intentions
Future Plans: Realistic and achievable post-study objectives
Assessment Factors
Academic and Employment Background
Previous qualifications and how they relate to your chosen course
Work experience and career progression to date
Academic gaps or changes in study direction (must be explained)
Course and Institution Selection
Why you chose this specific course and provider
How the course fits your career objectives
Comparison with similar courses in your home country
Personal Circumstances
Family situation and support networks
Community ties in your home country
Financial circumstances and funding sources
Any compelling reasons for studying abroad
Immigration History
Previous visa applications and outcomes
Compliance with previous visa conditions
Any refusals or cancellations (must be addressed)
Future Intentions
Realistic post-study plans
Potential return to home country or further Australian pathways
How your studies support these objectives
Required Evidence Documentation
Evidence Category
Required Documents
Academic Records
Transcripts, certificates, academic references
Employment History
Work contracts, references, career progression records
Financial Capacity
Bank statements, income proof, funding arrangements
Course Details
Confirmation of Enrolment, course information, fee payments
Personal Ties
Family documents, property ownership, community involvement
Career Plans
Professional development plans, industry research
Watch Out For These Common Issues
Generic responses: Avoid template answers – responses must be specific to your circumstances and thoroughly evidenced
Insufficient evidence: Every claim in your responses must be supported by documentary evidence
Inconsistent information: Ensure all responses align with your supporting documents and previous applications
Unrealistic plans: Post-study intentions must be achievable and logical based on your background
Ignoring gaps: Address any breaks in study or employment history with clear explanations
Work-focused responses: While post-study work is acknowledged, your primary focus must remain on study objectives
Language requirements: All responses must be in English and within 150-word limits per question
Missing context: Explain any political, economic, or personal circumstances in your home country affecting your decision
Weak course justification: Clearly explain why you cannot pursue similar studies in your home country
How Riverwood Migration Can Help
Our experienced migration lawyers specialize in Genuine Student assessments and will:
Analyze your profile to identify strengths and potential concerns in your application
Develop compelling narratives that demonstrate your genuine study intentions with strong evidence
Prepare targeted responses to GS questions that maximize your chances of success
Compile comprehensive evidence packages supporting every aspect of your application
Address previous refusals or compliance issues that may impact your assessment
Strategic course planning to ensure your study choices align with the GS requirements
Mock assessments to identify weaknesses before lodging your application
Ongoing compliance advice to maintain your genuine student status throughout your studies
With the GS requirement being more rigorous than the previous GTE criterion, professional guidance is essential to avoid costly refusals and delays.
Book a Consultation with Riverwood Migration
This information is current as of May 2025. The Genuine Student requirement is complex and refusal rates have increased significantly. For expert assistance with your GS assessment, speak with our migration lawyer.
Temporary Activity Sponsorship (TAS) is required if you wish to sponsor a foreign worker through the
Temporary Activity Visa (Subclass 408),
Temporary Work (International Relation) Visa (Subclass 403) (Seasonal Worker Program stream or Pacific Labour Scheme) or
Training Visa (Subclass 407).
TAS is valid for up to five years with the option to renew after.
Requirements
To be successful in TAS application, you must be an Australian organisation (including corporation, partnership, association) lawfully established in Australia (except an individual, sole proprietor or sole trader).
Small or start-up businesses may be eligible to apply as long as evidence of active operation and a capability to comply with sponsorship undertaking can be presented.
Specific requirements and exceptions are imposed on some specific streams of the visas. Please contact us for a free consultation to confirm the most appropriate stream for your application.
Sponsor’s obligations
The sponsorship obligations framework requires TAS Sponsors to make sure that the sponsored employees:
working conditions meet Australian standards;
are not exploited by the TAS Sponsors; and
are employed for the visa programmes’ intended purpose.
TAS Sponsors are also required to observe the following obligations:
Obligation to cooperate with inspectors;
Obligation to ensure same terms and conditions of employment for sponsored employees and Australian employees;
Obligation to ensure sponsored employees work or participate in nominated occupation, program or activity;Obligation to keep records and provide records and information to the Minister;
Obligation to keep the Department of Home Affairs informed when certain events occur (e.g. address changed, the sponsored employee doesn’t participate in the position, etc);
Obligation to send a notice of an event or change to the Department
Obligation not to recover, charge or transfer certain costs (e.g. migration lawyer fees, costs of becoming a TAS Sponsor); and
Obligation to pay costs to locate and remove an unlawful non-citizen.
Cost
AUD$420
Extending your sponsorship approval
Your approval as a temporary activities sponsor is usually valid for 5 years.
To continue to sponsor visa applicants for more than 5 years, apply to extend your sponsorship approval before it expires.
If your sponsorship approval expires before you apply to extend it, you must reapply and be approved before you can sponsor another visa applicant.
Labour Agreements are contracts negotiated between an employer, employer group or industry group and the Commonwealth Government (represented by the Department) to allow the employer to sponsor a set number of foreign skilled worker subject to various requirements to work in Australia for the position prescribed in the Labour Agreements.
General requirements
The Labour Agreement must:
set out the relevant skills shortage in the business and explain why these vaccines cannot be filled by Australian workers;
provide a pathway of either permanent or temporary entry into Australia;
provide a maximum number of foreign workers needed; and
specify the age, skill and English requirements for the position in skills shortage.
Labour Agreements are generally in effect for five years and provide for visas to be granted under one or more of the following visas:
Skills in Demand visa (SID) visa (subclass 482);
Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186); and
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494)
Fees are subject to change and non-refundable even if application is refused.
