Rules that determine whether there is a valid application for the Department to consider.
Visa application charges
Charge
Amount
Post-Vocational or Post-Higher Education Work
AUD $5,750 base + AUD $2,875 per adult + AUD $1,450 per minor (non-Pacific-regional rate; a lower Pacific-regional rate may apply)[F2026L00874 Sch 3 · item 1229(2)(a)]
Second Post-Higher Education Work
AUD $2,265 base + AUD $1,140 per adult + AUD $575 per minor (non-Pacific-regional rate; a lower Pacific-regional rate may apply)[F2026L00874 Sch 3 · item 1229(2)(a)]
Application and grant location
Item
Requirement
Ordinary primary applicant
Must be in Australia, but not in immigration clearance, when lodging.
[item 1229(3)(g)]
Specified family-member cases
May lodge in or outside Australia, but not in immigration clearance.
[item 1229(3)(f)]
Visa held at application
Item
Requirement
Student-visa pathway
The applicant must meet one of the eligible student-visa or linked bridging/substantive-visa pathways at lodgement.
[item 1229(3)(m)][item 1229(4)(a)]
Six-month look-back
If no eligible student visa is held at lodgement, the applicable six-month look-back pathway must be satisfied.
[item 1229(4)(a)]
Lifetime 485 count caps
The Schedule 1 limits on prior 485 visas must be satisfied when lodging.
[item 1229(4)(aa)(i)–(ii)]
Occupation requirements
Item
Requirement
Post-Vocational Education Work
The nominated occupation must be specified in the current legislative instrument.
[item 1229(3)(k)]
Age requirements
Item
Requirement
Ordinary primary applicant
Must be 35 or younger when lodging.
[item 1229(4)(b)]
HK/BNO passport holder or research degree
Must be under 50 when lodging.
[item 1229(4)(b)]
Family members
Item
Requirement
Combined application
Eligible family members may combine their applications where item 1229 permits it.
[item 1229(3)(h)]