AVIE - Australian Visa and Immigration Experts

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AVIE - Australian Visa and Immigration Experts A specialist migration firm,
providing the highest standard of
Immigration & visa services.

Nicole Kirkwood:

Registered Migration Agent Number (MARN): 0962323
Director: Australian Visa & Immigration Experts

Planning to apply for skilled migration in New South Wales? There's an important update for the 2026–27 program year.The...
16/10/2026

Planning to apply for skilled migration in New South Wales? There's an important update for the 2026–27 program year.

The NSW subclass 190 nomination program is now open, with the first invitation round expected in the week commencing 19 October 2026.

Here's what prospective applicants need to know:

🔹 Check the updated NSW Skills List. Your occupation must fall within an eligible ANZSCO unit group identified on the list.

🔹 Keep your SkillSelect EOI current. Make sure your details are accurate and that you have valid documents to support every claim.

🔹 Be ready to act. If invited to apply for NSW nomination, you'll have only 14 days to submit your application and supporting evidence.

🔹 Have a backup plan. NSW nomination is highly competitive, and an invitation is not guaranteed.

One more thing to note: applications for the NSW subclass 491 nomination program remain closed across all pathways.

Need help understanding your skilled migration options? Get in touch with AVIE to discuss your circumstances.

DISCLAIMER: The information contained in AVIE's social media posts is provided for general informational purposes only and is current at the time of publication. It does not constitute immigration or legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Every individual’s circumstances are different, and migration pathways vary. For personalised guidance, please consult a MARA-registered migration agent or a qualified Australian immigration lawyer before proceeding with any visa or immigration application.

Planning to apply for Northern Territory skilled migration? There’s an important update for the 2026–27 program year.The...
15/10/2026

Planning to apply for Northern Territory skilled migration? There’s an important update for the 2026–27 program year.

The NT Government has received sufficient applications for its General Skilled Migration nomination program, meaning new applications are now restricted to specific exceptions.

Here’s what you need to know:

🔹 Subclass 491: Limited exceptions remain for eligible onshore NT Graduate and NT Resident applicants with certain deadlines on or before 30 September 2027.

🔹 Subclass 190: New nomination applications are not currently being accepted.

🔹 Offshore applicants: New nomination applications are also closed for all offshore streams.

If your visa is expiring or you're approaching the age limit for skilled migration, it's important to understand how this update may affect your options. The NT Government also warns that a nomination cannot be guaranteed before your visa deadline.

Need help understanding your migration options? Get in touch with AVIE to discuss your circumstances.

DISCLAIMER: The information contained in AVIE's social media posts is provided for general informational purposes only and is current at the time of publication. It does not constitute immigration or legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Every individual’s circumstances are different, and migration pathways vary. For personalised guidance, please consult a MARA-registered migration agent or a qualified Australian immigration lawyer before proceeding with any visa or immigration application.

Our team absolutely LOVES a mailbox full of SkillSelect invites (and one Citizenship approval). Lots of very happy peopl...
15/10/2026

Our team absolutely LOVES a mailbox full of SkillSelect invites (and one Citizenship approval). Lots of very happy people today!

If you’re an overseas-qualified teacher looking at moving to Australia, you might assume that getting your qualification...
14/10/2026

If you’re an overseas-qualified teacher looking at moving to Australia, you might assume that getting your qualifications assessed means you’re ready to start teaching.

Not quite.

For skilled migration purposes, you may need a positive skills assessment from the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL). This looks at whether your qualifications and teacher training meet the requirements for migration.

But AITSL approval is not the same as teacher registration.

To actually work as a teacher in Australia, you also need to meet the registration requirements of the state or territory where you intend to teach. For example, a teacher planning to work in Victoria would need to meet the requirements of the Victorian Institute of Teaching.

And then there’s the visa pathway, which may include options such as the 189, 190, 491 or employer-sponsored pathways, depending on your circumstances.

So if you're an overseas teacher considering Australia, it's worth looking at qualification assessment, teacher registration and migration as three connected but separate steps.

👉 Read our full guide to becoming a teacher in Australia to learn more about qualifications, registration, skills assessments and visa pathways: https://avie.com.au/teacher-in-australia-pathway/

Book a consultation to get started: https://avie.com.au/book-a-consultation/
Within Australia: 1300 387 975
Worldwide: +61 (0)3 9693 5700

DISCLAIMER: The information contained in AVIE's social media posts is provided for general informational purposes only and is current at the time of publication. It does not constitute immigration or legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Every individual’s circumstances are different, and migration pathways vary. For personalised guidance, please consult a MARA-registered migration agent or a qualified Australian immigration lawyer before proceeding with any visa or immigration application.

Being a qualified nurse overseas doesn’t automatically mean you’re ready to work or apply for skilled migration in Austr...
13/10/2026

Being a qualified nurse overseas doesn’t automatically mean you’re ready to work or apply for skilled migration in Australia.

There are two separate processes you need to understand.

First, you need to pursue professional registration through AHPRA and the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). This determines whether you can actually practise as a nurse in Australia.

Then there’s the migration side, where a skills assessment through ANMAC may be required for skilled migration.

So even if your nursing qualification is recognised for registration, that doesn’t automatically mean you have a positive migration skills assessment. And being eligible for a visa doesn’t guarantee professional registration either.

Once you understand the distinction, the pathway becomes much clearer: registration → skills assessment → visa pathway → permanent residency, depending on your circumstances.

If you're an overseas-qualified nurse considering Australia, getting the sequence right can make a big difference to your migration plans.

👉 Read our full guide to the registered nurse pathway to permanent residency and learn what steps you may need to take: https://avie.com.au/registered-nurse-pathway-to-pr/

Book a consultation to get started: https://avie.com.au/book-a-consultation/
Within Australia: 1300 387 975
Worldwide: +61 (0)3 9693 5700

DISCLAIMER: The information contained in AVIE's social media posts is provided for general informational purposes only and is current at the time of publication. It does not constitute immigration or legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Every individual’s circumstances are different, and migration pathways vary. For personalised guidance, please consult a MARA-registered migration agent or a qualified Australian immigration lawyer before proceeding with any visa or immigration application.

For parents considering an Australian education for their child, one of the biggest questions is often: “Can I actually ...
12/10/2026

For parents considering an Australian education for their child, one of the biggest questions is often: “Can I actually stay with them?”

The Student Guardian Visa (Subclass 590) can allow a parent, legal custodian or eligible relative aged 21 or over to stay in Australia to provide care and support to a student, particularly where the student is under 18.

But there’s an important point to understand: the 590 is a guardianship visa, not a work visa. The visa holder is expected to provide accommodation, welfare, supervision and general support for the student, and they are not permitted to work in Australia while holding the visa.

The visa is designed to give younger international students the stability of having a trusted adult nearby while they adjust to living and studying in Australia.

If you're considering sending your child to school in Australia, understanding the visa options for both you and your child is an important part of planning ahead.

👉 Read our full guide to the 590 Student Guardian Visa to learn about eligibility, visa conditions and the application process: https://avie.com.au/590-student-guardian-visa/

Book a consultation to get started: https://avie.com.au/book-a-consultation/
Within Australia: 1300 387 975
Worldwide: +61 (0)3 9693 5700

DISCLAIMER: The information contained in AVIE's social media posts is provided for general informational purposes only and is current at the time of publication. It does not constitute immigration or legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Every individual’s circumstances are different, and migration pathways vary. For personalised guidance, please consult a MARA-registered migration agent or a qualified Australian immigration lawyer before proceeding with any visa or immigration application.

Not everyone coming to Australia for temporary work needs a traditional skilled or employer-sponsored visa.The Temporary...
11/10/2026

Not everyone coming to Australia for temporary work needs a traditional skilled or employer-sponsored visa.

The Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408) can allow eligible people to come to Australia for specific activities such as entertainment, sport, research, religious work, community programs and other approved temporary activities.

But there’s an important catch: the 408 visa is tied to the specific activity you have been approved to undertake. It isn't a general work visa that allows you to simply work for any employer or take on any role in Australia.

Depending on the stream and circumstances, a 408 visa can be granted for a period ranging from a few weeks to up to two years.

If you're considering coming to Australia for a temporary opportunity, understanding which visa actually matches your activity is an important first step.

👉 Read our full guide to the 408 Temporary Activity visa to learn who can apply, what you can do on this visa and how the application process works: https://avie.com.au/408-visa-temporary-activity-guide/

Book a consultation to get started: https://avie.com.au/book-a-consultation/
Within Australia: 1300 387 975
Worldwide: +61 (0)3 9693 5700

DISCLAIMER: The information contained in AVIE's social media posts is provided for general informational purposes only and is current at the time of publication. It does not constitute immigration or legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Every individual’s circumstances are different, and migration pathways vary. For personalised guidance, please consult a MARA-registered migration agent or a qualified Australian immigration lawyer before proceeding with any visa or immigration application.

Were you born outside Australia but have an Australian parent? You may not need to go through the usual visa and permane...
09/10/2026

Were you born outside Australia but have an Australian parent? You may not need to go through the usual visa and permanent residency pathway to live in Australia.

Australian citizenship by descent may be available if at least one of your parents was an Australian citizen when you were born. That parent may have been an Australian citizen because they were born in Australia or were granted citizenship before your birth.

For adults, the application can also involve the character requirement, and you’ll generally need evidence linking you to your Australian parent, such as birth certificates, citizenship documents and identity documents.

This is different from citizenship by conferral, which is the pathway commonly used by permanent residents after meeting residence requirements and other criteria.

If approved as a citizen by descent, you can have the right to live and work in Australia without first obtaining a permanent visa. You may also be able to apply for an Australian passport and access other rights and benefits available to Australian citizens.

One important detail: your parent must have been an Australian citizen when you were born. Becoming an Australian citizen after your birth does not generally meet this requirement.

If you were born overseas and have an Australian parent, it may be worth checking whether citizenship by descent is an option before exploring visa pathways.

Not sure if you qualify? Book a consultation with AVIE to discuss your circumstances.

Imagine you’re a qualified bricklayer overseas. You’ve got the experience, you know your trade inside out, and you’re th...
08/10/2026

Imagine you’re a qualified bricklayer overseas. You’ve got the experience, you know your trade inside out, and you’re thinking about what comes next.

Then you start looking into Australia and discover there may be more than one way to get there.

Bricklayers are in demand across Australia, with opportunities in cities including Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, as well as regional areas where construction workforce shortages can create additional migration opportunities.

Depending on your circumstances, you could explore skilled migration through the 189, 190 or 491 visas, or employer sponsorship through the 482 and potentially the 186 pathway.

But before you start applying for jobs or sending off visa applications, there are some important boxes to tick, including your qualifications, work experience, English and TRA skills assessment.

Our 2026 Guide breaks down the visa options, skills assessment requirements, sponsorship opportunities, salaries and where demand is strongest.

👉 Read the full guide: https://avie.com.au/bricklayer-australia-visa-guide/

A medical condition doesn't necessarily mean the end of your Australian visa application.Some Australian visa pathways i...
06/10/2026

A medical condition doesn't necessarily mean the end of your Australian visa application.

Some Australian visa pathways include a health waiver under PIC 4007, which can allow certain health requirements to be waived in specific circumstances.

But a health waiver isn't automatic. The visa subclass matters, and Immigration considers factors such as the potential cost of the condition, access to health and community services, and the applicant's individual circumstances.

Our latest blog explains what a health waiver is, which visa pathways may offer this option, what PIC 4007 means, and what Immigration considers when assessing a waiver.

👉 Read the full blog to understand how the health waiver process works on our website!

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