At Melton Migration, we assist with a wide range of temporary, transitional, and specialist visa
pathways in Australia. These visas often play a critical role in helping clients study, visit family,
remain lawful, protect work rights, or move toward longer-term migration goals. We provide clear
strategic advice, careful document preparation, and end-to-end support to ensure each application is
properly positioned from the outset. Australia’s current visa framework includes student, guardian,
visitor, graduate, working holiday, training, workplace justice, and several bridging visa options,
each with distinct eligibility and condition requirements.
Student Visa – Subclass 500
The Student visa (subclass 500) allows international students to undertake an eligible course of
study in Australia. It generally permits travel in and out of Australia during the visa period and
allows work rights up to the permitted limit when the course is in session. This visa is central to
Australia’s international education system and is commonly used by school students, vocational
students, university students, and higher degree research candidates.
At Melton Migration, we assist with course-based visa strategy, Genuine Student positioning,
financial and enrolment documentation, dependent family member issues, and long-term pathway
planning. We do not treat the student visa as a stand-alone application; we align it with future goals
such as graduate work rights, skilled migration, or employer sponsorship where appropriate.
Student Guardian Visa – Subclass 590
The Student Guardian visa (subclass 590) allows a parent, custodian, or eligible relative to come
to Australia to provide care and support to a student visa holder, usually where the student is under
18 years of age. The Department states that this visa can allow a stay of up to 5 years, depending on
the student’s circumstances and visa period.
We assist families with guardian visa applications by carefully addressing care arrangements,
welfare requirements, financial capacity, accommodation planning, and the relationship between the
guardian and the student. This is an important visa for families who want to ensure a child studying
in Australia has proper supervision and support.
Temporary Graduate Visa – Subclass 485
The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) allows eligible international students who have
recently completed Australian studies to live, work, and study in Australia temporarily after
graduation. As of 2026, the Department continues to provide stream-specific pathways including the
Post-Higher Education Work stream, the Post-Vocational Education Work stream, and a
Second Post-Higher Education Work stream in certain circumstances.
This visa is especially important for graduates seeking Australian work experience, regional
opportunities, or a transition into skilled or employer-sponsored migration. We assist with
Australian study requirement issues, course completion timing, stream selection, skills-related
strategy, and pathway planning after graduation.
Visitor Visa – Subclass 600
The Visitor visa (subclass 600) is designed for people who wish to travel to Australia temporarily
for tourism, visiting family, or short business visitor activities. It is one of the most commonly used
temporary visas and requires applicants to satisfy the Department that they are genuine temporary
entrants and will comply with visa conditions.
We assist with visitor visa applications involving tourism, family visits, invited travel, and more
complex matters such as sponsored family stream applications, prior refusals, strong-ties evidence,
and review strategy after refusal. For many families, visitor visas are time-sensitive and emotionally
important, so we focus on presenting a clear and credible temporary stay case.
Working Holiday and Work and Holiday Visas – Subclass 417 / 462
Australia’s Working Holiday (subclass 417) and Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visas are
designed for eligible young adults who want to travel and work in Australia for an extended period.
These visas are popular with clients who want short-term work rights, travel flexibility, and in some
cases eligibility for second or third visas through specified work requirements. The Department lists
both subclasses within its current visa framework.
We assist with pathway advice, eligibility screening, specified work planning, regional work issues,
condition compliance, and options for moving from a working holiday visa to other visa categories
such as student, skilled, partner, or employer-sponsored pathways where lawful and appropriate.
Temporary Activity Visa – Subclass 408
The Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408) covers a range of short-term activity-based purposes
in Australia. It remains an important category for specific temporary activities and specialist streams
administered by the Department.
For website purposes, this category can be presented as a specialist pathway for clients whose
circumstances do not fit neatly into standard study, visitor, or sponsored work visas. We assist in
identifying whether a 408-based option is appropriate and in preparing the supporting evidence
required for the relevant stream.
Workplace Justice Visa (Workplace Justice Pilot)
Australia currently operates a Workplace Justice Visa pilot, delivered through a subclass 408
Temporary Activity visa arrangement, to allow certain temporary migrants to remain in Australia
for a short period to pursue a workplace exploitation claim. The Department states this pathway is
designed to support workers seeking recourse in relation to workplace exploitation, and the wider
migrant worker protections reforms commenced from 1 July 2024, with the pilot commencing on
24 July 2024.
This is a highly important service area for vulnerable workers. At Melton Migration, we can
describe this as strategic support for temporary visa holders who have experienced underpayment,
coercion, workplace abuse, or other exploitation and who need lawful immigration options while
pursuing workplace justice outcomes.
Subclass 403 – Temporary Work (International Relations) Visa
The Subclass 403 visa allows individuals to work in Australia on a temporary basis under
international agreements, government programs, or specialised arrangements rather than
standard employer sponsorship.
Key features:
- Temporary visa with stay period depending on the stream
- Work rights tied to the specific employer, program, or agreement
- No Standard Business Sponsorship required
- Includes multiple streams such as:
◦ Government Agreement stream
◦ Foreign Government Agency stream
◦ Domestic Worker (Diplomatic/Consular)
◦ Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) stream
◦ Seasonal Worker Program
Purpose:
This visa is designed for roles connected to international cooperation, labour mobility
programs, or diplomatic functions.
Best suited for: - Workers under approved labour mobility schemes (e.g. Pacific workers)
- Employees of foreign governments or diplomatic missions
- Individuals working under bilateral agreements
Bridging Visas
Bridging visas are temporary visas that allow a person to remain lawfully in Australia while their
immigration status is being resolved. The Department’s current visa list includes Bridging Visa A
(subclass 010), Bridging Visa B (subclass 020), Bridging Visa C (subclass 030), and Bridging
Visa E (subclass 050/051), among others. These visas are often critical where a person has lodged a
further substantive visa application, needs travel permission, or is resolving an immigration matter.
Bridging Visa A (BVA) – Subclass 010
A BVA usually allows a person to stay lawfully in Australia after their current substantive visa
ceases and while a further substantive visa application is being processed. It is a common
transitional visa for onshore applicants.
Bridging Visa B (BVB) – Subclass 020
A BVB is generally used where a person on a bridging visa needs to leave Australia and return
lawfully while their substantive visa application remains undecided. The Department states that it
permits one return travel facility during the visa period.
Bridging Visa C (BVC) – Subclass 030
A BVC is another onshore bridging option, commonly relevant where a person lodges a further
substantive visa application but does not hold a substantive visa at the time of application. It can be
particularly important in more complex regularisation matters. The Department lists it as part of the
current bridging visa framework.
Bridging Visa E (BVE) – Subclass 050 / 051
A BVE generally allows a person to remain lawfully in Australia while they make arrangements to
depart, finalise an immigration matter, or await an immigration decision. The Department’s official
page describes it as a visa for people resolving status issues or awaiting outcomes.
We assist with bridging visa strategy, lawful status management, travel issues, work rights requests,
and transition planning to more stable visa options where available. We also advise on risks
attached to unlawful status, no-work conditions, and timing-sensitive applications.
New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship Visa – Subclass 461
Although not always grouped with mainstream family visas, the New Zealand Citizen Family
Relationship visa (subclass 461) is an important pathway for non-New Zealand family members of
certain New Zealand citizens. Current Department material describes it as a temporary visa valid for
5 years with travel rights and without formal sponsorship or nomination requirements.
This visa is particularly relevant to your practice because Melton Migration has a strong Australia–
New Zealand focus. It can be presented as a specialist option for families connected to eligible New
Zealand citizens living in Australia.