WHV Overview
The Working Holiday Visa (WHV)
The Working Holiday Visa (417) allows applicants 18 to 30 years old who have a passport from a country in the Working Holiday Maker program to qualify for a 12-month visa that lets you work while exploring Australia.
Working Holiday Visa Benefits:
☑️ The WHV allows you to work and study in Australia
☑️ Work for up to 6 months full-time for any one employer
☑️ Study for up to 4 months on the WHV
☑️ Enter and leave Australia as many times as you like
☑️ Live in one location or travel cross-country
3 Ways to make a WHV to PR transition possible
Australian Permanent Residency (PR)
Australian Immigration allows non-citizens to be able to live, work, and study in Australia within an indefinite time period. To be granted permanent residency, there are pathways through different visas: Partner visas (820 & 801), Skilled Migration visas (189, 190 & 491), Employer-sponsored visa (186), or a Student visa (500) that transitions into a Temporary Graduate visa (485). We’ll walk you through each pathway so you can take the necessary steps for the visa application of your choice.
Application ≠ Approval
This is a gentle reminder to note that a permanent visa application doesn’t guarantee a Permanent Residency (PR) grant. If you follow the process and submit all the requirements, living in Australia permanently is a possibility.
If you’d like to get more specific advice, feel free to contact us and book a Migration Consultation with any of our llead migration agents.
1. Partnership
If you are in a genuine relationship with an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident, or eligible New Zealand Citizen, you may be eligible to apply for an Australian Partner Visa.
The Partner Visa is generally granted in two stages: first a temporary visa (subclass 820), followed later by a permanent visa (subclass 801). Once granted, it allows you to live, work, and study in Australia, and offers a pathway to permanent residency and citizenship.
5 Steps to prepare for applying for a Partner Visa
Follow these key steps:
- Live together and collect documents proving a shared address (lease, bills, correspondence).
- Open and actively use a joint bank account for everyday expenses.
- Register your relationship in your state or territory, if available.
- Add each other as beneficiaries to your superannuation fund.
- List both names on official records like utilities, car registration, and leases.
Our FREE 2025 Partner Visa Guide breaks it down step-by-step, from eligibility and required documents to costs, timelines, and what to expect after applying.
What you need to know about Partner Visas
2. Specialised Skills + Work Experience
General Skilled Migration Program
The General Skilled Migration (GSM) program is the most popular way to gain permanent residency in Australia without employer sponsorship. Federal Immigration can nominate you or a state/territory will sponsor you.
To be able to apply for general skilled migration visas you must be skilled in an occupation that is in demand in Australia. Applicants are invited to apply for general skilled migration visas based on factors such as their occupation, work experience, education and English ability.
Skilled Nominated Visa (190)
The Skilled Nominated visa or State Nominated Visa (190) requires the applicant to receive a nomination from an Australian state or territory that is inclusive of a commitment to live and work in the nominated area for two years minimum.
Prior to applying for the visa, the applicant must submit a formal statement called the Expression of Interest you will need to state if you intend to work in any state you intend to work in. The visa holder will apply to be nominated to work in a profession that is listed on the State Occupation List.
Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa (491)
The Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa (491) gives applicants a 5-year temporary pathway to permanent residency through the Skilled Regional (Permanent) Residence Visa (191). This allows the applicants to live and work in the state/territory they were nominated by.
Much like the 190 visa, the applicant is required to submit an Expression of Interest and state if you intend to work in any state you intend to work in.
Occupations with good PR potential: Carpenters (or those from the housing trades), Teachers (those in the education field), Nurses or OTs (those in the healthcare professions)
Employer Sponsorships
Employer Nominated Scheme (ENS) (186)
The Employer Nominated Scheme (ENS) (186) visa is a Permanent Employer Sponsored visa that requires a company to nominate you for employment. It is similar to the standard Skills in Demand (482) visa but the Skills in Demand visa is temporary. The 186 is permanent.
You can also apply for this permanent visa anywhere in Australia, so Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are fine. However, you can only get nominated for this visa in certain occupations and if you meet certain requirements. It is not for everyone.
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa (Subclass 494)
The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa (494) is the new employee sponsored visa for regional areas. It will replace the previous Regional Employer Sponsored visa – 187 (RSMS). The 494 Visa is initially a temporary visa that may allow you to obtain permanent residency after 3 years.
Like all employer sponsored visas you must be nominated by an approved business sponsor to apply for this visa.
Occupations with potential: Business-related occupations, Marketing jobs, Project Management and the like
What you need to know about General Skilled Migration Visas
3. Trade Course Education
Studying a Trade Course
By studying a trade course, you can become qualified in just 2 years. When you get the Temporary Graduate visa (485) once you graduate, you now have the PR options to migrate via the General Skilled Migration program.
How to start your education journey in Aus:
- Find a course or choose from Trade courses then enrol
- Fill out the PTA Enrolment Form
- Book a FREE Education Consultation with our lead education agent
- Apply for the 485 visa
- Undertake a Full Skill Assessment
- Apply for any of the Skilled Migration visas (189, 190 or 491)
Graduate Visa (485)
The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) lets international students remain in Australia for 18 months, 3 years after finishing their studies, without employer sponsorship or points testing.
Many temporary graduate visa holders use their time on this visa to build up the skills and requirements necessary to apply for a permanent general skilled visa in Australia. Anytime throughout the temporary graduate visa, visa holders can apply for another permanent visa.
Skilled Independent visa (189)
The Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189) is a popular choice for international students in Australia because it offers a clear way to stay and work in the country after finishing studies.
Here’s what you can gain:
- Freedom: With this visa, you can live and work anywhere in Australia. No need for a specific job or place.
- Opportunity: Use your skills and what you learned in Australia to start your career.
- Future: This visa can help you make Australia your long-term home.
What you need to know about studying Trade Courses in Aus
Get in touch with one of our lead education agents so you can map out your future study plan.
Working Holiday to Migration Pathway
The transition from a Working Holiday Visa to a permanent visa is doable. If this does happen, it can lead to the potential of becoming a permanent Australian resident.
The 3 possible pathways including the visa options we discussed here do have good PR prospects. However, we also have to remember that for as much as we can submit an excellent application, there are no guarantees when it comes to the Immigration’s results. But is it worth the try? Absolutely.
If you want to have a meaningful conversation with one of our lead migration agents, go ahead and contact us to book your consultation.
