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Citizenship and visa requirements for VET

A person seeking to undertake an apprenticeship or traineeship in NSW, must meet one of the following citizenship or residency status eligibility requirements.

They must be:

  • an Australian citizen; or
  • a foreign national with permanent residency; or
  • a New Zealand passport holder who has been resident in Australia for at least six months; or
  • hold one of the visa subclasses as listed under Visa Information for Apprenticeships and Traineeships (see below).

The provider or employer has a legal responsibility to ensure that their apprentice or trainee meets the above requirements.

Visa information for apprentices and trainees

Work, study and live in Australia

  • Visa holders MUST be able to work AND study in Australia to be eligible for an apprenticeship or traineeship.
  • Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) Visa Subclass 482 does NOT allow the holder to study in Australia (see 482 below for further information and clarification).

Visa subclass legend

P - Identifies permanent visas

# - Identifies visas that are for a specific duration only - check visa expiry date to ensure that the nominal term of the proposed apprenticeship or traineeship can be completed before the visa expiry date.

Temporary and permanent visas

Visa subclass

100 P. Learn more via the Australian Department of Home Affairs.

Description

Allows the partner or spouse of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen to live in Australia

What this Visa allows

  • Stay in Australia indefinitely
  • Work and study in Australia
  • Enrol in Medicare
  • Apply for Australian citizenship
  • Sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence
  • Receive some social security payments
  • Travel to and from Australia for 5 years from the date the visa is granted

Visa subclass

132 P. Learn more via the Australian Department of Home Affairs.

Description

For business people who are nominated by an Australian state or territory government agency. Allows the holder to establish a new or develop an existing business in Australia.

What this Visa allows

  • Stay in Australia indefinitely
  • Work and study in Australia
  • Enrol in Medicare
  • Apply for Australian citizenship
  • Sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence
  • Travel to and from Australia for 5 years from the date the visa is granted

Visa subclass

186 P. Learn more via the Australian Department of Home Affairs.

Description

A permanent resident visa for skilled workers. It allows the holder to work in Australia under one of three streams:
  • Temporary Residence Transition
  • Direct Entry
  • Labour Agreement.

What this Visa allows

  • Stay in Australia indefinitely
  • Work and study in Australia
  • Enrol in Medicare
  • Apply for Australian citizenship
  • Sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence
  • Travel to and from Australia for 5 years from the date the visa is granted

Visa subclass

189 P. Learn more via the Australian Department of Home Affairs.

Description

Points tested skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer or family member or nominated by a state or territory government.

What this Visa allows

  • Stay in Australia indefinitely
  • Work and study in Australia
  • Enrol in Medicare
  • Apply for Australian citizenship
  • Sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence
  • Travel to and from Australia for 5 years from the date the visa is granted.

Visa subclass

190 P. Learn more via the Australian Department of Home Affairs.

Description

Points tested skilled workers who are nominated by a state or territory government agency.

What this Visa allows

  • Stay in Australia indefinitely
  • Work and study in Australia
  • Enrol in Medicare
  • Apply for Australian citizenship
  • Sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence
  • Travel to and from Australia for 5 years from the date the visa is granted.

Visa subclass

309 #. Learn more via the Australian Department of Home Affairs.

This Visa is the first stage towards a permanent visa under Partner (Migrant) Visa subclass 100.

Description

Allows the partner or spouse of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen to live in Australia.

What this Visa allows

  • Enter Australia and stay until a decision is made about permanent Partner Visa Subclass 100
  • Work in Australia
  • Study in Australia (at own expense)
  • Access up to 510 hours of free English language tuition
  • Enrol in Medicare.

Visa subclass

444. Learn more via the Australian Department of Home Affairs.

Description

Allows New Zealand citizens to visit, study, stay and work in Australia.

What this Visa allows

  • Allows the holder to stay and work in Australia as long as they remain a New Zealand citizen.
  • Enter and stay in Australia.
  • Work and study in Australia.

Visa subclass

445. Learn more via the Australian Department of Home Affairs.

Description

Allows a child to travel to and from, or stay in Australia until their parent’s permanent Partner visa is finalised.

What this Visa allows

  • Travel to and from, or stay in Australia with their parents until a decision is made on the parent’s permanent visa application.
  • Work and study in Australia.
  • Travel to and from and stay in Australia while the temporary visa is valid.

Visa subclass

461 #. Learn more via the Australian Department of Home Affairs.

Description

Allows a non-New Zealand family member of a New Zealand citizen to live and work in Australia for up to 5 years.

What this Visa allows

  • Work and study in Australia.
  • Travel to, enter and remain in Australia for 5 years from the date the visa is granted.

Visa subclass

482 #. Learn more via the Australian Department of Home Affairs.

This temporary Visa is for skilled workers only For the family of the holder of the 482 Visa ONLY.

Description

Enables employers to address labour shortages. Allows the family (not the holder) to work AND study in Australia. Allows the holder to WORK in Australia under one of three employer sponsored streams:
  • Short Term
  • Medium Term
  • Labour Agreement.

What this Visa allows

  • Valid from 1 to 4 years depending on the nominated occupation, the visa stream and individual circumstances.
  • Allows the family of a 482 Visa holder, to work and study in Australia.

Visa subclass

485 #. Learn more via the Australian Department of Home Affairs.

Description

For international students who have recently graduated from an Australian educational institution. Visa has 2 Work Streams:
  • Graduate (stay up to 18 months)
  • Post-Study (stay between 2-4 years).

What this Visa allows

  • Stay in Australia temporarily after the completion of studies
  • Travel, work and study in Australia.

Visa subclass

491 #. Learn more via the Australian Department of Home Affairs.

For the family of the holder of the 491 Visa ONLY.

Description

A visa for skilled people nominated by a state or territory government to live and work in regional Australia. Provisional visa available to main applicants (skilled workers) and their family members (subsequent entrants).

What this Visa allows

  • Stay in Australia for 5 years.
  • Live, work and study in a specified regional area of Australia.
  • Travel to and from Australia without limitation while the visa is valid.

Visa subclass

494 #. Learn more via the Australian Department of Home Affairs.

For the family of the holder of the 494 Visa ONLY.

Description

Enables regional employers to address identified labour shortages within their region by sponsoring skilled workers where employers can't source an appropriately skilled Australian worker. Allows main applicants and dependent family members live and work in regional Australia. There are 2 eligible pathways:
  • Employer Sponsored stream
  • Labour Agreement stream.

What this Visa allows

  • Live, work and study only in designated regional areas of Australia for 5 years.
  • Travel to and from Australia for 5 years.
  • If eligible, apply for permanent residence after 3 years from the time visa is granteds valid.

Visa subclass

500 #. Learn more via the Australian Department of Home Affairs.

For School based trainees ONLY.

Description

  • Temporary visa to study in Australia for up to 5 years.
  • Allows the visa holder to participate in an eligible course of study at a secondary institution.
  • Allows the student to participate in a school based traineeship.
  • Students under 18 years of age must have adequate welfare arrangements in place.

What this Visa allows

  • Participate in an eligible course of study in Australia.
  • Travel in and out of Australia.
  • Work up to 40 hours every 2- week period once the course starts.

Visa subclass

801 P. Learn more via the Australian Department of Home Affairs.

Description

Allows the partner or spouse of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen to live in Australia.

What this Visa allows

  • Stay in Australia indefinitely.
  • Work and study in Australia.
  • Apply for Australian citizenship.
  • Sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence.
  • Receive some social security payments.
  • Travel to and from Australia for 5 years from the date the visa is granted.

Visa subclass

820 #. Learn more via the Australian Department of Home Affairs.

This Visa provides a pathway to permanent residence through the Partner visa subclass 801.

Description

Allows the partner or spouse of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen to live in Australia.

What this Visa allows

  • Stay in Australia until a decision is made about permanent Partner visa.
  • Work in Australia.
  • Study in Australia (with no government support).
  • Enrol in Medicare.
  • Travel outside Australia.
  • Access up to 510 hours of free English language tuition.

Visa subclass

858 P. Learn more via the Australian Department of Home Affairs.

Description

Allows the holder ot live permanently in Australia.

What this Visa allows

  • Stay in Australia indefinitely.
  • Work and study in Australia.
  • Enroll in Medicare.
  • Apply for Australia citizenship.
  • Sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence.
  • Travel to and from Australia for 5 years from the date the visa is granted.

Visa subclass

887 P. Learn more via the Australian Department of Home Affairs.

Description

A visa for people who have lived and worked in specified areas of regional Australia.

What this Visa allows

  • Stay in Australia indefinitely.
  • Work and study in Australia.
  • Enrol in Medicare.
  • Apply for Australian citizenship.
  • Sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence.
  • Travel to and from Australia for 5 years from the date the visa is granted.

Visa subclass

888 P. Learn more via the Australian Department of Home Affairs.

Description

Allows the holder to continue to own and manage a business in Australia, continue business and investment activity in Australia, and/or continue entrepreneurial activity in Australia. There are 5 eligible streams:
  • Business Innovation
  • Investor
  • Significant Investor
  • Premium Investor
  • Entrepreneur.

What this Visa allows

  • Stay in Australia indefinitely.
  • Work and study in Australia.
  • Apply for Australian citizenship.
  • Sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence.
  • Receive some social security payments.
  • Travel to and from Australia for 5 years from the date the visa is granted.

Visa subclass

890 P. Learn more via the Australian Department of Home Affairs.

Description

Allows the holder to continue to own and operate a business in Australia.

What this Visa allows

  • Stay in Australia indefinitely.
  • Work and study in Australia.
  • Enrol for Medicare.
  • Apply for Australian citizenship.
  • Sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence.
  • Travel to and from Australia for 5 years from the date the visa is granted.

Refugee and Humanitarian visas

Visa subclass

200 P. Learn more via the Australian Department of Home Affairs.

Description

Allows the holder to stay indefinitely in Australia and propose or sponsor family members for permanent residence

What this Visa allows

  • Stay in Australia indefinitely.
  • Work and study in Australia.
  • Enrol for Medicare.
  • Access certain social security payments.
  • Apply for Australian citizenship (after the holder has lived in Australia for 4 years).
  • Propose family member for permanent residence.
  • Attend English language classes.

Visa subclass

201 P. Learn more via the Australian Department of Home Affairs.

Description

Allows the holder to live, work and study in Australia and propose or sponsor family members for permanent residence.

What this Visa allows

  • Stay in Australia indefinitely.
  • Work and study in Australia.
  • Enrol in Medicare.
  • Access certain social security payments.
  • Apply for Australia citizenship (after the holder has lived in Australia for 4 years).
  • Propose family member for permanent residence.
  • Attend English language classes.

Visa subclass

202 P. Learn more via the Australian Department of Home Affairs.

Description

Allows the holder to live, work and study in Australia and propose or sponsor people for permanent residence.

What this Visa allows

  • Stay in Australia indefinitely.
  • Work and study in Australia.
  • Enrol in Medicare.
  • Access certain social security payments.
  • Apply for Australia citizenship (after the holder has lived in Australia for 4 years).
  • Propose family member for permanent residence.
  • Attend English language classes.

Visa subclass

203 P. Learn more via the Australian Department of Home Affairs.

Description

Allows the holder to live, work and study in Australia and propose or sponsor family members for permanent residence.

What this Visa allows

  • Stay in Australia indefinitely.
  • Work and study in Australia.
  • Enrol in Medicare.
  • Access certain social security payments.
  • Apply for Australian citizenship (after the holder has lived in Australia for 4 years).
  • Propose family member for permanent residence.
  • Attend English language classes.

Visa subclass

204 P. Learn more via the Australian Department of Home Affairs.

Description

Allows the holder to live, work and study in Australia and propose or sponsor family members for permanent residence.

What this Visa allows

  • Stay in Australia indefinitely.
  • Work and study in Australia.
  • Enrol in Medicare.
  • Access certain social security payments.
  • Apply for Australia citizenship (after the holder has lived in Australia for 4 years).
  • Propose family member for permanent residence.
  • Attend English language classes.

Visa subclass

785 #. Learn more via the Australian Department of Home Affairs.

Description

Provides the holder temporary protection for up to 3 years.

What this Visa allows

  • Live, work and study in Australia for up to 3 years.
  • Travel outside Australia (circumstances need to be justified as compassionate or compelling).
  • Access to:
    • Medicare
    • Social Security (Centrelink)
    • Job matching
    • Short-term counselling for torture and trauma.

Visa subclass

790 #. Learn more via the Australian Department of Home Affairs.

Description

Provides the holder temporary protection for up to 5 years.

What this Visa allows

  • Live, work and study in Australia for up to 3 years.
  • Travel outside Australia (circumstances need to be justified as compassionate or compelling).
  • Access to:
    • Medicare
    • Social Security (Centrelink)
    • Job matching
    • Short-term counselling for torture and trauma.

Visa subclass

866 P. Learn more via the Australian Department of Home Affairs.

Description

Allows the holder to live and work in Australia as a permanent resident.

What this Visa allows

  • Stay in Australia indefinitely.
  • Work and study in Australia.
  • Enrol in Medicare.
  • Apply for Australian citizenship.
  • Sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence.
  • Travel to and from Australia for 5 years from the date the visa is granted.

Further advice about visa subclasses

  • Visa Subclass 310 has been replaced by 309 Partner (Provisional)/100 Partner (Migrant).
  • Visa Subclass 447 – 451 and 786 have been incorporated into the Refugee/Humanitarian visas.
  • Visa Subclass 457 has been replaced by 482 Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS).
  • Visa Subclass 826 has been replaced by 820 Partner (temporary)/801 Partner (permanent).

Bridging visas

  • All Bridging visas are temporary.
  • Work and study conditions are stipulated in the accompanying Department of Home Affairs link.
  • These visas need to be investigated and approved on a case-by-case basis.
  • Bridging Visa C (BVC) only allows the holder to work if their substantive visa application is one of the specific SkillSelect visas.
    • A 'substantive' visa is any visa which is not a bridging visa, crimilar justice visa or an enforcement visa.
  • Bridging Visa D (BVD) doesn't allow the holder to work in Australia.

Bridging Visa A (BVA)

This visa allows the holder to stay in Australia until their application for a new substantive visa is decided. It can be granted if the application is lodged in Australia while holding a current substantive visa. It does not allow the holder to return to Australia if they leave.

Bridging Visa B (BVB)

This visa allows the holder to leave and return to Australia while their application fora new substantive visa is being processed.

Bridging Visa C (BVC)

This visa is allows the holder to stay in Australia while their application for a new substantive visa is being processed. It does not allow the holder to return to Australia if they leave.

Bridging Visa E (BVE)

This visa allows the holder to stay in Australia while arrangements are being made to either leave, finalise immigration matters or wait for an immigration decision. It does not allow the holder to re-enter Australia if they leave.

Category:

  • Skills

Business Unit:

  • Training Services
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