Australia Immigration

Explore Australia with Confidence

What is the Subclass 600 Visa? The Subclass 600 visa allows you to visit Australia for tourism, to see family and friends, or for business visitor activities. It is a temporary visa with several streams.

Key Streams First Step Assists With:

• Tourist Stream: For holidays, sightseeing, and recreational activities.
• Family Sponsored Stream: For visiting family members who can sponsor your stay.
• Business Visitor Stream: For attending conferences, meetings, or exploratory business talks.



Key Features:

• Stay Duration: Usually granted for up to 3, 6, or 12 months.
• Work: Not permitted (except for limited business visitor activities).
• Application: Can be applied for from inside or outside Australia.

Why Choose First Step for Your Visitor Visa?

First Step's consultants ensure your application is robust, minimizing chances of refusal. The team provides help with:

• Stream Selection: Advising on the most appropriate stream for your purpose.
• Documentation Checklist: A precise list of required financial, employment, and personal documents.
• Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) Requirement: This is critical. First Step helps craft a compelling statement to prove your visit is genuine and you intend to return home.
• Lodgement & Liaison: First Step handles the application lodgement and communicates with the Department of Home Affairs on your behalf.

Eligibility Requirements:

The core requirement for all streams is proving you are a Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE). This means you must satisfy the Department of Home Affairs that you genuinely intend to stay in Australia temporarily for the purpose you have stated and will comply with visa conditions.

Key Criteria for GTE:

• Reason for Visit: A clear purpose (tourism, visiting family, business meetings).
• Ties to Home Country: Evidence of strong financial, family, employment, or asset ties that encourage you to return home (e.g., job, family, property, ongoing studies).
• Financial Capacity: Sufficient funds to cover all costs during your stay (flights, accommodation, living expenses)
• Character and Health: Meet health and character requirements. Health examinations may be required for longer stays or based on your country of origin.
• Visa Conditions: Intend to comply with visa conditions (e.g., No Work condition 8101, and must not stay beyond the visa validity).

Document Checklist:

This is a general list. First Step will provide a tailored list based on your specific stream and situation.

• Identity Documents:
  • Passport bio-data page (must be valid).
  • National ID card.
  • Two recent passport-sized photographs.

• Proof of Financial Capacity:
  • Bank statements for the last 3–6 months.
  • Tax returns or proof of income.
  • Pay slips.
  • Proof of assets (property deeds, fixed deposits, shares).

• Proof of Ties to Home Country:
  • Employment letter stating your position, salary, and approved leave.
  • Business registration documents (if self-employed).
  • Evidence of family relationships (marriage certificate, birth certificates of children).
  • Proof of enrollment from a school/university.

• Travel Itinerary:
  • Proposed travel dates and plans.
  • Flight bookings (or itinerary).
  • Accommodation bookings.

For Family-Sponsored Stream: Proof of the sponsor's relationship and their financial capacity.

For Business Visitor Stream: Invitation letters from the Australian company, evidence of business background.

Permanent Residency with State Sponsorship.

What is it?

This is a permanent visa for skilled workers who are nominated by an Australian state or territory government.

Key Features:

• Permanent Residency: Live, work, and study anywhere in Australia.
• State Nomination: Nomination by a state (e.g., NSW, VIC, QLD) is required
• Points Boost: A state nomination gives an extra 5 points toward your total.
• Commitment: You are expected to live in the nominating state for your first two years.

Who is it for?

Skilled professionals whose occupation is in demand in a specific state or territory.

Key Advantages for an Indian Citizen:

1. Live & Work Permanently: Unrestricted right to live, work, and study anywhere in Australia, a developed country with a high standard of living.
2. Path to Citizenship: After 4 years, you can apply for an Australian passport, offering visa-free access to ~185 countries, including the US, UK, and EU..
3. World-Class Healthcare: Immediate access to Medicare, Australia's public healthcare system, providing free/subsidized medical care.
4. Subsidized World-Class Education: Your children can study for free in public schools and access subsidized university tuition with government loans.
5. Social Security Benefits: After a waiting period, access to unemployment benefits, family support payments, and other social security nets.
6. Sponsor Family Members: You can sponsor your spouse, parents, and other eligible family members for their own PR.
7. Buy Property Easily: Eligibility for the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) and exemption from heavy foreign buyer taxes.
8. Safe & Stable Multicultural Society: Live in a politically stable, safe country with a large, welcoming Indian community, reducing the feeling of isolation.
9. Strong Job Market for Skilled Professionals: High demand and attractive salaries for engineers like you in sectors like Mining, Oil & Gas, and IT.
10. Travel Freedom: Freedom to travel between India and Australia as often as you wish for 5 years.

In short, for an Indian professional, Australian PR offers a direct pathway to a higher quality of life, global mobility, career growth, and a secure future for your family.

Eligibility Requirements:

The Subclass 190 has the same base requirements as the 189, with one critical addition:

State/Territory Nomination: Must be nominated by an Australian state or territory government. Each state has its own occupation lists and eligibility criteria (e.g., commitment to live in the state, specific work experience, job offer).

Points Test: Must score at least 65 points including the 5 points from the state nomination.

Age: Under 45 years.

Skills Assessment: Positive skills assessment for an occupation on a state's skilled occupation list.

English Language: Competent English.

Health and Character: Must meet requirements.

Document Checklist:

The document list is almost identical to the Subclass 189, but with a strong focus on providing evidence for the State Nomination application.

All documents required for the Subclass 189.

Additional Documents for State Nomination (requirements vary by state):

• Commitment Letter: A detailed statement of your commitment to live and work in the nominating state for at least the first 2 years.

• Evidence of Ties to the State: Proof of job applications, job offers, connections to the community, or previous visits.

• Detailed Employment Evidence: Specific evidence required by the state to prove your work experience meets their criteria

• State-Specific Forms: Any forms required by the particular state's migration program.

Your Pathway to PR via Regional Australia.

What is it?

This is a provisional visa for skilled workers who are nominated by a state/territory government or sponsored by an eligible family member to live and work in designated regional areas of Australia.

Key Features:

• Provisional Visa: Valid for 5 years.
• Pathway to PR: After living and working in a regional area for at least 3 years, you can apply for the Permanent Resident (Subclass 191) visa
• Points Boost: A nomination or sponsorship gives an extra 15 points
• Regional Areas: Includes many fantastic cities and areas outside of major hubs like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane

Who is it for?

Who is it for? Skilled professionals willing to live in regional Australia for a clear and defined pathway to permanent residency.

Eligibility Requirements:

This is a provisional visa with a pathway to Permanent Residency (Subclass 191) after meeting specific conditions.

Nomination or Sponsorship: Must be either:

• Nominated by a participating state/territory government, OR

• Sponsored by an eligible family member living in a designated regional area

Points Test: Must score at least 65 points including the 15 points from the nomination/sponsorship.

Age: Under 45 years.

Skills Assessment: Positive skills assessment for an occupation on a relevant regional occupation list

English Language: Competent English

Health and Character: Must meet requirements.

Document Checklist:

The document list is similar to the Subclass 190, but with specific evidence for regional nomination or family sponsorship.

All core documents required for the Subclass 189.

For State Nomination (Similar to 190):

• Commitment letter focused on the specific regional area.

• Evidence of research into employment and lifestyle in that region.

• Job offer (if required by the state).

For Family Sponsorship:

• Proof of relationship between you and your sponsor (e.g., birth certificate, marriage certificate).

• Proof your sponsor is an Australian Permanent Resident or Citizen usually resident in a designated regional area.

• Your sponsor's commitment to provide support.

The First Step Skilled Migration Process:

1. Free Initial Assessment: First Step evaluates your profile, qualifications, and work experience against the visa criteria
2. Skills Assessment Guidance: First Step connects you with the relevant assessing authority for your occupation (e.g., Engineers Australia, ACS, VETASSESS).
3. English Language Test: First Step advises on preparing for exams like IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL.
4. Points Calculation & Strategy: First Step meticulously calculates your points and creates a strategy to maximize your score (e.g., via Superior English, NAATI, Partner Skills).
5. Expression of Interest (EOI): First Step crafts and lodges a compelling EOI in SkillSelect.
6. State Nomination (190/491): First Step guides you through the specific requirements of different state nomination programs.
7. Visa Application Lodgement: Once invited, First Step prepares and lodges a complete and decision-ready visa application.
8. Post-Lodgement Support: First Step manages all communication until your visa is granted.