Australian Migration Glossary A-Z

AACA — Architects Accreditation Council of Australia

The designated migration skills assessing authority for the occupation of Architect in relevant skilled visa settings.

Examples: Architect.

Example occupations are illustrative. Always confirm the authority against the current Home Affairs occupation list for the visa and occupation code being used.

AASW — Australian Association of Social Workers

The migration skills assessing authority for Social Worker. It assesses overseas and Australian social work qualifications against its migration assessment standards.

Examples: Social Worker.

Example occupations are illustrative. Always confirm the authority against the current Home Affairs occupation list for the visa and occupation code being used.

Accredited Sponsor

An approved business sponsor that has been granted accredited status by the Department of Home Affairs. Accreditation can affect how some sponsored visa applications are processed, but the sponsor must continue to meet applicable sponsorship obligations.

ACS — Australian Computer Society

The skills assessing authority for many ICT, software, cyber security and data occupations used in skilled migration.

Examples: Developer Programmer, ICT Business Analyst, Database Administrator, Data Scientist, Cyber Security Analyst.

Example occupations are illustrative. Always confirm the authority against the current Home Affairs occupation list for the visa and occupation code being used.

ADC — Australian Dental Council

The skills assessing authority for specified dental practitioner occupations for migration purposes.

Examples: Dentist, Dental Specialist.

Example occupations are illustrative. Always confirm the authority against the current Home Affairs occupation list for the visa and occupation code being used.

Administrative Review Tribunal (ART)

The federal merits review tribunal that can review certain migration and citizenship decisions when legislation gives it jurisdiction. It replaced the Administrative Appeals Tribunal for new federal review arrangements.

AIMS — Australian Institute of Medical and Clinical Scientists

The skills assessing authority for specified medical laboratory science occupations.

Examples: Medical Laboratory Scientist, Medical Laboratory Technician.

Example occupations are illustrative. Always confirm the authority against the current Home Affairs occupation list for the visa and occupation code being used.

AIQS — Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors

The skills assessing authority for Quantity Surveyor for relevant skilled migration pathways.

Examples: Quantity Surveyor.

Example occupations are illustrative. Always confirm the authority against the current Home Affairs occupation list for the visa and occupation code being used.

AITSL — Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership

The skills assessing authority for a range of school-teaching occupations for migration purposes.

Examples: Early Childhood Teacher, Secondary School Teacher, Special Needs Teacher, Teacher of the Hearing Impaired.

Example occupations are illustrative. Always confirm the authority against the current Home Affairs occupation list for the visa and occupation code being used.

AMSA — Australian Maritime Safety Authority

The assessing authority for specified maritime occupations in the skilled migration framework.

Examples: Marine Surveyor and specified ship/master/engineering maritime occupations, depending on the occupation list.

Example occupations are illustrative. Always confirm the authority against the current Home Affairs occupation list for the visa and occupation code being used.

ANMAC — Australian Nursing & Midwifery Accreditation Council

The migration skills assessing authority for nursing and midwifery occupations specified in the skilled occupation framework.

Examples: Registered Nurse (Aged Care), Registered Nurse (Mental Health), Nurse Practitioner, Midwife.

Example occupations are illustrative. Always confirm the authority against the current Home Affairs occupation list for the visa and occupation code being used.

ANZPAC — Australian and New Zealand Podiatry Accreditation Council

The professional assessment body associated with migration skills assessment for podiatry where prescribed.

Examples: Podiatrist.

Example occupations are illustrative. Always confirm the authority against the current Home Affairs occupation list for the visa and occupation code being used.

ANZSCO

Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations. Migration programs use prescribed ANZSCO versions to identify occupations, skill levels and occupational descriptions. The version used can depend on the visa program.

ANZSNM — Australian and New Zealand Society of Nuclear Medicine

The assessing body historically specified for nuclear medicine technology in skilled migration settings; current authority requirements should be checked against the live occupation list.

Examples: Nuclear Medicine Technologist.

Example occupations are illustrative. Always confirm the authority against the current Home Affairs occupation list for the visa and occupation code being used.

AOPA — Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association

The professional assessing body used for Orthotist or Prosthetist where prescribed for migration skills assessment.

Examples: Orthotist or Prosthetist.

Example occupations are illustrative. Always confirm the authority against the current Home Affairs occupation list for the visa and occupation code being used.

APC — Australian Physiotherapy Council

The migration skills assessing authority for Physiotherapist.

Examples: Physiotherapist.

Example occupations are illustrative. Always confirm the authority against the current Home Affairs occupation list for the visa and occupation code being used.

APharmC — Australian Pharmacy Council

The migration skills assessing authority for specified pharmacist occupations.

Examples: Hospital Pharmacist, Retail Pharmacist.

Example occupations are illustrative. Always confirm the authority against the current Home Affairs occupation list for the visa and occupation code being used.

Applicant

A person who makes a visa, citizenship or other immigration-related application. In family applications, there may be a primary applicant and one or more secondary applicants.

Approved Sponsor

A person or organisation approved under Australian migration law to sponsor eligible visa applicants. The type of approval and obligations depend on the relevant visa program.

APS — Australian Psychological Society

The assessing authority specified for psychologist occupations in relevant skilled migration settings.

Examples: Clinical Psychologist, Organisational Psychologist, Psychologists nec.

Example occupations are illustrative. Always confirm the authority against the current Home Affairs occupation list for the visa and occupation code being used.

Architect

A skilled occupation for migration purposes. The relevant migration skills assessing authority is AACA under the current occupation framework.

Examples: Assessing authority: AACA.

ASMIRT — Australian Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy

The assessing body used for specified medical radiation practice occupations where prescribed for migration.

Examples: Medical Diagnostic Radiographer, Medical Radiation Therapist, Sonographer where applicable.

Example occupations are illustrative. Always confirm the authority against the current Home Affairs occupation list for the visa and occupation code being used.

Assessing Authority

An organisation specified for a particular occupation to assess whether a person's skills meet the standards required for migration purposes. The correct authority depends on the nominated occupation and visa context.

Assurance of Support (AoS)

A legal commitment by an assurer to provide financial support to certain visa applicants after arrival so they do not rely on specified social security payments during the assurance period.

Asylum Seeker

A person who seeks international protection but whose claim to refugee status or other protection has not yet been finally determined. In Australia, the available legal pathway depends on the person's location, visa status and the protection criteria that apply.

Australian Citizenship by Conferral

The common pathway through which an eligible permanent resident applies to become an Australian citizen after meeting residence and other statutory requirements.

Australian Citizenship by Descent

A citizenship pathway for certain people born outside Australia who have an Australian citizen parent and satisfy the relevant requirements.

Australian Federal Police (AFP) Check

A national police check commonly requested for character assessment in visa and citizenship matters where Australian criminal history evidence is required.

Australian Market Salary Rate (AMSR)

A benchmark used in employer-sponsored migration to help demonstrate that an overseas worker will receive terms and conditions no less favourable than those for an equivalent Australian worker, where the relevant rules require it.

Australian Permanent Resident

A non-citizen who holds an Australian permanent visa and can generally remain in Australia indefinitely. Permanent residence is different from citizenship, and the ability to travel to and return to Australia depends on the person's travel facility or another suitable visa.

Australian Study Requirement

A defined migration requirement used in specified skilled and graduate visa settings. Eligible Australian study must satisfy the prescribed study, course, registration and completion requirements that apply to the particular visa or points claim.

AVBC — Australasian Veterinary Boards Council

The migration skills assessing authority for Veterinarian.

Examples: Veterinarian.

Example occupations are illustrative. Always confirm the authority against the current Home Affairs occupation list for the visa and occupation code being used.

Balance of Family Test

A statutory test used for certain parent visa subclasses. It considers where a parent's children are usually resident and whether the required proportion of children are eligible children in Australia.

Beneficiary

A person who is entitled to receive a benefit, right or advantage under a law, arrangement or legal instrument. The term can appear in legal or administrative material but is not itself an Australian visa category.

Biometrics

Personal identifiers such as a facial image and fingerprints that may be requested as part of identity, security and visa processing.

Bridging Visa

A temporary visa that can allow a person to remain lawfully in Australia while another immigration matter is being resolved. Different bridging visa subclasses have different work and travel conditions.

Bridging Visa A (BVA)

A bridging visa commonly granted to an eligible person who makes a valid substantive visa application while holding a substantive visa in Australia. A BVA normally does not provide a right to leave and return to Australia.

Bridging Visa B (BVB)

A bridging visa that can provide a specified travel facility, allowing an eligible holder to leave and return to Australia during the approved travel period.

Bridging Visa C (BVC)

A bridging visa that may be available in certain circumstances to a person in Australia who did not hold a substantive visa when making a valid substantive visa application.

Bridging Visa E (BVE)

A bridging visa used in several circumstances, including for some people resolving immigration status, making arrangements to depart, or pursuing specified immigration processes.

CAANZ — Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand

One of the professional accounting bodies authorised to conduct migration skills assessments for specified accounting occupations.

Examples: Accountant (General), Management Accountant, Taxation Accountant, External Auditor.

Example occupations are illustrative. Always confirm the authority against the current Home Affairs occupation list for the visa and occupation code being used.

Cancellation

A decision that ends a visa that was previously in effect. Cancellation powers and procedures depend on the legal ground relied upon and can carry significant consequences for future visa options.

CASA — Civil Aviation Safety Authority

The assessing authority for specified aviation occupations in the skilled occupation framework.

Examples: Aeroplane Pilot and other prescribed aviation occupations.

Example occupations are illustrative. Always confirm the authority against the current Home Affairs occupation list for the visa and occupation code being used.

Caveat

A restriction attached to the use of an occupation in a particular skilled visa program. A caveat can exclude certain positions, business types, work settings or circumstances even when the occupation appears on an eligible list.

CCEA — Council on Chiropractic Education Australasia

The skills assessing authority for Chiropractor for relevant skilled migration purposes.

Examples: Chiropractor.

Example occupations are illustrative. Always confirm the authority against the current Home Affairs occupation list for the visa and occupation code being used.

Certified Copy

A copy of an original document that has been certified as a true copy by an authorised person. Whether certification is required depends on the application method and document requirements.

Character Requirement

The legal requirement that visa applicants satisfy applicable character provisions. Depending on the visa and circumstances, police certificates, military records, court documents or other evidence may be required.

Character Test

A statutory test, particularly associated with section 501 of the Migration Act 1958, used in certain visa refusal and cancellation decisions involving criminality, associations, conduct or risk.

Child

A relationship concept used throughout migration law. Whether a person is treated as a child, dependent child or member of the family unit depends on the definitions and criteria that apply to the particular visa.

Citizenship Test

A test taken by many applicants for Australian citizenship by conferral to demonstrate knowledge of Australia, its values, democratic beliefs, rights and responsibilities.

Civil Engineer

A professional engineering occupation used in skilled migration programs. Engineers Australia is the relevant migration skills assessing authority under the current framework.

Examples: Assessing authority: Engineers Australia.

CMBA — Chinese Medicine Board of Australia

The assessing authority specified for relevant Chinese medicine occupations in migration settings.

Examples: Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner.

Example occupations are illustrative. Always confirm the authority against the current Home Affairs occupation list for the visa and occupation code being used.

CoE — Confirmation of Enrolment

An electronic confirmation issued by an Australian education provider for an enrolled international student. A valid CoE is commonly required for a Student visa application.

Community Work Australia

A skills assessing body used for specified community services occupations and in particular labour agreement settings.

Examples: Aged or Disabled Carer under the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement and specified community work occupations.

Example occupations are illustrative. Always confirm the authority against the current Home Affairs occupation list for the visa and occupation code being used.

Compelling and Compassionate Circumstances

A phrase used in various migration contexts to describe serious or persuasive circumstances that may be relevant to the exercise of a discretion or exception. Its legal significance depends on the specific provision.

Competent English

A defined level of English used in several skilled migration contexts. The required evidence can be established through prescribed test scores or other specified evidence.

Consular Registration

The recording of a citizen's personal or family details with an embassy or consulate. It is a consular process rather than an Australian visa requirement, but consular records can sometimes be relevant to identity or civil-status evidence.

Convention Travel Document

A travel document that may be issued to a recognised refugee under the Refugee Convention framework. It is not the same as a national passport and does not by itself create a right to enter Australia or another country.

Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT)

An income threshold relevant to the Core Skills stream of the Skills in Demand visa. Threshold amounts can change and should be checked against current government settings.

Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)

The occupation list used for the Core Skills stream of the Skills in Demand visa and for specified Employer Nomination Scheme settings. It is based on the occupation framework prescribed for those programs.

CPAA — CPA Australia

One of the professional accounting bodies authorised to provide migration skills assessments for specified accounting occupations.

Examples: Accountant (General), Management Accountant, Taxation Accountant, External Auditor.

Example occupations are illustrative. Always confirm the authority against the current Home Affairs occupation list for the visa and occupation code being used.

CRICOS

The Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students. Student visa holders generally study with registered providers and courses that meet CRICOS requirements.

DAA — Dietitians Australia

The professional assessing authority specified for Dietitian in the skilled migration occupation framework.

Examples: Dietitian.

Example occupations are illustrative. Always confirm the authority against the current Home Affairs occupation list for the visa and occupation code being used.

DAMA — Designated Area Migration Agreement

A formal agreement between the Australian Government and a designated area representative that can provide access to specified occupations and concessions for employers in a region, subject to the terms of that DAMA.

Date of Completion

The date on which a course or qualification is treated as completed. It can be different from the graduation ceremony date and can be important for graduate visa timing, Australian study claims, skills assessments and other migration processes.

Date of Effect

In SkillSelect, the date and time at which an Expression of Interest achieved its current points score for a visa subclass. It can be relevant as a tie-break between EOIs with equal points.

De facto Partner

A person in a de facto relationship that meets the migration-law requirements applicable to the visa being considered, including relationship and, where relevant, duration criteria or exceptions.

Delegate of the Minister

An authorised decision-maker who exercises a statutory power delegated by the Minister. Many visa, sponsorship, nomination and cancellation decisions are made by departmental delegates rather than by the Minister personally.

Dependent Child

A child who meets the migration-law definition of dependent child for the relevant visa context. Age, dependency, disability and relationship requirements can affect whether the definition is met.

Designated Regional Area

An area classified as regional for particular migration programs. The geographic definition can differ between programs and should be checked against the current legislative or departmental settings.

Developer Programmer

An ICT occupation used in skilled migration. ACS is the relevant skills assessing authority under the current occupation framework.

Examples: Assessing authority: ACS.

Direct Entry Stream

A visa stream that allows an eligible applicant to apply directly under the requirements of that stream rather than transitioning from a specified temporary visa pathway. The Employer Nomination Scheme subclass 186 includes a Direct Entry stream.

Document Translation

The translation of a non-English document into English for an Australian immigration or citizenship process. Translator details and accreditation requirements depend on where and how the translation is completed.

Employer Nomination

A nomination lodged by an eligible employer for a position and worker under an employer-sponsored visa program. Nomination requirements are separate from the visa applicant's own eligibility requirements.

Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS)

The permanent employer-sponsored visa program under subclass 186. Different streams have different requirements relating to nomination, occupation, skills, employment history and other criteria.

Employment

Work performed for an employer or in another recognised working arrangement. For migration purposes, the significance of employment can depend on whether it was paid, skilled, closely related to an occupation, undertaken for sufficient hours and supported by acceptable evidence.

Engineers Australia (EA)

The migration skills assessing authority for a broad range of professional engineering and engineering technologist occupations.

Examples: Civil Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Engineering Manager, Engineering Technologist.

Example occupations are illustrative. Always confirm the authority against the current Home Affairs occupation list for the visa and occupation code being used.

English Test

An approved English language test used to demonstrate the required level of English for a visa, skills assessment, registration or other purpose. Accepted tests and score rules vary by program and can change.

Enrolment

Formal registration in a course of study. For international students, enrolment in a CRICOS-registered course is commonly evidenced by a Confirmation of Enrolment and can be relevant to Student visa requirements.

EOI — Expression of Interest

An online profile submitted through SkillSelect to indicate interest in certain skilled visas. An EOI is not a visa application and does not itself guarantee an invitation.

Family Migration

Australian migration pathways based primarily on an eligible family relationship. They include partner, parent, child and certain other family visa categories, each with its own sponsorship and eligibility requirements.

Family Sponsored 491

The family-sponsored pathway within the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa subclass 491. It requires an eligible family sponsor in a designated regional area and an invitation through SkillSelect.

Fiancé(e) Relationship

A relationship in which two people intend to marry. It is particularly relevant to the Prospective Marriage visa framework, which has specific requirements concerning the relationship, intention to marry and eligibility of the sponsor and applicant.

Form 80

A detailed personal particulars form that may be requested in immigration processing. It commonly asks for identity, address, travel, education, employment and family history.

Genuine Position

A requirement in some employer-sponsored contexts that the nominated position be genuine and consistent with the sponsoring business's operations and workforce needs.

Genuine Student (GS)

The requirement that a Student visa applicant demonstrate that studying in Australia is the primary reason for the visa, assessed against prescribed considerations and the applicant's circumstances.

Good Character

A citizenship concept requiring decision-makers to consider whether an applicant meets the statutory good character requirement where it applies. Criminal history and broader conduct can be relevant.

HAP ID

A unique identifier used in the Department's health processing system to link a visa applicant to required immigration health examinations.

Health Examination

A medical assessment required for some visa applicants depending on factors such as visa type, intended activities, country history and health risk profile.

Health Requirement

The migration health criteria that apply to many visa applicants. The assessment can consider public health risks, access to services and estimated costs, depending on the applicable criterion.

Health Undertaking

An undertaking that may require a visa applicant to contact a health authority or attend follow-up medical assessment after arrival in Australia.

Health Waiver

A mechanism available in certain visa subclasses that can allow the health requirement to be waived where the relevant legal criteria are met. Not every visa has a health waiver.

Humanitarian Program

Australia's migration program for refugees and other people in humanitarian need. It includes offshore humanitarian pathways and onshore protection processes governed by different criteria.

IML — Institute of Managers and Leaders

The assessing authority used for specified senior management occupations where prescribed in the skilled occupation framework.

Examples: Chief Executive or Managing Director and selected management occupations, depending on the current list.

Example occupations are illustrative. Always confirm the authority against the current Home Affairs occupation list for the visa and occupation code being used.

ImmiAccount

The Department of Home Affairs online system used to lodge and manage many visa, citizenship, sponsorship and related applications, upload documents and receive correspondence.

Invitation Round

A SkillSelect process in which invitations may be issued to eligible EOIs for specified skilled visa subclasses. The number of invitations, occupations and points outcomes can vary between rounds.

Invitation to Apply

An invitation allowing an eligible person to lodge a visa application within the specified invitation period. An invitation is not a visa grant.

IPA — Institute of Public Accountants

One of the professional accounting bodies authorised to conduct migration skills assessments for specified accounting occupations.

Examples: Accountant (General), Management Accountant, Taxation Accountant.

Example occupations are illustrative. Always confirm the authority against the current Home Affairs occupation list for the visa and occupation code being used.

ISNSW — Institution of Surveyors New South Wales

The assessing authority specified for Surveyor in the current skilled occupation framework.

Examples: Surveyor.

Example occupations are illustrative. Always confirm the authority against the current Home Affairs occupation list for the visa and occupation code being used.

Judicial Review

Court review of the legality of an administrative decision. Judicial review generally concerns legal error rather than a fresh merits assessment of whether the preferred decision should have been made.

Jurisdictional Error

A legal error that can make an administrative decision invalid because the decision-maker acted outside the authority conferred by law or failed to comply with a condition essential to the exercise of power.

Knowledge of Australia

A citizenship concept concerning an applicant's knowledge of Australia, Australian citizenship and related responsibilities and values. For many citizenship-by-conferral applicants, this knowledge is assessed through the Australian citizenship test.

Labour Agreement

An agreement between the Australian Government and an employer or industry arrangement that can provide access to specified occupations, concessions or visa settings outside standard program rules, subject to the agreement.

Labour Market Testing (LMT)

Evidence that an employer has tested the Australian labour market before nominating an overseas worker where the relevant visa or nomination rules require it.

Long-term Relationship

A defined relationship concept used in specified partner visa contexts. Where the legal definition is met, the duration and circumstances of the relationship can affect how some stages of partner visa processing are considered.

MARN

Migration Agent Registration Number. Registered migration agents in Australia are allocated a MARN by the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority.

MedBA — Medical Board of Australia

The assessing authority specified for medical practitioner occupations in relevant skilled migration settings.

Examples: General Practitioner, Anaesthetist, Cardiologist, Surgeon and other medical practitioner specialities.

Example occupations are illustrative. Always confirm the authority against the current Home Affairs occupation list for the visa and occupation code being used.

Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)

A skilled occupation list used in specified visa programs under the ANZSCO framework prescribed for those programs.

Member of the Family Unit

A migration-law concept identifying which family members can be included or treated as members of a family unit for particular visa purposes. The definition depends on the applicable regulations.

Merits Review

A review process in which an authorised review body can reconsider the facts, law and discretion relevant to a reviewable decision and determine the correct or preferable outcome within its jurisdiction.

Migration Act 1958

The principal Commonwealth legislation governing visas, immigration status, detention, removal, review and many other aspects of Australian migration law.

Migration Regulations 1994

The regulations made under the Migration Act that contain detailed visa criteria, definitions, schedules, conditions and procedural rules.

Migration Stream

A distinct pathway or subdivision within a migration program that has its own eligibility rules or policy purpose. Examples can include family, skilled, employer-sponsored, humanitarian or visa-specific streams.

Ministerial Intervention

A limited statutory mechanism under which the Minister may personally consider certain cases after relevant review processes. The powers are non-compellable and are not an ordinary merits review pathway.

NAATI Translation

A translation completed by a practitioner credentialed by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters. NAATI credentials are commonly relevant to translations completed in Australia.

NAATI — National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters

The national standards and credentialing body for translators and interpreters. It is also the relevant assessing authority for specified translator and interpreter occupations where migration skills assessment is required.

Examples: Translator, Interpreter.

Example occupations are illustrative. Always confirm the authority against the current Home Affairs occupation list for the visa and occupation code being used.

Natural Justice

A broad administrative-law concept associated with fairness in decision-making, including an opportunity to respond to adverse material where the law requires it. In migration law it often overlaps with procedural fairness.

NOICC — Notice of Intention to Consider Cancellation

A notice advising a visa holder that cancellation of their visa is being considered and giving them an opportunity to respond before a decision is made, where the statutory process requires such notice.

Nominated Occupation

The occupation selected for a skilled migration or employer-sponsored process. It must align with the relevant occupational classification, visa list and skills or employment requirements.

Nomination

A formal nomination by an employer, state or territory government, or other authorised nominator under a visa program. Nomination does not by itself guarantee a visa grant.

Non-discrimination

A principle of international protection law requiring relevant rights and protections to be applied without prohibited discrimination. Its meaning depends on the particular treaty, statute or legal context being considered.

Non-refoulement

An international protection principle restricting the return of a person to a place where they would face specified serious harm. Australia's protection framework gives legal effect to relevant non-refoulement obligations, but the principle does not by itself guarantee the grant of a visa.

OCANZ — Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand

The professional assessment body associated with migration skills assessment for Optometrist where prescribed.

Examples: Optometrist.

Example occupations are illustrative. Always confirm the authority against the current Home Affairs occupation list for the visa and occupation code being used.

Occupation Ceiling

A limit that can affect how many invitations are issued for an occupation group in certain SkillSelect invitation processes. Occupation ceiling settings do not apply identically to every skilled visa pathway.

Occupation Code

The numerical code assigned to an occupation under a prescribed occupational classification such as ANZSCO. The correct code should reflect the occupation's tasks and the version prescribed for the visa program.

Occupation List

A list of occupations prescribed or used for a particular visa program. Different visas and streams can use different occupation lists or classification versions.

OET — Occupational English Test

An English language test designed for healthcare professionals. The Department of Home Affairs accepts OET results for Australian visa purposes in relevant circumstances, subject to the English level, score, test-date and evidence rules that apply to the visa.

Offshore Applicant

An applicant who is outside Australia at the relevant time. Whether a person must be offshore or onshore depends on the visa subclass and procedural requirements.

Offshore Humanitarian Visa

A humanitarian visa pathway generally intended for eligible people outside Australia who meet refugee or humanitarian criteria under the relevant subclass.

Onshore Applicant

An applicant who is in Australia at the relevant time. Onshore applicants may be affected by current visa status, schedule criteria and limitations on making further applications.

OSCA

Occupation Standard Classification for Australia, the newer ABS occupational classification framework. Migration programs may continue to prescribe particular ANZSCO versions, so the classification required for a visa must be checked separately.

OSHC — Overseas Student Health Cover

Health insurance that most Student visa holders are required to maintain for the relevant period, subject to applicable exemptions and visa requirements.

OTC — Occupational Therapy Council of Australia

The migration skills assessing authority for Occupational Therapist.

Examples: Occupational Therapist.

Example occupations are illustrative. Always confirm the authority against the current Home Affairs occupation list for the visa and occupation code being used.

Partner Visa

A family visa pathway for the spouse or de facto partner of an eligible Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, subject to relationship, sponsorship and other criteria.

Permanent Visa

A visa that allows the holder to remain in Australia indefinitely while the visa remains in effect. A permanent visa does not automatically make the holder an Australian citizen, and overseas travel can depend on the visa's travel facility.

PIC 4005

A health-related Public Interest Criterion that applies to specified visa subclasses and does not provide the same waiver mechanism available under PIC 4007.

PIC 4007

A health-related Public Interest Criterion used in specified visa subclasses that includes a discretionary waiver framework where the legal requirements are met.

PIC 4020

An integrity-related Public Interest Criterion dealing with bogus documents and false or misleading information in specified circumstances. Its application can have serious consequences and time-based effects.

PIC — Public Interest Criterion

A criterion in Schedule 4 of the Migration Regulations that may apply to a visa subclass. Different PIC numbers address different issues such as health, character-related information or integrity requirements.

Points Test

The points-based framework used for specified skilled visas. Points can be awarded for factors such as age, English, qualifications, skilled employment, partner skills and nomination, subject to current law.

Police Clearance

A police certificate or criminal history document from a country or jurisdiction, commonly used to assess character requirements. The required countries and validity expectations depend on the application.

Positive Skills Assessment

A skills assessment outcome stating that the applicant's skills are suitable for the nominated occupation under the assessing authority's criteria. Visa validity and recency requirements must still be checked.

Primary Applicant

The main applicant in a visa application. Other eligible family members may be included as secondary applicants where the visa rules allow.

Procedural Fairness

The legal requirement for fair administrative procedure where it applies, including a meaningful opportunity to respond to adverse information in circumstances prescribed by law.

Proficient English

A defined English level that can attract additional points in specified skilled migration contexts when demonstrated through prescribed evidence.

Prospective Marriage Visa

A temporary family visa pathway for an eligible person who intends to marry their Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen fiancé(e) within the required period.

Protection Visa

An onshore visa pathway for a person in Australia who engages Australia's protection obligations and meets the other statutory criteria for the relevant protection visa.

Qualification

An educational or vocational credential such as a degree, diploma, certificate or trade qualification. A qualification can be relevant to skills assessment, points, professional registration or visa criteria, but recognition rules differ between authorities and programs.

Refugee

A person who meets the applicable refugee definition under Australian law and international obligations. Refugee status is a legal concept and is distinct from simply being displaced or seeking migration opportunities.

Regional Occupation List (ROL)

An occupation list used for specified regional skilled migration pathways under the prescribed occupational classification framework.

Registered Migration Agent (RMA)

A person registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority to provide immigration assistance in Australia, subject to the Migration Act and the professional Code of Conduct.

Registered Nurse

A broad family of nursing occupations used in skilled migration. ANMAC is the migration skills assessing authority for specified registered nurse occupations.

Examples: Examples include Registered Nurse (Aged Care), Registered Nurse (Mental Health) and Registered Nurse (Perioperative).

Residence Requirement

The statutory residence rules an applicant must satisfy for a particular visa or citizenship pathway. Citizenship residence rules differ from visa residence requirements.

Return Resident / Resident Return Visa (RRV)

A visa that can provide a permanent resident or certain former permanent residents with a travel facility to return to Australia as a permanent resident, subject to the relevant criteria.

ROI — Registration of Interest

A preliminary registration used by some state or territory skilled nomination programs before or alongside an Expression of Interest. ROI systems and terminology are state-specific and can change.

SAF Levy

The Skilling Australians Fund levy payable by sponsors in specified employer-sponsored nomination processes. The amount and refund rules depend on the program and circumstances.

Schedule 3

A part of the Migration Regulations containing additional criteria that can apply to certain onshore visa applicants who do not hold a substantive visa. The criteria are technical and visa-specific.

Schedule 4

A schedule to the Migration Regulations containing Public Interest Criteria and related criteria that are imported into different visa subclasses.

Secondary Applicant

An eligible family member included in or added to a visa application as someone other than the primary applicant, where the relevant visa permits family members to be included.

Section 48 Bar

A statutory limitation that can restrict certain people in Australia from making another substantive visa application after a visa refusal or cancellation, unless an exception or prescribed visa category applies.

Section 501

A provision of the Migration Act that contains character-based visa refusal and cancellation powers. Decisions under section 501 can involve criminal history, conduct, associations and risk considerations.

Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL)

A skilled occupation list used by specified visa pathways under the applicable ANZSCO framework.

Skill Level

The level assigned to an occupation in the relevant occupational classification, generally reflecting the typical level of qualification, experience or training associated with the occupation.

Skilled Employment

Employment that meets the applicable requirements for a nominated occupation, points claim, skills assessment or visa criterion. Different authorities and visa provisions can apply different rules to what counts as skilled employment.

Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)

A points-tested permanent skilled visa that does not require state nomination or employer sponsorship. Applicants must be invited through SkillSelect and meet all applicable criteria.

Skilled Migration

Migration pathways that place significant weight on an applicant's occupation, skills, qualifications, work experience, English ability, points, nomination or employer sponsorship. Different skilled visas use different eligibility frameworks.

Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)

A points-tested permanent skilled visa requiring nomination by an Australian state or territory government and an invitation to apply.

Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491)

A provisional points-tested skilled visa with state/territory nominated and eligible family-sponsored pathways. It is subject to regional residence and other visa conditions.

Skills Assessing Authorities

Organisations designated to assess whether a person's qualifications, skills and, where relevant, employment meet the standards for a nominated occupation for migration purposes. The correct assessing authority depends on the occupation and visa context.

Examples: AACA for Architect, ACS for many ICT occupations, ANMAC for nursing, Engineers Australia for engineering occupations, TRA for many trades, and VETASSESS for a broad range of professional and technical occupations.

Skills Assessment

An assessment by the relevant skills assessing authority of whether an applicant's qualifications, experience and/or professional standing meet the authority's requirements for a nominated occupation.

Skills in Demand Visa (SID)

The temporary employer-sponsored visa under subclass 482. It contains streams including Core Skills and Specialist Skills, with requirements concerning sponsorship, nomination, occupation, experience, English and other criteria.

SkillSelect

The Department of Home Affairs online system used for Expressions of Interest and invitations for specified skilled visas, including subclass 189 and some subclass 491 pathways.

Social Worker

A skilled occupation assessed for migration purposes by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).

Examples: Assessing authority: AASW.

SPA — Speech Pathology Australia

The migration skills assessing authority for Speech Pathologist.

Examples: Speech Pathologist / Speech Language Therapist.

Example occupations are illustrative. Always confirm the authority against the current Home Affairs occupation list for the visa and occupation code being used.

Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT)

An income threshold relevant to the Specialist Skills stream of the Skills in Demand visa. Current amounts and occupational exclusions should be checked against government settings.

Sponsor

A person or organisation that undertakes sponsorship responsibilities for an eligible visa applicant under a migration program. Sponsorship requirements differ across family and employer-sponsored visas.

Sponsor Obligations

Legal obligations imposed on approved business sponsors, including record-keeping, cooperation, notification and employment-related obligations prescribed by migration law.

Spouse

A person who is legally married to another person and whose relationship meets the migration-law requirements applicable to the relevant visa.

State Nomination

Nomination by an Australian state or territory government for an eligible skilled visa applicant. Each jurisdiction sets its own nomination criteria and priorities in addition to federal visa requirements.

Statutory Declaration

A written statement declared to be true before an authorised witness under applicable statutory declaration law. It can be used as supporting evidence but does not automatically prove the facts stated.

Substantive Visa

A visa other than a bridging visa, criminal justice visa or enforcement visa. Whether a person holds a substantive visa can affect onshore application rights and bridging visa outcomes.

Superior English

A defined English level that can attract the highest English-language points available under specified points-tested skilled migration settings when established by prescribed evidence.

Temporary Entry

A general expression for entering or remaining in Australia on a temporary basis. It can cover many temporary visa categories and should not be confused with the name of a single current visa subclass.

Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)

A temporary visa for eligible recent Australian graduates. The streams and requirements differ depending on qualifications and the applicable graduate visa framework.

Temporary Residence Transition (TRT)

A pathway within certain employer-sponsored permanent visa settings for eligible workers transitioning from specified temporary sponsored employment, subject to current stream requirements.

Tie-break / Tie-break Date

A SkillSelect ranking mechanism used when EOIs have equal points. The EOI with the earlier relevant date of effect may rank ahead of an EOI with the same points and a later date.

TRA — Trades Recognition Australia

The skills assessing authority for many trade occupations. Assessment pathways differ by occupation, qualification, country and visa purpose.

Examples: Electrician (General), Welder (First Class), Carpenter, Plumber, Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic.

Example occupations are illustrative. Always confirm the authority against the current Home Affairs occupation list for the visa and occupation code being used.

Transit

Passing through Australia or another country while travelling to a further destination. Whether a person needs a visa for transit depends on nationality, itinerary, airport arrangements and the immigration rules that apply.

Transit Visa

A visa intended for eligible travellers who need to pass through Australia for a limited transit purpose. Eligibility, permitted activities and maximum stay are governed by the requirements of the relevant transit visa subclass.

Travel Documents

Documents used to establish identity and entitlement to international travel, such as passports and certain refugee or convention travel documents. A travel document is separate from an Australian visa, although both may be required for travel.

TRN — Transaction Reference Number

A reference number generated for many Department of Home Affairs online applications and transactions. It can be used to identify or link an application.

Ultra Vires

A legal expression meaning beyond the power or authority granted by law. In administrative law, an action or decision can be described as ultra vires where the decision-maker acts outside the legal limits of the power conferred.

Unlawful Non-citizen

A non-citizen in Australia who does not hold a visa that is in effect. Unlawful status can have serious consequences and should be addressed promptly.

VETASSESS

A major skills assessing authority covering a large range of professional, managerial, technical and trade-related occupations not assigned to another specialist authority.

Examples: Agricultural Consultant, Management Consultant, Marketing Specialist, Valuer, Acupuncturist and many other occupations depending on the current list.

Example occupations are illustrative. Always confirm the authority against the current Home Affairs occupation list for the visa and occupation code being used.

VEVO

Visa Entitlement Verification Online, the Department's service for checking current visa details and conditions where access is available.

Visa Condition

A legally enforceable condition attached to a visa. Conditions can regulate matters such as work, study, residence, travel, health insurance or maintaining specified circumstances.

Visa Grant

A decision to approve a visa application. The visa grant notification records the visa subclass, period of stay, travel facility and applicable conditions.

Visa Refusal

A decision not to grant a visa application. Review rights, if any, depend on the visa, applicant location, sponsor or nominator status, and the legal basis of refusal.

Visitor

A person who comes to Australia temporarily for an eligible visitor purpose, such as tourism, visiting family or undertaking permitted business visitor activities. The activities allowed depend on the visa held and its conditions.

Welder (First Class)

A trade occupation used in skilled migration pathways. Trades Recognition Australia is the migration skills assessing authority under the current occupation framework.

Examples: Assessing authority: TRA.

Withdrawal

The formal withdrawal of a visa or other application before it is finally decided, where withdrawal is legally available. A withdrawal can affect fees, status and future options.

Work Rights

The permission or restrictions applying to work under a visa or bridging visa. Work conditions must be checked against the individual's current visa status rather than assumed from the visa name alone.

X-ray Examination / Chest X-ray

A radiological health examination that may be required as part of Australian visa processing. Home Affairs identifies the chest X-ray as examination 502 in relevant health examination settings, including tuberculosis screening requirements for some applicants.

Years of Skilled Employment

The period of skilled work experience that can be relevant to points-tested skilled migration and other visa or skills-assessment requirements. Applicants claiming skilled-employment points must provide evidence for the employment periods claimed.

Zone — Migration Zone

For glossary navigation under Z, this entry refers to the statutory expression 'migration zone'. The Migration Act defines the migration zone by reference to Australian States, Territories and specified installations and areas for the purposes of the Act.