Australian migration glossary, 2026

AAT · Administrative Appeals Tribunal

Australia’s merits-review body for visa refusals and cancellations until October 2024, replaced by the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART). The Migration and Refugee Division handles visa appeals.

ART · Administrative Review Tribunal

The body replacing the AAT from 14 October 2024 under the Administrative Review Tribunal Act 2024. Same review function, new structure. References to AAT in older content typically apply to the equivalent ART process today.

ABR · Australian Business Register

Public register of ABNs (Australian Business Numbers) at abr.business.gov.au. Used to verify employer existence and structure when assessing sponsorship applications.

AHC · Australian High Commission

Australian diplomatic mission in a Commonwealth country (e.g. AHC New Delhi, AHC Singapore). Some visa correspondence routes through AHCs although visa lodgement is via ImmiAccount only.

AHPRA · Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency

The national regulator for 15 health professions. AHPRA registration is the de facto skills assessment for migration purposes for most regulated health practitioners.

AMC · Australian Medical Council

The body that conducts the AMC Part 1 (MCQ) and Part 2 (clinical) exams for the Medical Board of Australia Standard Pathway.

ANZSCO · Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations

The 6-digit occupation classification system used across migration, statistics and labour market work. Each occupation has a 6-digit code (e.g. Software Engineer is 261313).

ASCO · Australian Standard Classification of Occupations

The pre-2006 occupation classification system, replaced by ANZSCO. Some older qualifications and skills assessments still reference ASCO codes.

AUSTRAC

Australia’s financial intelligence agency. Some high-value visa applications (e.g. 188, 858) are referred to AUSTRAC for source-of-funds verification.

AVAC · Australian Visa Application Centre

Outsourced lodgement and biometrics service in many overseas locations (VFS Global, TT Services). AVACs handle physical document submission and biometrics but do not make decisions.

BVA · Bridging Visa A

Auto-granted on lodgement of a further substantive visa while holding a substantive visa. Maintains lawful status and the work rights of the previous substantive visa.

BVB · Bridging Visa B

Allows travel out of and back to Australia while on a BVA. Must be applied for separately and granted before departure.

BVC · Bridging Visa C

Granted when an unlawful non-citizen lodges an onshore substantive visa. Generally no work rights without separate application showing financial hardship.

BVD · Bridging Visa D

Short-term bridging visa for situations where a substantive visa application cannot immediately be processed. Rare in practice.

BVE · Bridging Visa E

Granted to unlawful non-citizens to allow lawful presence while arranging departure or reviewing options. Work rights heavily restricted.

CDR · Competency Demonstration Report

Engineers Australia pathway for engineering skills assessment when the qualification is not from a Washington Accord signatory country. Includes 3 career episodes, summary statement and CPD record.

Character requirements

Section 501 of the Migration Act sets out character requirements for visa grants. Common triggers: criminal record (especially 12+ months’ imprisonment), associations with criminal organisations, prior visa cancellations. Public Interest Criteria 4001 is the standard character criterion for most visa subclasses.

CoE · Confirmation of Enrolment

Document issued by a CRICOS-registered Australian education provider confirming enrolment in a course. Required for subclass 500 student visa applications.

Competent English

IELTS 6 each band (or equivalent in PTE 50 each, TOEFL iBT 12L/18R/21W/18S, OET B, Cambridge 169). The threshold for most points-tested skilled migration and many employer-sponsored visa English requirements.

CRICOS · Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students

The register of Australian education providers and courses that can enrol international students. Only CRICOS-registered providers can issue CoEs.

CSIT · Core Skills Income Threshold

The salary threshold for the 482 Core Skills stream. $76,515 from 1 July 2025. Indexed annually.

CSOL · Core Skills Occupation List

The new occupation list introduced 7 December 2024 for the 482 Skills in Demand Core Skills stream. Replaces the old MLTSSL / STSOL / ROL distinction for 482 purposes.

DAMA · Designated Area Migration Agreement

Labour agreement between the Commonwealth and a regional body (state, RDA, council) that allows local employers to sponsor workers with concessions on TSMIT, English, age and skills.

DE · Direct Entry

A stream of subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) for applicants who do not have 2 years of 482 history with the sponsor. Requires 3 years of relevant work experience, positive skills assessment and Competent English.

DFAT · Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Operates Australian embassies and high commissions. Issues passports and provides consular services but does not handle visa applications (Home Affairs does).

DOHA · Department of Home Affairs

The federal department responsible for visa decision-making. Reports to the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs.

ELICOS · English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students

CRICOS-registered intensive English courses offered to international students on subclass 500 student visas.

ENS · Employer Nomination Scheme

Subclass 186 – Australia’s permanent employer-sponsored visa. See 186.

EOI · Expression of Interest

The SkillSelect form lodged for points-tested skilled visas (189, 190, 491). Not an application; the EOI ranks applicants by points score and the Department issues invitations from the top of the queue.

eVisitor

Subclass 651 – free visitor visa for citizens of EU member states and selected other European passports. Multi-entry, 12 months’ validity, 3 months per visit.

ETA · Electronic Travel Authority

Subclass 601 – A$20 visitor visa for citizens of US, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan, Brunei. Multi-entry, 12 months’ validity, 3 months per visit.

Functional English

A lower English standard (IELTS 4.5 average) used as a threshold for second-instalment VAC waiver on some PR visas. Applicants who do not meet Functional English pay a higher VAC2.

GS · Genuine Student

The replacement for GTE from 23 March 2024. A more structured assessment of student visa applicants’ genuine intent to study, with specific questions about previous study, employment and future plans.

GSM · General Skilled Migration

Collective term for the three points-tested skilled visa subclasses (189, 190, 491). Used in older content and industry shorthand.

GTE · Genuine Temporary Entrant

The pre-March 2024 student visa intent test, replaced by GS. References to GTE in older content apply to the equivalent GS test today.

GTI · Global Talent Independent

The 2019–2024 branding of the 858 talent visa program. The 858 remains open under the National Innovation visa branding from December 2024.

HAP · Health Assessment Portal

The Department’s system for processing medical examination results. HAP IDs are generated when a medical is booked through Bupa Medical Visa Services (the contracted provider).

Health Examination 707

The standard medical examination for visa applicants. Chest X-ray for tuberculosis screening, plus general health check. Required for most permanent visas and longer temporary visas.

IELTS · International English Language Testing System

The most common English test accepted for visa purposes. Academic and General Training modules both accepted. Test result valid for 3 years from test date.

ImmiAccount

The Department of Home Affairs online portal at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. The only valid lodgement channel for substantive visa applications and the primary communication channel during processing.

JR · Judicial Review

Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia review of AAT / ART decisions on points of law only (not merits). 35-day filing window from AAT / ART decision date.

LMT · Labour Market Testing

Evidence that the sponsoring employer attempted to recruit locally before turning to overseas sponsorship. Required for most 482 nominations. Acceptable evidence: 4 weeks of job advertising on Workforce Australia plus one other source.

LIN · Legislative Instrument

Statutory instrument made under the Migration Regulations to set out specific requirements (e.g. LIN 19/048 sets out skills assessment authorities). Read alongside the Migration Act and Regulations for the full picture.

MARA · Migration Agents Registration Authority

The pre-2021 statutory body that registered migration agents. Functions absorbed into the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) which sits within the Department.

MARN · Migration Agent Registration Number

The 7-digit registration number every MARA-registered migration agent must display. Verifiable on the public MARA register at mara.gov.au.

MBA · Medical Board of Australia

The AHPRA-coordinated board that registers medical practitioners. Sets the Standard Pathway, Specialist Pathway and Competent Authority Pathway for international medical graduates.

MLTSSL · Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List

The pre-December 2024 federal occupation list used for 189, some 190 and the old 482 Medium-Term stream. Still used for 189; superseded by CSOL for 482.

NMBA · Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia

The AHPRA-coordinated board that registers nurses and midwives. International nurses use the Outcomes-Based Assessment (OBA) pathway: portfolio, MCQ exam and OSCE.

NOID · Notification of Intent to Decide

A Section 57 notice the Department issues before a likely refusal, inviting comment on a specific concern (e.g. genuineness of relationship, character finding). Has a 28-day response window in most cases.

NOM · Net Overseas Migration

ABS-published measure of migration: long-term arrivals minus long-term departures. 2022–23 NOM was 528,000; 2024–25 has been targeted at around 250,000.

OACQ · Office of the Assessing Authority for Charity Status

Niche term – formerly relevant for religious worker labour agreements. Mentioned here for completeness; rarely encountered in mainstream migration practice.

OBA · Outcomes-Based Assessment

NMBA pathway for internationally qualified nurses: portfolio + Multiple Choice Question exam + Objective Structured Clinical Examination. Replaced the older Bridging Program pathway.

OMARA · Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority

The current body (within Department of Home Affairs) that regulates migration agents. Maintains the MARA Register, the Code of Conduct, and disciplinary functions.

OSHC · Overseas Student Health Cover

Mandatory private health insurance for subclass 500 student visa holders, sold by Bupa, Allianz, Medibank, NIB and AHM (the five approved insurers).

PIC · Public Interest Criteria

Numbered schedule criteria (e.g. PIC 4001 for character, PIC 4007 for health, PIC 4020 for fraud) that visa applications must satisfy. Many visa refusals are framed as failure to satisfy a specific PIC.

PIC 4020

The fraud and bogus documents criterion. Found to provide false or misleading information or bogus documents in a current or previous visa application triggers PIC 4020. Failure to satisfy 4020 typically results in a 3-year ban on most visa lodgements.

PR · Permanent Resident

A non-citizen holding a permanent visa (or who held one within the last 5 years and has a current Resident Return Visa). PR confers unrestricted work and study rights, Medicare and (after 4 years) citizenship eligibility.

Professional Year

A structured 12-month program for international graduates of Australian accounting, ICT or engineering degrees. Adds 5 points to the points test. Run by approved providers (CPA Australia, ACS, Engineers Australia).

PSF · Police Clearance Certificate

Police character certificate from every country lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years. AFP (Australian Federal Police) for Australia; varies by country for overseas (e.g. PCC India, ACRO UK, FBI US).

RCB · Regional Certifying Body

The body that endorses regional employer-sponsored nominations (subclass 494 and DAMA). Examples: RDA Goldfields, RDA Far North Queensland, Townsville Enterprise.

RDA · Regional Development Australia

Network of 52 regional bodies funded by the Commonwealth to support regional economic development. Many RDAs are also RCBs for regional migration purposes.

ROI · Registration of Interest

State-level process for some 190 and 491 streams where applicants register interest before lodging an EOI. Used by Victoria, NSW (for some streams) and Western Australia.

ROL · Regional Occupation List

The pre-December 2024 occupation list for some regional visas. Superseded by state-specific 491 lists and DAMA agreements.

RRV · Resident Return Visa

Subclass 155/157 – the visa that extends a PR holder’s travel facility (the right to enter Australia as a PR). Standard 5-year RRV after first PR; renewable based on residence.

RSMS · Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme

Subclass 187 – closed to new applications on 16 November 2019. Existing holders retain PR. Replaced by the 494 + 191 pathway.

SAF · Skilling Australians Fund

Sponsorship levy paid by 482 / 494 / 186 sponsors. $1,200/year (small business) or $1,800/year (others) for 482; $3,000 / $5,000 one-off for 186. Funds training programs for Australian apprentices.

SBS · Standard Business Sponsorship

The approval an employer needs from the Department before lodging 482 / 494 nominations. Valid 5 years and covers multiple nominations.

Schedule 4

Conditions in Schedule 4 of the Migration Regulations applying to temporary visas (e.g. 8101 no work, 8503 no further stay, 8201 limit study to 3 months). Each visa subclass mandates which Schedule 4 conditions attach.

Schedule 6D

The points table for skilled migration. Sets out the point values for age, English, employment, qualifications and bonuses.

Section 48 bar

A statutory bar on most onshore visa applications by a non-citizen whose visa has been refused since they last entered Australia. Limited exceptions: Protection visa, Partner visa, Bridging visa, Medical Treatment visa.

Section 501

The character cancellation power in the Migration Act. Mandatory cancellation if the visa-holder has a substantial criminal record (12+ months’ imprisonment) and is in custody. Discretionary cancellation in other character cases.

SID · Skills in Demand

The 7 December 2024 rebrand of subclass 482 (formerly TSS). Three streams: Specialist Skills, Core Skills, Essential Skills.

SkillSelect

The Department’s online ranking system for skilled migration EOIs. EOIs are ranked by total points; invitations are issued from the top down in fortnightly rounds.

STSOL · Short-term Skilled Occupation List

The pre-December 2024 occupation list for the old 482 Short-Term stream. Superseded by CSOL.

TBS · Temporary Business Skilled

Old shorthand for the 457 / 482 family of employer-sponsored temporary visas. Use SID for the current branding.

TPB · Tax Practitioners Board

Regulator of tax agents. Not a migration body – included here because tax agent registration is sometimes confused with MARA registration.

TRA · Trades Recognition Australia

The skills assessor for trades occupations. Runs the Job Ready Program (full skills assessment) and Migration Points Advice (lighter touch for licence-holders).

TRT · Temporary Residence Transition

A stream of subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) for applicants who have held a 482 / SID with the sponsoring employer for 2 years.

TSMIT · Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold

The minimum salary for 482 (Core Skills replaced by CSIT) and 494 sponsorship. $73,150 from 1 July 2024 (verify current rate). Salary at or above TSMIT is a sponsorship requirement.

TSS · Temporary Skill Shortage visa

Subclass 482, March 2018 to 6 December 2024. Replaced by Skills in Demand (SID) from 7 December 2024.

VAC · Visa Application Charge

The fee paid to Home Affairs for visa lodgement. VAC1 is the upfront charge paid at lodgement; VAC2 is the secondary charge (e.g. for primary applicants without Functional English on some PR visas).

VETASSESS

Skills assessor for most professional and trade occupations not covered by a specialist (engineers, IT, accountants, teachers, nurses, doctors, trades). Around 350 occupations.