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Chris Johnston and Luke Edwards have contributed to many articles and interviews for Australian media.

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The Global Talent Visa (Subclass 858) is
a streamlined visa program for highly skilled
professionals to move to Australia.

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Happy clients

Visa type: Temporary Work (Skilled) subclass 457 visa
Date of application: 10 October 2017
Date of visa approval: 27 March 2018

Dear Christina and Chris,

I would like to say thank you for all your effort and hard work you put into my 457 visa, to what seemed like an... Read more


Application lodged (Provisional & PR): 17 April 2019 Application granted (PR): 17 May 2019 Country: The Netherlands

We could not be happier with our recent experience with Work Visa Lawyers and in particular all of the support and work that Christina and her team put into our approved application for a Partner... Read more

Re: 457 Visa application Occupation: Plumber Email received on 29 September 2014

We discovered Work Visa Lawyers through a friend, and we cant recommend enough the professional service of this company and specially to Chris and Christine. Chris Johnston despite been a lawyer understands the emotional and human side when it comes to... Read more

Successful 457 Visa Occupation: Cook (ANZSCO 351411) Testimonial received: 7 May 2016

Hi Chris,

We'd like to thank you Chris and your team for your support during our visa application for 457 visa.

You offered a prompt and satisfying service and guide us to a successful goal. Now we've been able to obtain our visa... Read more

Why Consult an Immigration Lawyer

Are you thinking about making the move to Australia? Many people write their visa applications themselves, only to have their application rejected because they aren't familiar with all the legal requirements. Australia's immigration laws are complicated and always changing and if you get it wrong, you will lose your application fees and you may even be barred from applying again. If you want the best chance of having your Australian visa application approved the first time, you should consult an immigration lawyer in Australia. At Work Visa Lawyers, we give your application the best chance of success.

Work Visa Lawyers is located in Adelaide, South Australia, and we are known for our high visa success rate. We have helped a wide array of individuals and businesses to achieve Australian visas, appeals, and citizenship applications. Our clients include the following:

  • Students
  • Workers
  • Family members of individuals that have acquired permanent Australian citizenship
  • Business or corporations ranging from small to large

We take the utmost care with your matter and are committed to achieving your goals in the fastest timeframe possible. 

Our services include:

  • Visa applications
  • Visa refusal appeals
  • Visa cancellation appeals
  • Administrative Appeals Tribunal hearings
  • Citizenship applications
  • Australian migration advice
Our team of Registered Migration Agents and Immigration Lawyers has over 80 years' experience combined, and would love to help you with your Australian immigration journey.

The Application Process


For most Australian visa applications, we follow the following process:

Pre Visa Application

The first step is a consultation to assess which visa is the best option for you. We will ask you questions about your goals and your pesonal situtation to see which visas might suit you, and whether you can meet their criteria.

We then work with you to collect all the relevant paperwork, write an application for you, and submit it on your behalf - giving your application the best chance of success.

Post Visa Application

Once the application has been submitted, we will follow up with the Australian Government to check on the application's status and keep you informed of its progress.

Final Decision of the Application

After your application has been approved, you must comply with any conditions that attach to the visa. We will explain these to you and anything you need to do to comply with your visa.

We expect your application to be successful but if for any reason it is not, we will explain to you why this has happened and what options are available to you for an appeal or re-application.

Book an appointment with us today and find out how Work Visa Lawyers can give you the best chance of success.

We are just a call away!

Chris Jonhston - Principal Lawyer
Chris Johnston, Principal Lawyer

Work Visa Lawyers knows times are tough, but that shouldn't stop you from following your dreams! You can rely on our team of experienced Immigration Lawyers and Registered Migration Agents for all your Australian migration matters. Book an appointment online today to speak with our immigraton experts and make your Australia dream a reality.

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Work Visa Lawyers makes your move to Australia easy.

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On 19 April 2017 the Skilled Occupation Lists were changed and renamed as follows:

Skilled Occupation List (SOL)  →  Medium and Long Term Skills Shortage List (MLTSSL)

Consolidated Skilled Occupation List (CSOL)  →  Short Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL)

On 1 July 2017 changes were announced to the Skilled Occupation Lists with the addition and removal of occupations, and the establishment of different MLTSSL and STSOL occupation lists for different visa categories.

To check if your occupation is on the correct Skilled Occupation List, follow the instructions below:


If you are applying for the following visas:

  • Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa
  • Subclass 489 Skilled Regional Sponsored (Relative) Visa
  • Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa
Check the MLTSSL here

If you are applying for the following visas:

  • Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated Visa
  • Subclass 489 Skilled Regional Sponsored (State/Territory) Visa
Check the STSOL here

If you are applying for the following visas:

  • Subclass 457 Temporary Work (Skilled) Visa
  • Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa - Direct Entry Stream
Check the Combined List of Eligible Occupations here


Please note that for the 457 visa applications, your visa will only be valid for 2 years if your occupation is on the STSOL; and 4 years if your occupation is on the MLTSSL.


If you are applying for the following visas:

  • Subclass 187 Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) Visa
Check the applicable occupation list here

If you are applying for the following visas:

  • Subclass 407 Training Visa applications with Nomination eligibility type 2
Check the applicable occupation list here

Please note that additional requirements apply for a visa application, such as:

  • age
  • English ability
  • qualifications
  • work experience
  • occupation caveats
  • sponsorship requirements
  • nomination requirements

To obtain a detailed and complete assessment of your eligibility to apply, contact Work Visa Lawyers to book an initial consultation now!

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Our South Australia Immigration Lawyers

At Work Visa Lawyers we are experienced in assisting applicants in all matters relating to Australian visa applications. Our areas of expertise include Student Visas, Skilled Migration visas, Business visas, Employer-Sponsored visas, Partner, and other Family Migration visas, as well as Migration Review Tribunal, Judicial Review, and Ministerial Intervention. Based in Adelaide South Australia, our Immigration Lawyers and Migration Agents provide migration advice to people and businesses from all over the world.

Work Visa Lawyers works on Kaurna Land
We acknowledge and pay respect to the past, present and future Traditional Custodians and
Elders of this land and this nation, and the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational
practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.