Chris Johnston: Principal Lawyer, Educator & Founder of Work Visa Lawyers
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Phone: +61 8 8351 9956
With two decades of experience in Australian immigration law, Chris Johnston first began working as a Registered Migration Agent (RMA) in the migration industry in 2006. Chris is a trusted advisor to individuals, businesses, and government clients. Since founding Work Visa Lawyers in 2011, Chris has helped thousands of clients secure employer-sponsored, skilled, partner, and innovation visas.
But Chris is more than a lawyer. He’s also a leading educator in Australian migration law.
Areas of Practice
- Employer-Sponsored Visas (482, 186, 494)
- New Skills in Demand Visa (482 Stream)
- Skilled Migration Visas (189, 190, 491)
- Global Talent & National Innovation Visas (858)
- Student & Graduate Visas
- Partner Visas
- Business & Investor Visas
- DAMA & Labour Agreements
- Visa Appeals: AAT, ART, FCC Reviews
- Character Assessments, Criminal Records, Visa Cancellations & Deportation
20+ Years Teaching Migration Law & Visa Strategy
Chris has delivered hundreds of legal education sessions with the Migration Institute of Australia (MIA) between 2021 and 2025 alone—consistently presenting across evolving visa categories, legislative changes, and employer compliance.
Training formats include:
- CPD-accredited 120-minute webinars
- 3-hour advanced workshops with legal updates
- Original content design for major visa topics
Key topics:
- Temporary Employer Sponsored Visas - 457 Visa, 482 Visa and 494 Visa
- Permanent Employer Sponsored Visas - Temporary Residence Transition 186 Visa and Direct Entry 186 Visa
- National Innovation & Global Talent Visas - Subclass 858
- Visa Strategy & Compliance for Employers
- Migration Trends & Policy Shifts
Chris’s presentations are frequently updated to reflect real-time policy changes and regulatory reform, making him one of the most up-to-date trainers in the industry.
Legal Education CPD sessions for:
- Migration Institute of Australia (MIA) - The peak professional body for the Australian Immigration industry
- Law Society of South Australia
Credentials & Community Involvement
- Bachelor of Laws (Hons), University of New England
- Former Civil Litigation Lawyer – Precedent-Setting Case: Trevorrow v State of SA (No. 5)
- Member – Law Society of South Australia
- Member & South Australia President – Migration Institute of Australia (MIA)
- Regular speaker for legal CPD programs and media contributor on migration topics
Media & Content Leadership
Chris is one of Australia’s original immigration content creators, with 150,000+ followers across YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and Facebook.
His videos demystify complex migration issues with expert yet accessible explanations.
Some of Chris’s popular videos include:
- How to calculate points for 189, 190 and 491 Visas
- How to find a sponsor
Chris is also regularly interviewed by:
- ABC
- SBS
- InDaily
- The Canberra Times
- Insider Guides
Why Work with Chris
Whether you're a business needing guidance on sponsored visas, an individual applying for permanent residency, or a professional seeking CPD-accredited training — Chris combines practical legal insights with the clarity of a skilled educator.
"I don’t just practise migration law — I teach it. That means I stay ahead of every change, policy reform, and visa update to give clients and professionals the clearest path forward."
Book an appointment with Chris today and get the benefit of a lawyer who both practices and teaches Australian migration law.
