Guides to visas, study and settling in
Plain-English answers to the questions we hear most often at our Hobart office.
Each guide answers one question clients ask us often, from choosing between the 190 and 491 visas to budgeting for life in Hobart. We write them from the official sources, link to those sources so you can check them yourself, and show the date each guide was last reviewed. Rules change, so for advice on your own situation, talk to our team.
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190 vs 491 visa: which one fits you
Permanent 190 or regional 491? Compare points, conditions, costs and the path to PR.
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How long does an Australian student visa take?
How student visa priority processing works, what slows applications down and how to plan your timeline.
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How to check a migration agent is registered
Search the official register and spot the warning signs of visa scams.
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Visa consultation checklist: what to bring
Documents and questions that make your first meeting count.
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Cost of living in Hobart for international students
Rent, food, transport and winter costs in Hobart, with a weekly budget and tips to avoid rental scams.
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The Genuine Student requirement: how to answer the GS questions
What the GS questions ask, what Home Affairs looks at and how to give honest, specific answers.
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Opening an Australian bank account before you arrive
Open an account online, then activate it in a branch after you land.
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PTE or IELTS for Australia: which test to take
Compare formats, results times and the scores each visa needs.
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Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482): a plain-English guide
Streams, 2026-27 income thresholds, CSOL, English, costs and the 482 to 186 path to PR.
