Master prompt
Sponsor / nominator change + visa condition amendment (Australia)
Change nominating employer (482 transfer), change CRICOS institution (500), add accompanying dependants, or amend visa conditions. Maps the correct form per scenario.
AustraliaVisa extensionSponsor changeCRICOS changeDependantsCondition amendment
[CLIENT_NAME] holds [CURRENT_VISA] and needs: [CHANGE_BEING_REQUESTED]. Build the correct package — most "changes" in Australia require a NEW application, not an amendment.
§1 — DETERMINE WHETHER AMENDMENT OR NEW APPLICATION
Decision tree:
CHANGE OF NOMINATING EMPLOYER on subclass 482 (TSS):
• REQUIRES NEW NOMINATION + NEW VISA APPLICATION
• New employer must hold or apply for Standard Business Sponsorship (SBS)
• New employer lodges new Nomination (with SAF levy)
• Client lodges new subclass 482 visa application linked to new Nomination
• Old 482 visa remains active until new grant (or 60 days from cessation of employment with prior sponsor, whichever first — cl.482.62)
• CRITICAL: cl.482.62 — must find new sponsor within 60 days of ceasing employment OR depart / become unlawful
CHANGE OF CRICOS INSTITUTION on subclass 500 (Student):
• For SAME or HIGHER AQF level + within first 6 months: requires release letter from current provider (Education Services for Overseas Students Act / National Code Standard 7)
• After first 6 months: no release letter needed (effective 2018)
• Notify Department via ImmiAccount: provide new eCoE
• Generally NO new visa application required IF new course is at same or lower AQF level and visa duration is sufficient
• If new program extends beyond current visa expiry: new subclass 500 application needed
ADDING ACCOMPANYING DEPENDANTS:
• Subsequent Entrant application for dependants (spouse, child)
• Form 919 (paper) or online via ImmiAccount
• Each dependant has their own VAC
• Reference primary's visa grant number
• For 482: spouse gets work rights (cl.482.323); children study rights
• For 500: spouse work rights vary (cl.500.612(c) — generally 48hr/fortnight; full-time during breaks; 482 once primary's course complete)
CHANGE OF ADDRESS:
• Update via ImmiAccount within 28 days (s.494B + reg 2.27)
• No formal application; no fee
AMENDING VISA CONDITIONS:
• Some conditions can be waived (e.g. 8503 via Form 1447 — see au-extension-bridging-visa-advisory §6)
• Others are immutable; new visa needed (e.g. work rights on visitor visa)
State explicitly: which path applies to [CLIENT_NAME] given [CHANGE_BEING_REQUESTED]? Make the call.
§2 — FORM PACK BY SCENARIO
Scenario A — 482 sponsor transfer:
A. Old employer cessation letter / final pay slip
B. New employer's SBS approval evidence (or new SBS application)
C. New Nomination application (employer files; SAF levy payable)
D. New subclass 482 visa application (client files; linked to new Nomination)
E. Employment contract with new employer (salary ≥ TSMIT + AMSR for [OCCUPATION])
F. Skills assessment (if Short-term stream or first 482 with new employer)
G. English evidence (if not previously sufficient)
H. Health insurance evidence
I. Form 956 — Appointment of Migration Agent
J. VAC — AUD $3,210 (verify)
Scenario B — 500 CRICOS change (within visa validity):
A. Release letter from current provider (if within first 6 months of principal course)
B. New eCoE from new CRICOS provider
C. Notification via ImmiAccount (update study details)
D. Updated GTE statement (only if Department requests)
E. NO new VAC if no new visa needed
F. If new course extends beyond visa: new subclass 500 application (see au-extension-student-500-new-application)
Scenario C — Adding accompanying dependants (Subsequent Entrant):
A. Spouse/child visa application (online via ImmiAccount, linked to primary's visa)
B. Relationship evidence:
— Marriage certificate (apostilled if foreign)
— Joint bank statements, lease, photos, communication records
— Form 888 statutory declarations from witnesses
C. Birth certificates for children
D. Health insurance (OSHC for student dependants; private/Medicare-eligibility for 482)
E. Police clearance for adult dependants
F. Medical exams (depending on country)
G. VAC per dependant — typically 50% of primary VAC for spouse; lower for children (verify)
H. Form 956 if MARA agent acting
§3 — COVER LETTER (200-300 words)
Open: "Application under Migration Regulations 1994 for [purpose of change] in respect of [CLIENT_NAME], who holds [CURRENT_VISA]. Requested change: [CHANGE_BEING_REQUESTED]."
Structure:
¶1 — Identity + current visa + grant date
¶2 — Specific change requested with regulatory anchor
¶3 — Justification: use [REASON_FOR_CHANGE] verbatim, expand with dates and facts
¶4 — New nomination / CoE reference: N/A
¶5 — Compliance: tax-paid, no condition breaches, dependants accounted for: No
¶6 — Onward intent: timeline for new role / new program / dependant arrival
¶7 — Undertaking to abide by Schedule 8 conditions
§4 — TIMING + BRIDGING VISA
For sponsor transfer on 482:
• Old visa remains valid (cl.482.62: 60-day grace from cessation of employment with prior sponsor)
• On lodgement of new 482 visa application: BVA auto-grants under reg 2.20
• Old 482 may run alongside BVA depending on grant date
• Client should NOT start new role until new visa granted (LMT may apply; Nomination must succeed)
For 500 CRICOS change without new visa:
• No bridging visa issue; current 500 continues
• Notify Department within 7 days of enrolment change (reg 2.27)
For Subsequent Entrants:
• Bridging visa applies to dependant's onshore lodgement (if dependant is in Australia on another visa)
• Offshore dependants do not need bridging visa
§5 — RED FLAGS
• Cessation of employment with prior 482 sponsor + 60 days passed = unlawful unless new sponsor found
• Transfer to occupation different from nominated ANZSCO: requires new skills assessment
• CRICOS provider not on current registered list: invalid; visa cancellation risk under s.116
• Subsequent Entrant relationship < 12 months without registered relationship: extra evidence needed
• Health insurance lapse during change: cl.8501 breach
• Department's compliance team flags sponsor: disclose; engage MARA agent
§6 — POST-APPROVAL ACTIONS
• New 482 grant: notify ATO via TFN update; superannuation continues with new employer
• New 500 enrolment: PRISMS updated by new CRICOS provider; old eCoE cancelled
• Subsequent Entrant grant: dependant arrives; register at school / Medicare / OSHC as applicable
• All scenarios: update address via ImmiAccount within 28 days
End with: "DRAFT change / amendment package — for MARA-registered migration agent review. Verify the 60-day rule under cl.482.62 if sponsor transfer; confirm current SAF levy amounts; confirm CRICOS provider on current register; cross-check Schedule 8 conditions on [CURRENT_VISA] before submission."Unlock the vault to see the full prompt