Immigration Lawyer Hobart
Hobart's designated regional area status is the starting point for most visa conversations here. It changes what skilled workers can apply for and what Tasmanian employers can offer.
Our offices are in Sydney and Melbourne, not Hobart. We act for Hobart clients by video call, or in person if you are ever in Sydney or Melbourne, and our fees are fixed so you know the cost up front.
- Fixed fees, agreed up front
- Offices in Sydney and Melbourne
- Video consultations Australia-wide
- Led by Principal Lawyer Tina Nematian
How we help Hobart clients
Regional skilled visas
For skilled workers using Hobart's regional status. The Subclass 491 is available with Tasmanian nomination or an eligible relative sponsor. We help with points, skills assessments and Expressions of Interest, and later with the permanent Subclass 191.
Learn moreEmployer sponsorship
For Tasmanian employers hiring overseas staff. Regional status means the Subclass 494 is available in Hobart alongside the 482 and 186. We handle sponsor approval, nominations and the worker's visa, and the obligations that follow the grant.
Learn morePartner visas
For couples applying onshore from Hobart or from overseas. We look at which partner visa applies, how your relationship evidence reads on paper, and what to organise before you lodge, including whether onshore or offshore suits you.
Learn moreParent and family visas
For parents, children and other relatives joining family in Tasmania. Each pathway has its own sponsor rules, costs and queue, so we compare the realistic options with you before you commit to one.
Learn moreStudent visas and next steps
For students at Tasmanian providers who want to study, change course or plan what follows graduation. The rules for applying for a further Student visa onshore changed on 2 October 2026, so confirm your position before you lodge.
Learn moreRefusals and ART reviews
For anyone in Hobart holding a refusal or cancellation notice. We read the decision with you, confirm the review deadline and discuss whether a Tribunal review, or another option, is worth pursuing. Most onshore deadlines run for 28 days.
Learn moreLabour agreements
For Tasmanian employers whose roles do not fit the standard sponsorship settings. No DAMA covers Tasmania, so a labour agreement negotiated with the Department may be the route. We help prepare the business case.
Learn moreHumanitarian and complex cases
For people in protection and other complex situations, including character and cancellation issues. These matters turn on detail and evidence, and early advice about the available pathways matters more here than anywhere else.
Learn more
Hobart's regional status and what it opens up
Hobart is a Category 2 designated regional area, one of the "Cities and Major Regional Centres" on the Home Affairs regional postcode list. Regional incentives apply to skilled migrants who settle in these areas.
Three visas follow from that status:
- Subclass 491: five years provisional, for people nominated by a state or territory, or sponsored by an eligible relative, who live and work in a designated regional area.
- Subclass 494: for employers in designated regional areas sponsoring workers, including Tasmanian employers.
- Subclass 191: the permanent visa that can follow time on the 491 or 494.
There is no DAMA covering Tasmania. An employer whose roles fall outside the standard settings would look at the 482, 186 or 494, or negotiate a labour agreement with the Department.
Our guides to the 491, 494 and 191 explain the regional system in detail.
Tasmanian nomination in plain terms
Tasmania's nomination program is run by Migration Tasmania. Nomination supports a Subclass 190 or 491, but it is not a visa, and Home Affairs still decides the application, including the health, character and other criteria.
You normally need an Expression of Interest in SkillSelect first. Programs open and close during the year and criteria change, so we have not repeated any settings here. Check the current position on the Migration Tasmania website.
Where we help is the comparison: Tasmanian nomination against another state, against the Subclass 189, or against employer sponsorship through the 482, 186 or 494. Our guide to state nomination in 2026 compares the states, and our skilled visas page covers the pathways.
Working with us from Hobart
Our Hobart matters run by video call, with documents shared electronically and the same lawyer on your file throughout. If you would rather meet face to face, our offices are in Surry Hills, Sydney and on St Kilda Road, Melbourne.
You can book with Tina Nematian, our Principal Lawyer, who has more than 15 years of experience in Australian immigration law, or with Ivana Djoneski, our Immigration Practice Leader. The wider team includes Joseph Sukkar, Simon Jeans and Eva Chen.
Fees are fixed and explained before you commit, and government charges are separate. It helps to have your passport details, any visa grant or refusal letters and a short timeline of events ready for the first meeting.
Talk to a lawyer about your situation
Book a ConsultationAwards and Affiliations
We believe in the power of migration.
Simplifying Immigration, Connecting Humanity.
Our Team Members
Tina Nematian
Founder & Principal Lawyer
Ivana Djoneski
Immigration Practice Leader
Joseph Sukkar
Immigration Lawyer
Simon Jeans
Special Counsel
Eva Chen
Senior Registered Migration Agent
Maria Reglos
Finance Lead
Talk to a migration lawyer about your Hobart matter
Tell us what is happening and we will explain where we think you stand and the sensible next step. Consultations are by video, or in person in Sydney or Melbourne, with a fixed fee up front. Book through our consultation page.
Frequently asked questions
Do you have an office in Hobart?
No. Our offices are in Sydney, at Axis House, 81-83 Campbell Street, Surry Hills, and in Melbourne, on the Ground Floor at 470 St Kilda Road. We act for Hobart clients by video consultation, or in person if you are ever in Sydney or Melbourne. Your file does not depend on where you or your lawyer sit.
Is Hobart a designated regional area?
Yes. Hobart is a Category 2 regional area on the Home Affairs regional postcode list, one of the "Cities and Major Regional Centres". That is what makes the Subclass 491 and 494 available in Hobart, with the permanent 191 able to follow. It also shapes Tasmania's own nomination program.
Can a Tasmanian employer use a DAMA?
No DAMA covers Tasmania. A Tasmanian employer can still sponsor through the standard Subclass 482 and 186 programs, use the regional 494, or negotiate a labour agreement with the Department where the standard settings do not fit the role. Our DAMA page explains where DAMAs do apply and how they work.
Does Tasmanian nomination mean I will get a visa?
No. Nomination is one requirement for the Subclass 190 and 491. Home Affairs still decides the visa application, and you must still meet the health, character and other criteria. Places are limited and a nomination may never come, so treat it as one step in a longer process, not an outcome.
How much does an immigration lawyer cost for a Hobart matter?
It depends on the visa and how complex your situation is, not on where you live. Our fees are fixed, so once we understand your matter you know the cost up front, and we explain what the fee covers before you commit. Government visa charges and any assessment fees are separate.
Should I use a lawyer or a migration agent in Hobart?
Both can give immigration assistance if properly authorised. A lawyer is an Australian legal practitioner holding a practising certificate, and what you tell a lawyer is generally protected by legal professional privilege. Whoever you engage, check their authorisation first. Home Affairs publishes a consumer guide for legal practitioners. That check applies to us too.
My visa was refused. How long do I have to apply for review?
For most onshore refusals the Administrative Review Tribunal time limit is generally 28 days from being notified, shorter if you are in immigration detention, and the Tribunal cannot extend it. Your decision letter states your deadline, so read it carefully and contact a lawyer as soon as you receive it. Hearings may be held by video or phone.
Can I apply for a partner visa while living in Hobart?
You may be able to apply onshore if you meet the criteria, depending on your relationship, your current visa and your visa history. Applying onshore or offshore changes which partner visa applies and how the Department prioritises it. Our partner visa lawyer page explains the pathways, and a consultation can map your position before you lodge.