Immigration Lawyer Sydney
Sydney is the busiest immigration hub in Australia. More visa applications are lodged from NSW than any other state, which means the Department of Home Affairs processes a massive caseload here. Mistakes get buried in the queue and refusals are common when applications are not put together properly.
At One Planet Migration Law, we work out of our Surry Hills office on Campbell Street, handling visa applications for individuals, families and businesses across Greater Sydney and NSW. Our team includes MARA-registered migration agents and practising immigration lawyers, which means we can take your case from initial application all the way through to Federal Court if needed. That is something a migration agent alone cannot do.
Our Services
Employer Sponsorship
Sydney businesses sponsor more overseas workers than any other city in Australia. We work with employers on the full sponsorship process, from Standard Business Sponsorship approval through to 482 nominations and visa lodgement. For workers already here on a 482, we handle the transition to a 186 for permanent residency. We also help businesses stay on top of their sponsorship obligations so compliance issues do not become a problem down the line.
Partner and Family Visas
We help couples, parents and families navigate the visa process to reunite in Australia. That includes partner visas (Subclass 820/801 onshore, 309/100 offshore), parent visas, child visas and adoption visas. Sydney has a high volume of partner visa applications, and the Department scrutinises relationship evidence closely. We prepare applications that hold up to that level of review.
DAMA and Labour Agreements
Some occupations and regions do not fit neatly into the standard visa programs. Designated Area Migration Agreements and Labour Agreements give employers access to a broader pool of overseas workers when the usual pathways fall short. We help businesses apply for and manage these agreements, making sure they meet all the requirements while filling genuine skill gaps.
Skilled Migration
We assist skilled professionals applying for permanent residency through the points-tested system. That covers the Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent), Subclass 190 (State Nominated) and Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional). NSW allocated 3,600 skilled nomination places for 2025-26, with monthly invitation rounds running since October 2025. We help with skills assessments, EOI strategy and the full nomination and visa process.
Appeals
Our experienced team specialises in Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) reviews, Federal Court appeals.
Visa Appeals and Tribunal Reviews
If your visa has been refused, you usually have between 7 and 28 days to lodge an appeal with the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART). We handle ART reviews, Federal Court appeals and ministerial intervention requests under Section 351 of the Migration Act. Because we are practising lawyers, not just migration agents, we can represent you at every level, from the Tribunal right through to the Federal Court if it comes to that.
Student Visas
Sydney is Australia's largest international student city. We help with student visa applications (Subclass 500), course changes, visa condition issues, and the transition from study to work after graduation. Whether that means moving to a Temporary Graduate visa, finding an employer sponsor, or applying through the skilled migration pathway, we map out the options based on your situation.
Labour Agreements
We help businesses secure Labour Agreements to sponsor skilled overseas workers when standard visa programs fall short. Our expert team provides customized immigration solutions, ensuring compliance while addressing critical skill gaps.
NSW State Nomination: What Sydney Applicants Should Know
NSW allocated 2,100 places for the Subclass 190 visa and 1,500 places for the Subclass 491 visa in the 2025-26 program year. As of early 2026, around 25% of the 190 allocation has already been used, so places are filling up.
NSW now considers any valid Expression of Interest that selects NSW as the nominating state. Monthly invitation rounds have been running since October 2025 and will continue until all places are allocated.
The state prioritises occupations in these sectors:
- Healthcare, aged care and disability
- Construction, infrastructure and trades
- Digital, cyber and ICT
- Education and training
- Net zero and energy transition
- Agriculture and advanced manufacturing
If your occupation is on the NSW skills list and you have competitive points, we can advise on whether 190 or 491 is the stronger pathway and help you time your EOI to maximise your chances.
Awards 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
Rhel Tidoso
Immigration Case Manager
Maria Reglos
Finance Lead
Talk to a Migration Lawyer
Every consultation starts with understanding where you are and where you want to get to. We offer consultations in person at our Sydney and Melbourne offices, or by video call for clients anywhere in Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an immigration lawyer cost in Sydney?
Most immigration lawyers in Sydney charge between $200 and $400 per hour. We offer fixed-fee pricing for most visa applications so you know the full cost upfront before we start. The exact fee depends on your visa type and the complexity of your situation. Government application fees are separate and paid directly to the Department of Home Affairs.
What is the difference between a migration agent and an immigration lawyer?
Both can lodge visa applications and give immigration advice. The key differences are that a lawyer can represent you in court (Federal Circuit Court and Federal Court), a lawyer has legal professional privilege protecting your conversations, and a lawyer holds a law degree with broader legal training. For straightforward applications either works. For complex cases, refusals or anything that could end up in court, you want a lawyer.
How long does a partner visa take in Sydney?
Current processing times for onshore partner visas (Subclass 820/801) sit around 8 to 14 months for the temporary stage and 18 to 24 months for permanent residency. These times shift regularly. A well-prepared application with strong relationship evidence tends to process faster than incomplete ones.
Can I appeal a visa refusal in Sydney?
Yes. Most visa refusals can be appealed to the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART), which replaced the AAT in October 2024. You typically have 7 to 28 days to lodge the appeal depending on your visa type and whether you are onshore or offshore. The ART filing fee is $3,496. If the ART also refuses your case, a lawyer can take it to the Federal Circuit Court for judicial review.
How long does NSW state nomination take?
NSW runs monthly invitation rounds for the 190 and 491 visas. After receiving an invitation, you have 14 days to apply for nomination. NSW processing of the nomination itself usually takes 4 to 8 weeks. After that, you have 60 days to lodge your visa application with the Department of Home Affairs, where processing takes another 9 to 19 months for most 190 applicants.
Do I need an immigration lawyer for a 482 employer sponsorship visa?
You do not legally need one, but it is strongly recommended. The 482 visa involves three separate steps, the business sponsorship, the nomination, and the visa application, each with its own requirements and compliance obligations. Errors in the sponsorship or nomination stage can affect the worker’s visa and create legal liability for the employer. We work with both the employer and the visa applicant to make sure all three stages are done correctly.
What happens if my visa is cancelled in Sydney?
Visa cancellations are serious. Depending on the reason (character grounds, condition breaches, fraud), you may have the right to seek revocation or appeal to the ART. Some cancellations come with a re-entry ban of 3 to 10 years. Contact a lawyer immediately, as response deadlines can be as short as 7 days.
Can I switch from a student visa to a work visa in Sydney?
Yes, this is one of the most common visa transitions in Sydney. After completing your studies, you may be eligible for a Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485), which gives you time to find an employer willing to sponsor you on a 482 visa. Alternatively, if your occupation is on the skilled occupation list and you have enough points, you could apply for a 189 or 190 visa directly.