MARA Registered Migration Agent
Kevin Cai
Principal Migration Adviser | Registered Migration Agent (MARN 1791066)
Double Degree, University of Melbourne
Kevin Cai is a Registered Migration Agent (MARN 1791066) with extensive experience in Australian migration law and visa services. He holds a Double Degree from the University of Melbourne and combines strong academic credentials with practical migration expertise.
Kevin specialises in Skilled Migration, Employer Sponsored Visas (482, 186), Partner Visas, Parent Visas, Business Migration and complex migration matters. His comprehensive understanding of Australian migration legislation and policy enables him to provide strategic, practical and outcome-focused advice to clients from diverse backgrounds.
Articles by Kevin Cai
- Employer Sponsorship Accountant Migration to Australia: State Nomination, Points & CPA/CA Assessment Tasmania is currently the most accessible state for accountants migrating to Australia, with competitive points around 65–75 — far lower than the 90–100+ demanded by NSW and Victoria. Those below 90 points should target Tasmania's 190 or 491 pathway first.
- Employer Sponsorship Social Worker Migration to Australia: State Lists, Points & AASW Assessment Tasmania, South Australia, and Queensland are the most accessible states for social worker migration, with both 190 and 491 pathways confirmed for 2025–26. The real bottleneck is the AASW skills assessment — 980 field hours and IELTS 7.0 in every band are stricter than most skilled occupations.
- Employer Sponsorship Engineer Migration to Australia: State Nomination, Points & Engineers Australia Assessment South Australia is the most accessible state for engineers migrating to Australia in 2025–26, offering both Subclass 190 and 491 nomination with lower points thresholds than NSW or Victoria. For most engineers, state nomination is now the primary realistic pathway to PR, as the independent Subclass 189 stream has largely run out of places.
- Employer Sponsorship Teacher Migration to Australia: State Lists, Points & AITSL Assessment (STEM priority) Tasmania and Queensland are the most accessible states for secondary school teachers in 2025–26, with both 190 and 491 nomination pathways open and STEM teachers explicitly prioritised. AITSL is the sole assessing authority, with assessment costing AUD $1,050 and taking 4–6 weeks.
- Employer Sponsorship Aged Care Worker Migration to Australia: Pathways, ACILA & Cert III Employer sponsorship via the Subclass 482 visa or the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement (ACILA) is the primary route to Australia for aged and disability carers — not GSM state nomination, which rarely lists ANZSCO 423111. Tasmania and regional South Australia currently offer the most favourable conditions due to acute workforce shortages.
- Employer Sponsorship Construction Trades Migration to Australia: State Lists & TRA/VETASSESS Assessment Construction trades like carpenters, electricians and plumbers are among Australia's most invitation-friendly skilled occupations, with 189 invitations issued as low as 65 points. Tasmania, South Australia and Queensland offer the most accessible Subclass 190 and 491 nomination pathways in 2025–26.
- Employer Sponsorship Early Childhood Teacher Migration to Australia: State Lists, Points & ACECQA Assessment South Australia and Tasmania are the most accessible states for Early Childhood Teachers seeking Australian state nomination in 2025–26, with both offering Subclass 190 and 491 pathways and smaller applicant pools. Nationally, realistic invitation scores sit at 85+ points, making the 491 a smarter primary pathway for those below 80.
- Employer Sponsorship IT Migration to Australia: State Lists, Points & ACS Assessment South Australia and Tasmania are currently the most accessible states for IT and ICT professionals, while NSW offers the largest quota but demands 95–110 points and strong onshore ties. Offshore applicants without Australian experience face a significantly narrower path.
- Employer Sponsorship Nurse Migration to Australia: State Lists, Points & ANMAC Assessment Registered Nurses appear on both the 190 and 491 skilled lists in every major Australian state, making nursing one of the most accessible occupations for skilled migration. Queensland offers the most transparent pathway via its ROI system, while Victoria's record quota of 3,400 places rewards high point scores.
- Visa Services Australian Citizenship: How to Apply After Getting PR After four years of lawful residence in Australia — including at least 12 months as a permanent resident — you are eligible to apply for citizenship. The five-step process runs from an online application and citizenship test through to a mandatory ceremony, and typically takes 12–24 months from lodgement to conferral.
- Visa Services Is Moving to Australia Worth It? Pros, Cons & Reality Check For most skilled migrants, moving to Australia is worth it — but the timeline to permanent residency can stretch 2–5 years, and housing costs, geographic isolation, and a shifting visa system are real trade-offs. Your occupation and financial resilience matter more than most applicants expect.
- Visa Services Migration Agent Fees: How Much Do They Cost & Is It Worth It? Migration agent fees in Australia range from $1,500 to $15,000+, depending on visa type and complexity. For applicants with any complicating factor, a MARA-registered agent often costs less than a refused visa.
- Legal Services Visa Refusal, AAT Appeal & Cancellation: Complete Guide An Australian visa refusal triggers a strict appeal window — just 28 days onshore or 70 days offshore — to lodge a review with the ART, with fees starting at $3,496. Visa cancellation timelines vary wildly, from 24 hours at the border to several months for contested cases.
- Visa Services Australian Visa Application Fees by Subclass: Complete 2026 Guide Australian visa fees in 2026 span a wide range — from $190 for a visitor visa to $8,850+ for partner and skilled permanent visas — and employer-sponsored work visas carry mandatory SAF levy costs that cannot legally be passed on to employees.
- Employer Sponsorship Employer Sponsored Visas Compared: 482 vs 186 vs 494 vs 407 The 186 grants permanent residence immediately, while the 482, 494, and 407 are all temporary — each suited to different locations, occupations, and long-term goals. Understanding which pathway fits your situation is the key decision every employer-sponsored applicant faces.
- Legal Services Your Rights and Options While on AAT Review or a Bridging Visa Waiting on an AAT decision doesn't mean your life is on hold. Understanding your rights on a bridging visa — including work and travel entitlements — helps you make informed choices while your case is reviewed.
- Employer Sponsorship Eligibility Requirements for Employer Sponsored Visas (482, 186, 407) Employer sponsored visas in Australia require both the employer and the applicant to meet strict eligibility criteria before a visa can be granted. Understanding these requirements across the 482, 186, and 407 visa subclasses is key to a successful application.
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