Know these facts cold before the first client conversation - they are also what the exam below tests. Temporary - meeting the SHEV work/study pathway can open access to certain other visas; seek current advice.
Visa typeTemporary (5 yrs)
LodgementOnshore
Stay5 years
Work rightsUnlimited
Study rightsYes
Government charge~$45
Processing timeVaries
2. Process flow
The handling sequence for a 790 file, from first consultation to decision. Each step assumes the one before it is genuinely finished - not "mostly done".
Take the claims seriously and early
Protection work is specialist work. Take detailed instructions on the claims: who fears what, from whom, and why the home state cannot protect them.
Cohort check
This visa is for people who arrived unlawfully (e.g. unauthorised maritime arrivals). The SHEV adds a commitment to work or study in a designated regional area - meeting the SHEV pathway can open access to certain other visas later.
Prepare the statement of claims
A detailed, consistent, chronological statement with country-condition evidence. Inconsistency between interview and statement is the main credibility killer.
Lodge and prepare for interview
Prepare the client thoroughly for the protection interview.
Decision and review rights
Brief on review options and deadlines if refused.
3. Eligibility checklist
Every box must be confirmable with evidence, not the client's say-so, before you advise that the 790 is viable.
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4. Document checklist
The lodgement pack. Aim for decision-ready: a case officer should be able to grant without asking for anything further.
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5. Cost checklist
Quote the full stack, in writing, before the client signs. Surprise costs are the fastest way to lose a client's trust (and earn a complaint).
Item
Indicative amount
Base visa application charge (2025-26, indicative)
~$45
Health examinations (where requested)
~$300-500
Police certificates
~$42-150 each
Your professional fee
Per your agency's schedule - quote in writing before Form 956
Rule of thumb
Government charges usually change every 1 July - re-quote any file that lodges after 30 June
6. Qualification checklist
Run this in the first consultation, before taking a retainer. It screens the client, not the visa: history, hard stops and honesty come first.
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7. Case studies - eligible cases
Illustrative composites showing what a grantable 790 file looks like in practice.
Grant: Sofia from Thailand
Background
Sofia, a community worker from Thailand. People owed protection who commit to working or studying in regional Australia - a 5-year protection status with pathway options.
Why it qualified
(1) Engage Australia's protection obligations. (2) Intend to work or study in a designated regional area. (3) Meet identity, security, health and character requirements.
What made the file strong
The file opened with a short submission mapping each criterion to its evidence, so the case officer never had to hunt.
Outcome
Granted within the indicative processing window (Varies).
Grant: Sipho from the Philippines
Background
Sipho, a long-term permanent resident from the Philippines. People owed protection who commit to working or studying in regional Australia - a 5-year protection status with pathway options.
Why it qualified
(1) Engage Australia's protection obligations. (2) Intend to work or study in a designated regional area. (3) Meet identity, security, health and character requirements.
What made the file strong
The agent tested the weakest criterion first and fixed it before lodging, not after a natural-justice letter.
Outcome
Granted within the indicative processing window (Varies).
8. Case studies - refusal cases
The same visa, handled badly. Every one of these failure modes is screenable at the first consultation.
Refusal: Grace from Turkey
Background
Grace, a hospitality worker from Turkey, engaged an agent late and pushed for a fast lodgement of the 790.
What went wrong
Not meeting the SHEV work/study pathway requirements
Outcome
The Department refused; the client lost the application charge, months of lead time, and in this subclass a refusal also complicates any onshore follow-up.
Lesson for the agent
Put this issue on the document checklist on day one and refuse to lodge until it is closed out.
Refusal: Daniel from Nepal
Background
Daniel, a warehouse supervisor from Nepal, engaged an agent late and pushed for a fast lodgement of the 790.
What went wrong
Policy-sensitive cohort - current advice essential
Outcome
The case officer decided on the papers without a further request - the file had to stand on its own, and it could not.
Lesson for the agent
Apply the decision-ready test: if you cannot evidence the claim today, the application is not ready to lodge.
9. Self-exam
10 questions drawn from this manual. Pass mark 80%. Answers are graded on the server and your result is recorded against your agent profile - retakes are unlimited and your best score is kept. Log in to the agent portal first so your result is saved to My trainings.