Live and work in Australia on a Skilled Visa:
There are a variety of visas for skilled migrants available for those wanting to make a permanent move to Australia. These visas are points-based and depend a range of factors that vary depending on what kind of job you apply for, where in Australia you intend to move to and your own personal skills and circumstances.
How the points-based system works?
The Australian government operates a general skilled migration programme. It is essentially a points-based system where points are awarded to applicants based on age, qualification, experience and English language skills.
Your occupation is the basis for your eligibility, so those holding occupations in demand will have the greatest visa options. Australian immigration officials frequently update both the national and regional skills list which determine which occupations are most needed.
Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 189 visa)
The Skilled Independent visa is a permanent resident visa. It is the most desirable visa as it gives the holder the freedom and flexibility to live and work anywhere in Australia.
Successful applicants must be under 45 years of age, score at least 65 points on the immigration points test and have an occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190 visa)
The Skilled Nominated visa is a permanent resident visa, only granted to applicants who are nominated by a state or territory government.
The state governments have assessed their own labour market needs and formed lists of occupations in demand. In addition to receiving state nomination, the successful applicant must be under 45 years of age, score at least 65 points and have an occupation on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL).
State nomination adds an additional five points to an applicant’s score, which could make the difference in meeting the 65-point threshold.
Skilled Recognized Graduate Visa (subclass 476 visa)
This visa is specifically aimed at engineering graduates, under the age of 31, who wish to gain up to 18 months of skilled work experience in Australia.
You will need to have completed an engineering degree at a recognised institution within the last two years. This can be either a university.
You will also need to have had a major sequence of study, or a specialisation in:
- Civil Engineering
- Structural Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering
- Mechanical, Production and Plant Engineering
- Mining and Material Engineering
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 491 visa)
The Skilled Work Regional visa will allow you to live and work in specified regional areas in Australia for up to five years. To qualify, you’ll need to either be sponsored by an eligible relative or be nominated to apply by a state or territory government agency.
You must score 65 points or more and be under the age of 45 when you apply, and your occupation must be on the list of eligible occupations. After three years of living in Australia on the Skilled Work Regional visa, you’ll be able to apply for a permanent residence visa.The designated regional areas are:
- South Australia
- Tasmania
- Western Australia
- Australian Capital Territory
- Victoria (except the Melbourne metropolitan)
- Queensland (except the greater Brisbane area)
- Northern Territory
- New South Wales (except Sydney)
This visa is specifically aimed at engineering graduates, under the age of 31, who wish to gain up to 18 months of skilled work experience in Australia.
You will need to have completed an engineering degree at a recognized institution within the last two years. This can be either a university.
You will also need to have had a major sequence of study, or a specialization in:
- Civil Engineering
- Structural Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering
- Mechanical, Production and Plant Engineering
- Mining and Material Engineering
How to get an Australian student visa (Subclass 500)
The Australian student visa is a temporary visa that lasts up to five years depending on the type of course you study and its length. Before applying for a student visa, you must be enrolled in an approved course of study in Australia. If you need help with choosing and applying to a university in Australia, you can contact our Study Abroad Advisors.
Requirements for the Australian Student Visa:
A CoE is an official document issued by the education provider to verify your enrollment and which confirms that you have paid your required tuition fees.
The government requires proof that the student’s intentions to stay in Australia are temporary and that they will return home upon completion of the course. You will need to have a Statement of Purpose
(SoP) to show genuine intention to study.
At the time of your student visa application, you must be able to show you have enough money to cover your tuition fees, travel expenses and living costs for the duration of your stay. These requirements depend on various factors like your country, course taken, provider chosen, lifestyle, etc.
If you are not from an English-speaking country or one that is exempt (or you haven’t completed five years of study in an English-speaking country), you will need to take an English language test from an accredited provider to prove your proficiency.
All Australian student visa applicants must undergo a medical health examination. The specifics depend on the following factors:
- The length of your stay in Australia
- Your country’s level of tuberculosis risk
- Any special circumstances that may be applicable
- The presence of any significant medical condition
You will have to attend an appointment with a doctor who is approved by the Australian immigration department.
You might be asked to provide a police clearance certificate when applying. The requirements may be different if you’ve lived in multiple countries in the past.
You must be covered by Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). As an applicant, you must have OSHC for the entirety of your stay in Australia. You cannot get a visa without adequate health cover.
If you are in a relationship with an Australian citizen, a permanent resident of Australia or an eligible New Zealand citizen, you might qualify for an Australian Partner visa. These are extremely popular visas.
Types of Australian Partner visas
The temporary Partner visa is valid for two years. During this period your relationship will be assessed to ensure that you intend to stay with your partner. If your relationship passes the test, you will be granted a permanent Australian Partner visa.
The Permanent Partner visa is valid for five years. Once you have held this visa for four years, you will be eligible to apply for citizenship.
All Australian Partner visa applications are assessed on the following:
- The financial aspects of the relationship, which includes how financial responsibilities are shared or pooled.
- The nature of the household, which includes how household tasks are divided and shared.
- Social aspects of the relationship, which includes how you are perceived as a couple in public.
- Nature of the persons’ commitment to each other, which includes the willingness to move to another country.
- Partner (Provisional) visa (subclass 309 visa and Partner (Migrant) visa): Must be applied for outside of Australia.
- Partner Visa (subclass 820 visa and 801 visa): can be applied within Australia.
- Prospective Marriage Visa (subclass 300 visa): for couples engaged to be married.
- New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship (Temporary) visa (subclass 461 visa): for those with New Zealander partners.
As subclasses 820 visa and 801 visa cover permanent partner visas, you may apply from within Australia.
To apply, you must hold a valid Australian visa (excluding a Bridging, Criminal Justice or Enforcement visa) or be eligible for a waiver. In addition to this, these applicants must not hold a visa with condition 8503, which prevents you from making a further application in Australia.
The purpose of this visa is to allow the unmarried partners of Australian citizens to travel to Australia to get married. It is granted for nine months. As this is a temporary visa, you must be outside of Australia when you apply for the visa as well as when it is granted.
The Prospective Marriage visa has unrestricted work rights. The holder is required to marry their partner and apply for the Australian Partner visa before the visa expires.
This visa is often referred to as the fiancé visa and is used by unmarried individuals who cannot show that they have cohabited for 12 months.
This visa allows a non-New Zealand family member of a New Zealand citizen, who is living in Australia, to live and work in Australia for up to five years.
This is a five-year provisional visa that will not lead to permanent residency in Australia but can be renewed onshore as required.
This visa allows the holder to:
- Work and study in Australia.
- Live in and travel to and from Australia for five years from the date the visa is granted.
The Australian tourist visa or Visitor visa (subclass 600 visa) is for individuals who wish to visit Australia for holiday, to see family and friends or to conduct a short business trip. This visa is valid for up to three, six or 12 months.
There are three types of Australian visitor visas. Your country of origin will determine which visa you can apply for. These include:
- Visitor visa (subclass 600 visa)
- Electronic Travel Authority visa (subclass 601 visa)
- Visitor (subclass 651 visa)
The subclass 600 visa is for individuals who want to visit Australia as a tourist or for business. As a subclass 601 visa holder, you can visit Australia on multiple occasions for tourist or business purposes. It allows you to visit Australia as often as you wish and stay up to three months at a time within a period of one year. Only individuals from certain countries may apply.
The subclass 651 visa allows you to visit Australia for three months at a time within a 12-month period for tourist or business purposes only. This visa is only eligible for individual from certain countries.
A Visitor visa provides more than just an opportunity to head Down Under as a tourist. Visiting and holidaying in the country before you make the big move will give you a taste of the land Down Under and the region you’d like to stay in.
Australia is a vast country with a culture that is as broad and diverse as its landscape. Famed for its sunny and temperate climate, natural wonders, wide open spaces, exceptional beaches and friendly locals – it’s easy to see why so many people who visit Australia end up staying for good.
Apply for an Australian Visitor visa: To be eligible for this visa you must:
- Be able to show that you are travelling to, or remaining in Australia as a genuine visitor.
- Have your own health insurance.
- Declare any criminal convictions and have no outstanding debts to the Australian Government.
Join us in embarking on a world of possibilities and unforgettable experiences.