Australia visa information and which visa to choose

You will need an australia visa before entering Australia, Even if you are only entering for a holiday or for work.There are many different ways to be allowed access into Australia all of which will require you to obtain some type of Australian Visa whether it be a 175 skilled migrant visa, tourist visa, working visa or retirement visa just to name a few. Each process varies in both cost & time for the visa to be granted and also if you are eligible for the said visa. The visa i used to emigrate to Australia was 175 skilled migrant visa this is a common type of visa for people who have a skilled job that is required on the Australian skills list. This visa also allows you to take your partner (defacto spouse / married partner) and also any children with out having to pay individual Australia visa fees.

The main visa requirements are:

A basic understanding of the English language
Police Check (no criminal record)
Full medical (including Chest xray & HIV test)
Score at least minimum points on the australian immigration points system (scores vary for age, occupcation, language etc)

I have included as much information as possible for nearly every type of Australia visa available,however there are still specialist and business visas which i have not yet included on this website

There are three main categories for Australia visa applications, Which are:

Employer sponsored workers, proffesionals and other skilled migrants and also doctors and nurses. Each with several subcategories to choose from.To determin which visa is most suitable for you, you must first decide which of these three options is most relevant to you.

Employer sponsored workers For lawfully operating Australian and overseas employers to sponsor and employ skilled workers who have recognised qualifications and skills/or experience in particular occupations required in Australia.

Proffesionals and other skilled migrants This programme, also known as the General Skilled Migration programme, is for people who are not sponsored by an employer and who have skills in particular occupations required in Australia. Applicants must be over 18 and under 45 years of age, with good English language ability, and recent skilled work experience or a recently completed eligible Australian qualification.

Applicants must also have skills and qualifications for an occupation listed on Australias Skilled Occupation List

doctors and nurses

There is currently a shortage of doctors and nurses in Australia, particularly in regional areas.

General practitioners or specialists can apply for a visa to work in Australia if they have obtained their primary medical qualification in a country other than Australia or gained their medical qualifications in Australia and are not an Australian permanent resident.

Nurses are currently in high demand in Australia with opportunities for permanent and temporary work available.

Working in Australia as a Doctor Doctors can apply for either a temporary or permanent Australia visa. For immigration purposes, doctors seeking permanent residency in Australia must hold full medical registration.

Working in Australia as a Nurse Whether you have a high level of skills and experience or need to gain additional skills, there is a visa to suit you. There are excellent career opportunities with permanent and temporary work available in Australia. You can be in or outside Australia when you apply for a visa to work as a nurse.
Once you have decided which of these three above catogories is relevent, you can then decide which Australia visa to use for your application.

Employer sponsored workers (temporary visas):-

Skilled Workers Temporary Visa Options

Subclass 457 - Business (Long Stay) visa – Standard Business Sponsorship A program for employers to sponsor approved skilled workers to work in Australia on a temporary Australia visa. Employers can nominate a number of positions for different occupations under the same sponsorship application.

Medical Practitioner visa (Subclass 422) This visa is an alternative to the Subclass 457 – Business (Long Stay) visa - for doctors registered to work in Australia, particularly in rural or regional areas. Employers must lodge a separate sponsorship application for each doctor sponsored.

Educational visa (subclass 418) For educational workers to be employed in Australia on a temporary basis. The sponsoring organisation must be an Australian tertiary education or research institution, school or technical college.

Employer sponsored workers (permenant visas):-

Skilled Workers Permanent Australia Visa Options

Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 121/856) The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) enables employers to sponsor highly skilled workers to fill skilled vacancies in their business. Skilled workers can be recruited either from overseas, or from people temporarily in Australia. Employers must be lawfully operating in Australia, and the position must provide full time employment in Australia for at least three years and meet the Minimum Salary Level.

Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 119/857) The Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) enables employers in regional and low population growth areas of Australia to sponsor highly skilled workers either from overseas, or from people temporarily in Australia to fill skilled vacancies in their business. Employers must be lawfully operating in Australia, and the position must provide full time employment in Australia for two years. Conditions of employment and wages must comply with Australian legislation and awards.

Profesionals and other skilled migrants Visa Options

There is a range of visa options under the General Skilled Migration program for skilled workers who want to live in Australia and who do not have an employer sponsoring them. These include options for skilled people applying as an independent migrant as well as those sponsored by a relative, or nominated by a State or Territory government.

Independent

Independent migrants have the least number of restrictions placed on them and this is the preferred option for eligible applicants who do not have an employer to sponsor them. Assess your eligibility for the independent visas before you continue.

Sponsored

If you are sponsored by an eligible relative, please note that there are a number of obligations that must be met by your sponsor.

All Visa OptionsYou may be eligible for a number of different Australia visa categories and each has different requirements and obligations. Please read through the various visa options to ensure that you choose the visa most beneficial to you and your circumstances.

Visa Options – If you are in Australia

Skilled – Independent (Residence) Visa (Subclass 885) A permanent Australia visa for eligible overseas students who have obtained an Australian qualification in Australia as a result of at least two (2) years study and for holders of certain temporary visas with skills in demand in Australia. Applicants are not sponsored and must pass a points test.

Skilled – Sponsored (Residence) Visa (Subclass 886) A permanent Australia visa for eligible overseas students who have obtained an Australian qualification in Australia as a result of at least two (2) years study and for holders of certain temporary visas with skills in demand in Australia. For applicants not able to meet the Skilled – Independent pass mark, who have either a relative in Australia to sponsor them or a nomination from a State or Territory government. Applicants must pass a points test lower than that for the Skilled – Independent visa

Skilled – Regional (Residence) Visa (Subclass 887) A permanent Australia visa for eligible provisional visa holders who have lived for at least two (2) years and worked for at least one (1) year in a Specified Regional Area in Australia.

Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 487) A three (3) year provisional Australia visa for eligible overseas students and holders of certain temporary visas who can meet the lower pass mark for this visa. Applicants must be either sponsored by an eligible relative living in a designated area of Australia or nominated by a participating state/territory government. After living for two (2) years and working for at least one (1) year in a Specified Regional Area, applicants can apply for a permanent visa.

Skilled – Graduate (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 485) An 18 month temporary visa for overseas students who have obtained an Australian qualification in Australia as a result of at least two (2) years study. Allows applicants who are unable to pass the points test to remain in Australia for 18 months to gain the skills and experience needed to apply for a permanent or provisional General Skilled Migration visa. No points test applies.

Visa Options – If you are outside Australia

Skilled – Independent (Migrant) Visa (Subclass 175) A permanent Australia visa for people with skills in demand in the Australian labour market. Applicants are not sponsored and must pass a points test.

Skilled – Sponsored (Migrant) Visa (Subclass 176) A permanent Australia visa for people unable to meet the Skilled – Independent pass mark. Applicants must be either sponsored by an eligible relative living in Australia or nominated by a participating State or Territory government. Applicants must pass a points test lower than that for the Skilled – Independent visa.

Skilled Regional Sponsored Provisional Visa (Subclass 475) A three (3) year provisional visa for people who can meet the lower pass mark for this visa. Applicants must be either sponsored by an eligible relative living in a designated area of Australia or nominated by a participating state/territory government. After living for two (2) years and working for at least one (1) year in a Specified Regional Area, applicants can apply for a permanent visa.

Skilled – Recognised Graduate (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 476) An 18 month temporary visa for graduates of recognised overseas educational institutions who have skills in demand in Australia. There is no points test for this visa.

Note: New English language requirements come into effect for offshore GSM visas from 1 July 2009.