Australia Immigration
With over 7.5 million migrants living down under, immigration to Australia is as popular today as it ever was. But why exactly is moving to Australia so attractive? And how does one go about starting the process of emigrating there?
LET US BE HONEST, WHO WOULDN’T WANT TO LIVE IN AUSTRALIA?
The quality of life in this culturally diverse country is remarkably high indeed. Crime rates are extremely low. There is plenty of open space and beautiful scenery, with low levels of pollution. The people are laid-back, preferring a low stress lifestyle, with a focus on friends and family over work. Salaries are competitive, the weather is hot, and the beaches are remarkable. The country runs one of the world’s best healthcare systems too.
It is fairly clear to see why someone might be interested in moving to Australia, but the next question is how? Our guide to the Australia immigration process will explain all.
Who Is Eligible?
With more than 60 different types of visa on offer, who is actually eligible to emigrate to Australia? There are many types of temporary visas available, including visitor visas for tourists, working holiday visas and student visas. But in this guide to Australia immigration, we will focus on permanent visas.
Skilled Worker
The people most obviously eligible for Australia immigration are skilled workers. Australia has quite a low population, so many skills and trades are naturally in short supply around the country. Migrant trade workers with specific skills such as joiners, electricians, mechanics, and steel workers are highly sought after, as well as nurses, teachers and computer and software programmers. Visa types for skilled worker:
Skilled Independent Visa
Skilled Nominated Visa
The Skilled Regional
Families
If you already have a family member residing legally down under, then you too could be eligible to live there. It is quite common for family members to sponsor relatives to live and work full time in Australia, using one of the four main family visas for Australia immigration.
Business Operators
The Australian government brought in Business Innovation and Investment visas back in 2012. They are designed to encourage business owners, investors, and entrepreneurs to expand their operations across the country. Longer term, they can lead to permanent residency, via one of several different streams. Visa types for long term business:
Business Innovation Stream
Investor Stream
Significant Investor Stream
Business Innovation Extension Stream
Venture Capital Entrepreneur Stream
Significant Business History Stream
Students
It should be noted that anyone graduating with skills that are highly sought after in Australia, could easily become eligible for other longer-term visas. And of course, it is entirely possible that your time studying down under leads to relationships that make you eligible for certain types of long-term family visas. Visa types for students:
Student Visa (up to 5 years)
Temporary Graduate (anywhere from 18 months to 5 years)
Recognized Graduate (18 months)
Expression of Interest
If you are eligible to apply for an Australian visa as a skilled migrant worker, you must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). You do not have to be in Australia to do this, you may submit the EOI from anywhere in the world.
First, you will need to fill in basic essential details such as your name, date of birth, country of birth and place of residency. Once complete, you will receive an EOI identification number, which you should keep safe.
SkillSelect requires certain information about your education and qualifications, any applicable English language test results, your employment, and career history, plus details of your skills assessment. This information will be used to rank your visa application and will indicate your possibilities of emigrating to Australia.
In addition to your EOI, those applying for a visa as a skilled migrant worker will need to be nominated by an already approved Australian employer. All applicants must be under the age of 45 and are subject to health and character checks.
Who Can Apply for Citizenship?
There are many reasons why you may wish to apply for Australian citizenship. First, it allows for hassle free entry to and from the country. Not to mention visa-free travel to 183 other countries! Becoming a citizen also offers protection from being deported. And it also opens the door to apply for certain jobs, such as the police or border force.
There are several different ways to apply for citizenship. Here is a rundown of the people who are eligible to do so.
1. Your Parent was an Australian Citizen
The most obvious way to become a citizen is by descent. If you were born outside of Australia and are a citizen of some other nation, but one or both of your parents had Australian citizenship when you were born, you will be eligible to apply.
2. Former Australian Citizens & Their Children
If you formerly possessed Australian citizenship but gave it up, or if you are the child of a former citizen, you could also be eligible to apply.
3. Permanent Residents or New Zealand Citizens
If you are already a permanent resident of Australia, or are an eligible New Zealand citizen, and you intend to continue living in Australia, then you could apply for citizenship if you can prove that you meet certain other eligibility criteria.
4. Born in Papua Before Independence
If you were born in Papua before 16 September 1975 and at least one of your parents was born in Australia (as it is now known) and was an Australian citizen at the time of your birth, you may be eligible for citizenship.
5. Born in Australia but Stateless
If you were born in Australia but currently have no citizenship and have never been a national or citizen of any country, you could be eligible to apply. Providing that you are not entitled to acquire citizenship of any other country.