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The Australian government recently announced the largest skilled migration program in the nation's history, with over 133,500 migration places available in the coming year.
With current projections indicating that Australia's skilled migration intake over the next decade will continue to rise, combined with strong economic forecasts and a standard of living the envy of many countries, there's never been a better time to consider making the move down under.
To help you on your way, Registered Migration Agent, Assyl Haidar, of LIVE IN australia.com, outlines some of the main issues and concerns facing prospective migrants.
The Skilled Migration Program is the most common means of gaining permanent residence in Australia. The aim of the program is to attract migrants who have skills that are required in Australia and who will contribute to Australia's economy and future prosperity. Applicants apply on the basis of their qualifications and experience, along with factors such as their age and English language ability. Applicants in occupations that are in high demand will be eligible to claim additional points.
You must be under 45 years of age to make an application for a General Skilled Migration Visa, so if time is of the essence ensure you don't delay your decision too long.
Depending on the score achieved, applicants may be able to apply independently for a visa, meaning they can settle anywhere, or obtain sponsorship from a state or territory government and settle in the sponsoring state or region. The introduction of the regional sponsorship options has both created more opportunities for those who previously had insufficient points, and led to an increase in migrants going to areas of Australia where their skills are needed most.
Sponsorship options are also available for those applicants with close family members in Australia. If you have a non-dependent child, a parent, a brother or sister, a niece or nephew, or an aunt or uncle, you can ask him or her to sponsor your application for migration. You may need less points or gain additional points for family sponsorship depending on where your Australian family member resides.
The first step in an application for skilled migration is to have your skills assessed as suitable for migration purposes. A number of relevant national assessing bodies have been established to assess the skills of applicants whose qualifications were gained overseas against the Australian standard.
Applicants must demonstrate that they have the qualifications and work experience relevant to the occupation, and that they are capable of undertaking the full range of tasks expected in the occupation in Australia.
A wide range of other residence visa options are available for applicants under business, employer sponsored, and family streams.
Business Migrants may apply on the strength of their background in business and financial capacity to establish a successful business in Australia. Business Owners, Senior Executives, and Investors are all catered for under the Business stream. Most applicants receive a provisional visa with the permanent visa being available after they have fulfilled their business or investment obligations. A one-step Business visa options is also available to high calibre business applicants with a substantial financial contribution to make.
Employers with positions that cannot be filled locally can recruit highly skilled migrants from overseas. There are both Australia-wide and Regional options for obtaining sponsorship by an employer for a permanent residence visa. The visas are similar in operation with some concessions made to those employers in regional Australia who are likely to have found it more difficult to fill the skilled positions they need. Many applicants apply for these visas after having resided in Australia on a temporary business visa for two years and then deciding that they would like to stay permanently.
People with close family ties or partners who are Australian citizens or permanent residents may have options under the family stream, with spouse and parent visas and other family visas such as the remaining relative visa being available.
Many prospective migrants who may not be immediately eligible for a residence visa opt to apply for a temporary work visa or student visa. These options are also available to those who may not necessarily have decided to immigrate but wish to spend an extended period of time in Australia.
Temporary workers can be sponsored for up to four years for a skilled position which cannot be filled locally. Applicants firstly need to obtain an employer who is willing and eligible to sponsor them.
Students who complete at least two years of study in Australia in a prerequisite course may be able to apply to remain permanently or extend their stay on completion of their studies.
Of course if you have never been to Australia, you may simply want to come and say hello. The tourist visa allows the holder a stay of up to 3 months, although it is possible to stay longer if you are visiting family or friends and have sufficient funds to support yourself during your visit.
The Working Holiday Visa is a popular option for young people aged 18 to 30 and a great way to see Australia and earn some supplementary income during their visit. This visa is available for passport holders from those countries with which Australia has a reciprocal agreement.
Working Holiday Makers can travel for twelve months in Australia and work for up to six months with each employer. If they complete a three month period of seasonal work (areas such as picking and harvesting) while on their first Working Holiday Visa they may also apply for a second Working Holiday Visa.
Whichever visa option you intend to pursue, finding a job is sure to be a major consideration when contemplating your move to Australia. The internet has undoubtedly reshaped the job search market, with online companies providing a global reach.
Seek.com is one of Australia's largest online recruitment sites and with advertisements in most occupations; you may find the job you're looking for right here!
Seek.com can also assist you to revamp your CV, provide you with job alerts and links to specialist recruitment consultants.
Some of the common mistakes made by applicants include omitting a vital document, missing a crucial deadline, or even applying under the incorrect visa class. A growing number of prospective migrants are therefore seeking the advice of professional migration agents to assist them to complete their applications.
The migration advice profession has undergone a transformation in recent years. A stringent registration and compliance process, along with continuing professional development, means that you can be confident of receiving professional advice and assistance.
A Registered Migration Agent will, for a service fee, be able to provide you with clear indication of your potential alibility and the visa options available to you, as well as complete the necessary forms for your application and liaise with the immigration authorities on your behalf.
Once you have obtained your visa the next challenge will be the logistics of getting yourself and your family, your pets, and your household possessions to your new Australian home.
Buying a house in Australia will be an exciting time, but also one that requires a good deal of research and planning. It is recommended that you see the property first and arrange a building inspection before you purchase. Viewing the property first hand will also allow you to appreciate the surrounding neighbourhood and proximity to schools, shops, and public transport.
Most migrants will rent on arrival before they buy and there are none of the long waiting lists that exist in some countries. Usually a scan through the Saturday paper will produce a list of rental properties available for you to inspect.
Quarantine laws mean that everything will need to be spick and span (very clean) if you intend to bring it along. Special arrangements for pets need to be made as they will need to spend a period of time in quarantine after arrival.
Getting the kids into school and a good education will be at the forefront of every parent's mind.
Australia's education system is rated as one of the world's best, and families can migrate safe in knowledge that their children will have access to a strong education system. The focus of the current Australian government is to provide an education for the future with computing skills and other languages a feature in the curriculum.
There are both public and private schools available at primary and secondary level. Public schools can usually accommodate children at any time of the year. However, to enable a smooth transition into the classroom it is worth noting that the school year starts at the end of January after the summer holidays. Given the multicultural nature of many of Australia's communities, your children may well meet other students from your homeland.
Finally, you may be wondering what Australia has to offer you that you can't find at home. Australia's reputation as a young and vibrant country is well known, but opportunities do genuinely abound for migrants with skills to contribute. The skills shortage has led to low unemployment and a high demand for skills in areas such as health professionals, Information Technology Professionals, Engineers and skilled Tradespeople among the many sectors where skills are desperately needed. Whether you want to live in a major city, such as Sydney or Melbourne, or in a small regional centre, the relaxed and friendly way of life here in Australia is easy to find.
The climate, wide-open spaces, sense of optimism, the environment, the natural beauty of the country, multiculturalism, and freedom of beliefs and speech, are the common themes expressed by those who have made the decision to migrate down under.
LIVE IN australia.com provide an online Australian visa assessment service. Start the process today.
By Assyl Haidar Registered Migration Agent number 0102767
The views expressed above are the opinion of the writer and should not be relied upon as fact. Please also note that migration regulations and policies are subject to change.
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