Working in Australia? Migrate?

How to Travel and Work in Australia

Australia is a popular destination for expatriates. Many people enjoy the climate, culture and communities enough to seek temporary or permanent employment in the country. If you want to work in Australia, you will need to find an employment scheme that sponsors your work visa. There are different options available, depending upon your nationality. On your visa application, you will be awarded points based on your qualifications, which will then determine if you get a visa. This process can take anywhere from 3 months to 18 months, so you may want to get a travel visa to visit Australia in the meantime. Find out how to travel and work in Australia.

First...

Visit your country's state department website to find out how to get a passport. You should start the passport process as soon as possible, as some processes can take between 3 and 6 months to receive.

Visit www.immi.gov.au/skilled to view the Australian immigration rules on foreign workers. Go to www.immi.gov.au/translated-info/_pdf/rights-obligations-workers/english.pdf to see what rights immigrant workers are afforded.

Then...

Apply for an ETA visitor visa. This is required for any short-term trip to Australia, and you will be required to prove you have an ETA before getting on a plane to Australia. It is good for up to 3 months.This visa will cost $20. You can apply at www.eta.immi.gov.au. If you currently hold another type of visa, or you are applying after an ETA is expired, you may have to appear in person at an Australian consulate to reapply.

Apply for an eVisitor visa, if you want to visit Australia for travel or business and you are from an applicable European country. This is designed for travel of 3 months or less and you must apply for it outside of Australia.

Now...

Apply for a tourist visa if you want to extend your travel for more than 3 months. You can apply for this visa inside or outside of Australia. It can be granted for up to 12 months of travel.Visit www.ecom.immi.gov.au/visas/app/uu?form=VSS to apply for a tourist visa. Some nationalities are not able to submit an online application. In this case, you will need to visit an Australian consulate.

Apply for a working holiday visa. This visa is only available to people from certain countries who are between the ages of 18 and 30. It is designed to allow you to travel, supplement your income with work and/or study for up to 12 months.People from a specific list of countries, including the UK and many European countries, should apply for a subclass 415 visa to gain short term employment in Australia. With this visa, you can stay and work for up to 12 months, study for up to 4 months and work during this period. Visit www.immi.gov.au/visitors/working-holiday/417/how-to-apply.htm to get applications and learn how to complete them.People from various Asian and South American countries and the United States can apply for a subclass 462 visa. The restrictions on this visa are similar to the subclass 415 visa; however, you can only work with 1 employer for a period of up to 6 months. Visit www.immi.gov.au/visitors/working-holiday/462/usa/how-to-apply.htm to download applications and learn how to apply.

Working in Australia

If you have skills or qualifications that Australia needs, through SkillSelect you can be invited to apply for a skilled visa by the Australian Government, nominated for a skilled visa by a state or territory government, or nominated for a skilled visa by an employer.

SkillSelect

Allows skilled workers and business people interested in migrating to Australia to record their details so they can be considered for a skilled visa through an Expression of Interest (EOI)

Work in Australia – visas and immigration

Provides information on a range of temporary and permanent skilled visas for workers who want to either work temporarily or migrate to Australia.

Australian Skills Recognition Information

Designed to assist skilled workers migrating to or temporarily working in Australia. ASRI helps you find out how to get a skills assessment for your nominated occupation including educational qualifications, skills or experience that you have gained overseas.

Business people – visas and immigration information

Overseas business people can apply for a visa to conduct short business visits, establish or manage a new or existing business, or invest in Australia.

Consolidated Sponsored Occupations List (CSOL)

This list is relevant for applicants for points-based skilled migration who are nominated by a state or territory government agency; the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS), who must have been nominated by an Australian employer to fill a position in an occupation that appears in the CSOL; the Temporary Work (Skilled) visa (subclass 457); or the Training and Research visa (subclass 402).

DoctorConnect

DoctorConnect provides a starting point for both overseas trained doctors (OTDs) who may be considering work in Australia and employers seeking to recruit them.

Employers – sponsored workers

Provides information for Australian employers about sponsoring people with recognised qualifications, skills or experience seeking to work in Australia.

Skilled Occupations List (SOL)

This list is relevant for applicants for independent points-based skilled migration who are not nominated by a state or territory government agency; a Family Sponsored Points Tested visa; or a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) – Graduate Work stream.

Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO)

Visa holders who do not have a label in their passport can confirm their current visa details online. Organisations can use VEVO to check the visa status of visa holders applying for work, study, licenses and access to government services.

Visa holders and migrants – know your workplace rights

Find out what visa holders and migrants need to know before they start working in Australia.

Work and holiday visa

Provides information for young people between 18 and 30 who want to holiday and work in Australia for up to a year. To apply for this visa, you must hold a valid passport from an eligible country.

Working holiday visa

Provides information for young people between 18 and 30 who want to holiday and work in Australia for up to a year. To apply for this visa, you must hold a valid passport from an eligible country.

Your rights and obligations – Immigration facts for workers

Provides an information booklet to assist workers from overseas to know their rights and help reduce the incidence of exploitation.

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