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Australia is a popular destination for people who want to live and work in a diverse, multicultural, and beautiful country. Whether you are looking for a change of scenery, a better quality of life, or a new career opportunity, moving to Australia can be an exciting and rewarding experience. However, before you pack your bags and book your flight, you need to know what visa requirements you have to meet to enter and stay in Australia legally.

What is a visa and why do you need one?

A visa is a document that grants you permission to enter, stay, or work in a foreign country. It is usually issued by the immigration authorities of that country and may have certain conditions and limitations attached to it. A visa is different from a passport, which is a travel document that identifies you as a citizen of your home country.

You need a visa to move to Australia because Australia is a sovereign nation that has the right to control who enters and stays in its territory. Without a valid visa, you may be refused entry at the border or deported if you are found to be in Australia illegally. Having a visa also gives you certain rights and obligations while you are in Australia, such as access to health care, education, social security, and taxation.

What are the types of visas available for moving to Australia?

There are many types of visas available for moving to Australia, depending on your purpose, duration, and eligibility. Some of the most common visas include:

• Skilled visas: These visas are for people who have skills and qualifications that are in demand in Australia. They allow you to live and work in Australia permanently or temporarily. Some examples of skilled visas are:
  • Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189): This visa is for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer, a state or territory government, or a family member. You need to score at least 65 points on the points test¹ and have an occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)².
  • Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190): This visa is for skilled workers who are nominated by a state or territory government. You need to score at least 65 points on the points test¹ and have an occupation on the MLTSSL or the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL)³.
  • Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491): This visa is for skilled workers who are nominated by a state or territory government or sponsored by an eligible relative living in a designated regional area of Australia. You need to score at least 65 points on the points test¹ and have an occupation on the MLTSSL, the STSOL, or the Regional Occupation List (ROL)⁴.
• Family visas: These visas are for people who have a family member who is an Australian citizen, a permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen. They allow you to live in Australia permanently or temporarily. Some examples of family visas are:
  • Partner visa (subclass 820/801): This visa is for people who are married to or in a de facto relationship with an Australian partner. You need to prove that your relationship is genuine and ongoing and that you meet the health and character requirements.
  • Parent visa (subclass 103/143): This visa is for parents who have at least half of their children living in Australia as citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens. You need to be sponsored by your child and meet the balance of family test, the health and character requirements, and the assurance of support.
  • Child visa (subclass 101/802): This visa is for children who are under 18 years old or dependent on their parents and whose parents are Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens. You need to be sponsored by your parent and meet the health and character requirements.
• Student visas: These visas are for people who want to study in Australia at an approved educational institution. They allow you to stay in Australia for the duration of your course or up to five years. Some examples of student visas are:
  • Student visa (subclass 500): This visa is for students who want to study full-time at a registered education provider. You need to have a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from your education provider, meet the English language proficiency and financial capacity requirements, and have adequate health insurance.
  • Student Guardian visa (subclass 590): This visa is for parents or relatives who want to accompany and care for a student who is under 18 years old or has exceptional circumstances. You need to have enough funds to support yourself and the student, have adequate health insurance, and meet the health and character requirements.
  • Training visa (subclass 407): This visa is for people who want to participate in a workplace-based training program or a professional development program in Australia. You need to be sponsored by an approved sponsor, have a nomination from your sponsor, meet the English language proficiency and financial capacity requirements, and have adequate health insurance.
• Working holiday visas: These visas are for young people who want to travel and work in Australia for up to 12 months. They allow you to work for any employer for up to six months and study for up to four months. Some examples of working holiday visas are:
  • Working Holiday visa (subclass 417): This visa is for people who are aged between 18 and 30 (or 35 for some countries) and hold a passport from an eligible country. You need to have enough funds to support yourself and pay for your return ticket, have adequate health insurance, and meet the health and character requirements.
  • Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462): This visa is for people who are aged between 18 and 30 (or 35 for some countries) and hold a passport from an eligible country. You need to have enough funds to support yourself and pay for your return ticket, have adequate health insurance, meet the health and character requirements, and meet the educational and English language requirements.

How to apply for a visa to move to Australia?

The process of applying for a visa to move to Australia may vary depending on the type of visa you are applying for, but generally, it involves the following steps:

• Choose the right visa: You need to research the different types of visas available and choose the one that suits your purpose, duration, and eligibility. You can use the Visa Finder tool on the Australian Government website to help you find the right visa.
• Check the visa requirements: You need to check the specific requirements for the visa you are applying for, such as the points test, the occupation list, the sponsorship, the nomination, the English language proficiency, the financial capacity, the health insurance, the health and character checks, etc. You can find detailed information on each visa subclass on the Australian Government website.
• Gather the necessary documents: You need to gather all the necessary documents that support your visa application, such as your passport, your birth certificate, your education certificates, your work experience letters, your marriage certificate, your bank statements, your medical reports, your police clearance certificates, etc. You may need to get some of your documents translated or certified by an authorized person. You can find a checklist of documents on each visa subclass on the Australian Government website.
• Submit your online application: You need to create an account on ImmiAccount, which is an online portal that allows you to apply for and manage your Australian visas. You need to fill in an online application form with your personal details, upload your documents, pay the visa application charge, and submit your application. You can track the status of your application on ImmiAccount.
• Wait for a decision: You need to wait for a decision from the Department of Home Affairs, which is the government agency that processes Australian visas. The processing time may vary depending on the type of visa you are applying for, the complexity of your case, and the volume of applications received. You can check the estimated processing time on each visa subclass on the Australian Government website.
• Receive your visa grant letter: If your visa application is approved, you will receive a visa grant letter that confirms your visa details, such as your visa subclass, your visa grant number, your visa expiry date, and your visa conditions. You should keep this letter as a record of your visa.
• Travel to Australia: You can travel to Australia with your passport and your visa grant letter. You may also need to carry other documents that are relevant to your visa, such as your CoE, your sponsor’s letter, or your nomination letter. You should comply with all the visa conditions while you are in Australia.

Conclusion

Moving abroad to Australia can be a life-changing decision that offers many benefits and opportunities. However, it also requires careful planning and preparation, especially when it comes to meeting the visa requirements. By choosing the right visa, checking the visa requirements, gathering the necessary documents, submitting your online application, waiting for a decision, receiving your visa grant letter, and traveling to Australia, you can make your dream of moving abroad to Australia come true.