How to Obtain a Work Visa for Australia

If only we could jump on a plane and immediately start working in Australia, the beautiful land down under. Working in Australia is a little bit more complicated than simply applying and interviewing for a job. There are certain processes that you must go through in order to obtain a work visa for Australia. Follow these tips and get started today.

Understand how it works

Work visas in Australia are known as Skilled Visas and include Australian residency. The Australian government uses a points system to qualify working and skilled migrants. The Skilled Occupations List gives you points for your occupation and language skills. Visa priority is given to those with the most points. You can take the Skilled Points test at the Australian Visa Bureau website. You can also take a look at the current occupations that are in high need.

Match the skilled visa requirements

There are specific requirements you must meet in order to be issued an Australian Skilled Visa. These include:

• You must be younger than 45 years old.
• You must be fluent in English.
• You must have post-secondary education and skills.
• Your vocational and professional skills must be assessed by an Australian authority and take the skills assessment test.
• You must apply for a skilled occupation that is on the government's list.
• You must show recent work experience.
• You must pass a health assessment.
• You must be of and prove good character.

Know your work visa options

In order to emigrate to and work within Australia you must go through the General Skilled Migration Program (GSM).  The Australian government is currently granting the following work visas: 

• Skilled - independent Australian Visas. The most popular work visa for Australia to give out. This visa is for skilled workers who can immediately contribute to the Australian economy. Their vocations will be listed on the highly needed list.  

• Skilled- sponsored Australian Visas are for skilled professionals looking to move to close family members living in Australia already, or those who are sponsored by an Australian state or territory.

• Skilled - regional sponsored Visas are for people who are being sponsored by a participating state government or receiving sponsorship from a family member who lives in a particular area of Australia.  These areas are: Victoria, South Australia, the Northern Territory, Tasmania, Australian Capital Territory, Queensland (besides the Brisbane metropolitan area), Western Australia (besides the Perth metropolitan area)and New South Wales (besides Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong).

• Skilled- regional visas are for people who have already been working and living in Australia on a Skilled-regional Sponsored visa and are seeking a permanent visa.

• Regional sponsored migration scheme (RSMS) provides a foreigner permanent residency and allows employers to sponsor these skilled migrants for jobs.

• Skills Matching Visas are for people who are seeking to be nominated by an Australian State or Territory or employer.  You are able to look for jobs that match the skills that you have to offer.

• Labour agreements are for people who are being brought by a company or corporation to work within Australian borders. Both temporary and permanent visas are granted.

• Graduate - Skilled Visas are designed for foreign students who studied in Australia and have family members living in Australia and wish to continue working within Australian borders.

• Australian Skilled Business Visas – The Australian Visa Bureau has a Business Visa Program designed to encourage business owners, investors and senior executives to come to Australia in order to bring new economic opportunities and ventures. You are first granted a Business Skills Provisional Visa for 4 years. Within that time if you establish the required level of business or a suitable investment then you will be eligible to apply for a Business Skills Residence Visa. Note that the permanent residence is only available to high level business people such as business owners, business managers, senior executives and investors all sponsored by a state or territory government.