Work Visas

Skilled Visas to Australia

Skilled visas are available to applicants who have the appropriate level of training, education and/or on-the-job experience in their chosen occupation. The skilled visa is the most readily granted: in 2002-3, more than half of all immigration came from the skilled migration scheme, indicating that Australia fully appreciates skilled persons who can contribute to the economic health of the country.

Thus, if you have received a tertiary education or specific training in an industry in your own country and speak fluent English, you may qualify for one of three types of skilled visa:

• Skilled Independent: for applicants without family sponsorship and are able to pass the minimum requirements set by Australia’s Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), including the DIAC points test

• Skilled Sponsored: for applicants with a family sponsor (who is also an Australian citizen). You must be able to pass the minimum requirements set by Australia’s Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), including the DIAC points test

• Skilled Designated Area Sponsored: this means you have a family sponsor living in a particular region of Australia. You must be able to pass the minimum requirements set by Australia’s Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), including the DIAC points test

Temporary Work Visas to Australia

Temporary visas include both work and short-visit visas. If you are looking to backpack and work your way around Australia and you come from the United Kingdom, Ireland, Korea, Malta, Canada, the Netherlands, Japan, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Hong Kong (SAR), Finland or Cyprus, then you may apply for a Working Holiday visa. Please note that plans are afoot by the DIAC to include USA passport holders in the Working Holiday Scheme from 31st October 2007.

If you do not belong to one of the above countries, you may apply for either a short-term visitor visa or short-term work visa. You may not work on the short-term visitor visas, however and if you infringe this term of your visa conditions you may be deported.