There are several Australian Immigration and Australian Visa options for potential Australian migrants. Read About the main Australian Visa and Australian immigration options.
Potential migrants to Australia are selected based on skills, health, financial resources, age, English language ability and family and business contacts in Australia. Race, gender and culture are not considered at all.
Migrants today fall into two main categories for a place in the Migration Program: half the +-80,000 places each year go to skilled migrants as Australia seeks those migrants who have skills and qualifications to improve the Australian society and economy.
If you are looking to emigrate to another country than Australia, then you can look at this visa emigration website.
Visa classes
Permanent entry visa
Work visa
Temporary entry visas
Visitor visa
Business visas
PERMANENT ENTRY VISA
Australia accepts people from overseas for permanent settlement in our country under two main migration streams:
The Migration Program
The Humanitarian Program
The Migration Program caters for all potential applicants wishing to migrate to Australia.
The Migration Program
Potential migrants to Australia are selected based on skills, health, financial resources, age, English language ability and family and business contacts in Australia. Race, gender and culture are not considered at all.
Migrants today fall into two main categories for a place in the Migration Program: half the 70,000 places each year go to skilled migrants as Australia seeks those migrants who have skills and qualifications to improve the Australian society and economy. These categories are:
Skilled Migrants
Business Migrants
The other half of the Migration Program places go to family reunion and resettlement of former residents and citizens, and for the families of New Zealanders. These categories are:
Family Migrants
Special Eligibility
Skilled Migrants
There are five categories of migrants in the Skilled Scheme.
1. Independent Skilled Migrants.
For qualified persons in an approved occupation in Australia
Must be under 45 to apply
2. Skilled Migrant – Australian Linked.
Applicants who have close family members in Australia able to sponsor them.
Applicants are assessed on age, qualifications, English & other language abilities.
3. Distinguished Talent.
This is a small category for especially talented people, particularly in the arts or in sports.
4. Employer Nominated Migrant
Employers may nominate skilled people from overseas to fill an Australian job vacancy when no one local has suitable skills for the job.
Age, qualifications and English abilities are assessed.
5. Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme
If your Australian employer, who wants to nominate you, is in a remote area outside metropolitan districts, he or she can sponsor you through this scheme.
Business Migrants
Business Migrants come under the Skilled Migrants Stream, but there are so many special provisions for them that Australian Visas puts them in separate categories.
Business Skills Migration
This information is about migrating to Australia as a business person.
The Business Skills visa class of Australia’s migration program encourages successful business people to settle permanently in Australia and develop new or existing businesses.
Business owners and investors can apply for a visa under the Business Skills category
Under the two-stage arrangements, business migrants are granted a Business Skills (Provisional) visa for four years and, after establishing the requisite level of business or maintaining their eligible investment, are eligible to make an application for a Business Skills (Residence) visa.
A direct permanent residence category will still be available for high-calibre business migrants sponsored by State/Territory governments. This is known as the Business Talent visa.
The Business Skills program is divided into four categories:
business owner: for owners or part-owners of a business;
investment: for investors/business people willing to invest in Australia;
business talent: for high-calibre business people who have sponsorship from a State/Territory government.
Factors affecting Business Skills migrationThe Australian Government implemented a two-stage visa arrangement for business people
Most people interested in coming to Australia under the Business Skills category will need to apply for a Business Skills (Provisional) visa.
After successfully establishing the requisite level of business activity or maintaining a designated investment in Australia, holders of a Business Skills (Provisional) visa will be eligible to lodge an application for permanent residence in Australia.
State/Territory government sponsorship will be available at both the provisional and permanent residence stages, with significantly lower requirements when sponsored.
A direct permanent residence category will still be available for high calibre business migrants sponsored by state/territory governments. This will be known as the Business Talent (Migrant) visa.
Through the State/Territory sponsorship arrangements, the new system will provide for improved linkages with State and Territory government business services to provide the help that many business migrants need to get into business.
Family Migrants
32,000 migrants will be accepted in the Family Stream section.
Family migrants must have a responsible relative in Australian who will sponsor them. Family members not able to support themselves (aged relatives or dependent children) apply under this class. Independent working age family members should apply under the skilled Migrant – Australian linked class.
As a Family migrant you will not be tested on your skill level or your English Language ability, but you will be assessed against Australia’s health and character requirements, as are all migrants.
You may apply as a Family Migrant in one of the following categories:
1. Partner
Spouse – or established partner
Prospective Marriage Partner – intending to get married, a fianc?
De Facto relationships
Child
Dependent Child – your child who is financially dependent on you. This can apply to children over 18 if they are still fully dependent on their Australian sponsor.
Adoption
Orphan Relative
Parent
Parent applications are given a low priority. Limited places are available.
Contributory Parent visas
Other Family
Aged Dependent Relative – single aged relatives
Remaining Relative – last remaining family relative
Carer – person traveling to Australia to care for a special need relative.
The following categories of migrant can apply under this section.
Former citizens or residents of Australia
Family of New Zealand citizens – for dependents of New Zealand citizens who have settled or intend to settle permanently in Australia.
Work visa
Work Visas are only available in certain circumstances. The options are:
Working holiday maker visa – The main intention of your trip should be recreation, but you will be allowed to do part-time and temporary work to supplement your income. This is available to citizens of the following countries: Canada, Japan, Ireland, Korea, Malta, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 26. Note: This visa is not available to South African citizens.
Temporary residence visa with work rights – this visa is for applicants wishing to work in Australia for up to 4 years. Employer sponsorship is the main requirement. Your employer must arrange this from Australia. Only when the sponsorship is approved can you apply for a temporary residence visa.