Skilled Immigration:
The work visa program provides 18 – 45 year olds the opportunity to migrate and work in Australia permanently or temporarily:
Australian Points Test Effective 1 July 2011
A new Australian skilled immigration points test is expected to go into effect on 1 July 2011. All people who apply for immigration to Australia through the General Skilled Migration Program under the following visas on and after 1 July 2011 will be subject to this points test.
The following tables show the points that will be awarded under the new points test. It is expected that an applicant will need to score 65 points to pass the test.
Age |
Points |
18-24 years |
25 |
25-32 years |
30 |
33-39 years |
25 |
40-44 years |
15 |
45-49 years |
0 |
English Language
Proficiency |
Points |
Competent English - IELTS 6 |
0 |
Proficient English - IELTS 7 |
10 |
Superior English - IELTS 8 |
20 |
Australian Work Experience In A Nominated Occupation Or Closely Related Occupation
Years |
Points |
One year Australian (of past two years) |
5 |
Three years Australian (of past five years) |
10 |
Five years Australian (of past seven years) |
15 |
Overseas Work Experience In A Nominated Occupation Or Closely Related Occupation
Years |
Points |
Three years overseas (of past five years) |
5 |
Five years overseas (of past seven years) |
10 |
Eight years overseas (of past 10 years) |
15 |
Qualification (Australian Or Recognized Overseas)
Qualification |
Points |
Offshore recognized apprenticeship, AQFIII/IV completed in Australia, or Diploma completed in Australia |
10 |
Bachelors or Masters degree |
15 |
PhD |
20 |
Other Criteria
Criteria |
Points |
Recognition of Australian Study (minimum two years full time Australian study |
5 |
Designated Language |
5 |
Partner Skills |
5 |
Professional Year |
5 |
Sponsorship by state or territory government |
5 |
Sponsorship by family or state or territory government to regional Australia |
10 |
Study in a regional area |
5 |
State Sponsorship:
Several states of Australia offer sponsorship to many such skilled migration aspirants:
- Australian Capital
- Territory Northern,
- Australia Victoria
- New South Wales
- Queensland
Travel Visa:
The Travel Visa category is for people who want to travel to Australia for a short time as tourists or for business.
A valid Travel Visa to Australia is required to visit Australia for a holiday, to see family and friends or to conduct a short business trip. There are a number of different visitor visa types, depending on the purpose of your visit and how long you need to stay.
Travellers from ETA eligible country can apply online for an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). Alternatively, you can purchase our Short Term Visa Application Guide which will provide you with all of the necessary forms and guidelines to help you self-manage your short travel visa application.
Short Travel visa Guide:
These Guides are designed to assist people who cannot apply for an ETA and want to visit Australia for single or multiple periods of up to three months.
Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) Visa:
An ETA allows travellers from eligible countries to visit Australia for tourism purposes for up to three months within a twelve month period.
An Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) is an electronic visa linked to your passport number, allowing you to travel to Australia. There is no stamp or label in your passport, and there is no need to visit an Australian diplomatic office to submit an application. If you hold a passport from an ETA-Eligible country, you can apply online quickly and securely.
This is the list of ETA eligible passports which are considered low risk.
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An Electronic Travel Authority is valid for one year, and you can stay in Australia for up to three months per visit.
Your ETA will be automatically linked to your passport number when you check-in at the airport and when you pass through Australian Immigration.
Travellers seeking to enter Australia on an ETA may not be permitted entry unless they are in good health and have no criminal convictions for which the sentence or sentences (whether served or not) are for a total period of 12 months duration or more.
ETA Business Travel Visa:
This visa allows eligible business people to attend business related meetings or conferences in Australia for up to three months.
The Business Visitor Visas are designed for business people who need to make business visits to Australia. The intended business activities may include: conferences, negotiation or exploratory business visits, but cannot include acting, musical performance or commercial film making.
Depending on the frequency of travel to Australia, the following Business Visitor Visa options are available:
- Short Stay - infrequent visits to Australia for up to three months in a one year period;
- Long Stay - regular visits to Australia for up to three months at a time, with the visa being valid for up to 10 years or the life of the passport (whichever is shorter).
Family Visa:
A Family Visa to Australia provides spouses, partners, children, parents and relatives of Australian citizens and permanent residents the opportunity of migrating to Australia:
Spouse Visa:The Australia Spouse visa enables a married or defacto partner to stay in Australia with their eligible partner.
- Interdependent Partner Visa: The Interdependent visa has now been combined into the Spouse/Partner Visa to Australia, and applies to couples of same-sex as well as opposite sex.
- Aged Parent Visa:An aged parent visa entitles parents older than 63 years of age to join their children permanently in Australia through sponsorship.
- Prospective Marriage Visa:The prospective marriage visa enables partners from overseas to enter Australia to marry their Australia fiance(e)
- Parent Visa:A parent visa enables parents with children living in Australia to join their children permanently through sponsorship
- Remaining Relative Visa:The remaining relative visa is for individuals who wish to join their siblings or parents, who are their only near relatives, in Australia.