- Australia permits up to 200,000 migrants each year
- Popular migrant visas are categorized as working and skill visas, studying and training visas and family visas
- An immigrant can apply for citizenship after living in Australia for a minimum of 4 years.
Australia is a popular migrant destination. There indeed are 4 ways to migrate to Australia. The country has great educational institutions, a sound economy and offers a good quality of life – everything a migrant looks for. If you’re planning on moving to Australia, read on to find out how you can do this.
The Land Down Under, The Land of Oz, The Land of Plenty – these are only some of the monikers Australia is known by. Australia is a popular destination not only with tourists but also with migrants.
Australia accepts up to 200,000 migrants each year. This includes adults who migrate to Australia via the family stream and skill stream and children. In the FY 2016-17, the maximum number of immigrants came from India. Indians were followed by Chinese, British and Philippine nationals.
Top 5 Countries of Migrants
| Country of Origin | India | China | The United Kingdom | Philippines | Pakistan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Immigrants | 38,854 | 28,293 | 17,038 | 12,209 | 6,556 |
Why Migrate to Australia?
The country truly offers everything a person could ask for. From tropical rainforests to sandy beaches, Australia boasts of a variety of ecosystems and the lowest air pollution levels in the world. It is an inclusive, multi-cultural society with great job opportunities and over 1200 institutes of higher education. Australians pride themselves on a healthy work-life balance and there’s always something new to explore here. So, how can you migrate to Australia?
4 Ways to Migrate to Australia
There are many different ways to migrate to Australia. The visas available for migrants can be categorized as working and skill visas, studying and training visas, family visas and other miscellaneous visas.
1. Working and Skill Visas
Better job prospects are a leading reason why people migrate to Australia. To be eligible for a skilled visa, an individual must be occupied in a job that is included in Australia’s skilled occupations list. Other eligibility criteria to be met include:
- The applicant must be less than 45 years old
- The applicant must be proficient in English
- The applicant must have the necessary skills to work in the chosen occupation
- The applicant must have good health
- The applicant must have a good character and clean criminal record
Australia follows a point system for migration. To be eligible for the General Skilled Migration program, the applicant must have a minimum score of 60 points. This score is calculated across various categories including age, IELTS score, employment history, educational qualifications and the spouse’s qualifications and skills. Below is a breakdown of this point system.
Migrate to Australia – Point System
| Category | Breakup | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 18-24 | 25 |
| 25-32 | 30 | |
| 33-39 | 25 | |
| 40-44 | 15 | |
| IELTS score | IELTS score >=8 | 20 |
| IELTS score >=7 | 10 | |
| IELTS score >=6 | 0 | |
| skilled employment outside Australia | 3 years of skilled employment outside Australia | 5 |
| 5 years of skilled employment outside Australia | 10 | |
| 8 years of skilled employment outside Australia | 15 | |
| skilled employment in Australia | 1 year of skilled employment in Australia | 5 |
| 3 years of skilled employment in Australia | 10 | |
| 5 years of skilled employment in Australia | 15 | |
| 8 years of skilled employment in Australia | 20 | |
| Educational Qualifications | Award or qualification recognised by the assessing authority in the assessment of the skilled occupation | 10 |
| Australian Diploma or trade qualification | 10 | |
| Bachelor's or Master's degree | 15 | |
| Doctorate | 20 | |
| Any degree, diploma, or trade qualification earned in Australia after at least 2 years of study | 5 | |
| Community language skills | NAATI recognised translator/interpreter level skills in a community language | 5 |
| Spouse/partner skills and qualifications | Spouse/partner meets basic requirements | 5 |
To migrate to Australia with a skill visa, the applicant must first file an Expression of Interest (EOI). This is valid for two years. Depending on the points scored, the applicant will be invited to apply for a visa within 1 to 3 months of submitting the EOI.
Applicants who do not meet the minimum points will not be invited for the same. An application for a migrant visa must be submitted within 60 days of receiving the invitation. A visa processing fee must be paid at this time. Processing the application can take up to a few months.
2. Student and Training Visas
A student visa allows students of all ages to migrate to Australia and study full-time. To be eligible for this visa:
- The applicant must be at least 6 years old
- A confirmed seat in a recognized educational institution
- A health insurance
- The applicant must be proficient in English
- If they are over 18 years old, must have the financial capability of living independently
- Students under the age of 18 years must have parental consent and suitable welfare arrangements in place.
A student visa allows the applicant to stay in Australia for the duration of their course. In some cases, it may be granted for 5 years. International students are permitted to work for up to 40 hours a fortnight after their course has begun. Certain family members can accompany the applicant on a student visa.
People can also migrate to Australia temporarily with a training visa. This visa permits the individual to participate in workplace training to enhance their skills and take part in Australian professional development training programs.
Eligibility
- The applicant must be at least 18 years old and be nominated or invited by a sponsor.
- The visa is valid for 2 years.
To extend the visa a new application must be filed before the current visa validity is over. Certain family members can accompany the applicant and migrate to Australia on a training visa.
3. Family Visas
Australia has a number of different visas to help Australian citizens bring their partners, children, parents and other relatives to Australia.
Partner visas – This type of visa can be applied for by the fiancé, spouse or same-sex partner of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or New Zealand citizen eligible for Australian migration programs.
Children’s visas – These visas can be sponsored by an Australian citizen or permanent resident. The child may be born to the sponsor or adopted by the sponsor. The child being sponsored should be below the age of 18 years and unmarried.
Children between the age of 18 and 25 years may be sponsored if they are unmarried, occupied as a full-time student and financially dependent on the sponsor or disabled and unable to work.
Orphaned children can be sponsored by a relative who is an Australian citizen or permanent resident. Elderly relatives who are dependent on Australian citizens or permanent residents and individuals who’s sole living relative are in Australia can also migrate to Australia with family visas.
Carer visas – Relatives of an Australian citizen or permanent resident with a long-term medical illness can apply for carer visas in the family visa category if they can provide long-term practical support for the sponsor.
4. Naturalization
For people who migrate to Australia permanently, citizenship is the ultimate goal. Migrants from any country can become Australian citizens as long as they meet certain conditions.
- They must be have been permanent residents for at least a year before applying for citizenship
- They must have lived in Australia legally for at least 4 years and not have been absent for more than 12 months during this period.
- They must not have been absent from Australis for more than 90 days in the year prior to applying for citizenship
- They must have good character
- They must be proficient in English
- They must intend on staying in Australia
- They must pass the Australian citizenship test. This is not required for applicants over the age of 60 years.
An application for naturalization must be filed along with documents to prove the applicant’s identity and character. A few other supporting documents may also be needed. After the application is approved the applicant will be invited to participate in an oath-taking ceremony.
Australia allows its citizens to have dual citizenship and hence the applicant may maintain his or her original citizenship also as long as that particular country’s laws permit dual citizenship as well.
Also See
- How to Apply For Australian Permanent Residency
- Australian Student Visa Application – The Procedure, Eligibility Criteria and Time Taken
- 8 Types of Australia Student Visa
- Australia Replaced 457 Visa Program with TSS Visas
- The Australian Citizenship Test – What to Expect
