IMMIGRATION TO AUSTRALIA

Frequently Asked Questions

Overview

This list contains "Frequently Asked Questions" and addresses issues related to Australian immigration policies and procedures.
We advise you to consult with a lawyer / consultant if migrating to Australia is important to your future. EasyMigrate Consultancy Services' professional team of experts can provide you with an optimum service.

 Table of Contents

1. What are the basic Immigrant Categories?
2. What does the "Skilled Migration" category mean?
3. What does the "Business Skills Migration" category mean?
4. Which family members can be included in the principal applicant's immigration application?
5. What income support do I need to have to successfully immigrate?
6. How much are the application fees?
7. Which documents must I include with my application?
8. Must I submit police clearances?
9. Must I undergo a medical examination?
10. Can I use my own doctor to do the medical examination?
11. Is there any benefit for having relatives in Australia?
12. When can I obtain Australia citizenship?
13. What must I do in order to bring my pet with me to Australia?
14. What is the job market like in Australia?
15. Do professionals and tradespeople need registration/ licensing to work in Australia?
16. How long does the immigrant application process take?
17. Why should I consider immigration to Australia? Is Australia right for me?

1. What are the basic Immigrant Categories?

There are several dozen different Permanent and Temporary Visa categories in Australia.
Main categories for permanent residence applications to Australia:

Other Visa categories include:

Retiree Migration
Religious Worker
Student visas (Temporary Stay)
Business Long Stay (Upto four years)

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2. What does the "Skilled Migration" category mean?
For detailed information, please refer to Australia Skilled Migration section.

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3. What does the "Business Skills Migration" category mean?
For detailed information, please refer to Australia Business Immigration (Overview) section.

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4. Which family members can be included in the principal applicant's immigration application?
A spouse who is legally married to the principal applicant may be included in the application. A de facto partner may be included if the principal applicant and de facto partner have been living in a genuine and stable relationship for at least two years at the time of application. A de facto partner is a partner in a heterosexual or homosexual relationship.

A dependent child (whether natural or adopted) of the principal applicant or spouse/partner may be included in the application for permanent residence, if he/she is neither married nor engaged to be married, and:

1. (a) is aged under 18 years: or

(b) aged over 18 and is dependent on the parent; or

c) of any age and incapacitated for work because of a physical or mental disability.

If the parents of a dependent child included in Austr. residence( immigration) application are separated or divorced, the applicant parent must have the right to remove the dependent child from the country in which rights of custody or visitation have been granted.

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5. What income support do I need to have to successfully immigrate?
In majority of Immigrant visa categories, new immigrants need sufficient personal resources to support themselves and their dependants for the first 24 months in Australia. New permanent residents are not eligible for benefit from Austr. Income Support in these first 2 years, except in emergency cases.

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6. How much are the application fees?
For detailed information about application fees, please visit our Australia Government Fees section of this Web site.

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7. Which documents must I include with my application?
You must include the:

--Fully completed application form;

--Correct application processing fee

--Passports or travel documents for yourself and each family member included in the application;

--Two passport-size photographs of each person in the application;

--A certified copy of each person’s full Birth Certificate. Full birth certificates must include the names of both the child and its parents. Adoption papers for adopted dependent children;

--Original or certified copy of marriage certificate, if applicable;

--Police certificates for every person 17 years and older in the application. You must submit:

--A police certificate from your country of citizenship

--certificates from every country in which you have spent more than 12 months in the past 10 years;

--completed Medical and X-Ray certificates (these must be less than 3 months old);

--Proof of English language ability;

Evidence required for application in certain categories (see below)

--Documentation of the qualification for which you are claiming points;

--Proof of work experience: this can include letters of reference, pay slips, contracts, job specifications, job assessments, tax records;

--Letters/contracts offering employment, if applicable;

--Proof of settlement funds, if you intend to claim points in this category;

--Proof of relationship to you relatives in Australia, if claiming family sponsorship;

--Assessment of spouse’s qualifications, if applicable.

--Proof of Business Skills and associated Financials if you are applying for Business Skills categories.

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8. Must I submit police clearances?
Yes, in order to ascertain the fulfillment of the "good character" requirement, police clearances are necessary. They are required for all those included in the application who are 17 years and older. They must be obtained from every country in which you have spent 12 months or more within the past 10 years. Please note that police certificates and clearances must be less than six months old.

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9. Must I undergo a medical examination?
Yes, every applicant must undergo Medical and X-Ray examinations in order to demonstrate "good health". Applicants in good health are considered those who:

--are not likely to be a danger to public health;

--are not likely to be a burden on the health services;

--are not unfit for the purpose of entry.

--are unlikely to cause undue expense for the Australian Government and/or compete for scarce resources that could result in disadvantage to Australian citizens and permanent residents.

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10. Can I use my own doctor to do the medical examination?
No. The examination must be done by an approved doctor on Australia’s list of approved medical panels.

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11. Is there any benefit for having relatives in Australia?
Yes, in the "Skilled Migrants"categories, points are awarded if you have an immediate family member who is an Australia citizen or permanent resident and is willing to undertake sponsorship. The family sponsor is responsible for providing information and advice, and providing accommodation and support in the first 24 months of your residence in Australia.

In the "Family Migration" categories, different visas require different levels of relationship.
These include:
"Close relative" (spouse, parent, child, brother / sister, step and adoptive relations but not in-laws);
"Relative" (all close relatives as well as grandparents, grandchildren, uncles / aunts, nephews / neices, includes step and adoptive relations but not in-laws);
"Step-child" (child of the current spouse, or of a former spouse where the child is under 18 and is being cared for by the person under a legal guardianship or custody order);
Other levels of relationship include "family unit", "Balance of Family", etc.

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12. When can I obtain Australian. citizenship?
You can apply for Australia citizenship after 2 years of residency.

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13. What must I do in order to bring my pet with me to Australia?
Current regulations require four months of quarantine in Australia.
Quarantine Regulations are very strict in Australia. Please consult with your EasyMigrate Consultancy Services expert who will find the latest information for you.

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14. What is the job market like in Australia?
Australia is experiencing a shortage of skilled professionals in many occupations. Furthermore, it has unemployment rates as low as 6% in some cities. However, some occupations are more in demand than others. The best way to investigate the employment climate given your specific occupation is to consult the employment section in Australian newspapers or Australian "on-line" internet job-placement service providers. Click here.

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15. Do professionals and tradespeople need registration/ licensing to work in Australia?
Yes, many trades and professions do require registration and licensing before they can work in Australia. These include: accountants, architects, chiropractors, clinical dental technicians, dental technicians, dentists, dieticians, electricians, electrical service technicians, lawyers, line mechanics, medical laboratory technologists, medical practitioners, medical radiation technologists, midwives, and nurses, plumbers, refrigeration mechanics, and many others.

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16. How long does the immigrant application process take?
The length of processing varies depending on where your application is submitted. EasyMigrate Consultancy Services have been successful in obtaining immigration visas within 3-6 months on average. However, some cases may take much longer, whereas others are finalized in a matter of a few weeks only. The crucial requirement is that the application be fully and properly completed, with all necessary documentation attached.

In some categories, there are long waiting periods imposed by the Department of Immigration because these categories are subject to annual quotas.

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17. Why should I consider immigration to Australia? Is Australia right for me?
We firmly believe that there are many advantages in considering immigration to Australia. We also realize that each individual has unique dreams, demands and expectations. To ascertain whether Australia should be your destination, browse this Web site and check it out for yourself.

General information about the country Why Australia? What People Say   Back to Table of Contents

Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House.