| Ever wondered how to go about emigrating to | | | | Government of Australia encourages emigration in |
| Australia and go about getting an Australian visa? | | | | order to bring families together. Under the Family Visa |
| Wondering what the various options were and how | | | | Emigration Programme, migrants considering |
| to go about the different schemes without too much | | | | emigration must be sponsored by a close family |
| red tape or expense? There are lots of ways to | | | | member or fiancé(e) living in Australia. There |
| emigrate to Australia. This article spells it out in 9 | | | | are 4 schemes to choose from in order to find out if |
| easy stages. | | | | you are eligible for emigration. Select the one that |
| 1. The Australian economy has never been stronger | | | | best describes your situation. The sponsor must be |
| and the Australian government are particularly looking | | | | either an Australian citizen, permanent resident or |
| out for skilled people with a specialization in many | | | | eligible New Zealand citizen, and would usually be 18 |
| business and trade areas. In order to emigrate you | | | | years of age or older. |
| could go the route of an expensive lawyer, or you | | | | 6. Visitors and tourists. All travelers, except New |
| could get the advice of specialist Australian | | | | Zealand citizens, must obtain a visa or travel authority |
| immigration consultants to see if you qualify for | | | | before they travel to Australia. But now there is no |
| Australian immigration eligibility. | | | | need to worry about visiting the Australian Embassy |
| 2. If you are wondering about work skills needed to | | | | or High Commission to get your visa. You can now |
| emigrate to Australia or qualifications needed to | | | | get your visa online. If you are planning to travel to |
| emigrate to Australia then it's worth bearing in mind | | | | Australia as a visitor or even on a business trip then |
| that there is a points system for applying for what is | | | | you may need either a visa or an ETA (Electronic |
| known as the Skilled Visa. You can fill in an online | | | | Travel Authority). An ETA will allow you to spend up |
| form to see if you satisfy the Australian immigration | | | | to 3 months in Australia and you are free to travel |
| points system as set out by the Australian | | | | anywhere you like. |
| Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs | | | | 7. Business and investment visas. If you have had a |
| (DIMIA). | | | | successful business career either at a senior |
| 3. An Australia working visa. Managers, qualified | | | | executive level or as an owner of your own business |
| professionals and skilled tradespeople are especially in | | | | you may qualify for one of several visas under the |
| demand under the Skilled Visa program. Schemes are | | | | Australian business visa program. Under the |
| available for skilled visas on a permanent or | | | | two-stage arrangements introduced on 1 March 2003, |
| temporary basis, and are all based on points needed | | | | business migrants are granted a Business Skills |
| to emigrate to Australia as set out by the Australian | | | | (Provisional) visa for four years and, after establishing |
| Immigration Department. With the Australian job | | | | the requisite level of business presence required by |
| market advertising over 150,000 jobs each week and | | | | the DIMIA or maintaining their minimum investment, |
| unemployment at its lowest in 10 years, being eligible | | | | are eligible to make an application for a Business Skills |
| for an Australia work visa has never been more | | | | (Residence) visa. |
| possible. There is a huge demand in the plumbing, | | | | 8. If you are an employee who is headhunted or |
| security, printing and the building trades in particular. | | | | moved to your company's Australia office then you |
| However, despite the huge demand across the board | | | | can apply under the Australia sponsored work visa. |
| there was a shortage of candidates for jobs in 2004. | | | | Your employer can effectively sponsor you for this |
| 4. An Australia working holiday visa. These are | | | | by becoming your Australia Immigration Sponsor. |
| exactly what they sound like. There are many people | | | | Under this system, if you are an established |
| who dream of being able to emigrate to Western | | | | professional, you can emigrate to Australia without a |
| Australia or, more specifically, emigrate to Perth | | | | degree. |
| Australia for the amazing weather and facilities there. | | | | 9. Retirement visas. If you wish to emigrate to |
| If you are between 18 and 30 and are looking to | | | | Australia on retirement then you may be eligible for |
| spend 12 months in Australia then you may qualify | | | | an Australia retirement visa given each year. If you |
| for one of the many Australian working holiday visas | | | | are financially secure and would like to spend some |
| that are available every year. | | | | of your retirement years in the warmer climates of |
| 5. Family Visa. If you have an Australian partner, or | | | | Australia, find out if you qualify with our free online |
| members of your immediate family are permanently | | | | assessment. |
| based in Australia then you may qualify for one of | | | | There has never been a better time to emigrate to |
| several family stream visas. Your application to | | | | Australia or to apply for an Australia Work Permit or |
| emigrate to Australia can be done online. The | | | | Australia visa application. |