Australian Employers can help you Migrate to Australia
by Obtaining a Skilled Occupation Migration Visa.

Why Migrate to Australia?
Australian people live in a multicultural society, with people from every country in the world living in a secular and tolerant way of life. There have been tremendous changes in recent years to the way that the Australian community views globalisation, and there is now a general realisation that Australians must be prepared to understand and participate in ongoing change if there is to be growth and international competitiveness.

Despite the current economic downturn, there is still a demand for skilled workers to fill positions unable to be filled within Australia. However, like many countries around the world, the Australian Government has considerably tightened the regulatory environment that aspiring migrants must comply with.

 Visas are available for lawfully operating Australian and overseas employers to sponsor and employ skilled workers who have recognised qualifications and skills/or experience in particular occupations required in Australia.

Visas are also available for skilled people to be employed in Australia on a temporary or permanent basis. Applicants for these visas seeking to work for an Australian employer must be sponsored by their employer.

By listing on Australian Job Match, you are connecting with an Australian Employer who can assist you with migration if they require your skills.

Criteria such as having certified skills and work experience, speaking fluent English, meeting character requirements and being less than forty-five years of age are strict requirements that the principal visa applicant must meet. Those applicants with skills that are in demand by Australian employers are given priority processing.

It is anticipated that demand for skilled labour in Australia will continue for many years to come, as there are sectors of the economy still growing. With international employment opportunities lessened as a result of the global downturn, many young Australians are now returning home to work. However, many young Australians still look to a stint of working offshore as part of their professional development, resulting in a ‘brain drain’ of skills and experience out of Australia, that must be replaced with overseas skilled workers.
 
Australia has a high living standard and a stable, democratic government. There is an excellent education system with first class schools and universities providing a high standard of education that is recognised around the world. Australia’s health system is world class.

It is a big country, with relatively few people in relation to its size. Australians on the whole are easy-going and welcome immigrants who are looking for a new start or a different lifestyle in the “lucky country”. Australia is clean and safe, has wide open spaces and lovely coastal beaches, and a friendly sport-loving people.
 
Many Australians remember the contribution made by US and Canadian Forces during the Second World War. Successive Australian Governments have maintained close ties with the US and Canadian Governments.
 
Everyone entering Australia must hold a valid visa. Australia’s immigration laws are strict and favour younger, skilled migrants – but if you able to match the criteria required for living and working in Australia, there are rewards waiting there for you.

How will I know that the Australian employer is operating lawfully?
All Australian companies have to hold an Australian Business Number or Australian Company Number that can be checked through Australian Government channels over the internet. There are heavy penalties for Australian employers who breach Australia’s workplace laws.

All Australian companies viewing your details on the Australian Job Match Database must have a valid Australian Business Number.
 
Prospective Australian employers will have to pay a substantial amount up front to get you through the migration process, and we will check them out if and when they ask for your CV / Resume.  There is an incentive for them to make their working relationship with you as harmonious as possible.
 
However, we can’t give you a guarantee that everything will go smoothly with your employer in Australia – it’s not a perfect world. Employers will be required to offer you a firm contract as part of the migration process and there are a wide range of organisations and legislation representing the interests of employees if there is a workplace dispute.

What costs will be paid by the sponsoring employer?
The employer sponsoring you pays a charge for us to liaise with you and get your documentation together, ready to lodge a visa application.
 
When everything is ready, we will contact our affiliate in Australia who can get you through the tricky migration process and present your case for a visa in the strongest possible way to the Australian Government’s Department of Immigration and Citizenship.
 
What hidden costs are there?
If you are offered a contract to work in Australia, you will have to negotiate with the employer regarding your travel and moving costs, whether your family goes with you, your salary and the conditions of your employment.
 
Depending on your occupation, there will be costs involved with registration and/or licensing, and costs for having your offshore skills formally assessed by the relevant authority in Australia.
 
There will be costs for you and your family to undergo medical examinations. There will also be a fee for doing an English test if English is not your first language or if your Passport is from a non-English speaking country.
 
There will also be a fee payable to the Australian Government for visa application charges.
 
You should get a clear understanding of your liability for costs from the employer in Australia.

 
What if I or a member of my family has a health problem or a disability?
When you make a visa application you will need to meet health requirements, so that the Australian Government doesn’t have to meet any extra health costs. If there are health problems your visa application may not be successful.
 
When applying for a permanent visa, any dependent family member remaining behind must also pass the health test. If they do not, your visa application may not be successful.

This information will need to be provided during the visa application process and does not apply to your listing in the Australian Job Match database. We will not have access to any of your private health information.
 
Do I have to pass an English language test?
Applicants who hold passports from the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland usually do not have to provide proof that they can speak English.
 
Holders of passports from other countries are required to demonstrate their level of English through an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) test.
 
Do I have to disclose any convictions?
When you make a visa application you will be required to meet a character test and will be required to disclose prior recorded convictions. A police check will be required from any country that you and any dependents have lived in for twelve months or more during the past ten years.
 
This information will need to be provided during the visa process and does not apply to your listing on the Australian Job Match database. We will not have access to any private character information or police checks.
 
What is the usual length of a work contract with an Australian employer?
If your application is for an employer sponsored temporary work visa, the employer can hire you for between 3 months to 4 years.
 
If you are on an employer sponsored temporary work visa, you must obtain a new visa or leave Australia once your contract and visa expires.
 
If your application is for an employer sponsored permanent residency work visa, the employer can hire you for 2-3 years. If you go to Australia on a permanent residency visa you can remain living and working in Australia after your contract finishes.
 
Both these visas have options for renewing the contracts by mutual agreement.
 
Can I go to Australia to work and leave family members behind, perhaps to join me later?
It is possible for the head of the family to work in Australia, and for the spouse or other dependent family members to stay behind, e.g., to finish studies. If these family members are aged 18 years or less they can usually (subject to character and health requirements), follow before the head of the family’s visa in Australia expires.
 
When applying for a permanent visa, any dependent family member remaining behind must also pass the health test. If they do not, your visa application may not be successful.
 
Once your dependents are over 18 years old and/or no longer dependent, they will have to apply for their own visa. It can be difficult to independently get a permanent or employer sponsored visa, so you should consider including them in your application (if they want to live in Australia) before they turn 18 and are no longer dependent on you.

Do my other family members have work and/or study rights if I am working in Australia on an employer sponsored visa?
Family members who are secondary applicants to temporary or permanent residency employer sponsored visas are given full work and study rights.
 
Does my family have access to the social security system, subsidised health care or subsidised education in Australia?
Holders of employer sponsored temporary visas should make arrangements for themselves and their family to have health insurance for their entire stay in Australia. If the sponsoring employer arranges health insurance on the employee’s behalf, the employee should ask for details of the health insurance policy and find out what health treatment is covered by that policy.
  
Temporary employees cannot access the Australian social security system or receive subsidised education for family members.
 
Holders of permanent residency visas can live and work in Australia on a permanent basis, and can study, receive subsidised health care, and access certain social security payments (subject to waiting periods).
 
Do I have to get my skills and qualifications recognised in Australia?
Permanent residency applicants will need to have their overseas qualification checked against the Australian requirements.
 
There are a number of Australian Government and professional bodies that provide this service. There is a cost involved and you will need to provide full information about your qualifications. This process can be lengthy, depending on your occupation.
 
You can get this process underway at any time, if you are fully qualified. If you have an employer interested in hiring you, it is advisable to get this process underway quickly to avoid delays with your visa application.
 
Can I come to Australia and have a look around before entering into a work contract with an Australian employer?
There is nothing stopping you (apart from the expense of course) from making an application to come to Australia first, as a visitor or as a student. Visitors don’t have work rights and students have restricted work rights.  If interested in travelling to Australia, go to   www.Australian.com
 
Should I use an Australian Registered Migration Agent if/when I need to apply for a visa?
You don’t have to, but we recommend you do.  The Australian visa requirements and the application process are pretty demanding, and it is worth investing in professional advice if you are considering a move to the other side of the world.
 

Who will pay the fees for using an Australian Registered Migration Agent?
When you get to the stage of making a visa application, you will need to find out what costs the employer is prepared to meet as part of your employment negotiations.
 
You may need to meet the costs of using a Registered Migration Agent yourself. There are other costs involved with moving, medical checks, skills assessment and registration and/or licensing, and you should be clear about who is going to pay for these costs in advance.
 
Will I have a better chance of getting a visa if I use an Australian Registered Migration Agent?
Registered Migration Agents will help you present your case for an Australian visa in the strongest possible way, but can’t guarantee that you will be successful. The success of your visa application will depend on your qualifications and ability to meet the regulations. Using a professional Registered Migration Agent will assist you in ensuring that you meet the requirements.
 
What regulations govern the advice and activities of Australian Registered Migration Agents?
Australian Registered Migration Agents have to be registered with the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA) a body operated by the Australian Government’s Department of Immigration and Citizenship.
 
Australian Registered Migration Agents are required to work under a Code of Conduct which can be accessed on the MARA website – for more information go to the MARA website at www.themara.com.au
 
Are there other ways of migrating to Australia other than an employer sponsored visa?
Yes, there are a range of other Australian visas, although they may not have work and study rights, and there are currently restrictions on the number of independent skills-based visas being granted.
 
It goes without saying that there are a lot of advantages for migrants about to move to Australia when they have a work contract and visa arrangements already in place.
 
You will be provided with confirmation of costs involved, and an agreement will be sent to you for signing so that we all know clearly where we stand legally. We will also make contact with the employer to confirm arrangements.
 
Once this is done, we will work with you to get all the necessary documentation together.  This can take time as there is a level of complexity involved (particularly with recognition of your skills and Australian licensing and registration requirement). You will have access to someone to email or talk to about the process.
 
Once your documentation is together, we will forward it to our affiliate Migration Agent in Australia who will then assist you to get your application ready to be submitted to the Australian Government’s Department of Immigration and Citizenship. From that point on your contact will be with  the Australian Migration Agent. They will keep you and your prospective employer advised of the progress of your visa application.