Australia Work Visa: Everything to Know about Australia Immigration Process

Every year, thousands of aspirants appear for the IELTS exam with the aim of achieving the desired band score so that he/ she can apply for an Australian visa. But, is having a good IELTS band score the only requirement for getting an Australian work visa? Or, is it at all necessary to have an IELTS score certificate for immigration to Australia?

If you are also one of those who are having these queries, then you must relax now. You have reached the right place where you will get all the required information for the Australia immigration process.

Australian Work Visa

Australia is one of the most dynamic countries in the world and has a huge requirement for people of skilled occupation. The things that attract people towards Australia immigration is the immense job opportunities in various sectors along with great employee benefits. Other than this, one more important factor due to which people get more interested in working there is a huge saving opportunity over there because the minimum wage there is very high.

To get all these benefits and work there, the things one must have is an Australian Visa and a work permit. Below mentioned are the various types of work visas offered by the Australian government.

Types of Australian Work Visas

1. Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa
2. Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) Visa
3. Skilled Independent Visa
4. Skilled Nominated Visa
5. Temporary Skill Shortage Visa
6. Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa
7. Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) Visa
8. Temporary Work (International Relations) visa
9. Distinguished Talent visa

1. Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa

This visa is for skilled occupation holders, who get nominated by their employer. This work permit allows those workers to permanently work and live in Australia.

There are three different sections under this visa category.

Direct Entry System

• An Australian employer must nominate the worker.
• The profession must be there on the list of eligible skilled occupations.
• Competent level of English proficiency.
• Age under 45 years.
• Three years of similar work experience.
• Cost- Starts from AUD4,045.
• Processing time- 4 months: 75% of applications, 7 months: 90% of applications.

Labour Agreement Stream

• Employee works/ will be working for an employer having a labour agreement.
• Cost- Starts from AUD4,045.
• Processing time- Due to low application rate, it is unavailable.

Temporary Residence Transition Stream

• A worker holds a 457, TSS or related bridging visa A, B or C.
• Previous working records of at least three years with the present employer.
• Cost- Starts from AUD4,045.
• Processing time- 6 months: 75% of applications, 8 months: 90% of applications.

2. Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) Visa

This visa is for skilled occupation holders, who get nominated by the employer in regional Australia. This visa allows those workers to permanently work and live in Australia.

There are two different sections under this visa category.

Direct Entry Stream

• Under 45 years old.
• Three years of similar work experience.
• Agreement of a minimum of 2 years of working period.
• Cost- Starts from AUD4,045.

Temporary Residence Transition Stream

• The worker/ employee should be a transitional subclass 457 or subclass, 482 workers.
• Previous working records of at least three years with the present employer.
• Cost- Starts from AUD4,045.

3. Skilled Independent Visa

This visa is for invited skilled occupation holders and citizens of New Zealand with the required skill. This work permit allows those workers to permanently work and live in Australia.

There are two different sections under this visa category.

Points Tested Stream

• No need for a nominator or sponsor.
• The employee should get an invitation to apply.
• His/ Her invitation number should be under 45.
• Under 45 years old.
• At least 65 PR points.
• Cost- Starts from AUD4,045.
• Processing time- 5 months: 75% of applications, 14 months: 90% of applications.

New Zealand Stream

• The employee should be a New Zealand Category visa holder.
• Should be living in Australia for the previous 5 years, at least.
• The beginning of the living date should be on or before 19.2.2016.
• Cost- For the main applicant, the price starts from AUD4,045. The application charge for Australia visa is ruled to be paid 20% at the time of lodgement and the remaining has to be paid before granting the visa.
• Processing time- 12 months: 75% of applications, 16 months: 90% of applications.

4. Skilled Nominated Visa

This visa is for nominated skilled workers. These employees can live, work and even become permanent residents of Australia.

• The employee must have a skilled occupation that is mentioned in the skilled list.
• Should be having a proper assessment of the skills.
• The worker must be invited for a visa application.
• Should be able to satisfy the PR points.
• Employees are free to work and even study anywhere.
• Workers can sponsor eligible relatives of them for permanent Australian residences.
• Competent English skills.
• Age under 45.
• Minimum 65 PR points.
• Cost- Starts from AUD4,045.
• Processing time- 5 months: 75% of applications, 6 months: 90% of applications.

Also Read : Is IELTS Required for Canada? IELTS Band Guideline to Study in Canada

5. Temporary Skill Shortage Visa

This visa is for nominated skilled workers to fill a position for which a suitably skilled Australian could not be found by the employer.

There are four different sections under this visa category.

Short-term Stream

• Employers bring in skilled workers for addressing Australian labour shortage.
• The skilled occupation must be on the short-term skilled occupation list.
• Stay- Up to 2 years or up to 4 years in case of application of International Trade Obligation. Up to 5 years for Hong Kong passport holders.
• Cost- Starts from AUD1,265.
• Processing time- 3 months: 75% of applications, 4 months: 90% of applications.

Medium-term Stream

• The occupation must be listed on MLTSSL or ROL.
• Stay up to 4 years. Up to 5 years for Hong Kong passport holders.
• Cost- Starts from AUD2,645.
• Processing time- 3 months: 75% of applications, 4 months: 90% of applications

Labour Agreement Stream

• Skilled workers nominated by employees having a labour agreement with the present Australian government.
• Stay up to 4 years. The exact staying period depends on the labour agreement. Up to 5 years for Hong Kong passport holders.
• Cost- Starts from AUD2,645.

Subsequent Entrant

• Family members of subclass 482 and 457 visa holders apply for TSS visa.
• Stay- Depends on visa validity.
• Cost- Starts from AUD2,645.

6. Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa

This visa is for invited skilled workers willing to work and live in regional Australia. Workers can bring their family and might get eligible to apply for the Skilled Regional (Permanent) visa (subclass 887).

There are three different sections under this visa category.

Invited Pathway

• Stay- 4 years.
• Competent English skills.
• Skill assessment.
• At least 65 PR points.
• Cost- Start from AUD4,045.
• Processing time- 10 months: 75% of applications, 11 months: 90% of applications.

Extended Stay Pathway

• Workers are restricted to live, work and study in specific regional areas.
• Should be a holder of subclass 475, 487, 495 or 496 visa.
• Stay- 4 years counting from the date of the current skilled visa granted.
• Cost- Starts from AUD360.
• Processing time- No standard time.

 Subsequent Entry Pathway

• For family members of a Skilled Regional (Provisional) subclass 489 or a 475, 487, 495 or 496 visa holder.
• Workers are restricted to live, work and study in specific regional areas.
• Stay- As long as the validity of the family member’s visa.
• Cost- Starts from AUD4,045
• Processing time- No standard time.

7. Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) Visa

This visa is for workers of highly specialised work for which suitable Australian workers can rarely be found.

• Required to only perform the duties for which the visa is granted.
• Self-supporting adequate fund.
• Stay- up to 6 months if the circumstances demand.
• This is not extendable.
• Cost- AUD310. It can differ in limited circumstances.
• Processing time- 19 days: 75% of applications, 54 days: 90% of applications.

8. Temporary Work (International Relations) Visa

This visa is for workers working in specific circumstances that enhance Australia’s international relations.

There are six different sections under this visa category.

Government Agreement Stream

• The worker works under the terms and conditions of the agreement between the Australian government and another country’s government.
• Stay- up to 2 years or till the time Australia immigration specify the visa grant notice.
• Cost- Starts from AUD310.

Foreign Government Agency Stream

• Workers represent a foreign government without having official status in Australia by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
• The employee can be a foreign language teacher in any school in Australia.
• Visa application can be done from inside or outside Australia but not from Australia immigration clearance.
• Stay up to 4 years or till the time Australia immigration specify the visa grant notice.
• Cost- Starts from AUD310.

Domestic Worker (Diplomatic or Consular) Stream

• Workers 18 years old or more can be engaged in domestic work of a Diplomatic (Temporary) visa holder.
• The worker has to work according to Australian employment rules as long as the employer is posted in Australia.
• The employee has to apply from outside Australia when applying for the first time.
• Stay- up to 1 year. Further, until the validity of your employer’s visa or till the time Australia immigration specifies the visa grant notice.
• Cost- Starts from AUD310.

Privileges and Immunities Stream

• The worker can stay in Australia as an international representative.
• Employee’s position should be having privileges and immunities under relevant legislation.
• Support from the DFAT is required.
• Stay- Till the time Australia immigration specifies the visa grant notice.
• Cost- Free.

Seasonal Worker Program Stream

• Has to be invited by Temporary Activities Sponsor for the purpose of participation in the Seasonal Worker Program.
• Will be working in specific industries as a seasonal labourer for employers unable to source local Australian labour.
• Stay- Up to 9 months or till the time Australia immigration specifies the visa grant notice.
• Cost- Starts from AUD310.

Pacific Labour Scheme Stream

• Has to be Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade endorsed.
• Has to be invited by DFAT endorsed Temporary Activities sponsor.
• Stay- Up to 3 years or till the time Australia immigration specifies the visa grant notice.
• Cost- Starts from AUD310.

9. Distinguished Talent Visa

This Australian visa is for those having an internationally recognized record or having an extraordinary achievement is a sport, profession, academia, arts or research.

• Has to be nominated.
• Should be beneficial to the Australian community in terms of social, cultural, economic, artistic, sports, etc.
• Should be capable enough to establish him/ herself in the country.
• At least functional English skills.

Conclusion

As mentioned above, there are many work visa options in Australia. One has to choose from the range of options according to the criteria mentioned in each of those.

Interested people can visit the official website of Australian Home Affairs and apply for the visa online.

Hopefully, this article will help you get your answers regarding the different types of Australian work visa and their requirements.

Do you have any special information to share? Do let us know by commenting in the box below.

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