WORKING IN AUSTRALIA: Requirements and Procedure

Australia is a popular destination for people seeking employment opportunities. The country has a diverse economy, with industries ranging from mining and agriculture to finance and tourism. To work in Australia, you will need a visa that suits the work you intend to do. The Australian government provides a range of visa options for skilled workers, students, and business people.

In this article, we will be looking at the visa requirements to work in Australia, the types of visas, the processes involved as well as the processing times.

Working in Australia: Visa Requirements

To work in Australia, you will need a visa that suits the work you intend to do. The Australian government provides a range of visa options for skilled workers, students, and business people. The cost of the visa varies depending on the type of visa you apply for.

In most cases, certain requirements like having a valid passport from your home country, proof of proficiency in the English language, and meeting the educational, health, and character standards are the norm to be eligible for a working visa in Australia.

Now, let’s talk a bit about the different types of Australian visas that allow you to work in Australia:

1. Temporary Work (Short Stay) Visa (Subclass 400)

The Temporary Work (Short Stay) Visa (Subclass 400) is a temporary visa that allows you to do short-term, highly specialized work in Australia. This visa is suitable if you have specialized skills, knowledge, or experience not generally available in Australia that can help Australian businesses, or participate in work that is in Australia’s interests. The visa is valid for up to 6 months.

2. Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa (Subclass 186)

This is a permanent visa that allows skilled workers to live and work in Australia. This visa is suitable for skilled workers who are nominated by an employer to live and work in Australia.

3. Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) Visa (Subclass 187)

The Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) Visa (Subclass 187) is a permanent visa that allows skilled workers to live and work in Australia. This visa is suitable for skilled workers who are nominated by an employer to live and work in Australia.

4. Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417)

This is a visa that allows young adults to have an extended holiday in Australia and work there to fund it. To be eligible for this visa, you must be between the ages of 18 and 30 years old and hold a passport from an eligible country. The visa is valid for 12 months and allows you to enter and leave Australia as many times as you wish during that period.

5. Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)

This is a permanent residency visa that allows skilled workers to live and work anywhere in Australia. This visa is intended for workers who are not sponsored by an employer, a state or territory, or a family member.

We recommend visiting the Australian government’s immigration and citizenship website if you are interested in working in Australia. The website provides detailed information on the different types of visas available and the requirements for each one.

Working in Australia: The Process

There are a few steps that need to be followed in other to be successful at working in Australia.

1. Identify Your Skills and Qualification

Ensure your skills match Australian needs by checking the skilled occupation lists on the Immigration website. Consider professional skill assessments if required.

2. Apply For The Right Visa

Identify the right visa for your desired work type and duration. Temporary options like Working Holiday or Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) might suit short-term plans, while Skilled Independent or Employer Nomination visas offer permanent residency pathways.

3. Meet General Requirements

Be prepared to meet passport validity, health, character, and English language proficiency criteria.

4. Create an ImmiAccount

Create an account on the Immi website, the Australian government’s online visa application system. Pay the required fees. Be mindful of application deadlines and visa processing times.

5. Obtain a Tax File Number (TFN)

Upon arrival and setting in, to legally work and pay your taxes, apply for a Tax File Number (TFN) for employment and taxation purposes.

Processing Time

The processing time for a working visa in Australia varies depending on the type of visa you are applying for and other factors such as the time of year you apply.

However, to give you an idea of the processing time for working in Australia, here is a table of the average processing times for some of the most common Australian work visas: