Immigration Minister Chris Evans said “It is fair to say that we expect the demand in the economy for labor to reduce. As it (The Permanent Migration Program) is a program very much linked to the demand for labor, we expect to run a smaller program.”

In March 2009 the Government reduced the year’s immigration target by 14%. Meanwhile, the Permanent Migration Program for skilled migrants was slashed to 115,000 people. All this translates into a sharp drop in service prices most used by immigrants. For example, since there is less of a need for shipping to Australia, many companies are cutting prices to try to attract more business.

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If you are being hired by a company who are going to help you move to Australia, life is going to be a lot easier.  If however, you are going to be doing this on your own you need to prepare yourself for a little work.

Firstly, find out what you need from a documentation point of view to get into Australia.

1.       Do you need a visa for Australia? Which type of visa will you need (working, spousal, minor children, etc)  for each member of the family and start preparing the documentation for them.

2.       Documents could include Unabridged birth certificates, ID documents, Passports, Passport Photos, Marriage Certificate, each country has its own requirements.  Some countries require a police / criminal clearance.  Find out either from the Australia government websites or the embassy in your country as to what you need, or alternatively find an agency that can do it all for you.   An Australian agency will let you know what you need to get and can assist you in obtaining the relevant documents.

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Working Holiday Visa for Australia – Basic Requirements

To be eligible for an Australian Working Holiday Visa, the application must be made overseas and applicants must:

• Be aged between 18 and 30 years (inclusive) of age and unaccompanied by dependent children;
• Be eligible passport holders with at least 1 year until renewal on their passport;
• Be going to Australia on holidays;
• Be able to show sufficient funds for a return or onward fare and an adequate amount of funds for the first part of their stay; and
• Be of good character and meet the health criteria.

Duration

The visa allows you to make your initial entry into Australia no later than 12 months from the date that the visa was granted. The visa permits you to stay in Australia 12 months from the date that you first enter Australia. You may leave and re-enter Australia as many times as you wish during your 12 month stay. However, if you depart Australia during your 12 month stay you are not able to recover the period of time you have spent outside Australia.

Australian Working Holiday Maker Visa holders are now able to apply for a second Australian Working Holiday Maker Visa. Applicants will only be eligible if they have worked as either a seasonal worker or construction worker in rural Australia for 3 months.

Conditions of Work

Australian Working Holiday Makers are permitted to do any kind of work of a temporary or casual nature. The main purpose of the visa is holiday and travel, so work for longer than 6 months with any one employer is not allowed.

Conditions of Visa

It is very important to abide by these visa conditions. Failure to do so may result in the visa being cancelled and a requirement to leave Australia.

• You must not be employed in Australia by any one employer for more than 6 months; and
• While in Australia you must not engage, for more than 3 months, in any studies or training.
• If you plan on shipping to Australia any belongings make sure this abides by the visa’s Conditions.

Processing Times

Even for a straightforward application, an Australian Working Holiday Visa can take up to 8 weeks to process. This time may be extended by the presence of a criminal offence on the application or the need for a medical.

Financial Requirements

You must have access to sufficient funds to support yourself for the initial stage of your holiday in Australia and you may be asked to show evidence of this on arrival.

A sufficient amount is generally regarded as being a minimum of AUD$5,000 (£2,200), although the amount may vary depending on your length of stay and how much travelling you intend to do. You should also have a return or onward ticket or the funds for a fare to depart Australia if travelling on a one way ticket.

Evidence may include a certified copy of a bank statement and an air ticket out of Australia.

For more information go here:

http://www.visabureau.com/australia/australian-working-holiday-visa.aspx

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Previously the law required a foreign partner applying for an Australian partner visa to go offshore while awaiting a decision from the Australian Immigration department. Now, couples no longer face a separation and the foreign partner is permitted to remain in the country while their application for an Australian visa is considered. Those applying for the Australian partner visa will need a sponsorship form signed by their partner and supporting statutory declarations from two other Australians.

The changes will not apply to people who have previously been refused a partner visa since their last entry into Australia, or who have had an Australian visa cancelled or refused on character grounds.

Chris Evans, a spokesman for Immigration Minister said the old practice was forcing Australians to face a potentially long separation from their foreign partners. Figures show that up to 30 per cent of all cases presented to the minister for intervention involved people in that situation.

While immigration experts have welcomed the change but say the changes need to go further and also apply to those who have family in Australia but not a partner.

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Improving your score

Some of the criteria for the point system, such as age, are set. But there many other categories where you can improve your score, with effort.

Language

You score points based on your English ability. It may be worth taking the International English Testing System exam even if you qualify under the English passport rules. You can increase the number of points you earn by achieving a high score (seven or more on all four competencies) on this test. Fluency in one of Australia’s community languages, together with proven qualifications in that language, could gain you extra points.

Training and study

You can score points for most professions where training is specific to that qualification and it is on the current skilled occupations list. If your career does not fall into this category, make sure you include relevant completed qualifications to increase your score. If you have obtained nomination by a state or territory, you can add points to your score. Some occupations and visa applications must even be supported by this nomination. You can also gain points if you have completed a two-year study period in one of Australia’s low population growth areas.

Work experience

If you have had a previous job in Australia that you can add to your application, you can add more points to your score. Additional relevant study may also help you reach your desired pass mark, particularly if the qualification is given by Australian universities or examining bodies. If, in addition to being on the skilled occupations list, your profession is also on the Migration Occupations in Demand List your points will further increase.

Partner’s skill

You can even qualify for points based on your partner’s skills, provided he/she is included on your visa application and is not already an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

Age

Your age is the one factor relevant to the scoring process that is outside of your control. The younger you are, the higher the number of points you score.

Good luck!

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