Australia is one of the fastest-growing countries in the world, with a high demand for skilled professionals. Those planning to move to Australia for permanent residence or temporary employment will need a Work Visa in Australia. This document grants the right to enter the country and engage in official employment. The type of Work Visa in Australia required depends on the job the applicant plans to work and their status with respect to the state – whether they are a graduate of an Australian university or a foreign candidate.
The procedure for obtaining entry and Work Permit in Australia. Which documents are required to Apply for the Visa? Specifics of the Application process: what to consider, where to Submit Documents, and the cost of document processing.
Article structure:
Types of Work Visa and permits in Australia
The first important document for foreign applicants is the Skilled Occupations List (SOL). This document contains a complete list of occupations in which Australia is interested. It is formed from applications from individual territories, states, and employers. The Australian list is a list of those specialties and professions for which there are current requests, and it has been approved for foreign candidates.
The second important document was developed in 2013 – the nationwide program for migration of skilled professionals – SkillSelect. It is designed to assess the skills of applicants on a points-based system. Its goal is to help the state select the candidate who is most attractive to Australia.
If your profession corresponds to one of the occupations on the SOL, you possess the necessary skills, and meet the requirements of the SkillSelect program, then you will have the opportunity to apply for an Independent Visa (Skilled Independent Visa). It differs from other types of Visas in that it is independent of the employer. The candidate does not need to look for a job and obtain a letter of consent to obtain an Australian Visa. In Australia, this is referred to as “does not require a sponsor,” i.e., an employer.
The SkillSelect program
In the SkillSelect program, candidates are awarded points for:
- Age; optimal age range is between 25 and 32 years old.
- English language proficiency; a score of 8 or higher on the IELTS test.
- Skilled employment; the number of points depends on the candidate’s work experience in their profession and the job for which they will be employed in Australia.
- Education; a person with a doctoral degree can earn 200 points, while a master’s degree only gives 15 points.
- Australian qualifications; points are awarded to those who hold a degree from an Australian university.
Additional points for an Australian Visa are available for those who speak the local language and have a diploma from the region where they plan to work. Those who include a spouse in their application, who is not an Australian citizen, can also earn additional points if their spouse qualifies for the program.
The programs and documents that allow for official work in Australia are divided into temporary and permanent categories.
Permanent Visa
- Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa, which is intended to fill a temporary skills gap, such as for the construction of a hydroelectric power station. It is valid for 2-4 years, and the worker must have at least 2 years of work experience and be no older than 45 years old. The employer must also meet requirements, such as paying a salary that is not lower than the market rate in Australia.
- Employer Nomination Scheme, which allows skilled professionals invited by an employer to permanently live and work in the country. The occupation for which the foreign worker is invited must be on the list of eligible skilled occupations. Subclass: 186.
- Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS), subclass 887, which is available to those who have lived in Australia on a previous Visa, such as students who have completed a degree from an Australian university or those who have worked in the country.
- Distinguished Talent Visa, which is awarded to individuals with world-class achievements in their profession, sport, science, or art. It is intended for those who will permanently reside in the country.
Each type of Visa provides permanent work authorization and can be used for moving to Australia on a Work Visa.
Temporary Work Visa in Australia are intended for short-term stays in the country for up to 1 year, and typically specify Visa conditions, such as working in a specific profession or for a specific employer.
Temporary Work Visa in Australia
Temporary Work Visa in Australia are divided into several categories:
- Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (subclass 482). This Visa is issued to those who have found temporary employment and have signed an agreement with their employer. It specifies the visa conditions, such as working only in a certain profession or for a specific employer.
- Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485). This Visa allows foreign students to stay in the country to study or work after completing their studies.
- Skilled—Recognized Graduate Visa (subclass 476). This Visa is intended for graduates in engineering disciplines.
- Business Innovation and Investment Visa allows individuals to own and manage a business in Australia. It is issued to those whose business projects have been approved by the state or territory government.
Regional Visas for skilled migrants and their family members became available on November 16, 2019. The Regional (Temporary) Skilled Work Visa (subclass 491) is issued to those invited by the state government, and the Regional (Temporary) Visa (subclass 494) is issued to those invited by a regional employer.
The Working Holiday Maker Visa is intended for those who plan to work in Australia during their university holidays or vacation. It is issued to candidates who can stay in Australia for up to 12 months (a long vacation) and who are not older than 30 years of age and not accompanied by dependent children.
Documents Required to Apply for an Australian Work Visa
The documents required when applying for a Visa may vary depending on the type of Visa. However, there is a basic list that is required for most:
- Passport with at least 6 months validity
- 4 passport-sized photos
- Letter from the employer offering employment
- Medical insurance
- Police clearance certificate
- Completed form 80 (character assessment)
- Certificate proving English language proficiency
- Document proving qualification in the chosen profession
- Cost of Visa Application Work and Holiday Visa (subclass 462) – AUD 495. Processing time ranges from 18 days to 14 months.
- Temporary Worker Visa (subclass 408) – from AUD 315. Permanent Work Visa in Australia with an employer (subclass 186) – from AUD 4,115. Processing time for applications can take up to 6 months.
- Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189) – from AUD 4,115. Processing time for applications is 21 months.
Government fees vary depending on the Visa subclass. The total fee for a permanent Work Visa in Australia starts at AUD 1,290, but can go up to AUD 4,115. The specific amount is determined by the state.
Where can I submit my documents?
You can submit your documents to the Australian Embassy in your city if you have all the necessary documents from your employer.
Algorithm for obtaining a Work Visa in Australia: The process of obtaining a Work Visa in Australia begins by determining the type of document that is suitable for the applicant. Then:
- Check the number of points that can be scored under the Skillselect program. If there are not enough points to obtain a work permit without an employer, then you need to look for a job. This can be done through Australian job websites. Applicants are required to accurately describe their skills and abilities in their resume, while employers are required to indicate the type of Visa they are seeking for foreign employees, as well as the required skills and qualifications.
- After selecting suitable job vacancies, the foreign worker sends their resume to the employer. If the candidate is suitable, the company will send them a job offer.
- The candidate then submits their application and Visa documents, pays the registration fee and awaits the result. Usually, documents are processed within 2-5 months, depending on the urgency of the job. Seasonal job applications are processed earlier and faster than those for permanent Visas.
- After the application is approved, the citizen receives their documents and can travel to Australia.
Q&A Section
Good to know: How to Immigrate to Australia: a comprehensive Guide
How can I get permission to work in Australia?
A group of Visas issued under the Skillselect program serves as both an entry and work permit. For other Visas, the authorization is granted to the employer, not the job seeker, to hire a foreign employee.
What professions are in demand in Australia?
The list of qualified professions contains over 600 positions, each specifying the type of Visa an individual with a particular profession can obtain and the organization or department that justifies the vacancy.
A profession listed would look like this: Occupation: Medical worker for Torres Strait Islander residents. Subclass: 494 – Regional Sponsored and 187 – Regional Sponsor Migration Scheme. For example, accountants can be invited on 11 different types of Visas, including those sponsored by employers, for independent specialists, and for university graduates.
The most in-demand professions in 2021-2022 were nurses, high school teachers, programmers, electricians, construction managers, carpenters and joiners, mechanics, plumbers, university lecturers, welders, and lawyers. In the second tier were general practitioners, construction professions, engineers, database administrators, and preschool teachers.
Why can someone be denied a Work Visa in Australia?
If two applications are received for the same job opening, the one with the higher score will be selected, and the second candidate will be rejected. Refusals for approved candidates are rare.
Can I work on a tourist Visa in Australia?
A tourist Visa (Visitor Visa) does not permit working. However, you can apply for a working holiday Visa to combine vacation and work.
How long is a Work Visa issued for?
It is valid for the duration of the contract with the employer. If a qualified specialist who has the right to work without an employer obtains it, it is valid for 2-4 years.
What is the average salary in Australia?
In 2021-2022 the average annual salary in the country was 92,135 Australian dollars. These figures were published by the Bureau of Statistics. With bonuses, the average income reached 94,000 dollars per year. Female candidates’ work is evaluated at a lower rate – 83,626 dollars per year. The highest salary levels are in the capital, while the lowest are in Tasmania.
Is it possible to find work without knowledge of the language?
No, a foreign employee without language skills can still be considered, but they will score fewer points than a candidate with language skills.
