Australia Work Visas

Living and working in Australia is possible through a range of Australian work visas, from temporary work permits through to long term points based routes such as the Skilled Independent Visa and employer sponsored immigration services like the Employer Nominated Scheme (ENS).

Global visas assist with the complete range of Australian work visas and we help individuals and businesses alike to secure the work visa solutions which best suit their needs. To find out how Global Visas can help you visit the online assessment area today.

Australian Work Permits – The 457 Visa

The Temporary Business (Long Stay) - Standard Business Sponsorship visa, or 457 visa as it is commonly known is an Australian work permit which enables a candidate to live and work in Australia for a sponsoring employer in a specific prearranged position. like a UK work permit or US work permit, Australian work permits are only valid for the employer and position in question and do not in themselves lead to permanent residency. However, applicants may switch into a permanent Australian immigration service once in Australia, subject to meeting its requirements and as a result the spouse and/ or dependent children of the main applicant may join them in Australia.

457 visas are normally issued as multiple entry permits and may be granted for anything between three months and four years depending on the requirements of the job offer they have. The offer of employment must be a confirmed offer of a full time position and the applicant must meet the educational and work experience requirements of the position.

Permanent Residency in Australia – Long Term Australian Work Visas

Australian Skilled Independent Visa

The Skilled Independent visa is designed to attract the most highly skilled migrants to Australia who will be of the greatest economic benefit to the country. This immigration service is based upon a points system requiring a 120 point minimum pass mark and focuses upon key areas including the applicant’s age, occupation, skills and their English language ability.

General skilled migration to Australia as this visa for Australia is also referred to does not limit the candidate to a specific employer and successful applicants may undertake employment as they wish. The visa will be granted for five years, and after four years spent living and working in Australia the candidate may apply for Australian citizenship. Like all work based permanent residency visas for Australia, the skilled independent visa permits the spouse, partner and/or dependent children of the main applicant to immigrate to Australia.

Skilled Independent Visa – Eligibility Requirements

Applicants are required to nominate a profession which features on the current skilled occupation list and must have been in recent paid employment in this profession for at least one of the two years directly preceding the application.

Applicants must meet or surpass the 120 point threshold and in addition to the key assessment areas extra points may be gained for a job offer (although this is not mandatory), time spent studying in Australia, and the skills and qualifications of the applicant’s spouse. All applicants must be aged 45 or under and the English language requirement means that a proficiency in the language to enable the candidate to work in Australia is required.

Like all long term and permanent Australian immigration services, candidates must also undergo the stringent Australian health and character requirements. A chest x ray must be carried out by an Authorised doctor in Australia and police checks will need to be provided for every country in which the applicant has spent more than 12 months within the last decade.

Australian Skilled Sponsored Visa

The skilled sponsored visa functions in a similar way to general skilled migration with a points based assessment which focuses upon the same areas of a candidate’s education, experience and linguistic ability. Like a skilled independent visa extra points may also be gained for time spent studying in Australia, a prearranged job offer, and the education and work history of the applicants spouse or partner where applicable.

However, the key difference with the skilled sponsored visa is that without exception applicants must have a sponsoring relative in Australia who has permanent settled status as an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or a qualifying New Zealand resident.

Skilled Sponsored Visa – Benefits

The key benefit of the skilled sponsored visa is that the points threshold is lower than that of the skilled independent visa, at 100 points. In addition, the range of relatives who may act as sponsor is broad and extends to step and half relatives as well as full relatives who are the parent, sibling, non-dependent child, aunt, uncle, nephew or niece of the applicant. However, in all cases applicants must be over the age of 18 and must be able to give ‘Assurance of Support’ based primarily upon their income.

Australian Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS)

Unlike the skilled independent and sponsored visas outlined above, the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) is an employer led immigration service which resembles a work permit except that it is specifically intended as a route to permanent immigration.

The key requirement for the employer is to show that the position being offered requires them to source a candidate from overseas and that they cannot otherwise fill the position. All job offers must be on the Skilled Occupation List and must offer remuneration of at least AUD $41,850, or where the position is in Information technology, $57,300.

Applicants will normally be under the age of 45 and must be able to demonstrate that they have the relevant skills and experience for the job being offered. They must have been assessed by the relevant body for their profession, have at least three years of relevant experience, and must be proficient in the English language. Applicants must also have been living and working in Australia for at least the two years prior to the application with the last 12 months spent working for the nominating employer. As a result the typical candidate for this Australian visa service would be a candidate residing in Australia in possession of a 457 work permit.

Australian Distinguished Talent Visa

This category of Australian visa is issued to those who can demonstrate exceptional ability in their field as a sportsperson, academic, or artist. Unlike the permanent work based immigration routes outlined above, no age limit is imposed however, where candidates are aged 18 or under, or 55 or over they will need to demonstrate sufficient finances to support themselves.

The key requirement of this visa class is to demonstrate that the candidate will be an asset to the sporting, cultural or economic benefit of Australia and as such candidates must still be prominent figures within their field. Applicants will also need to be nominated by either a person with settled status in Australia or an Australian organization which has international renown. Applications in this category will be assessed on a case by case basis.

Whether you’re an individual immigrating to Australia or a business requiring multiple work permits, Global Visas’ specialist team of Australian immigration experts are equipped to help you obtain the Australian immigration services you need. Begin your application today by visiting the online assessment area.