Australia Immigration

Australia has always been a key destination for the skilled and talented people looking to immigrate to an advanced country on permanent residence (PR) visa. Australian government has designed several visa categories or immigration programs to help people immigrate to Australia on temporary as well permanent basis, i.e. Permanent residence visa, Study visa, Visit Visa, Family sponsored visa, etc. 

With a new point system changes applicable from November 16, 2019 and government’s efforts to support and encourage the migration to regional parts of the country, it will now be easier to apply and obtain skilled visa in Australia. 

Here are some key aspects of Australia immigration, which lure the aspirants to relocate to Australia.

Why one should immigrate to Australia?

Australia is one of the best countries to immigrate to, based on various factors. Here are a few key reasons to apply immigration to Australia:

• Australia is an advanced country with excellent infrastructure and career opportunities
• Australia is 7^th best country in the world for quality of life and 8^th best for obtaining the citizenship
• It is 3^rd best country in the world for comfortable retirement
• It has an organized point based immigration system
• New Immigration point system of Australia will make it easy for the applicants to earn more immigration points 

Benefits of Australia PR Visa

Australia is an advanced country with outstanding infrastructure facilities and democratic values. Australian government offer several benefits and privileges to its permanent residents and citizens. If you apply and get Australia Permanent Residence Visa, you will get following benefits: 

• As a permanent resident of Australia, you are allowed to live, work and settle in Australia with family for an indefinite period.
• Australia has one of the best healthcare systems in the world. The healthcare program Medicare is run by the Government and a PR has access to the same.
• You can apply for Australian citizenship, if you have lived in Australia for minimum 4 years and have lived in Australia as permanent resident for at least 12 months.
• Sponsor family member for permanent or temporary residency.
• The low unemployment rate and skill shortage in Australia provides opportunity to foreign workers to explore and get huge job and career opportunities in Australia.
• Australia is a perfect country to raise family with several social security benefits and free or subsidized health care facilities available for the citizens and permanent residents
• Point based immigration system, ideal work environment, multicultural society, and faster visa processing makes Australia a perfect country to apply for permanent residency. 

What are Various Australian Visa Categories?

There is an infinite choice to choose from the list of visa categories while applying for the Australian permanent residency. Australia has designed different visa categories based on the applicants, their profile, qualifications, eligibility status and requirements, etc. 

Here we have listed few most frequent applied visas.

Pathways for Immigration to Australia

Australian government has designed various pathways for immigration to Australia based on various categories and immigration types, i.e. Skilled PR Pathway, Regional migration pathway, Visitor visa pathway, etc. Let’s take a look at most common Australia immigration pathways. 

• Skilled Permanent Residency (PR)pathway 

Australia’s Skilled Permanent Residency (PR) visa allows the skilled and talented people across the world to come to and settle in Australia permanently and enjoy the rights and privileges associated with Australia PR status. 

The popular skilled Permanent residency visas falls under point based General skilled migration (GSM), which is meant for the people who are not sponsored by the employer and have their own skills in a particular occupation required in Australia. Two most popular Skilled PR visas under this category are, 

• Subclass 189 Visa and
• Subclass 190 visa. 

To become eligible to apply for GSM visas, an applicant must score minimum 65 points in SkillSelect System, based on his/her educational qualification, work experience, English proficiency, age and other such factors. Also, interested applicants, must have experience in an occupation, which is included in relevant Skilled Occupation list of Australian Government. There is also a combined list you can explore i.e. Combined List of Eligible Occupations. 

• Regional Migration Pathway 

The GSM also has a new Regional temporary visa, i.e. Skilled work Regional Visa Subclass 491, which is allocated by Australian government for 5 years. This visa has been described in detail in the “Regional Pathway” segment given below.  

In last few months, Australian government is encouraging the regional migration to avoid the rush and congestion in the big cities, i.e. Sydney, Melbourne, etc. The government has recently close the existing Subclass 489 visa and replaced by a new regional visa. In fact, the Department of Home Affairs Australia has introduced two new regional visas on November 16, 2019, i.e. Subclass 491 Visa and Subclass 494 visa, which will replace the two existing visas.

The details of the same are given below:

New Regional Visas of Australia

Click here to find more about new regional visas of Australia

• Visitor pathway

You can also move to Australia as a tourist or as a visitor to explore the tourist destinations in the land down under or to meet your friend/family members, etc. for a limited period. 

• Family Sponsorship pathway

The spouse, common law partner, dependent children, and other eligible family members of Australian citizen and permanent residents can apply PR visa in Australia under family sponsorship program. 

What are the key eligibility requirements for Immigration to Australia?

Australia is known for its organized immigration system and uncomplicated or easy going immigration policies. Skilled migration and sponsored/nominated visas are the most common immigration pathways for Australia. Hence, let’s take a look at the key eligibility for the most common skilled visa categories in Australia. An applicant must:

• Be under 45 years of age (for skilled/Nominated/sponsored visas)
• Your occupation must be in relevant skilled occupation list of Australia
• Get the Skill Assessment done from a recognized assessing authority
• IELTS (English Language Proficiency Test) with minimum 6 band score in all four abilities
• Provide education and work experience related documents
• Provide Medical certificate for fitness
• Provide PCC (Police Clearance Certificate) as a proof of good character

What is Stepwise process for Australian immigration?

Australia has got the point based immigration system to allow immigrants in the country. Hence, you need to score well in the point system to become eligible for Australia immigration. The minimum points required to quality for the point based visas are 65 points. However, higher point score can increase your chances of getting selected.

Stepwise Australian immigration process

Find below the stepwise process for immigration to Australia:

• Choose an occupation from relevant skilled occupation list
• Get Skill Assessment done from a relevant assessing authority
• Get the IELTS Test result for English proficiency with an appropriate band score
• Now submit an EOI (Expression of Interest) on online SkillSelect System of Australia
• Get sponsorship/nomination form an Australian state or territory (if applicable)
• If your profile is selected, you will get an invitation to apply for the visa.
• You will have 60 days to submit the application for visa. 

Australia Immigration Processing time

Well, the processing time may vary based on the visa type or category you choose. The processing time usually take minimum one month to one year and even more depending on your selected visa category. Find below the average processing time of two of the most popular skilled permanent visas of Australia, i.e.

Skilled Independent Subclass 189 Visa process time

• 75% of applications get processed within 18 months
• 90% of applications get processed within 33 months

Skilled Nominated Subclass 190 Visa process time

• 75% of applications get processed within 8 months
• 90% of applications get processed within 9 months 

Note: The processing time mentioned above is subject to change depending upon the average processing time of the latest application lot. 

Australia’s immigration points system

As already discussed, Australia is known for its organized point based immigration system. Once, you submit an EOI (Expression of Interest) in SkillSelect (online system to process EOIs received for visa), your profile is given a definite point score.

The points are given based on the key factors of your profile, such as, Age, Education, English Language Proficiency, Work Experience, Nomination/Sponsorship from an Australian State or Territory, etc. The minimum points you need to score to quality for a particular point based visa are 65 points.

Scheduled Changes to Australia’s Immigration Point System

Australian government has announced to make some key changes to its existing point based system. The changes will be application November 2019. With effect from November 16, 2019, following changes will be implemented in Australia’s Immigration point Calculator 2019:

• 10 points for having a skilled spouse or de facto partner
• 15 Points for applicants nominated by a State or Territory government or sponsored by a family member residing in regional Australia
• 10 points-for having certain STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) qualifications
• 10 points for applicants who do not have a spouse or de facto partner
• 5 Points-for applicants with a spouse or de facto partner who has competent English 

Australian immigration policy and rules for new Immigrants

Australia is secular as well as culturally diverse country. The Australian immigration policy and rules are equal for all immigrants without any discrimination and prejudice. It is based on the objective to develop the community and society of Australia keeping in mind the interest and needs of the Australian Labour Market, industries, and economy. The immigration policy and rules of Australia are subject to change time to time based on the need and requirement of country’s growth, economy, development as well as the changing environment across the world. Now we will discuss below how a new immigrants immigrate to Australia from India.

Immigration to Australia from India

Today, a variety of Indian nationals are living permanently in Australia and significantly contributing in the economy here, as in last few years, a huge number of Indians have immigrated to Australia. The Australian working conditions, climate, Job profiles and community suits the Indians to a great deal that has caused the large scale Immigration to Australia from India in last few years. Visas Avenue is a reputed Visa Consultancy Services in India that has a team of highly qualified and experienced Immigration Specialists. Visas Avenue being thorough with the key details of Australian Immigration Procedure and Indian applicants, have been helping thousands of Indian applicants in Immigration to Australia. 

Apply for trouble free Immigration to Australia – Call Visas Avenue for assistance

Although you can apply for Australia immigration on your own as well, however, an expert guidance and support is always advisable to understand the point based immigration systems of Australia and subsequently apply for the same with 100% Accuracy.

Any misrepresentation or error (intentional/unintentional) in submitted profile or application can result in unwanted delay or even denial. So, it’s better to be safe than regret later.

If you also want to immigrate to Australia, just fill the free assessment form on website and get your credential verified for the trouble-free Immigration Procedure. 

You can also make a call to Australia Immigration Expert at Visas Avenue to book your appointment and get the complete guidance and assistance regarding the Australian Visa Procedure. The Visas Avenue is the top Visa Consultancy in India for Australian Immigration process assistance. 

The experts at Visas Avenue Immigration are available on Toll Free No. 78-18-000-777. You can also send your queries or feedback to our email id- info@visasavenue.com.