Emigrating to Australia

Updated for 2018

Emigrating to Australia
Given the Global Political climate towards immigration as a whole it is always surprising to her that the Government still has a very open door policy for individuals, families and businesses seriously considering emigrating to Australia.

Why? Because as one of the most dynamic and progressive economies in the World their population is still incredibly low in numbers when compared to most other developed nations. In order to continue economic growth and the right development of society Australia needs to attract and retain the right talent.

This means whilst Australia is open to immigration it’s only open to those who can demonstrate they have the skills currently in demand.

In short, emigrating to Australia is a real and viable option for individuals from all over the World but as you would expect, it’s not easy. Let’s Go Global have many years experience assisting clients in emigrating to Australia.

Is emigrating to Australia an option for you?
People have so many personal reasons for emigrating to Australia; the weather, the current political situation, family, loved ones, better opportunities or a better life for children. These vary from country to country and person to person although the fact remains that with the right skills, qualifications, circumstances and more importantly the right will to achieve significant personal growth, development and change then emigrating to Australia is usually accessible.

It’s no surprise that so many choose to make Australia their new home given that most of the major Australian cities consistently rank among the top ten most liveable cities on the planet. Is your favorite Australian city in the top 10? Check out the list here at CNN.

We’re not here to convince you that emigrating to Australia is the right thing for you. That’s a personal decision and that you’re even reading this article dedicated to emigrating then we’re assuming that you’re one of the very few people who actually decide to act on their dreams of securing a better life.

Emigrating to Australia is for many people a lifelong ambition, they’ve usually had the idea for many years never seeming to find the right time or set of life circumstances to make the step towards making their dreams and ambitions a reality.

If this is you and sounds familiar then rest assured it’s totally normal.

Life has a nasty habit of taking over as we get slowly older; relationships, mortgages, careers and families often throw unexpected challenges in emigrating to Australia although in reality there’s never been a better time to start the process and get the ball rolling.

If you’ve the right skills, qualifications and desire to move to Australia then the time to act is now. Australian Immigration Law is constantly changing and updating in response to political and economic considerations and we expect to see some major changes coming up which will seriously affect many applications. Even now, in 2017 we’ve seen a marked increase in the number of red flagged occupations for Australia with lots of rumours about which occupations are next. *A red flagged occupation is one that’s been highlighted for possible removal from the Australia occupations in demand lists.

Every year the Department of Immigration and Border Protection issue over 200,000 skilled visas (Permanent Residence) from around 500,000 applications. For every one of those 500,000 applications there are another ten in the pipeline still preparing their case so that’s 5,000,000 people at any one time getting their documents in order. If we go even further there’s another 10 people for everyone in the process who are seriously considering whether or not they should start their emigration to Australia project so that’s a huge 50,000,000 (50 million) globally considering whether or not it’s the right time to be immigrating to Australia.

That’s a huge number, almost twice the current population of Australia!

For many people emigrating to Australia remains an elusive dream that’s never realized. Don’t be one of them. Take our online visa assessment today for a personalized assessment of your visa chances, costs, charges and everything you need to know unique to your own individual circumstances.

Take Your Free Visa Assessment Here

We do need to be clear though, it’s not all rosy and emigrating to Australia can often go wrong without the right planning. Securing visa is only the start and Lets Go Global are pleased to be able to assist with shipping, jobs, accommodation, bank accounts and of course the unique circumstances involving moving to Australia with children.

Many articles about people who’ve returned from Australia although in reality this is driven by homesickness and many eventually find themselves going back again at a later date although this can prove challenging because the resident return visahas some caveats that need to be satisfied before Australia Immigration will even entertain the request.

Emigrating to Australia is what we’re about. We’ve successfully assisted many people from all walks of life to make the move down under. We’re proud of our successes, reviews and praise we receive.

It’s not just our skilled migration streams that receive great wins, we also assist with investor visa classes, resident return and partner visas including those for the LGBTQI Community.

All the team here at Let’s Go Global were amazed when one of clients decided to keep a warts n all blog about their experiences with us as well as their own personal thoughts and feelings along the course of their application. Take a look over at Becky and Zacs Partner Visa Blog.

Another partner visa dream come true! Everyone at Lets Go Global loves a wedding!

Is emigrating to Australia an option for me?

We hope so and we’d love to hear from you. Feel free to take our online visa assessment to find out once and for all if you’re eligible for Australian Migration.

See how many of these questions you can answer yes to?
Do you have a skill that’s currently in demand in Australia on this list: Occupations in Demand List
Are you qualified in your profession, trade or occupation?
Are you under 50 years of age? Check out how old is too old for Australian Immigration
Do you score 60 points on the Skilled Migration Points test?
Does your partner fit the criteria above even if you don’t?
Have you previously been a permanent resident of Australia?
Do you have a job offer in Australia?
Would you be prepared to live and work in regional Australia?
Are you married to or in a relationship with an Australian Citizen?
Are you in a same sex relationship with an Australian?
Have you considered studying in Australia?

Confused? Don’t be, simply take our online visa assessment and let us do the hard work in working out the very best and most viable Australian Immigration Pathway for you as the first step in making your emigration to Australia dreams come true.

How do I go about emigrating to Australia?
Emigrating to Australia on the Skilled Migration stream:

Skilled Migration is by far the most popular route for emigrating to Australia as it gives the holder and their partners or families Permanent resident status from the very start.

Permanent Residency is much the same as Citizenship and is actually designed to lead to Citizenship or Dual Nationality after four years.

Only one member of a couple need to secure the Australian Permanent residency Visa and all the rights and privileges that come with PR are automatically applied to partners and family units.

Top Ten Benefits of Australian Permanent Residency

1. Only one lead applicant needed
2. PR leads to full citizenship or dual nationality after four years
3. You are free to enter and leave Australia without needing any further visas
4. Australian Permanent Residents can access financial services in the same way as full citizens
5. Holders of Australian Permanent Residency can apply for mortgages
6. New Australian Permanent residents have a clean credit history
7. Children can access education without financial contribution
8. Medicare is available to all Australian permanent residents
9. Two years after emigrating to Australia Permanent residents can sponsor other family members
10. Australian Permanent Residents can be eligible for a Residents Return Visa if they have to leave for an extended period

Under the Skilled Migration program most applicants will end up emigrating to Australia on either a 189 or 190 visa class with the rest ending up on the 489.

Some would say these visas are the most sought after visas in the Southern Hemisphere and we’d be inclined to agree. No other country apart from Canada has the same type of visa program to attract applicants with the corrects skills into the country. Receiving a 189, 190 or 489 visa is a privilege many never achieve without the right guidance, support and motivation.

How long does an Australian Skilled Migration Visa take?
Officially we have to say that your application (once submitted via the Expression of Interest platform) can take anything up to two years. However, getting your application ready for the EOI system takes around six to eight months depending on how quickly you can source the required documentation to support and prove your occupation and secure your all-important positive skills assessment. Usually though, we find that our clients are called forward for their Permanent Residency Visas within six to nine months of being submitted into the Expression of Interest program.

Remember not to submit an expression of interest without having first received a positive skills assessment because this will lead to your application being rendered invalid and in the worst case scenario could be viewed as migration fraud, with serious time penalties being applied before you can resubmit your application.

What is a Skills Assessment?
Many potential applicants seriously considering emigrating to Australia have never even heard of the skills assessment. It’s easy to get caught up in working out the technicalities of Australian Immigration policy and for many, it simply never figures on the radar.

Securing a positive skills assessment is the first stage in any Australian emigration project and it requires that your occupation experience and related qualifications be benchmarked against a number of pre-determined factors. Essentially the skills assessment board is looking to see that your skills for your nominated occupation at least match those that an Australian Citizen in a similar role would possess.

Every occupation on the Australian in demand list has its own Skills Assessment body and applicants from all over the world must first identify which skills assessment body is the right one, and follow their documentation rules to the letter. There is little or no option for those unwilling or unable to satisfy the requirements of the Skills Assessment boards.

Skills Assessments usually take between eight and twenty weeks depending on assessment body and cost between $400 and $1600 AUD. Some skills assessments cost significantly more especially if you’re a Doctor or Lawyer but on the whole, the above guidelines apply.

Let’s Go Global will work with you closely in the preparation of your Australian Skills Assessment, after all, we have an exceptional 98% success rate at this stage. At the beginning of your application we’ll also refer you to one of our hand selected registered migration agents in Australia who will submit the application and then handle your Expression of Interest and eventual formal application to the Australian Department of Immigration.

Confused about skills assessment for Australia? Take our online assessment today for a full explanation and details of which Skills Assessment body is right for you.

How much does emigrating to Australia cost for the Skilled Migration stream?

There are lots of variables and the below should be used as a guideline only, please contact us for a full and accurate breakdown of all associated costs and charges.

Skills Assessment: between $400 and $1500 AUD
Document Certification (if needed): $200 AUD
Cost of Expression of Interest: $Free
Cost of State Nomination if required: $200 – $600 AUD
Australian Immigration Government fees: $3600 lead applicant, $1800 for the secondary applicant and children under 18 are $900AUD each whilst dependent children over 18 are charged at $1800
Medicals: $200 – 400AUD per person
Police Checks: $100 – $150 per person depending on country of residency and countries lived in.

What are the rules for emigrating to Australia under the skilled visa class?
In general there are many rules, procedures and regulations that will be specific to each individual’s application although as a starting point these are the three golden rules for emigrating to Australia on the 189, 190 or 489 visa class:

1. Be aged under 50. Remember that it takes at least a year from start to finish for the whole process and your age is taken at the end of the process and not before.

2. Score 60 points on the Australian Immigration points matrix. It can be tricky to accurately compile your total points so do contact us for a full assessment, there are many ways to give yourself a points boost and whilst these aren’t in any way secret, they are often overlooked by those calculating their own points.

3. Have an occupation on the list below:

Australia Immigration

If you can identify an occupation on this list then you’re part of the way there although lots of other caveats apply it’s still a great feeling to know that your occupation is in high demand in Australia.

How much does a good migration agent cost?
We’ve seen various pricing levels around the world but as a general rule between $3,000 and $5,000 AUD are the benchmarks for a Skilled Migration Visa. Charges in excess of this are common and we would caution against paying anything less than this to any agent. Prices are set for a reason and every case takes a considerable amount of time, effort and resources.

Here at Lets Go Global our skilled migration packages cost between $3,500 AUD and $4,500 AUD depending on complexity and the number of people being covered by the migration. For this clients are safe in the knowledge that their application will be handled by a dual qualified registered MARA agent and Australian Lawyer; an unusual, rare and fearsome combination.

Emigrating to Australia as a Spouse or Partner of an Australia Citizen?
This is one of the loveliest visa types we get to assist with! In today’s world an ever increasing number of individuals are finding love across international boundaries. Some are already married to Australian Citizens, some are in a serious relationship and others are engaged to be married.

In all instances the process is very long, arduous, complicated and frustrating although Lets Go Global have a 100% success rate with these visa types.

When looking at emigrating to Australia on a Partner Visa its important to remember the Golden Rules:

1. We need to prove the relationship if you’re not married. This means we need to supply evidence such as messages, emails, photos, airline ticket stubs, sworn statements from family and friends and joint finances in terms of bank statements. We also need to prove that you’ve been cohabiting for at least a year or evidence and document the reasons why you haven’t. This list is by no means exhaustive but if you don’t keep a scrapbook or memories box then you’ll need to work hard from now.

Why so much information? Well, we’re looking to demonstrate through evidence that you are jointly dependent on each other emotionally, physically and financially.

2. Marriage and Engagement is always more straightforward providing (and we hate to say this) the relationship is genuine.

3. Immigration are increasingly monitoring Social Media accounts from applicants in this category.

Emigrating to Australia in a same sex relationship
Let’s Go Global are pleased to work with LGBTQI clients and whilst unfortunately marriage still isn’t recognised in Australia (we expect this to change soon) same sex relationships are weighted the same as heterosexual relationships with zero discrimination during the immigration process.

Investor Visas and emigrating to Australia to start a business
We find most people get confused about emigrating to Australia on an investor visa. Property prices across the world have increased so significantly in the past decade that many people can hit the criteria for an investor visa.

However, these visas are aimed at true investors and you’ll be expected to document and prove your investment history in either equity, debt, businesses, private equity or funds portfolio.

The Australia Investor Visa has three tiers, each with a corresponding set of benefits.

The entry level Investor Visa for Australia is known as the Investor Stream and requires the holder to make a designated investment of $1.5million AUD into Australia. In return for this investment holders are entitled to live and work in Australia for a period of up to four years on a Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) Visa; also known as subclass 188. After two years (and provided the holder has complied with all requirements) clients can then apply for full Permanent residency and eventual Citizenship via the subclass 888 visa.

The investor visa stream ($1.5millionAUD) requires an element of State nomination whilst the next stage visa below can be nominated by State or territory or directly by the Australian Government via Austrade

Emigrating to Australia on a mid-range investor visa, called the Significant Investor Visa will require you to invest at least $5million AUD into designated investments and in return holders of this visa are awarded the same rights and privileges as the Investor Visa but are allowed to convert their Visa to full Australian permanent residency after two years.

The top tier Australia Investment Visa is known as the Premium Investor Visa and requires a designated investment of $15million AUD. This is of course the best visa for those wishing to kick start their emigration to Australia as it affords the holder the right to convert their initial temporary visa into full Permanent Residency after only 12 months. Put simply, a $15million AUD investment effectively buys your Permanent Residency and Citizenship in Australia.

Finally, the Entrepreneur Visa for Australia is sometimes more relevant and brings the same benefits as all the 188 visa classes although qualification criteria is very stringent and requires a demonstrable funding agreement from a third party (such as but not limited to a private equity or seed capital agreement for at least $200,000AUD. Holders must be nominated by a State or Territory and the visa lasts for an initial four years, convertible into Permanent residency after two years.

Emigrating to Australia on a Resident Return Visa
Many articles about people who’ve returned from Australia / many eventually find themselves going back again at a later date although the resident return visa has some caveats that need to be satisfied before Australia Immigration will even entertain a resident return visa application.

The main criteria is that you lived in Australia for two years on Permanent Residency before leaving for an extended period of time. You’ll still need to state why you left for such a long period and if you didn’t live in Australia as a Permanent resident for a cumulative period of two years then you’ll need to specify and document the reasons for this. Some reasons will be valid whilst some will lead to your visa being refused. If in doubt contact us by taking our online visa assessment for further information.

Emigrating to Australia with a job offer
An Australian employer sponsored visa is known by its subclass, namely the 457 visa and these are getting increasingly harder to obtain, although they are still a route to allow tens of thousands of applicants to move to Australia each and every year. These days they’re mostly used to sponsor people who are currently in Australia, such as clients on a working holiday visa as opposed to being ‘Golden Ticket’ opportunities for employees to move down under on an expat package.

Remember, Australia already has a good variety of skills in part due to having an exceptional education system so most employers (apart from large multinationals) will tend to recruit local talent over and above paying for the relocation of an employee internationally.

In order for a company to sponsor an employee on a 457 visa they need to:
1. Show that the job has been advertised for a considerable amount of time and that there’s no local talent available
2. Demonstrate a commitment to training and developing existing staff
3. Vouch for your good conduct when in Australia
4. Agree to pay for your repatriation if needed
5. Turn over their tax information to the Department of Immigration and Border Protection

Holders of a 457 visa can live and work in Australia for up to four years and after two years can start the process of emigrating to Australia on a more permanent basis.

During those few years they need to be a model ‘citizen’ and of course be up to date with their taxes!
The downsides of emigrating to Australia on a 457 visa do need to be discussed:
-Your visa is based on your employment and should this end for whatever reason you only have 60 days to find a new employer or run the risk of being classed as an over stayer, and ultimately run the risk of deportation in exceptional circumstances.
-No free access to Medicare; you’ll need adequate Health Insurance for your time in Australia
-No free education; you’ll need to contribute to your children’s education financially even if they’re being State educated as opposed to Privately.

Do I need a job offer when emigrating to Australia under the Skilled Migration program?
Those going for the 189 Visa do not need a job offer though most start the recruitment process at the same time as lodging their expression of interest.

Those on the 190 Visa sometimes need a job offer for territories such as Western Australia and a few others based on local State requirements as opposed to General Government Legislation. This news often comes as a shock to potential applicants as Western Australia for example requires you to secure your job offer within 30 days for receiving your offer.

For more information on whether you need a job offer when emigrating to Australia contact us today by taking an online visa assessment, we’d be delighted to assist. Remember, all our initial consultations are free of charge.

Am I ready to be thinking about emigrating to Australia?
The very fact you’re reading this means you’re ready to be thinking about starting the process of emigrating to Australia. It’s a complex and arduous process but we’re here to flatten the bumps, support you and your family and ultimately to secure a successful outcome.

Remember, you alone have the power to improve your lifestyle through the choices and directions you make now.

Emigrating to Australia Resources
Department of Immigration and Border Protection
Verified Reviews
Austrade
National Australia Bank
Let’s Go Global
Choosing a Migration Agent
Partner Visa Blog
Calculate my Immigration Points
Lets Go Social
Pet Shipping

Lets Go Global is an online network of migration professionals dedicated to making emigration to Australia dreams come true.

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