Getting a Visa for Australia
Getting a Visa.
How do I get a visa? Which visa is best for me? And how do I calculate my points total? These are some of the questions I am asked on a regular basis. I have rolled all three of these questions into one and, fortunately, they are reasonably easy to answer.
Why?
Well, let’s go through them. Firstly, how do you get a visa? There is only one place you will get your visa from, and that’s the Australian Government, via the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), so you need to apply to them.
Of course, you can go through a MARA registered migration agent. If that is something that appeals to you, visit my…
…page for details of how you can get your own personal help from a MARA registered migration agent. But ultimately, all agents will forward your application on, so your visa can still only be granted by DIAC.
So which visa is best for you and how can you calculate your points? DIAC can answer that for you too, simply by visiting their website and using their Visa Wizard. But before you go “off to see the Wizard”, you might want to take a look at a video I’ve made to show you how the Visa Wizard works.
After watching this video you will know how to 1) find out which visa is best for you, 2) find out if you have enough points for that visa and 3) find out how much the Australian Government will charge you for that visa.
Here’s the video…..
Want to try for yourself? Here’s the link to the Australian Government’s immigration website….
If, after having gone through the Visa Wizard yourself you still have any questions, please do post a comment below and I will try to help if I can. But if I can’t help, perhaps someone else can?
More useful links:
I have a whole series of posts that explain the entire process that we went through to get our visas for Australia. The first instalment is called Moving to Australia – An Idea and the series ends with Moving to Australia – Part Fifteen in which you will find us sitting in our new home in Australia, waiting for the furniture to show up.
You can see a full list of all the topics covered in this series over at How to Move to Australia.
Finally, if you want to ask a specific question about visas, please don’t. Read my page called Specific Questions About Australian Visas instead.
Getting a Visa.How do I get a visa? Which visa is best for me? And how do I calculate my points total? In these are questions I amasked on a regular basis. I have rolled all three of these questions into one and fortunately, they are reasonably easyto answer.Why?Well, let’s go through them. Firstly, as far as I am aware there is only one place you will get your visa from, and
that’s the Australian Government, via the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). Of course, you can go
through a MARA registered migration agent, but ultimately they will forward your application to DIAC.
So which visa is best for you and how can you calculate your points? DIAC can answer that for you too, simply by
visiting their website and using their Visa Wizard. But before you go “off to see the Wizard”, you might want to take a
look at a video I’ve made to show you how the Visa Wizard works….
video
Want to try for yourself? Here’s the link to the Australian Government’s immigration website….
http://www.immi.gov.au/
If, after having gone through the Visa Wizard yourself you still have any questions, please do post a comment below and
I will try to help if I can. But if I can’t help, perhaps someone else can?
More useful links:
{ 59 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey Bob,
fantastic site ! so much info on here with a “tell it like it is” way about it making it a very enjoyable read.
quick question for you, if someone was granted a visa where theyre job/experience was on the SOL and allowed them to get in. Would that mean you would “HAVE TO” take that line of work once you were there, or could you find any job you wanted to do?
thanks for an amazing site
Ben
Hi Ben
Glad you like the site and thanks for the thumbs up, it’s appreciated.
I usually try to avoid answering technical questions about visas, because the government can change the rules at any time. So what is correct today may be the wrong answer tomorrow. Oh, and because normally I don’t know the answer
Anyone reading this should bear those things in mind.
But here, what you are talking about is someone who qualifies for Permanent Residency and did so primarily because they scored good points in the point system for their occupation, which was on the SOL. On that basis, no, they do not have to pursue that line of work or any work at all.
On the other hand, if you qualify through a job sponsorship, then yes, you do have to work in your skill and for the company who sponsored you, normally for a minimum of two years.
The big difference is in the two types of visa. One is a Permanent Residency (PR) visa and the other is a temporary visa.
In a third scenario, someone could move to Australia on a temporary visa and work in their skilled profession as say, an engineer, for two years. They can then apply for a Permanent Residency visa and if they get it, they could quit their job as an engineer and go work as a fisherman, if that’s what they wanted to do.
Cheers
Bob
Hey Bob,
Thanks for the reply and i hear what your saying about the law changing all the time. Me and my girlfriend have jobs both on the list but also 2 kids to consider otherwise we’d both go out on working holidays visas like my girlfriends brother has.
We’ve agreed that shes gonna be the main bread winner using her SOL listed job for work and i was thinking about doing something causual part time instead of my 60 hours a week for the past 6 years!!
Also looking forward to some post about school fees, will be good to get the low down.
Thanks again for your time Bob, a true Gent
Ben
Hi Ben
Have you checked out my page on schools? Also, look at the useful links at the foot of that page, there’s info in there about school fees.
Cheers
Hey Bob.
We are going through the waiting period for the Visa to be accepted. How long realisticly will it take once DIAC have recieved it??? We keep getting told different things!! Also, should we start to seel our house now??? we are going on a Skilled Visa.
Cheers
Hi Helen
Our application went in over six years ago, so I’m sure the waiting times are much different now. All I can tell you is it’s not so much when DIAC receive it, it’s when they allocate you a case officer. Because until that happens, your application just sits on the desk somewhere. Once you are allocated a case officer, that means they are looking at it.
From that moment on, you are probably looking at three to five months to when you will get your decision. But obviously, each case is different depending on what they ask you to provide and how quickly you do that.
Should you sell your house? If you are reasonably confident of being accepted and you have a plan in place if your house sale goes ahead before you get your visa, then it may be a good idea to put it on the market. We did. Or perhaps wait until you are allocated that case officer, only you can decide. I hope things go well.
Cheers
Bob
hi bob
me and my girlfriend are trying to get a permanent visa to oz, my job is on the skilled list and hers isnt, would this be worth while applying for it? and am i right in thinking that we have to pay the money straight off to apply? because it would be pretty costly if we payed and then to be declined.
many thanks for your time
Yes, I’m afraid it’s money upfront. If your girlfriend qualifies to be regarded as your “partner” and you will have to jump through a few hoops to prove that, you only need one of you to succeed in your application. So you should apply in your name with her as your partner.
But do make sure she qualifies first. Otherwise, get married!
Hi Bob,
Im thinking of moving over to Sydney to live with my Dad, im 19 years old with savings in the bank ready for the move. Just wondering if you think id get a visa relatively easily and if so how long do you think it would take for my visa to come through? As im desperate to get over there, be with my dad and start enjoying the Aussie lifestyle!
Thanks very much!
Why don’t you get yourself a work/play visa, or working holiday visa as I think it’s called. I think those things get issued pretty quickly. It would allow you to come here for 12 months and work if you want to during that time. It would be a great way of seeing what you think of Australia and, while you are here, you can look into your permanent visa options.
Hi Bob ,
I’m considering to immigrate to your beautiful country as a skilled immigrant , i have two questions for you . First ,What should i do first , find a job or apply for the visa as an independent ? and my other question , Is it easy to find a job in Australia considering that i work in Communications (ICT) sector ?
Thank you
Hi Seif
The choice is yours, but for some people getting a job sponsorship has got them into Australia a lot quicker and applying independently. But then you do have to work for your sponsor for at least two years if you go that route, I think.
I have no idea how easy or hard it would be for you to get a job.
Hi Bob, interesting answers you provide…in my case, I did obtain a PR under skilled migation in 2001 but couldn’t stay in Australia & work. It lapsed in 2006 and I am now 52 years old. My hubby (whom I married after 2006) & I want to migrate now. What shall we do?
Cheerio!
All you can do is apply again. Have you been through the Visa Wizard?
Hi everybody.
My name is Tony and i have a problem.I have been interviewed in England by an Australian Director and been given a job in Adelaide .The only problem is i am aged 51 and the points system for emigrating do not add up.
I have tried a working holiday visa – no joy and the only option open to me it seems is a 457 visa – lots of information regarding the visa but no web page to fill in to get me going and over there.
Can any body help a desperate British citizen in need ?
Kind Regards.
Tony W.
This is outside of my area of knowledge, so I can’t really help. But I just wanted to ask if the company who have offered you a job are prepared to sponsor you. I think it’s true to say that the age limit does not apply if you are being sponsored.
Worth checking out.
Cheers!
HI BOB,
I AM PURUSHOTTAM TEPPALA FROM NEW ZEALAND I AM GOOD EXPERIENCED WELDER/BOILERMAKER I PERMANENT RESIDENT OF NZ.
MY QUESTION IS HOW CAN I GET WORK VISA IN AUSTRALIA?
Start here…
Visas
Hi Bob, I’m studying in Australia now. I’m holding a Student visa and it will be expired in March 2013. And i will extend 3 more years for studying here. Next year I’m gonna go to Thailand and get married with my girlfriend, she is Thai. I’m Vietnamese so I cant get married with the same sex in Vietnam but it is allowed in Thailand and Australia as Civil Union. So after our marrying, can my partner ask for a visa to join with me in Australia during the time I study there. I still need to study 3 more years in Australia. Is it possible if she can go and stay with me in Australia ? And where should we apply for that Vietnam, Thailand or Australia. Thanks Bob. Have a good day. Carmen
That’s a Would I Qualify? question, I can’t answer those. Only skilled MARA agents can advise, and only the Australian government can really answer.
Hi Bob,
My family and i are sponsoring our friend from Bali to Perth. What is the best tip to get him to stay as long as possible? last time we applied he only got 2 weeks. We wish for at least 3 months. how can we improve this?
I can’t help you directly with that one, but there is a link to an organisation on my page called Specific questions about visas. that you may find helpful.
Hi Bob,
I need some advice. I am a permanent resident in Oz, and had applied with my partner at the time, as a secondary applicant. Our relationship is falling apart, and I’m worried that I would lose my resident status, being the secondary applicant.
SOS
That’s a good question, unfortunately I don’t know the answer. But if you take a look at my page called Specific questions about visas., you will see a useful link towards the end of the page for an organisation that might be able to give you the answer.
If you do find out, it’d be great if you could come back here and let us know.
Hi Bob, Myself, partner and 3 year old are moving to Australia prob Melbourne or Perth.. I’m very nervous about it but thimk it will be a good move for us as in Ireland the work sitution isnt great nor the money! Im just worried more for my daughter as she is due to go into pre-school this September, and Im afriad incase she misses out, that mite sound silly as I know they are Playschools out there. But would u think it would be a good move for us-or know if u have any info it would be great!
Kind Regards, Justine.
Hi Justine
My daughter was exactly the same age when we moved here, she is now nearly 8 and she loves it here. Australia is a great place to bring up children and she certainly hasn’t missed out on anything. And she loves the swimming pool, she didn’t have that back in England.
Hope everything works out for you.
Cheers
Bob
Hi Bob
I want to apply for Australian visa and my wife is pregnant at the moment. What I have to do wait until the baby is born and then apply for visa or I can start the application and add the baby? Or maybe you know where I can find information about my case?
Thank you
Interesting question, I have no idea what the answer is. I think you would need to ask a registered more a migration agent about that one, although it wouldn’t seem to make sense to me that all people who were pregnant would have to put things on “hold” until after the baby was born.
Hi Joseph,
You don’t need to wait to have the baby, you can start the application. During the process there will be several points when pregnancy is a topic, and there is also a medical exam in most cases (in which it will definitely be discovered and noted)
Best Regards
Miklos Rakos
Principal, Registered Migration Agent MARN 1173293
Hi Rakos
Thank you for your information it is very helpful. I will start the visa application.
Joseph
G’Day Bob!
So fortunate to find your site – it’s fantastic and has helped to clarify a lot of information for me (information overload up here!). Here’s my short story – I used my working holiday visa in Aussie in 2010. Fell in love with the country and have wanted to go back permanently since I left. After much time I am solely dedicated to making my dream of moving to Australia happen! I still have one big question that I need clarification on. I’ve been in touch with Global Visas and the Migration Expert and both companies told me that I qualify for the skilled sponsor visas (subclasses 176 and 475) based on my SOL. Both companies charge a large fee for their services before I’m able to ask additional questions. After reading your website I contacted a MARA on the mara.gov.au website and they charge a $300 fee, Skype conference, to initially speak with you. Is this normal? I’m a wee bit wary as I already paid $400 CAD to receive an assessment from the Migration Expert – unfortunately the results was information I already had researched (oops!). Here’s my question from interpreting the information I have found – I have to find a sponsor (a job with sponsorship) in Australia to be able to proceed with my visa? Am I able to proceed with applying for my visa before I obtain sponsorship? As you can see I’m confused on how to start moving! Both companies told me that the fee they charge helps with my application but I don’t know when my application commences (before job sponsor or after). My Aussie friend has Australianised my CV so that is one big item I have completed already! Any guidance or direction you can provide is greatly appreciated!
It’s very cold up here so I hope you guys are having a beautiful sunny day!
Thanking you in advance
Katie
Hi Katie
I just want to give you warning about Global Visas they charge a lot of money and telling you can get visa just to get your money and after that they don’t care if you can get visa or not and you can get your money back. Just have a look to few complaints.
http://blogs.mirror.co.uk/investigations/2010/05/global-visas—complaints-are.html
http://www.consumercomplaints.in/complaints/global-visas-c287983.html
Joseph
Thanks so much for the heads up Joseph! I had a bad vibe with them as they were pretty agressive and left me a very unprofessional voicemail. Positive feedback is so important – so glad I didn’t choose them
take care and good luck to you!
Hi Katie
Yes, I always feel wary when people demand large sums of money before they’ve done anything, sounds like a lot of money to answer a simple question.
I do know a MARA registered migration agent, I’ll ask him and get back to you.
Hi Katie
I’ve just sent you an email with answers to your questions. I’ve not put the answer up here, because sometimes things change, so whatever is correct now may not be the right answer in the future.
Cheers
Bob
Wow thanks so much Bob!! I really appreciate all your help. Take care
Katie
That’s okay Katie, hope it all works out.
Hello,
My job title is not listed on the SOL (broadcast engineer)but some of the job titles on it are similar to what I do anyway(radiocommunications engineer for instance). Can i still apply and be accepted for 175 visa?
Always awkward that one. I think it works like this. Either you have a piece of paper that conclusively proves you have a skill that Australia wants, for example, a recognised engineering qualification, or you don’t.
If you don’t, you’re probably going to have to have your skill assessed by the recognised Australian body. So before you jump in, try and find out which recognise body is going to assess your skill and what they will be looking for, then decide whether you think you’ve got it.
But if I were you, I’d be asking this sort of question to a MARA registered migration agent, the consequences of making a wrong decision will probably be more costly than the price of the advice.
Hi Bob, gud day to you.
Just wanted to check with you on a scenario where
- I have met 65 points
-have my work listed in SOL with related qualification
-Good in English communication
What doing you think are the chances of getting an Australian PR in %, if I have met all their criterias as above? and How long does the application takes to process (average/normally)?
And finally if you get approved with PR, how much cash (approx.) do you need to carry to start your living for atleast the first 5-6 months (settling period)?
Hi John
All questions I can’t really answer. You look to have a very good chance of qualifying, but I don’t know what your medical or criminal records check might show. How long the process takes varies and how much you need depends on how big or small your family is and what your needs are.
There are plenty of pages under the Migration Advice section (link in main menu above) that will help you work out the costs of things, click on the link that says “Prices”.
Hello Bob, I would like to thank you for putting your time into this web site,is very helpful and I will also like to congratulate you for all the efforts that you do in order to answer to our questions.. I currently live in Edmonton,Canada as a permanent residence and I’m about to apply as a citizen ,for so many reason I couldn’t attent school and I have being working as a machine operator , assembler and self employer in the cleaning bussiness , now I’m very interested in moving to australia with my family, (wife and daugther) my baby is 15 months old ans she was born in canada, do you think that I can have an oportunity to obtain an Australian visa? I’m 26 years old, speak spanish and english and have a lots of work references , I thank you very much in advance and look forward to hear from you, have a wonderful journey and all the best to you !!!
See Would I Qualify?
Hi Bob
If I got a skilled immigration visa ,can my mom join me too?
Maybe, but she would have to get her own visa.
Hello Bob…This is Abdullah from India…i really want to to go to Melbourne for pursuing automotive engineering…wen i get there ill have to bear my own expenses…but the student visa states that i cant work more than 20 hours a week..that’s equal to a little less than 3 hours a day.. 3 hours of work wont help me bear the universities fees and all the other expenses ..what to i do??
Well I suspect they don’t want you working more than 20 hours a week, otherwise it will affect your studies. The only answer is to bring some money with you.
would it help me get a PR easily if i do a TAFE 2 year diploma which is in the SOL? I am interested in a diploma related to automobiles
I don’t know for sure, can anybody else help?
Hey bob,
Your site is fantastic you’ve done a real god job!
I’m 28 with a fiance and a father of one, we’ve been looking at getting a working holiday visa but upon reading further we’re not entitled due to having a child any advice would be truly greatful, before you say it, I can’t ditch the boy for 12 months he’s only 2 an half hehe.
Cheers bob
Andy,Vicky & finley (the boy!)
No, that’s right, no children allowed on the WHV. That’s because, and quite rightly, the government can’t see how you can work and have a toddler to look after.
What other options you have, I don’t know. But my visa expert may be able to help you, although it will cost you a small fee. Check out my Visa Assessment Service.
first i greet you in the name of God all in all i like austeralia country from the bottom of my heart.
Thanks khalid!
Hi………..I am a nurse and hoping to move to Aus end of the year on a 457 visa. My only daughter is 21 and i am not sure she will be able to come on my visa as i need to prove she is dependent etc on myself. If this is not possible what other visa options would i have, as i intend to stay for at least 2 years so a working visa for her would not be an option………….and i wouldnt leave the UK without her? Any idea’s???
Thanks
Well it would be impossible to say, we would need to know much more about your daughter before we could look at options.
When I talk about “we”, I actually mean my MARA registered migration agent, I personally wouldn’t have a clue. If you are interested in finding out what he thinks, then you’ll need to pay for a visa assessment, there is a link to his details about three comments above this one.
when i applied 4r my dependent student visa i got rejected due to wrong documents then 4r the second time when i applied 4r the same i again got reject by concidering my previous reject and for this time my all documents were correct. can u please advice me what i should do when i will apply for the next time so that my visa will not get rejected again.
please please kindly advise me
Sorry, I have no idea.
hi bob thanks for the previous reply.we have done the visa and the one we went for was the sponsered regional visa which is for an employer to employee my husband on a permanent basis.The problem we now have is finding that someone to do it??we plan on living in the north lakes,queensland.any idea where to start now??
thanks lucy
Ah, I see, yes, that’s the tricky part. You need somebody to offer your husband a job? All I can suggest is reading my page about Getting a Job or a Sponsorship, and searching for jobs through the three online employment agencies I recommend. Good luck!