Your Chances of Qualifying for an Australian Visa
Would I Qualify?
This is one question I wish I could answer, because I get asked it so many times. Typically I am given three or four pieces of information; the person’s age, occupation, years of experience and maybe their qualifications or current country of residence.
I am then asked to assess the chances or, sometimes more specifically “Would I qualify?”
This is an impossible question for me to answer. Here’s why.
The application form.
There are many different application forms depending on the visa you are applying for. The form I filled in had 32 pages and requested over 128 pieces of information.
I was asked about dependent children, other family members, my health and character, all addresses from all countries where I’d lived for 12 months or more in the last 10 years, my skills, qualifications, previous employments, English language ability and if I’ve ever been convicted of any crimes.
On top of that, l needed to supply certified copies of births, marriages, divorces and proof of current employers and Army discharge papers if applicable. Finally, I was asked to provide a clean Police Record Check and pass a thorough medical including chest x-ray.
It’s a long and tough process, and I don’t say all this to put you off, believe me, it is worth it in the end assuming you get through. I mention it only to underline why it is impossible for me to assess anybody’s chances.
That said, if you:
- Are within the age limits that apply.
- Can speak English to the level required.
- Are healthy and without a criminal record.
- Score the correct number of points according to the visa you are applying for.
That would be a very good start. Additionally, if you are applying for any one of the visas based on your skilled occupation and you:
- Have a recognised skill that is in shortage here in Australia.
- Have qualifications for that skill that are recognised in Australia or can successfully have that skill assessed by the relevant Australian body.
- Are able to demonstrate your work experience using that skill.
Then I would suggest you have a very good chance of success.
But, of course, there are many other kinds of visas you can apply for, there were over 100 different types last time I looked. Whichever one you apply for, you can easily assess your own chances by first going through the Australian Visa Wizard.
You can read more about that and see my video about the Visa Wizard on my page called Getting a Visa for Australia.
If you would prefer to enlist the help of a professional, I have been actively looking around for MARA agents who are keen to offer a great service to my readers. I am pleased to say you can now get your own personal and professional visa assessment right here.
Visit my page called Visa Assessment Service for more details.
To find out more about:
- The General Skilled Migration Skilled Occupation Lists (SOL)
- The Employer Nomination Scheme Occupation List (ENSOL)
Visit http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/sol/
If 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:
My post called 6 Ways to Emigrate to Australia
My series of posts in the category How to Move to Australia
{ 113 comments… read them below or add one }
I HAVE JUST SENT OF MY VISA APPLICATION FORM 47PA AS I AM JUST ABOUT TO RETIRE AGED 65 AND MY SON LIVES IN OZZ AND WANTS ME TO LIVE OUT MY DAYS WITH HIM. MY QUESTION IS HOW LONG DO YOU THINK IT WILL TAKE BEFORE I GET A REPLY FROM THE VISA PEOPLE AS I HAVE TO SELL MY HOUSE ALSO BEFORE I GO OUT TO OZZ.
Hi Alan
I’m afraid I have no idea on that one, but they are not known for their speed. But I do think you will get plenty of warning, there will be medicals and probably further answers to questions and proofs you will need to supply before your application goes any further. If it’s the same as for other visas, you will be assigned a case officer and notified when that happens.
But before that happens, nothing happens. I think your application just sits in a pile somewhere.
I hope that helps some.
Cheers
Bob
hi bob,
im a young uk adult age 23 and looking to emigrate to australia i work in a building society in uk at the moment which i have done for 3 years, my girlfriend is also looking to come with me and she is a hairdresser aged 21 with 4 years in her job.
is there any chance of us getting a visa do you think?
I like your sense of humour William. You did read the article, didn’t you?
Hello Bob,
I’m an English bloke who’s 31 years old from the UK, and I’m a time-served ‘toolmaker’ with a degree in mechanical engineering, a stack of qualifications (NVQ 3, C&G 3, et cetera) and 5 years experience. However, I’ve also worn many different ‘caps’ (because the engineering sector here is, as you may know… has all but had it) working for Toyota, Vauxhall and Arcelor Mittal Steel in heavy engineering for an extra two years on contract. I have managed to rack up 80 points on the points test, and I know my trade is on the list of demand in NSW, (which is where I would like to work and live, and it’s where my Aussie lady friend lives *wink wink*). But my question is this, “Would an EXPO Australia Migration venue help me to seek State skilled sponsorship or would I benefit from a MARA agent?” Thank you in advance, Bob.
I really appreciate your site here, Bob. It’s a mine of information. I’ve had a good look around and the amount of information on just applying for the likes of a 475 skilled visas is astounding!
Cheers!
Phil.
Hi Phil
Are you talking about the new points system? If you are, I think you only need 65 points, is that correct? So it sounds like you are doing well on that side.
As for a MARA agent or Expo, I suppose that depends on what you want. I’ve never been to an expo Australia, but I assume these venues are packed with experts from all different fields, not just someone to help you find state sponsorship. I think these events are really cheap to get in to, so they are worth a go.
A MARA agent, on the other hand, would cost a lot more, but may be worth it depending on how difficult your application may turn out to be and what you’re like that filling in paperwork. I’m not even sure you need state sponsorship, you might qualify for permanent residency without it. But you’d need to check.
Have a look at my pages about sponsorship and visas for more information.
Thanks for your kind words about my blog and good luck! Hope it goes well.
Cheers
Bob
Hi Bob, thanks for replying so quickly!
Yeah, it was the DIAC points system, and that’s right! I need 65 points. I probably would’ve scored a little bit more, but it would’ve required assumptions based on things that haven’t happened yet, and therefore wouldn’t be wise to do so. Moreover, as you know, some things aren’t necessarily a given through an online calculator. There’s more to it than that, as you could agree with a 32-page application form, which is fair dinkum.
As for the Expos, I plan to go to an Australian migration and jobs venue, such as ‘Down Under Live 2011′. There’s one coming up in London, mid-September. The last Expo in Leeds had MP Peter Collier as a speaker (I couldn’t go to that one), but there’s a good chance there could be an Australian minister in London, too.
I’ve thought long and hard about this since my ol’ dad told me (as a boy) of his love and exploits in Australia when he was delivering supplies to towns and cities all around Australia with the Merchant Navy. He has always loved Sydney’s Bondi Beach and the sleepy town of Gladstone where he’d deliver the much-needed supplies. He visited there in the mid-60s.
I thought it was a pipe dream for years, even when I was receiving my award and indentures in engineering in 2003 – it was at the back of my mind; I even thought that way when I was pondering the idea in 2008. Then I made a few Aussie friends on Facebook, two years ago, and I got talking with them, and in doing so rekindled my love of Oz.
Thank you for your links on your blog, Bob. I’ll do a bit of research into those links and look around a lot more, too. This site has done wonders for me to keep the proverbial fire burning for my dream. With me being an Englishman, I can strike many similarities with plenty of the small hiccups of transition from Englander to Aussie.
P.S. There’s a bit of a ‘Hotel California’ thing going on, because I’ve been on your site for two hours today already! I’ve also ‘liked’ your page on Facebook.
Much thanks, Bob,
Phil.
I don’t think Gladstone is so sleepy these days, and Bondi Beach is definitely a lot busier than your dad would have remembered.
I’m glad you have enjoyed my website and liked me on Facebook. But don’t read the whole site now, I want you to come back!
Good luck with your application Phil, I hope it all goes smoothly.
Cheers
Bob
Thanks, Bob. I think you’re right. Gladstone is hustling and bustling today.
I remember reading a news report not so long ago about a $12 billion AUD gas deal in the Gladstone Area. That’ll be great for the economy for sure, and will aid the job market. Hopefully, everything will go smoothly.
However, I digress. I enjoy these topics immensely, and there are many more topics, subtopics and accounts to read through. Therefore, there’s no worry; I’m not going anywhere. You’ve been in Oz for a while, so the accounts of an Englishman in making the transition as painless as possible are valuable knowledge to me. Keep making these honest-to-goodness blog entries and videos because I love them!
P.S. Thank you for your good wishes, and I was glad to help you out on the e-book.
Phil (a.k.a. Grammar Nazi).
Hi I am looking to come over!!!
I work within the enegry market and i am 22 years old and i have always wanted to live the oz life. how much saving do you need in your bank account?
Hi Roxy
There isn’t a set minimum amount, as far as I am aware. But it is the question they ask on the application, it’s something like “how much money would you bring with you when you move to Australia”? I suppose how you answer that is taken into account, but I’ve never seen a printed set minimum. But if you came over on a one-year working holiday visa, last I heard the minimum amount was £2000 for that one.
Just save up as much as you can.
Cheers.
hello,with an australia 2yr qualificaton , i would like to apply for Pr but am not on the SOL-since fashion, clothing and textiles is not on the list.please advice what should be done to apply for PR ?
to add on to the above, i have 9 yrs f work experience and hold a master’s degree in clothing and textiles.
Like the article says, you need to go and play with Visa Wizard, check it out on my page called Getting a Visa for Australia. The link is above.
Very useful website and Thanks lot bobinoz…
Thanks Kamal!
Hiya Bob, thought i would just drop you a line to say that i took your recommendation on contacting moneycorp recently. Even though it is very early days yet for my application to emmigrate to ozz, I must say I am very pleased with their approach initially to getting things organised for when I am ready to make the move, they do not push you into anything and are very relaxed about the whole thing and made me feel at ease at letting them take care of my finances and no huge charges to pay for them dealing with it.
thanks again Bob, another good job done.
Hi Alan
I don’t remember recommending moneycorp and it’s unlikely I did because I know nothing about them. Maybe somebody else recommended them to you? That said, I don’t mind taking the credit if it all worked out well
Good luck!
Hi Bob.
Ive heard so many things about getting a job in Oz even by Aussies themselves. I heard that aslong as you get a job in any place (even in an IGA supermarket) it doesnt matter about skills. I dont have skills but im dying to live there as i spent a year there 5 years ago and loved it. Im even thinking about going there on a tourist visa and seeing about working, it this possable? I dont want to waste my time as everyone gives different answers but im not sure they know what they’re talking about.
Please help
Hey Aran, I don’t know what I’m talking about either
Australia really isn’t that easy to get into, despite what you may have heard. Tourists aren’t allowed to work here, so you wouldn’t even be able to get a job on a tourist visa.
If Australia is your dream, you’ll need to find another way. That may mean training and acquiring the skills in demand.
Sorry.
Dear Bob,
I have 2 daughters holding Australia PR. I would like to know if they will be able to sponsor their brother that is 17years old this year to apply for PR in Australia. Or is there any way that he can apply for PR?
Thank you
Cath
Hi Cathrynn
As this page says, I can’t answer questions about whether or not someone would qualify. There are certain rules, it’s possible that your two daughters would have to prove that their brother is dependent upon them. Is he? Probably not, he’s probably dependent upon you.
You’d need to ask the advice of a MARA registered migration agent if you wanted to take it further.
Hi Cath,
I am afraid that just based on family relationship the young man will not be able to become permanent resident. There may be other options but they are based on the individual. What the sisters can give him is a massive advantage once in OZ.
I am a MARA registered agent and quite happy to have a look at your son’s situation. If interested please check out my Visa Assessment Service.
Remember “where there’s a will there’s a way”
Hi, myself and my partner are just starting to look into the possibilty of moving to Aus in the not to distant future. My partner is a qualified Scaffolder with 6 years experience and before that served in the british Army. If he was to find work out there would that qualify me and our children to be able to go with him? Based on us passing all the other requirements. I myself have worked but have no qualifications higher than GCSE and have spent the last 4 years since having our children being a stay at home mum. Also, how does your credit history affect your chances of getting a visa? Thankyou!
Sorry Nic, but as my article above says, these aren’t questions I can answer.
Hi Nic,
Sorry for the delayed response.
Based on your few lines i would say there is a possibility that he’d qualify and as members of his “family unit” you would be able to move with him. However it is something i would need to assess based on a bit more information.
As for your credit history the answer will not be a straight yes or no, as i don’t know whether you gone bankrupt or just didn’t pay of the tv. The major problem is the cost of migrating and moving. Visa applications aren’t cheap and i am sure Bob has a link/story here about how much the actual moving is for a family.
If you want to have your case looked, please contact me on email and we’ll go from there
Brgds
Miklos Rakos
Principal, Registered Migration Agent MARN 1173293
Hello Bob!My name is Rosamaria and I am a Portuguese teacher. I have been teaching English and German for twenty two years. I think I qualify as a skilled worker. I have already done a lot of research on the different steps I have to follow in order to obtain the right visa, but I would like you to tell me,if that is possible, about the time it takes to have my qualifications recognised.After all,we all have to plan everything carefully .It’s a big decision.
Thank you!
Hi Rosa,
The completed application could take up to 6 months to get recognize. The more prepared the submitted paperwork the less time it will take to process.
Best Regards
Miklos Rakos
Principal, Registered Migration Agent MARN 1173293
Hi Bob
I am 27 my wife if 24 and our son 1 year old.
I am gym instuctor just qualifed before this was british army 7 years and my wife a hairdresser 6 years we have looked at possible visa but we cant find the right one as we dont qualify for working/ holiday visa as we have a dependant child and we cant go the other route as our jobs are not on the SOL list any advise would be great : )
Not really George, sorry, I’m just not qualified to give that sort of advice.
hi bob thanks for your time anyways i have a phonecall coming from migration agent. and yes i did write twice this one was in the hope that miklos would comment
and the other post was for you sorry thought it was worth a try : )
great website anyways
Hi George,
I am away from my computer but ill respond within the next couple of hours. I believe there is a solution but we may have to go on email rather than on a blog as these solutions are fairly case specific.
Miklos
Hi George,
I’ll email you an assessment form and a few questions. Once i have the answers we can work out something.
Having consultations with a few agents are not a bad idea. Agents come from different business and cultural backgrounds which makes finding a solution outside of the box more of a realistic expectation
Looking forward to hearing from you
Brgds
Miklos Rakos
Principal, Registered Migration Agent MARN 1173293
Hi!Thank you for your answer. I did some more research and I did the points test too.I came up with a result of 50 points.Well I am 46 years old,my degree is on English/German studies,I am experienced, and except for the obtained score I qualify!Well,does this score prevent me from getting the visa?Please, give all the information you have on this.I wouldn’t like do give up on a life opportunity such as this.Thanks again
rosa
Hi Rosa,
I would like to continue this on emails if possible. There is too many personal information needed to decide which visa would work for you.
If you could send Bob an email with your details (email, phone/skype) we can start finding a suitable solution for you. Or check out my Visa Assessment Service
Brgds
Miklos Rakos
Principal, Registered Migration Agent MARN 1173293
Hi Bob,
My husband and I have purchased a piece of land in Brisbane,Australia and construction is commencing next month. We have 5 children and wish to move with them to Australia for education opportunities while my husband stays and run our business.
What type of visa can we apply for.
Hi,
Would like to help you but based on this info all i can tell you is that there are several different student visa available depending on the education level of the child.
Not hard to assume that you are to move here permanently, however i do not have enough information to give you a responsible answer.
Would you be interested in a list of options with costing and estimated processing time based on an assessment?
Brgds
Miklos Rakos
Principal, Registered Migration Agent MARN 1173293
Sainian, Miklos offers a very good assessment service on my page Visa Assessment Service. Check it out.
Hi Bob,
I have been searching the net for months as me my hubby and 3 children want to emigrate from UK to Perth, My hubby has been a chef for 10 years and this is on the wanted list but he has no qualifications as he has worked his way up on the job, I need to know if this would be accepted. I am a carer and look after eldely in the community and am just in the middle on my NVQ level 2 (now called a deploma) and will be doing my level 3 when done will this be enough to get us into Aus.
We have no house to sell so would be wanting to rent and look for jobs before we would come.
Please could you help me.
Many thanx
Leigh
Hi Leigh
I can’t really help you, much more information would be needed before your chances could be assessed. But nothing you have said suggests you wouldn’t qualify either.
I suggest you check out my Visa Assessment Service page, it may just be exactly what you need. It’s not free, but it’s not expensive either
Hi Leigh,
Just a few quick words: Not being qualified will not exclude your hubby to have a successful skills assessment, it will just make it a bit more challenging. To find a job in hospitality from the UK isn’t realistic, as most places in the industry need to find employees rather fast.
Miklos
Hi Bob,
I’m a 36 year old married woman with 2 young children and we’re desperate to get to Oz! My husband did carpentry work for years but he doesn’t have his papers, therefore we’re not eligible for skilled migration visa.I believe a sponsership visa would be the way to go but we dont know where to start looking for jobs-the mind boggles! My sister is an Australian citizen but lives in Ireland and I have cousins who were born in Oz,would this be beneficial to us? Ideally my husband would like to work in the mines and he’s in the process of getting his truck licence. Any information you give us would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Very difficult to give you any advice here, Australia isn’t easy to get into. But I do know there’s plenty of work in the mines, if you can get it.
Maybe you should take a look at my Visa Assessment Service. If you decide to use it, it will cost you $100. But it may be money well spent. You will get advice from a fully qualified MARA registered migration agent who will be able to tell you, once and for all, if you have a chance to get a visa to move to Australia.
Good luck.
Bob
Hi Bob,
Would you know if I can apply for a contributory parents visa for myself and my son as dependent only and exclude my husband in the application. Can he apply his later when he wants to join us in the future?
Thank you for your help.
Cath
Cath,
Is there any reason you won’t include your husband? I won’t say that not including him will create “trouble” but will def incur additional cost.
Miklos
Thank you, Miklos for your reply. My husband is still working oversea and will not be able to move to OZ so soon.
Cath
Hi Cath,
You can still include him regardless, or “In some circumstances you may add dependent children or a partner to your application after the application is lodged, but before a decision has been made.”
Not much of a point listing the circumstances as we’d need to see your specific situation and that try to find the most suitable way of lodging the application
Brds
Miklos Rakos
Principal, Registered Migration Agent MARN 1173293
Hi Bob, firstly I would like to thank you for putting so much time and effort in to this site, it has helped us loads with information and questions we had. I just have 1 question that I can’t find the answer to, I’m not after an official answer just whether someone has gone through the same or if you have heard/ have any knowledge. So here goes….
My husband and myself have recently decided we want to make the move to Oz, we will be applying for a 175 visa (husband being main applicant) the problem I face is that as well as an 8 year, I have a 19 year old daughter who has a 6 month old baby, she has recently moved back in with us, after spending 7 months in her own rented accommodation, we all would like to get her on our visa as a dependant, but I’ve been told that we have to prove she’s been dependant on us for 12 months, do you or anybody reading this know if e will face problems, 1) for her having her own baby and 2) because she left home for 7 months.
Any advice would be hugely appreciated
Many thanks
Jackie
Hi Jackie,
Dependency doesn’t necessarily mean “living under one roof”. There are ways of proving that she is/was depending on your support.
This isn’t an official answer but can be done with enormous amount of work and supporting documents
Miklos
Hi!My it is Rosa. I am the English teacher to whom you sent an email telling how important it was for me to provide you with all the necessary personal information.Well, first,II would like to know what is really the personal information,because I have searched the net for almost everything on visas,including shortage job lists,the possibility of a state or regional sponsorship and my conclusion was that there is only a possibility in terms of matching the job needs in your country,which is actually my degree on German sudies.!Moreover,I am not sure if I have to take and pass an IELTS test..Anyway,as I said before ,I would appreciate if you enlightened me on the previous topics.I was thinking of obtaining a masters degree either on Engish or German,and it would be most useful if in the meanwhile you wrote me a few lines on the mentioned issues. Honestly, I hang on to this possibility and I wiil do anything in my power to be able to accomplish what I think is a life time opportunity.In addition to this ,I have a son who is a great sudent at English who is studying psychology and it I believe he could also have a wonderful future in an English speaking country such as Australia.That’s all for now .I only hope you can help by giving me other pieces of information which I might have overlooked and of course we can talk on the phone ,my mobille phone number is 968027175 on skype and my email address is rosyribeiro66@gmail.com, I am willing to do that ,on skype we just have to schedule it .Thanks again,BYE BYE! rosamaria
Sorry, I missed this the first time round. I believe Miklos has now answered you in another comment.
Have we left it too late – Please help advise.
Hi all, just wondering if anyone can help advise because advice I’m getting from Uk immi.gov.au keeps changing & now have been told too old.
We live in UK & plan was to move permanetly to Australia. I’ve no skills – but hubby has (Health & Safety) he’s 49 this year & 50 next. Looked @ point system & we fail (due to hubbys age & me having no skills + past medical problems.) So was told best way to get in was for hubby to find employment sponsorship (obtaining a 4yr temp) 457 Visa & in 3rd year could apply for perm visa. But now they tell me because Hubby will be 50 next year – even if he’s already working there & sponsored (on 457) & even with his skills – we / he wil never qualify for a perm visa because of his age (50) & only thing we can do is apply evey 4 years for a temp 457 visa. But this means we would never be perm in OZ & when we retire (age 65) we could be shipped home (+ childern will be adluts in 1 – 2 years.) I’m very confused. Please can anyone advise if all mentioned is correct. Its a heck of thing to do to sell & ship family & life to OZ – only to find you might have to come back & then @ that age to what? any help appreciated. Many thanks
Hi Caroline,
You are never too old. Maybe too old for one type of visa, but may be able to find another pathway that allows you to l
If you’d like me to get involved please click on the link and follow the steps: http://www.bobinoz.com/visa-assessment-service-by-a-mara-registered-migration-agent/
The assessment you’ll be provided with will be based on your individual circumstance rather than a general info available on various websites. Yes, it is not free, however if you decide to go ahead and apply (and use me as your agent) your fee will be deducted from the professional fee.
Why the assessment? We all have an unique situation, and there is significant legal research on each case to ensure the best result. Everybody has a chance to qualify or a pathway that can be used to become Australian, we just have to find you the most suitable for you.
No migration professional will ever guarantee you a 100% success (it is part of the MARA code of conduct), but we have a legal obligation to provide you with comprehensive, valid, up to date and most importantly realistic information.
As for the “getting shipped back to the UK” version: There is a realistic chance that your kids get married by them (15years from now), even become Australian before you (if i follow your ideas of staying sponsored for a while) which means you could pursue a different pathways to stay with the kids and in AU.
Miklos
Hi Caroline
Exactly what Miklos said
good luck!
Hi Bob,
Great site you have here by the way – don’t know what I’d have done without it.
Hi Miklos, Thanks for the advice its much appreciated & we just might take you up on that offer. Yesterday advice given (for 2nd time) from AU immigration in London threw us into this panic. I’ve really researched & to be honest can see why a migration agent is used as its very complicated & as you say each case is individual. Later yesterday I researched some more & discovered that there might be other ways. Think prior I’d probably been given general information & today I got better advice from a more experienced advisor. Various options might be: Such as go in on a 457 visa & when in Australia (with help from employer) apply for perm – or get perm (via employer) before you go RSM(Perth) – or ENS (see I am learning.) 1st thing is a Health & Safety job for hubby who this weekend will attend the Skills Needs Australia event in London – armed with CV’s & questions etc. So will see how that goes & along with the other job applications we have out there we are crossing our fingers. Feel more positive now & also had never thought about our children ever having a use (other than to drive us mad & keep us busy) by maybe being able to help us become perm – so thanks for that. Anyone got a spare son they want rid of ??? So now lots to look into & will see how this weekend goes & if we get feeling hubby can land a job, will for sure get in touch. Many thanks again . Caroline
I have a 5.5 year’s old son at your service, doesnt eat much (yet) and quite entertaining! hahaha.
Good luck at the expo! Get all the info you can, GO HOME, have a read through and talk it over. Unfortunatelly expo’s can make people overexcited and can make decisions without thinking clear.
I am not concerned about job opportunities, as Oz is the heaven of OH&S professinals…
Brgds
Miklos
Hi Bob,
Im an Australian female resident who runs my own business. In recent years I have met a man who we both have fallen in love. He lives in the Netherlands. He will be coming to visit me in Sydney this year and then wants to marry me (not long after he arrives). I want to stay here in my country so we will be filling in the Partner (Temporary and Permanent) (subclass 820 and 801) visas, after we are married. There is only one problem I am concerned about. He has a criminal conviction of being an accessory to theft, but was given community service ( this happened over 5 years ago). Also he had outstanding driving fines which are paid now, but he had to do few weeks in a prison at different times which total under 12 months.
My question is… Will these convictions stop him from being granted a partner visa? Is it substantial enough to reject the application?
Regards Mon
I can’t answer for DIAC, and I have no idea how clean they require the criminal records checks to be. But I’m thinking you may well have a problem with this.
Maybe you should ask your boyfriend to pay for his criminal records check, they are not expensive, just to see what is on it. Then, before you go to all the expense of putting together an application, ask someone that does know (and it’s not me) whether they think he will get through after showing them what the report says.
Under s501(6)(a), a person does not pass the character test if they have a ‘substantial criminal record’.
Hi Mon,
have a look at the below info:
Substantial criminal record is defined in s501(7). A person has a substantial record if:
• the person has been sentenced to death or
• the person has been sentenced to imprisonment for life or
• the person has been sentenced to a term of imprisonment for 12 months or more or
• the person has been sentenced to 2 or more terms of imprisonment (whether on one or more occasions), where the total of those terms is 2 years or more or
• the person has been acquitted of an offence on the grounds of unsoundness of mind or insanity, and as a result the person has been detained in a facility or institution
Miklos Rakos MARD1173293
Hi Bob and Miklos,
Immigration website under section 72 stated the above as you mentioned. My boyfriends convictions where unpaid driving fines when he was younger. If the fines are not paid then the person has to do some days in jail. This was because of the house moving over the years, the fines where addressed at wrong houses. Another was a conviction being an accessory to theft, where he was given community service and the remainder he served 20 days in jail because of a system error, so I guess he wont fall under the substantial criminal offenses?. In total he served under 3 months in jail.
My boyfriend will get in touch with his local council to arrange a certificate of good conduct, which is the same or similar to a police clearance.
I feel a little at ease now as his convictions are no way near serious enough to deny him a residency here in Oz. However im sure the Immigration officer will also do a character check to see if he believes my boyfriend is good to be here. “We all make silly mistakes in our lives”
Miklos, are you able to help us fill in the application forms if we are having some difficulties in filling in ourselves? I know there will be a fee, but I’d like to have a chat with you one day soon in regards to any assistance you can offer.
Thank you both for your replies.
Regards
Mon
Hi Mon,
We do make mistakes. If he was sentenced for 12months or over is substantial. As per your story he hasn’t been making that many mistake. He’ll be questioned most likely (investigated i may say) however it shouldn’t be to bad.
Would be happy to get involved, and what i would need you to do is to email Bob (who can forward it to me) , or look up my MARN (1173293) which will provide you with my email.
Reason i dont want to get my email up is that i started to receive offers from “russian brides” and “nigerian millionaires seeking for help” as soon i had my email in one of the comments
Miklos Rakos MARN 1173293
Hey Miklos,
Thanks for your quick reply! hehe those Russian brides! I will email Bob to forward it to you. I am also interested in having my boyfriend doing this assessment for you to look over and suggest the best and a hopeful chance of being granted a Visa. Then we will work out whether we can use your help for the application in the near future.
Look forward to hearing back from you
Regards
Mon
Hi Bob,
I sent you an email yesterday asking if you can forward my email to Miklos.
Have you sent this to him yet?
Cheers
Mon
Hi Mon
Yes, I’ve just found it in my spam folder, lucky you sent me the above comment to chase it up. Pesky email, what can you do? I have now sent it on to Miklos.
Cheers
Bob
Thanks Bob,
Much appreciated, I look forward to talking with Miklos…. Ive gone through your whole website, its fantastic. I was born and bred here and didn’t know some of the facts you have until I read this.
Good work!
Mon
No worries Mon, and glad you are enjoying my website. I’m always learning new things myself as I write it.
hiya bob/miklos,
Im wondering if you can help me too, my husband is in the carpentry trade and thinks it comes under the trade skills, but there is alot of issues with us on getting the PR visa to Oz! firstly my husband has over 10years skills/experience in the above field but no paperworks to show has he as work himself up from leaving school. secondly im a childminder, will that be ok for me to join on his skilled visa. thirdly i have 4 children 2 of which is not his, would that be ok as they (the other 2) has different surnames? fourthly he has a jamaican passport, would that still be ok (I’m a british citizen) and lastly i’ve got a caution on my crb report, for somthing silly many years back, but no conviction or spent in prison! would those prevent us from getting a PR visa (or hubby to get skilled work visa to australia)??
Many thanks
Tanya
Hi Tanya,
When you say no paperwork to show is it “no paperwork for qualification” or “no paperwork for employment”? If he can pull through the skills assessment you guys are good, the rest of the issues are no problems.
Hi Miklos,
Thanks for getting back to me so quickly! Its his qualifications (he has none) but has the experience to do the job and can get letters from past employers. At the moment he is working self employed and can also get letters from customers.
If everything goes to plan we were aiming to move to Queensland next year this time, will that be too soon? And what should i do next (first thing to get the ball rolling) and would you be willing to take my case plus whats your fee?
Many thanks
Tanya & Robert
Hi Tanya,
Can your husband get RPL-d back home?
The duration of the skills assessment is somewhere between 3-6 months, during this period all the other paperwork for the application can be gathered. So you should be able to lodge within 6 month at max. Then the wait begins. I would love to say that it only takes weeks, but unfortunately it isn’t the case. The fact that QLD is booming and your husband seems to have the skills and the experience may help a lot in the transition and the process.
In terms of fee’s, we’ll discuss that off topic as all clients have different circumstances therefore the fee’s are different too. So once assessed i will be able to provide you with a breakdown on the application cost including professional and other fees
Brgds
Miklos
Hi,
My partner has been approached by a major retail company in Oz, all seems to be going successfully and i assume that they would sponsor him to go over. However as we are not married would it be difficult for me to go with him? I dont have any qualifications as such apart from business specific ones which i have attained over the years ive been with the uks largest retailer. Also i have some debt, when applying for a visa would i be subject to a credit check as mine is currently terrible (mid flow of paying it off though)
I hope someone can help as im so worried i may be declined :-/
ps this site is awesome
Nick
If you can prove you have a long-standing “living together” relationship with your partner I believe you would be considered to be the same as a wife. As such, he can bring you with him even though you don’t have any qualifications. I think you’d be okay with a bit of debt, I assume you are paying it off? Bankruptcy might be a different thing, not sure.
These aren’t definitive answers, just what I think, that’s all. At the end of the day, the Australian Immigration Department make the decisions. Good luck though, I hope it works out well for you and your partner.
Hi Miklos,
Thanks for your reply, but what is “RPL-D”? not too sure what that means! Also regarding the assesment, what will Robert has to do? wil he need to attend an assessment course to show he can acturally do the job or is it something else?? regarding fees are you able to let me know asap to my email address? and lastly wil he (my husband, Robert) will have to do an IELT? looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Thanks
Tanya & Robert
Sorry, bad habits:)
RPL stands for Recognized Prior Learning/experience. It is created for people like your husband, who has heaps of experience but no formal qualification.
The rest is on email
Miklos
Dear BobinOz ,
I have some information which might help visa department. What address should i use ?
Kind regards.
???
Hello Bob,
How r u? Hope all is good
Unfortunately, I can not find an answer to my questions. So I came accross your website and I hope you can help me at all.
I have 4 years old child, I am looking to relocate to Australia. I am single mum. Do I need to get any documents from my childs dad, that he allows his baby to move and stay in Australia? I have a court order that the child’s residence with me.
Is it difficult to open my business in Australia? As I have a nail technician certificate and after 1 or 2 years want to move to Australia together with my child. How much money I need to have for a starts? If I would open a salon and would hire few people to work for me. Can I apply for permanent visa and stay in Australia?
What is the minimum amount of money I need to have for a start? How long business visa will last? And can I apply for a permanent visa later?
Hi Vic,
Lots of questions:)
lets do the most important one: The father will need to sign a consent form that he agree the child to migrate. He’ll going to have to sign a few lots of papers, so it may be worth getting a lawyer involved (especially if the relationship isn’t real friendly)
Sorry going to have to go now, but will try to get back to you as soon as i can
M
Hi Miklos,
Thanks for quick responde. Ya, a lot of questions
If I have a court order that the child’s residence with me, do I still need to get a signature from child’s dad to move to Australia?
Ok, will wait for answers.
Many thanks
V
Yes, Miklos knew you had a court order from your first comment, and yes you do need much more and you should see a lawyer, as Miklos said.
This is because of the Hague Convention, can you can read about it in my post called Moving to Australia: What You Must Know About Bringing the Children.
Hi Vic,
I am not familiar with family law whatsoever, but i know that even getting a passport is a pain in the back when you trying to get one for a child of divorced parents.
You’ll def need to have a consent from your ex-partner regarding the migration of the child.
Miklos
hi bob
, i also have a close cousin who as lived in perth for about 7yrs now , we own our own house over here but have good collateral in it if we sell. just dont know where to start and maybe an email from miklos would be great so that i can iron out all my enquiries and set me straight we would love to move over there for a better life for the kids so help help help its a big step and dont want to waste time before i hit 50 . cheers mate chris .
great site very informative,
a few questions for you and miklos, i am a skilled fabricator welder with 24 yrs experience, married with 3 children. i am nearly 49 and fed up with being in and out of work in the uk , ive checked the sol list and im on it for 3 similar trades , welder , fitter welder, and fabricator welder , there seems to be a lot of work for me out there but i have a criminal record when i was younger mainly all fines apart from 1 when i went to borstal for 2 months
Hi Chris
Time is not on your side, it gets really difficult when you pass 50. Miklos certainly can help you, I suggest you pay for a visa assessment as this is the only way that Miklos can find out enough about you to see if there is a way in.
The assessment isn’t expensive, you can read about it here: Visa Assessment Service.
Good luck, I hope it works out for you and your family.
hey bob going through the form as i write this , a couple of things i have come across that i cannot answer fully are the exact dates for jobs i have done and also education , i know i had a few cse passes but cannot for the life of me remember what as it was back in 79 , also it as asked me for travel dates for the last 10 yrs , does this mean all holidays etc etc as i travelled to most parts of europe following man utd and must have been to nearly every country in europe several times each over 10 yrs , a lot of travel but my passport was never stamped apart from switzerland and prague and turkey but these where all on my old passport my new passport was only issued last yr and i have not travelled abroad in this period … yet lol
Hi Chris
My MARA agent, Miklos, is away on a business trip at the moment, and I know he has limited Internet access. But I have just sent him an e-mail asking him to come in here and answer you as soon as he gets the chance.
Fill in what you can for now, and we will get back to you soon.
Cheers
Bob
okay no worries , ive nearly done it now there are a few questions but im sure we can contact each other when he gets back at least it gets the ball rolling , ps my close cousin as citizen ship in aus now in perth and this is where we are thinking we may go if it goes well , does this help my case ?? as she can find me work as she as friends who are also welder fabricators ?? ty mate. ps its peeing down in the uk again …. shock lol
Raining in England? Who would have thought.
Anyway, I haven’t heard back from Miklos, I think he’s out of the country at the moment. Whatever information is missing, it can all be patched up later. I think having a cousin may well help, it could possibly earn you a few extra points. Miklos will confirm.
Cheers!
Hi Chris,
Just emailed you. Sorry for the delay, had the worst trip ever with the additional pleasure of arriving to Europe with noting else but a laptop bag. Losing a luggage is not pleasant, but it makes you think about efficiency and trust in the system when you get told by a staff member that having 2 transfers means that the luggage is most like to get lost…
I’ll get the work done as soon as possible
Brgds
Miklos
Hi Bob,
First and foremost I would like to thank you in reading my inquiry. I had some question regarding my job application in QLD, Australia. My employer had filed our family nomination last month as subclass 457. I am currently working here in the Middle East for almost 7 years. What I am worried about is the medical exam as required when applying a subclass457 visa. I have pulmonary fibrosis (lung scar) which I got several years ago. I am very much worried for I may not be granted to work in Australia because of my medical condition. I have medical certificates from Pulmonologists and x-ray plates that can prove that I don’t have communicable decease and fit to work. And in the first place, I am here in the Middle East which also follows strict medical test procedures on which we usually undergo every 2 years.
Hope you can give me some insights on my chances for me to pursue my job application in Australia.
Thanks and kind regards,
Rak
Hi Rak
I’m only guessing here, based on information I have gleaned in the past. I believe Australia are only primarily concerned with highly contagious diseases, like tuberculosis for example, or diseases and illnesses that would require long-term and expensive medical care.
Based on that, and I’m not a doctor you’ll be surprised to know, I think you should be okay. Good luck with your medical.
Bob
HI Bob,
Thank you very much for your quick response. In addition to my information provided, scar on my lungs was caused by tuberculosis more than 15 years ago. I had been advised by my Pulmonologists to keep all my x-ray plates and certificates with me to prove that I had been medicated and it is already inactive. What I am worried about is, if the Australian Immigration have rules in banning applicants which has pulmonary fibrosis in issuing visas. Thanks again in advance Bob…
In that case, I just don’t know. If it is inactive and unlikely to return, then one would hope you would be okay, but I really don’t know what the rules are on this. Good luck though!
Thanks Bob for your response. I would also like to thank you for putting up a site full of information about Australia. It really helps us a lot. Hope we would be able to see and meet you someday in the land of what you called, “Down Under”. God bless. Cheers…
Thanks Rak!
hello bob!
actually you know i had spent two and a half years in Australia with a student visa…. i went to the institute for diploma in Business but later i found it not as stander as university so i asked my parents to help me to go to the university but they refused me… i couldn’t convince them so i am back home now with out any education certificates from Australia… i joined university here in my country but it’s so disturbing out here due to political instability… so i again asked my parents to help me to go back to Australia for my study and they agree now…. so what are my chances to get visa as a students if i apply for the university?
I’m hoping forward to get help from you Mr. Bob….
anyways have fun and take care
bie
Nick
I couldn’t possibly tell you what your chances are, as in Would I Qualify?, but good luck anyway.
Nick,
Finish your diploma, and use the diploma to get credit to the uni. Makes it cheaper as well as shorter than going straight to Uni. The difficulty of getting a student visa is greatly depend on the risk level of your country and the visa type you applying for. Send Bob and email with your details and ask him to forward it to me and we can start to get your process with finding the educational institute you after.
Brgds
Miklos Rakos
What if i dont have a skill they need?
Then getting a visa will probably be quite difficult, unless, for example, you are 12 years old and your parents have qualified for a visa, then you can simply come with them.
Hello Bob,
I have just send my parents contributory visa application last month. Would you know how soon will I get a reply from the department? Like an acknowledgement receipt? The department already deducted the application fees from my credit card.
Thanks and regards
Cath
I couldn’t tell you I’m afraid Cath, these waiting periods vary all the time. Things don’t really get exciting until they allocate you a case officer, that took about 10 months for us, but then things generally start to move quite fast.
Hi Cath,
Go on this site https://www.ecom.immi.gov.au/qcalc/QDateAnswer.do
once you answered the questions the system will give you an indication of how long the estimated waiting period is
Miklos
Thank you Bob and Miklos for your reply. Appreciate your help.
Hello again, Bob!
I went to the London Expo in September 2011 and another ‘Tradie’ Expo in London again over a week ago. I can say with confidence that most of the “experts” aren’t really experts at all, but salespeople. The jobs they had there were for ‘SOL list one’ trades, which Australia desperately needed.
To my horror, very few people actually knew what a toolmaker (my trade) does and few were unwilling to help me in finding a sponsored job, which was the whole purpose of the trip down there. I’ve attempted to research the companies that are in my industry of manufacturing, but I’ve received no reply.
Since my first ‘expo’ (which was a waste of time and money, in my own opinion), I’ve been working as a toolmaker and contract engineer again since the start of the year.
My question is ‘what am I doing wrong?’
I’ve worked in engineering since I left Sixth Form in school 14 years ago; I’m at the upper limit of the right age (32), I have many higher-level and professional qualifications and have varied experience in heavy engineering, automotive and foundry die-casting. Engineering is pretty much all I know.
I’m simply at a loss, because I’ve been trying to emigrate to Australia and meet all my ocker mates there (I don’t know how many have offered to buy me a beer…
), but nobody seems to want to know, or even listen to me.
Hi Phil,
The one thing you doing wrong is attending and expo. Sorry to say that. I’ve worked in a different industry, where expo was/is considered as a $ booster for most consultants. I am a MARA agent and i’ll be honest, i have no idea what a toolmaker is, but i know where to find it out from. I do the visa process from start to finish, but can’t help in finding a job for a simple reason: You can state that you are an experienced and qualified toolmaker. Since i am not familiar with the skills and experience you need to have, all i have is you convincing me and no facts. I know a company who tried to help out with welders and turned out that 2 out of 3 was qualified but was lazy/useless which damaged the reputation of the agent.
What i would suggest is going for an offshore permanent visa and once you got it move here and pick up a job. The sponsorship is considerably high risk for the employer as they are responsible for you and your actions. They have never met you, and the risk is high.
There are ways to achieve your goal. Unfortunately i don’t know enough to give you the solution, but you can find me though Bob’s “visa assessment” service
Brgds
Miklos Rakos MARN 1173293
Hi Phil,
I would recommend search a job in seek.com.au. I tried it and opportunity arises… Goodluck and God bless!
Rak
There you go Phil, you have two suggestions.
First of all, Rak has made a good point. Check out my page about Getting a Job or a Sponsorship and specifically the links to the top online employment agencies in Australia. Search for vacancies that suit your skills, you will be able to identify how much work is available down here for what you do.
Then you could apply for those jobs, but Miklos is right too. It’s risky for employers to take you on without knowing very much about you and also knowing there is a lot of responsibility in offering a sponsorship. So your chances of getting one of those jobs is much harder than if you were already a permanent resident.
So, if you feel there are more opportunities for what you do in Australia than where you currently are, it’s not that much of a risk to come here on a permanent residency and then look for work on arrival. That’s what we did, and doing it that way gives you much more freedom.
Supposing you get a job sponsorship, but when you get here you hate your job and the boss. Unlucky, because you’re stuck with it for two years. If you’re here on a permanent residency, you choose your own job and if you don’t like it, you quit and go get another one.
If you want help getting a permanent residency visa, I do recommend Miklos. You can read about his service and the prices he charges on my Visa Assessment Service page.
Wow! Well, what can I say, but thank you Bob, Rak and Miklos for your swift reply! Unlike myself who has been working hard and saving those pennies!
Yes, I’ll do that visa assessment service from Miklos (and so you know where I’m coming from with my experience). Thanks Bob!
I know the visas are changing around July, and so I thought it best that I put my application in quickly, should there be a change against my favour.
If the worst comes to the worst, I could always hope for a proposed WHV extension on the maximum age from 30 to 35, and get one of those so I can network while over there.
Alas, with my girlfriend (who’s now my ex-girlfriend) split up with me over my emigration plans six months ago. However, one of my Aussie female friends has taken an interest in me: swings and roundabouts, it seems!
P.S., Miklos, I will send my payment via my debit card in a few minutes after this message. Thank you!
Hi Phil
An Aussie girl eh, well marry her then! Just kidding
Yes, your payment did come through, hopefully you have now downloaded the assessment form, if not, let me know. Miklos is ready and waiting to do your assessment, I hope it goes well for you.
Cheers
Bob
Phew!
All done, Bob!
I’ve sent my assessment to Miklos, and I hope it goes well for me, too.
Australia’s been my dream since I was little boy (I blame my Merchant Navy dad sailing around Oz and New Zealand in the 1960s!)
There’s quite a bit of work for toolmakers / machinists like me in QLD, NSW, VIC and WA, but the vast majority of jobs require you to have ‘the right to work and live in Australia’, which excludes me right away.
I’ll be chuffed to bits if I get the go ahead for a visa. Who knows, maybe I could visit my female friend (of two years) and hit it off right from the start?
Thanks again, mate. I feel like I’m actually starting the ball rolling.
Yes, you have got the ball rolling and I have my fingers crossed for you. It might be a long and bumpy ride from here, I know it was for us, but if you get a yes in the end, it’s all worth it.
Cheers Phil!
Hi,
I have a company willing to sponsor me for 457 visa, unfortunately as a stupid 17 yr old (now45) i was charged with theft, no prison just a fine and community service would this stop me being granted a 457 visa?, the conviction is spent under the rehabiltation of criminal offenders act but does this matter?
please please help
martyn
Hi Martyn,
There are a handful of people who’ve done stupid things at the age of 17…
DIAC is looking for substantial criminal record. Which is convicted/sentenced for 12 months or more.
You’ll need to get a Police Clearance Certificate anyway which may not even show up this event. The best thing is to declare it. It happened 28 years ago, you declare it and you have not done anything since. You should be fine
Miklos