How to Apply for a Work Permit in Australia
Australia's job opportunities and sunny weather make it an attractive place to work. An Australian work permit is a skilled migrant visa that allows foreigners to move to the country for jobs. If a potential migrant has a pre-arranged job in Australia, he should apply under the employer-nominated scheme. Those without a job offer can apply for a work permit in the form of a skilled independent migrant visa.
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Instructions
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Total your points using the Australian government's visa points system to determine your eligibility for a work permit. A skilled independent (migrant) visa requires 120 points. Qualifications that contribute points include age, English language skills, level of education, job skills, and work experience.
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Find your job skill on the Australian government's Skilled Occupation List. The Australian government must recognize your skills before you apply for a visa. Visit immi.gov.au/asri to find the assessing authority that specializes in your field and send this authority evidence of your job skills, such as school transcripts and work references, for approval.
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Complete a visa application. The Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship offers the options of applying online or through the mail. Sign the Australian Values Statement and attach all supplementary documents to your visa before submitting.
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Submit a criminal history record check when the Australian government prompts you to do so. If you have lived in other countries, you may need to submit a police certificate from every country you have resided in over the past 10 years.
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When prompted, arrange a health examination with a panel doctor that the Australian government has approved. Contact the Department of Immigration and Citizenship's to find an immigration panel doctor near you. The doctor will submit your results directly to the government.
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Tips & Warnings
If the skilled independent migrant visa does not suit your needs, visit immi.gov.au/visawizard to find the visa that is right for you.
If you are applying for an Australian work permit while residing outside of Australia, wait until the government prompts you to complete a health examination and criminal history record check after you have submitted your visa application. If you complete these early, the Australian government may deem them invalid.
References
- Australian Government: Employer Nomination Scheme
- Australian Government: Background to Skills Recognition in Australia
- Australian Government: Professionals and other Skilled Migrants: Applying for This Visa
- Australian Government: Character and Penal Clearance Requirements
- Australian Government: Health Requirements for Visa Applicants
Resources
- Photo Credit passport approval image by timur1970 from Fotolia.com
