Australia Work Permit Requirements

Australia has many draws for foreigners--with jobs being only one.

Australia's sunshine and beaches are not the only things the country has to offer--its career opportunities have also drawn many people to its shores. To work in Australia, you will need to obtain a work permit in the form of a visa, which allows foreigners to work in the country for either short stays of less than 12 months or permanent stays. While visa requirements vary slightly, depending on which visa you want, all applicants must pass a points test and provide the same basic information.

Age Requirements

Foreigners who want to earn money while enjoying a long Australian holiday may apply for a working holiday visa, which allows them to live and work in Australia for up to 12 months if they are between the ages of 18 and 30. If planning to work in Australia permanently, they need a skilled migrant visa, which requires applicants to be under age 45. Applicants should attach birth certificates to their applications; if birth certificates are not available, passports, school records, baptism certificates, hospital records or court documents may suffice.

Skilled Occupation Qualifications

Before applying for a work permit, visa applicants must select a skill that they possess from the Australian government's Skilled Occupation List and send evidence of their qualifications in the field to the relevant assessing body, found at immi.gov.au/asri. Once this body has approved them, applicants should attach a copy of the approved skills assessment to their application, along with the school transcripts, copies of diplomas and work references.

Recent Work or Study

Applicants must provide evidence that they have worked for at least 20 hours a week in a paid job relevant to the skill they have chosen from the Skilled Occupation List, for at 12 months of the last 24. Otherwise, they must prove they have earned an academic degree in Australia within the past six months that required them to be enrolled full time for at least two years. The Australian government wants to see employer references, pay slips, contracts, course transcripts and academic completion letters as evidence.

English Language Skills

The Australian government requires all of the country's potential workers to be fluent in English. If applicants are from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand or Ireland, a copy of their passports will suffice to pass the English language requirement. Other applicants need to pass the International English Language Testing System or Occupational English Test and attach their scores to their applications.

References

• Australian Government: Professionals and other Skilled Migrants: Skills Assessment
• Australian Government: Professionals and Other Skilled Migrants: Recent Work Experience or Australian Study Requirement
• Australian Government: Professionals and Other Skilled Migrants: Age
• Australian Government: Professionals and other Skilled Migrants: English Language Ability
• Skill Clear: Australia Immigration Work Permits and Visas

Resources

• Australian Government: Skilled Occupation List and Employer Nomination Scheme Occupation List
• Australian Government: Australian Skills Recognition Information
• Australian Government: Skilled--Independent (Migrant) Visa: Application Document Checklist