Phone  :  +61(0)2 8901 4045
E-Mail : info@visaessentials.com.au		Mob      :  +61(0)449 906 215

Visa Options

There are a huge range of Australian visa options, some of which grant permanent residence immediately and others which may later lead to the granting of permanent residence (once additional criteria can be satisfied).  Others are for short stay periods only. 

Most visas can be applied for either within Australia or offshore, although some can only be applied for on or offshore.

Please use the links below to find some general information about the various visas available.  Whether you are eligible for one of these depends on your particular circumstances and we can advise you accordingly. 

If you have a family member who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, or are in a relationship with such a person, you may be eligible for one of the 'family' visas.

All family visas require sponsorship by your relative/partner.  Some may also require the payment of a 'bond'. 

Many of these visas (particularly parent and remaining relative visas) are heavily 'capped' resulting in lengthy waiting lists.  It is therefore advisable to consider applying for your visa sooner rather than later.

The key 'family' visas include:

For people who are in a 'genuine and ongoing' relationship with an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, including de-facto/common law relationships and same sex relationships. 

For individuals who are engaged to an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, and have made plans to marry within 9 months of the date of visa grant. 

For people with one or more children 'settled' in Australia as citizens, permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens, where the number of other children living overseas is either equal to or does not exceed the number in Australia, or is less than the greatest number of children residing in any single overseas country. 

For parents who fail to meet the balance of family test but are dependent upon their Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen child(ren). 

For people who have no near relatives remaining anywhere else in the world other than in Australia.

This enables Australian citizens, permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens who themselves need, or have a relative who needs, a carer to look after them due to a medical impairment, to sponsor a family member for permanent residence who can fulfill this role. 

For children (including step and adopted) of Australian citizens, permanent relatives and eligible New Zealand citizens who are less than 18 years old unless still financially dependent on their parents. 

For children less than 18 years old whose own parents have either died or are unable to care for them, and who are related to Australian citizens, permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens.  They must not be married themselves and it must be in their best interests to settle in Australia.

For individuals with an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen relative who wish to visit Australia and are unable to obtain a standard tourist visa.

The General Skilled Migration ('GSM') programme is a scheme by which individuals and their families who have certain skills/occupations that are in demand in Australia are permitted to live and work in Australia. 

The GSM programme covers people who are managers and administrators, professionals, associate professionals and trades persons.

You will need to undertake the 'Points Test'.  This awards different levels of points for various attributes/experiences, and whether you are granted the visa or not depends on how many points you score.  If you have a family member who is an Australian citizen or permanent resident, or you are able to obtain 'state/territory sponsorship', you do not need to score as many points as those who do not have any sponsorship options.

Experienced workers may apply within this category.  Overseas students holding eligible visas who have very recently (within the last 6 months) studied in Australia for at least 2 years for a degree, diploma or trade qualification may also be eligible to apply. 

There are several types of visas available in this category – some grant immediate permanent residence whilst others are provisional, giving you an opportunity to live and work in Australia on a temporary basis and whilst doing so increase the number of points you score (for example by improving your English or gaining work experience) so that you ultimately reach the permanent residency level. 

For employees whose Australian employer is willing to sponsor them for permanent residence.  You need to meet various criteria, the most critical being that you have a contract for full time employment for a minimum period of time (3 years for non-regional positions, 2 years for regional positions) and for non-regional positions the contract must also not contain any express exclusion of possible renewal.  The employee must also be less than 45 years old (although this can be waived) and have functional English if working in a regional area or vocational English if working in a non-regional area (this can also be waived).

For employers who wish to fill a position they have been unable to find a local worker for with an overseas employee for a fixed period of time, generally up to 4 years.  The employer needs to apply for sponsorship status; this involves providing various pieces of information about the business and undertaking to do and be responsible for a range of things.  If an employer subsequently breaches their sponsorship undertakings sanctions may be imposed.  The employer also needs to nominate the particular employee and that employee then needs to separately apply for the 457 visa. 

These visas are available to young people from certain countries and permit them to travel within Australia for up to 12 months and engage in a limited amount of work that is incidental to their holiday. 

Long term business visas are for people who wish to either set up or invest in an eligible Australian business, and be involved in the day to day management of that business.  Generally you will require 'vocational' English and be under 45 years old.  However you may be eligible for 'state/territory' sponsorship, in which case there is no English language requirement and the age limit is increased to 55 years (and even this may sometimes be waived). 

Most of these visas initially grant temporary residence but may ultimately lead to permanent residence.  One visa (sub class 132) grants permanent residence immediately.

There are various short term term business visas for people who need to be present in Australia for a short period of time only, for matters relating to their overseas business activity (e.g. to attend conferences, conduct research, engage in trade negotiations etc). 

Investment visas are for people who have sufficient funds to invest in Australian state treasury bonds.  Unlike business visas you are not required to be involved in the actual running of a business.  You generally need to be less than 55 years old however there are options for the over 55s (for example, the Investor Retirement visa). 

Australia's education system is world renoun across all levels.  Student visas are available to people who have had an offer to study from an Australian educational institution and the financial means to support themselves whilst studying in Australia.  Minimum levels of English language ability are generally required. 

There are 8 student visa subclasses covering:

           •     English language students
           •     primary and secondary schooling
           •     TAFE, diploma and certificate courses
           •     bachelor degrees, masters by course work and post graduate diplomas
           •     masters by research and doctorate degrees
           •     non-award courses such as foundation courses and bridging courses (for example, for registered nurses)
           •     AUSAID and Defence scholarship students
           •     student guardians

There are a range of Australian humanitarian visa options.  The key one is the 'protection visa'.  To be eligible you, or one of your family members to be included within the application, must be able to show that you are unable or unwilling to return to your country of origin due to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons pertaining to your race, religion, nationality or membership of a particular social group.  This category of visa is not capped – if you satisfy the criteria you will be granted the visa. 

The other humanitarian visas are 'capped' and it can thus be more difficult to suceed with these.  They include visas such as humanitarian programme, emergency rescue, woman at risk and 'refugee' visas. 

Permanent residents wishing to travel outside Australia need to obtain a 'resident return' visa every 5 years.  You should not encounter any difficulties if you have lived in Australia for at least 2 out of the preceeding 5 years, however if you have been resident in Australia for a shorter period of time you will need to show close ties with Australia, and if you have been absent for more than 5 years then also 'compelling reasons' for your absence. 

As the name suggests, these provide individuals already in Australia with a 'bridge' between the various types of legal status a non-citizens may have.  It covers a range of scenarios including:

           •     people who are seeking to move from one Australian visa type to another and have submitted an application for the                  new visa,
           •     people  whose visas have been cancelled or refused who are seeking a review of this decision,
           •     persons in immigration detention seeking release,
           •     persons in Australia 'unlawfully' who are making arrangements to depart imminently

and so on.  These visas may have numerous restrictions imposed on them. 

For individuals who have an 'outstanding' or 'exceptional' talent.  You must be sponsored by an Australian body or individual with a national reputation in your field, and who can testify to your achievements.

For persons requiring medical treatment in Australia.

   •  Emergency visas  

For persons who have applied for another type of visa who have urgent and compelling reasons for needing to travel to Australia before all the criteria for the principal visa grant have been satisfied.