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Immigration to Australia – Overview as of June 2020

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What are the requirements to migrate to Australia?

There are several routes into Australia which include both permanent and temporary options.

The preferred choice is gaining permanent residency in one step and have eligibility for the Australian skilled visa programme, such as subclasses 186, 187 and 190, but there is sometimes a yearly cap of numbers entering through this route. The key requirements for eligibility for this visa program are as follows:

  • Not have reached the age of 45 years
  • Be competent in English language proven by holding an official certification
  • You must have your qualifications assessed by the body in Australia responsible for qualification in your nominated skill to ensure they fit Australia’s requirements
  • You must pass a medical examination conducted by a nominated Australian doctor
  • You must provide proof that you are of good character.

If you are unable to fulfil all the above requirements and you don’t have sufficient points for this type of visa you should reconsider your application and seek an alternative visa category.

The requirements for a temporary work visa 482 (short-term stream) to Australia

This visa for immigration to Australia lets employers satisfy its temporary labour shortages where there is no appropriately qualified Australian worker available to do the job. The job skill must be listed on the short term skill shortage list.

The temporary worker has to fulfil these requirements:

  • Must be nominated for a skilled job by an approved sponsor.
  • Must have the skills that match the job
  • Must have the required English language ability

If an International Trade Obligation (ITO) is applicable, then the temporary migrant may remain in Australia up to either 2 or 4 years.
The cost starts at AUD 1,265

The requirements for a temporary work visa 482 (medium- term stream)

This visa allows employers to fill labour shortfalls by hiring a skilled worker where there is no Australian worker with the appropriate skills available. The worker may remain for up to 4 years. The occupation has to be listed on either the Regional Occupation List (ROL) or the Medium & Long-term Strategic Skill List (MLTSSL).
The cost for this visa starts at AUD 2,645.


Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (sub-class 482) – (labour agreement streams)

This category is for workers who are skilled and can be nominated by a sponsor who has set up Labour Agreements. The recipient of this visa category may be able to live and take up work in Australia for up to four years. Labour agreements are made between employers and the Government of Australia.

The cost for this visa starts at AUD 2,645.


What are some of the current immigration issues in Australia?

Australia has always welcomed migrants from all over the world under its managed migration program. There are two key categories set aside for migrants and these are for skilled and family reunion. In the last couple of years around 190,000 places are available to these two groups of migrants. Two-thirds of these are skilled migrants leaving the last third to family reunion migrants.

More recently the growth area has been for temporary migrants who come into the country through uncapped, demand-driven programs like the now abandoned 457 visa programme. Many of these temporary migrants typically end up settling permanently in the country.


Temporary migration is a popular trend

In the last 20 years the number of temporary migrants coming to Australia has grown significantly. This group make up two groups one is temporary skilled workers while the second are overseas students. This is the most important change to Australia’s migration in the past 6 years. It doesn’t have quite the same security as migrating directly from another country into permanent residency as many temporary migrants may take several years before they are finally accepted as permanent residents.


Temporary and two-stage migration

Most of the temporary long term migrants start off in Australia as temporary skilled workers arriving in one of the following ways:

  • On the subclass 482 visa
  • As an overseas students,
  • On a working holiday scheme.

One advantage for the temporary migrant entering Australia is there is no limit to the number of allowed into the country unlike in the permanent migration program where the numbers are regulated by an annual quota. There is no yearly quota for temporary migrants and they are driven by demand for particular skills needed at any one time. Therefore the numbers entering Australia depend on the demand from Australian businesses. However there are indications from the statistics provided by the Immigration department that there are a growing number of temporary migrants who are able to transition to permanent residency. Most of these are accepted based on their skills.


Advantages to Australia of the two stage migration process

It may not offer quite so much certainty for the temporary migrant but it does allow Australia to trial potential migrants before allowing them to settle permanently in the country. Of course not all temporary migrants after being in the country for a while will want to stay as the lifestyle may not suit them.

Workplace exploitation side-effect of temporary migrant program

The Australian Senate Standing Committee has found evidence that temporary migrants are more likely to experience some sorts of workplace exploitation. Additionally the presence of temporary migrants has had some impact on local labour markets and in some cases temporary migrants have had some issues with integration into the Australian way of life. Because of these long standing issues in relation to the 457 visa program which is now broken up into divisions under visa 482, there is ongoing debate on how to reach a compromise between the parties involved, which include the employers, local workers and overseas workers.

Immigration as an election issue

As has been the case in many other relatively wealthy countries, immigration has become an important election hot potato, despite the fact that modern Australia has been built from immigrants from many countries. In the last federal election, in March 2019, the Coalition government was returned to power on a promise to cut back immigration levels, mainly in response to complaints from the two most popular cities for immigrants, and the largest Australian cities, Sydney and Melbourne. The main complaint has been that these cities have grown immensely in population, especially in the last decade, largely through immigration, but have failed to build infrastructure to cope with the increase. The result, according to those who have advocated for cuts in immigration, has been increased congestion, unaffordable housing, inadequate public transport and other services.

The current global pandemic has cut off immigration to Australia, so these arguments have been muted recently, but there is no reason why they might become issues again once the virus has been suppressed elsewhere allowing more normal movement of people.

How to Migrate to Australia

Migrating to another country is never an easy process but there is plenty of help available to make it easier than it appears especially if you wish to live and work in Melbourne. Unless you are from New Zealand, requirements for relocating to Australia will include a visa if you intend on living and working in Melbourne or anywhere else in Australia.


Finding work is the first thing you should do as this then allows you to apply for a visa that suits the situation of your prospective employer. Before you start the search for your ideal job you should go and look at the Visa Nomination Occupation Lists on the Australian government website to see if your occupation is on the list. If it is then you can look for a job you like and file your application. If you are accepted for the job you will have to submit a vast amount of paperwork to prove that you are the right fit for the position. At this stage to make the process simpler and less stressful it is wise to get a migration agent or solicitor to guide you through the process. Applying for a visa can’t be done through the Victorian government but must be submitted through the Department of Home Affairs even if you have a visa nomination in Victoria.


Once you have the right visa approved you will may not be given much time to move to Australia so you will have to get all your belongings together, find suitable accommodation and book your flight to Melbourne. The Victorian Government’s Skilled and Business Migration Program provides services to assist business, investor and skilled to settle in Victoria.

Benefits of Living in Australia

Australia has much to offer migrants including the following:

  • Decent work benefits from employers
  • Enviable work-life balance
  • Good healthcare services
  • Great education.
  • High quality of life

Vaccinations in Australia

There is only one mandatory vaccination required and that’s yellow fever, but only if you have resided in or visited a country where yellow fellow could be present. However, there are some recommended vaccinations such as for:

  • Measles
  • Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis vaccine
  • Varicella (Chickenpox) vaccine
  • Polio
  • Flu shots

Specific health requirements may need to be met and medical examinations will be required depending on your age, the visa you are applying for, the country you are coming from. There are other common requirements before entry to Australia such as a certain level of English; meeting Australia’s character requirements.

Healthcare

Australia offers both private and public health care but Medicare the public scheme covers most healthcare requirements at the highest level of treatment and care. One point to remember is if you give birth to a child while in Australia it will get the same status as you. Only if you are a permanent resident will your child get Australian citizenship

Banking And Taxation

If you are a temporary migrant there are no restrictions on opening a bank account. There are four key trading banks, which are the National Australia Bank, the Commonwealth Bank, the Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) Banking Group, and Westpac.

The taxation system is managed by the Australian Tax Office or ATO. As an employee, you are required to pay tax on a pay as you earn basis (PAYE), which means the more you earn the more you pay, but there is tax relief available too, depending on your work and your family status. In Australia, it is compulsory to have a tax file number and complete an annual tax return.

What are the top countries that migrate to Australia?

Out of a population of approximately 26 million 17,836,000 are Australian born while 7,529,570 are overseas born. The overseas born originate from the following countries:

# Country No. Of Migrants
1 England 986,460
2 Mainland China 677,240
3 India 660,350
4 New Zealand 570,000
5 Malaysia 175,920
6 Germany 112,420
7 Philippines 293,770
8 Sri Lanka 140,260
9 Greece 106,660
10 Vietnam 262,910
11 Scotland 133,920
12 United States 108,570
13 South Africa 193,860
14 Nepal 117,870
15 Hong Kong 101,290
16 Italy 182,520
17 South Korea 116,030
# Country No. Of Migrants
1 England 986,460
2 Mainland China 677,240
3 India 660,350
4 New Zealand 570,000
5 Malaysia 175,920
6 Germany 112,420
7 Philippines 293,770
8 Sri Lanka 140,260
9 Greece 106,660
# Country No. Of Migrants
10 Vietnam 262,910
11 Scotland 133,920
12 United States 108,570
13 South Africa 193,860
14 Nepal 117,870
15 Hong Kong 101,290
16 Italy 182,520
17 South Korea 116,030
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