Australia Immigration FAQs

Download Australia Immigration Catalogue
(Right click on this link and choose `Save Link/Target As` to
download this e-catalogue on your computer or another location.)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Immigration to Australia

Australian immigration offers plenty of opportunities to prospective applicants who come to this amazing country with the intention of having a blissful future. Here are some of the commonly asked questions:

Question: I would like to immigrate to Australia under the Skilled Migrant Category. What are the steps that should be followed?

Answer: In order to immigrate to Australia, you are required to go through the following steps:
 

• Go for an eligibility assessment to see whether you fulfill the mandates or not.
• The second step would be to find out how many points would be scored under the GSM points testing system.
• After finishing off the first two steps properly, you must opt for which visa should be applied further (provided, you fulfill the eligibility criteria). There are various options - state nomination, employer nomination, general skilled program and so on.
• Sit for your IELTS test and get the scores which are required for your occupation and/or program.
• The next step would be to get your skills assessed from the designated skills assessment body for your chosen occupation/skill. If the skill assessment application outcome is positive, you can proceed ahead with filing of your application with DIAC ( Department of Immigration and Citizenship, Australia)
• Here are the four basic criteria to qualify:

a) First criterion: It deals with the age limit. The applicant should be under the age group of 49.

b) Second criterion: Should have proficiency in the English language. Different levels of proficiency may be required for different skills and/or states.

c) Third criterion: Your occupation should be present in current Skilled Occupation List and you must show a positive assessment for your skills.

d) Fourth Criterion: It is essential to fulfill the criterion linked with work experience. It is necessary to show a minimum of 12 months of work experience in your concerned field in the past two years.

e) Here is the link for Skilled Occupation List: http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/sol/

Question: How many points are required for Australian visas?

Answer: 65 Points = Skilled Independent (permanent) VISA (class VE subclass 175) 60 Points = Skilled State Sponsored Permanent VISA


Then, there are certain exceptional cases, which come to us. Here are the examples of those:

Question: I am fulfilling all the criteria. But as far as the processing time is concerned, I would turn 45 in the coming three months. What shall I do in this case?

Answer: First of all, make sure that you file your application as soon as possible. Ensure that your application is decked with the copies of your IELTS score, as well as your Skills Assessment results. Thus, giving an IELTS test and getting positive skills assessment within the short time at your disposal is of critical importance. As processing time may vary, lodge your application before you reach the age of 45.

Question: I am confused whether I should go for general or academic IELTS?

Answer: First of all, you need to check with your skills assessing body. If they have made it certain to go for the academic test, then it is mandatory, otherwise you can go for either of the two, preferably general! Your IELTS test result would hold it`s validity for a span of 2 years. Also, if you sat for IELTS more than two days ago, you are NOT eligible to submit the result. Your application would face rejection if it is decked with an expired result. So, check whether your IELTS report is still valid and if not, then give another IELTS test and attach a valid report with the skills assessment and/or immigration application, as the case may be.

Question: Is it mandatory to present previous Employer`s reference letter?

Answer: Yes, it is essential to present previous Employer`s reference letter. In addition, you may be asked to present all the relevant documents linked with your work experience with past countries too. In case, if the applicant fails to gather these documents, here is where our expertise comes into existence! Talk to our Australian counselors if they can provide you with alternate acceptable legal evidence for employment reference letter, provided you qualify for the visa. A typical employment reference letter will be on employer`s letterhead, which gives information related to duration of employment with the employer, designation and most importantly duties and responsibilities. The name, designation and contact details of the signing authority should be clearly mentioned on the reference letter.

Now people often ask me this question that after failing in their first IELTS attempt, can they sit for it again!

Question: I did not get the desired result in my IELTS. How many times can I give IELTS exam?

Answer: The good news is that there is no limit to number of times a person can appear in IELTS test.

A very interesting case came to us while doing an assessment for Australian visa. Here is it:

Question: I am a teacher in a secondary school. My result for IELTS exam is 6.5 each in all the facets of IELTS. I am qualifying for the English requirement called by the DIAC. Also, I have given TOEFL. Can I apply?

Answer:True that you qualify for DIAC requirements, it is a mandate from your assessing body that you score 7 points in each band. Hence, you don`t qualify. Also, your TOEFL would NOT hold relevance here as it is not counted in Australian Immigration. Rather, you can also go for Occupational English Test (OET).

Question: What if the assessing body gives an applicant a waiver for IELTS, depending upon his or her qualification?

Answer: In such a case, you still need to sit for an IELTS test, because no application would be completed without your result. Even if you have completed your studies from an English speaking nation, it is essential for you to sit in IELTS.

People also ask certain questions which seem general but are tricky too. For instance:

Question: I think I hold a very good proficiency in the English language. In addition to this, do I need to give IELTS?

Answer: : First of all, let me make it very clear. All the applicants intending to go for Australian immigration are required to give IELTS. The best part is that if you go on to get 8 points in each of the four facets, you would be able to get 20 points in English, which means 10 points more than the usual 10 under the PBS (Points Based System).

People often have confusions regarding their spouse giving IELTS. Here are certain queries related to that.

Question: For Australian visa, does my spouse have to sit in IELTS too?

Answer: Like in every case, sitting in IELTS is a must for everyone. It is a must for spouse to get an overall band score of 4.5 which is known as the functional level. If she fails to attain it, she would then have to go for the payment of a second visa application charge.

Then there are questions linked with the presence of your occupation in the Occupation List.

Question: The job title, into which I am indulged, is not present in the list. What does that mean? Are the doors for Australia closed for me?

Answer: If the job title you are currently engaged into is NOT in the list, you need to check the job duties that you perform and are those duties/responsibilities mentioned in the list or not. Go for the one which gives you maximum points on the basis of your skills. For instance, if your designation is that of an Executive Officer, but the same occupation is not mentioned on the list, you can find those titles which match your work profile.

Question: Okay, if I nominate a particular occupation in my application, would I have the freedom to take another job after landing legally in Australia?

Answer: The applicant is free to take up any job after landing legally in Australia.

A majority of questions are asked on the basis of documents required for Australian Visa.

Question: What all documents are needed to submit along with skills assessment application?

Answer: This is a little tricky question. Different documents are required for different job titles. Similarly, your relevant assessing body may ask you to provide certain specific documents which might not be needed in other profession. Mail at ajay@abhinav.com to ask all about your case.

Question: I am an Accountant with an experience of two years in the profession. I have a B. Com pass degree and an experience of 11 years. Would I be able to qualify?

Answer: The answer is a straight NO! Having completed studies in a section I or II university, you need to have a minimum of four years in studies and your educational qualification. For instance:

(a) 4-year Bachelor Degree, or
(b) 3-year Bachelor Degree. In addition to that,1 year Master`s Degree, or
(c) 2-year Bachelor Degree along with 2-year Masters Degree

For all those, whose University is not present in either of the two sections, it is mandatory for them to first apply to NOOSR and get their qualifications assessed.

Question: Okay, now I have received a positive skills assessment. For how long this result will hold validity?

Answer: The validity is not same for every occupation. It varies from various job tiles. You can apply for renewal after the validity finishes. The applicant can even apply for skills assessment before sitting in the IELTS test. For this, you need to ensure that your assign body does not demand the result of your IELTS examination.

I would like to add one thing here. Many people ask whether they can lodge application for visas first and then go on to submit their result for IELTS and Skills Assessment in the later half. My answer is NO. Submitting the same are a must for offshore applicants

Question: Can you specify the points which we get in accordance with our age?
Answer:

The questions are endless. This may however change from 1st July, 2011!

Here are some of the trickiest questions that I have encountered. They seem simple but minute details go into them!
Have a look :

Question: What is SCV (Special Category Visa)? Often I hear people saying citizens from New Zealand are automatically given a SCV. What does that mean?

Answer: SCV grants the permission to the citizen of New Zealand to stay and get employed in the land of Kangaroos indefinitely. One very interesting thing is that their entries are not shown on their NZ passport!

Question: My problem is that I am a citizen of New Zealand but decked with a CRIMINIAL HISTORY. How to immigrate to Australia?

Answer: IIn general, people with criminal records are not allowed immigration in any country, and Australia is no exception. Here the tricky part comes! But, those who are intending to immigrate are required to fill the `Consent to Disclosure of Information Form` so that the Australian Consulate-General is acquainted with their details and past records. We would assist you in doing so!

Question: I am from New Zealand. Do I require a PR Card before entering Australia?

Answer: If you are visiting Australia for `traveling` purpose, you are not required to apply for Australian immigration in order to stay there. But, it is important that you know about the restrictions that come with accessing social security allowances.

Question: I often hear this term ETA while dealing with Immigration officials. What does that mean?

Answer:This term especially holds relevance for people who want to go for a short term tourist or business visit.

ETA would allow legal short term visitors (or people who have come for the purpose of business travel) to come to Australia and have the authority to travel to Australia and side by side book for their travel arrangements without having the need to apply for Visa.

Question: How should I go about the procedure of obtaining Visit Visa if I lack certain documents?

Answer: Absence of any documents, no matter how irrelevant it seems to you, may lead to a visa cancellation. In addition to this, there are two classes of Visit Visa. They are Short Stay Visitor and Temporary Business Entrant.

A quick tip: Short Stay Visitor is for three, six, or twelve months and Temporary Business Entrant is for three months or less than that!

Question: I have been ordered to go for chest x-ray for my visa application. How should I go about it?

Answer: The medical clearance should be given by Panel Doctors and Radiologists.

Question: I have some doubts whether I can go for a working holiday or not? I am not a citizen of Australian or New Zealand.

Answer: Yes you can apply for a Working Holiday, provided you fulfill certain mandates linked with it. We will acquaint you of these essentials.

Question: My English speaking skills are almost zero. How would it affect my immigration to Australia?

Answer: It would be extremely difficult for you to immigrate to the land of Kangaroos.

My advice would be to enhance your English speaking skills and make a conscious effort towards it.

Question: Resident Return Visa can be applied by all. Is it a myth?

Answer:A lot of my clients ask me on various aspects and Resident Return Visa is one of them. They are confused between a PR and a Resident Return Visa.

As a PR of Australia, the validity of your visa is for an initial period of 5 years. If at a span of life, you plan to depart from Australia and return after you face a visa expiry, it is essential for you to apply for the Resident Return Visa (RRV).

For other questions, write to me at ajay@abhinav.com