Intergate Emigration operates out of South Africa and Germany. We have a number of licensed immigration agents for both Australia and New Zealand. You enjoy the peace of mind that comes from being helped by qualified and experienced experts.

How to get a job in Australia: 5 Top tips for job seekers from overseas

how to get a job in australia

how to get a job in australia

Dreaming of working Down Under? We have just what you need – five killer tips on how to get a job in Australia.

These tips cannot guarantee you a job, but they can get you much closer to getting a ‘You’re hired’ phone call.

Getting assessed should always be your first step. Let us explain why…

1. Get assessed

This might be stating the obvious, but you must have a visa to legally work in Australia as an immigrant. That’s why you must get your skills, qualifications and experience assessed to see if you qualify for one of Australia’s work visas.

A comprehensive assessment will not only reveal if you qualify to work in Australia, but also which visa you qualify for as well as highlight the best way forward.

For peace of mind, work with a licensed immigration agent registered with MARA, Australia’s Migration Agent Registration Authority. That’s the best way to ensure that you’re getting advice that you can trust.

2. Research Australia’s job market

Becoming familiar with Australia’s job market might seem like a lot of work, but it’s not.

Australia’s Department of Education, Skills and Employment has an Employment Research and Statistic section on their website that has all the information you need.

What you’ll find in this section is the Department’s research into skills shortage areas, recruitment experiences, labour and skills needs and industry and employment trends. The research is presented in a number of reports and publications that are freely available.

Here’s why you should research the job market – to get an idea of which industriess you should you aim for and how the market is doing as a whole.

You’ll be able to identify opportunities and develop your knowledge about your specific industry. This strategy puts you streets ahead of other job seekers not doing the same.

3. Go in with a plan

This is no ordinary job search. You want to find a job in another country on a different continent!

You must have a plan for your job search. Leave things to chance and you’re probably never going to work in Australia.

Here’s an example of how your plan could look:

Make a list of employers for who you’d like to work

Start your job hunt by identifying Australian companies for who you’d like to work.

Once you have a list, keep an eye on their vacancies. Some companies even allow you to upload your CV to their website.

It’s also a good idea to reach out to HR managers if you can find contact details. With the right attitude, you’ll get noticed!

Sign up for job alerts

Looking for a job is a job in itself. Sign up for job alerts to make it easier. In doing so, jobs come to you instead of you having to spend hours scanning career websites.

These are some of Australia’s most prominent career websites to start with:

Set up a comprehensive LinkedIn profile

LinkedIn is one of the most powerful ways to conduct a job search. In fact, 77% of recruiters regularly use LinkedIn!

Don’t have a LinkedIn profile yet? Set one up immediately. Just make sure that you follow LinkedIn’s advice for a great profile:

  • Choose the right profile picture for LinkedIn. In a nutshell that’s using a recent photo where you’re looking professional yet friendly and approachable.
  • Add a background photo.
  • Make your headline more than just a job title. Use it to describe your role, to tell people why you do what you and to share what makes you tick.
  • Turn your summary into your story. LinkedIn’s advice is to use your summary, found at the top of your profile page, to bring to life why your skills matter and explain how these skills can benefit others.
  • Declare war on buzzwords like ‘expert’ and ‘passionate’.
  • Grow your network. In other words, connect with other people on LinkedIn.
  • List your relevant skills.
  • Spotlight the services you offer.
  • Get endorsements. LinkedIn enables members to get endorsements for their skills from their network. A great to get endorsements is to give endorsements!
  • Take a skills assessment. LinkedIn’s skills assessment is an online test that enables you to demonstrate the level of your skills. After taking the assessment, you’ll get to display a Verified Skills badge on your profile.
  • Request recommendations. Think of LinkedIn recommendations as testimonials. You can ask any of your connections that you’ve worked with add a recommendation to profile. These recommendations will tell future employers more about the type of person, worker and employee you are.
  • Showcase your passion for learning. LinkedIn enables you to add completed courses to your profile.
  • Share media and marketing collateral. This can be e-books, white papers, studies and just about any other material that shows people what you’re passionate about.
  • Get credit for your thought-leadership with Publications. If you’ve ever been an author on a publication, you can share this using LinkedIn’s Publications.
  • Follow industry influencers, share content and add comments. Engaging on LinkedIn is important if you want to get noticed.
  • Publish long-form content – and use it to start conversations.

Contact friends, family and colleagues that can assist with your job search

Let your friends, family and colleagues know that you’re looking for opportunities in Australia.

Your immediate circle could be a gold mine of knowledge and contacts! Someone could know a recruiter in Australia or have a friend in Australia in your industry.

If you do find any leads, ask for an introduction. Most people will have no qualms about introducing one good friend to another.

Don’t feel bad about asking for an introduction – it might get you a job in Australia!

4. Adapt your CV and cover letter

It’s important to get your CV right or you run the risk of it landing in the bin before anyone’s read it.

With ‘right’ we mean setting up and writing your CV for the Australian job market.

For instance, in your country you might start your CV with education but in Australia a summary of your key strengths come first. The language might also differ. Remember that Australia uses British English, not American.

To get your CV in tip-top shape, you can use these two articles as reference:

5. Prepare for the interview

We’re going to go ahead and imagine the perfect scenario – your efforts have paid off and you’ve secured an interview.

You can make a memorable impression by doing the following:

  • Understand your visa and the immigration process: Many employers will ask about your immigration status or what’s needed for them to employ you.
  • Be prepared to go to Australia: It’s unlikely that the first interview will be face-to-face, but you must be prepared to go to Australia for an interview if asked. It may count against you if you’re not willing.
  • Research: Ensure you know everything there is to know about the company, the Australian work culture, the position and the industry. You’re bound to get questions about all of these.
  • Have copies of your visas, references, qualifications and professional registrations handy.

It also helps knowing what Australian employers are looking for. According to the Australian Government’s Job Jumpstart, Australian employers favour job seekers who exhibit all of the following traits:

  • Accountability – accepting responsibility for your own actions
  • Honesty – being trustworthy, fair and sincere
  • Respect – taking into account other people’s feelings, wishes or rights
  • Work ethic – being diligent and committed to the business

Australian employers are also looking for candidates who can prove that they are:

  • Adaptable – being open to new ideas and proactively changing the way you work to suit new situations
  • Business-minded – understanding that every worker is responsible for the success of a business
  • Self-aware – understand your strengths and recognise the areas in which you can improve
  • Resilient – bounce back when things don’t go as planned

Finally, these are the top skills Australian employers want from their employees:

  • Problem solving – you are able to find solutions to a range of issues and challenges
  • Technical skills – these are specific to a role and may require formal qualifications.

Now you know how to get a job in Australia!

It really comes down to knowing if you qualify, doing your homework and getting your name (and CV) out there. You won’t get a job in Australia if you sit back and expect the job offers to come to you.

The work will be worth it – you could find yourself in Australia sooner than you can imagine!

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We compare the 189, 190 and 491 Australian work visas

australian work visas

australian work visasGeneral skilled migration is one of the most common ways to immigrate to Australia. Within the skilled migration category, there are three main Australian work visas:

  • The Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)
  • Skilled Nomination visa (subclass 190)
  • Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)

Today we’re comparing these three visas so that you know what residency each visa offer, what visa could be the best fit for you, what the requirements are you must meet and what each visa allows.

What type of residency is offered by each visa?

Australian work visas either offer a pathway to residency, meaning the visa you have is the first step to gaining residency, or immediate permanent residency.

In the case of the three visas we’re discussing today, the Skilled Independent and Skilled Nomination visas offer permanent residency. This means once you have your visa, you are allowed to stay in Australia indefinitely.

The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa, on the other hand, is a pathway to residency. The visa is only valid for up to 5 years. If you’d like to stay in Australia permanently, you’d have to qualify and apply for a Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191).

Which visa is the right one for you?

Let us start by saying that the information we’re sharing below should only acts as a guideline. Your eligibility for a visa should always be assessed by a licensed immigration agent.

With that being said, let’s take a look at each visa:

1. Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)

The Skilled Independent visa is a points-based visa and it could be the right visa for you if you:

  • Have an occupation that is one a skills shortage list
  • Want to live in Australia permanently

You do not need a job offer to apply for a subclass 189 visa.

2. Skilled Nomination visa (subclass 190)

This is also a points-based visa and meant for people who:

  • Have an occupation that is in demand in a particular state or territory
  • Have nomination from an Australian state or territory government agency
  • Possibly do not qualify for a skilled independent visa
  • Want to work and live in Australia permanently

3. Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)

Just like the 189 and 190 visas, the Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa is a points-based visa. This could be the visa for you if you can meet either of the following criteria:

  • You have nomination by an Australian state or territory government agency.
  • You are sponsored by an eligible relative residing in a designated regional area.

What are the basic criteria to meet?

To qualify for any one of the visas discussed here, you must meet the following requirements:

  • You’re under the age of 45
  • Your occupation is on a skills shortage list
  • You get at least 65 points in your skills assessment
  • You have a competent level of English

What does each visa allow?

As discussed earlier, the Skilled Independent visa and the Skilled Nomination visa offer permanent residency while the Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa is a temporary residence option.

The status offered by each visa directly determines what you’re allowed to do when you hold the visa:

1. Skilled Independent and Skilled Nomination visas

When you have either a Skilled Independent visa or Skilled Nomination visa, you and your family are allowed to:

  • Stay in Australia permanently
  • Work and/or study in Australia
  • Enroll in Medicare, Australia’s public healthcare system
  • Travel to and from Australia for five years after the date of issuance
  • Sponsor eligible relatives to also apply for permanent residency
  • Apply for Australian citizenship, if you’re eligible

2. Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa

The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa allows you and your family to:

Eager to know more about these Australian work visas?

There is a page for each visa right here on our site, so you can head on over to the visa you’re interested in right away:

Want to find out if you qualify for general skilled migration to Australia?

As we mentioned earlier, getting an assessment done is the only way to know if you’re eligible for the visa you’re interested in. You can book an assessment with our team on our website. You’ll discover if you qualify for a visa and learn how the immigration process works.

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ANZSCO: These are the 4 facts to know

anzsco

anzscoANZSCO. You may think this is just another immigration acronym, but you’d be wrong. ANZSCO plays a major role in your immigration if you’re applying under the skilled migrant category.

In fact, you’re more than likely not going to be able to apply for a work visa if you can’t meet ANZSCO’s requirements.

For this reason, it’s important to understand all that ANZSCO entails. While there is a lot of information to know, you really only need to know the four facts below to put yourself in a much better position than most people.

1. ANZSCO is the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations

ANZSCO stands for Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations. It’s a system within the skilled migration program that sets the standards for the skills and work experience that visa applicants must meet to work in specific occupation in Australia or New Zealand.

ANZSCO is a joint venture between the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Statistics New Zealand and The Department of Education and Training.

2. ANZSCO sets skills and work experience standards for the skilled migrant category

As explained above, ANZSCO sets skills and work experience standards for occupations that fall under the general skilled migration category. Further to this, ANZSCO sets out the tasks that visa applicants must be able to perform as part of their everyday duties.

In other words, ANZSCO determines the most important requirements you must meet in order to qualify to apply for a skilled migrant visa.

Let’s look at an example…

Let’s imagine you’re a chemical engineer. As a chemical engineer, ANZSCO expects you to be able to perform the tasks listed below. You’d thus have to ensure that your work experience is a substantial match to this list:

  • Preparing designs for chemical process systems and planning control systems for processes
  • Monitoring the operation and maintenance of equipment to achieve maximum efficiency under safe operating conditions
  • Ensuring correct materials and equipment are used and that they conform to specifications
  • Diagnosing malfunctions in chemical plants and instituting remedial action
  • Studying product utilisation and pollution control problems
  • Reviewing plans for new products and submitting material selection recommendations in accordance with design specifications and factors such as strength, weight and cost
  • Planning and implementing laboratory operations to develop new materials and fabrication procedures for new materials to fulfil production cost and performance standards
  • Conferring with producers of materials during the investigation and evaluation of materials suitable for specific product applications
  • Reviewing product failure data and implementing laboratory tests to establish or reject possible causes, and advising on ways to overcome any problems

It’s important to note, however, that the tasks you carry out in your job might still overlap with that of other related or sometimes even unrelated occupations. You might even find that some tasks listed on ANZSCO are not relevant to your occupation. This is because some occupations share the same four digit ANZSCO code.

For instance, Chemical Engineer shares job tasks with the occupation of Materials Engineer. Both of these occupations are also under the same code – 2331.

Here’s how all of this affect your application:

When applying for a General Skilled Migration visa, you have to nominate an occupation from the ANZSCO list that’s also present on one of Australia’s skill shortage lists.

You must carefully select the occupation!  Your work experience and qualifications will be assessed against the task list and the lead statement of your chosen ANZSCO occupation.

An immigration officer usually performs this assessment. With certain occupations, an industry-specific assessing authority does the assessment instead.

  • Immigration officer

The immigration officer assessing your visa application will also compare your skills, experience and job duties with those under your occupation on ANZSCO to help him or her to come to a decision on your visa application. In addition, the visa case officer will use your positive skills assessment outcome as a guideline to establish if you meet all the criteria.

The officer would want to see from your visa application documents that you have the relevant qualifications and/or experience to work in Australia in your nominated occupations. To satisfy the requirements of the Department of Home Affairs, you work experience would have to be a substantial match to the tasks outlined by ANZSCO. If you don’t meet all the criteria, your applicant might be declined.

  • Assessing authority assessment

It is the responsibility of an assessing authority to issue an opinion on whether or not they think you’re eligible to work as skilled migrant in Australia and thus qualify to apply for a visa.

To reach their decision, the assessing authority will compare your skill set and often also your work experience to the Australian standard for your nominated occupation.

You’ll only get an outcome if the assessing authority is satisfied that you tick all the boxes. This includes additional criteria set out by the assessing authority.

Some examples of assessing authorities are:

3. There are 5 skill levels within ANZSCO

In ANZSCO, skill level is used as an additional differentiator for occupations. Each occupation’s skill level is derived from the range and complexity of tasks associated with the occupation.

There are five skill levels of which Skill Level 1 is the highest. This means occupations on Skill Level 1 has the greatest range and complexity of tasks. Examples of occupations on Skill Level 1 are audiologists, social workers and surveyors.

Locksmiths, welders and motor mechanics, for instance, are on Skill Level 3. This means these occupations don’t have as many tasks that are as complex as the occupations on Skill Level 1.

Occupations on Skill Level 5 have the smallest range of tasks with the least complexity.

4. You cannot ‘mix and match’ occupations

When applying for a skilled migrant visa, your occupation and experience must be highly relevant as per the ANZSCO lead statement of the occupation you want to nominate.

Your occupation and experience must also match most of the duties listed. This does however not mean that you or your employer can simply ‘copy and paste’ the ANZSCO description to your application.

Here’s an example of what we mean:

Let’s assume Sarah is working as a tutor. Sarah might think that she can apply for a visa as a teacher. The job descriptions are similar, after all.

However, many of the tasks associated with teachers on ANZSCO is not performed by tutors. For instance, participating in staff meetings and performing extra-curricular activities such as assisting with sports at the school.

In the same way, a secondary school teacher cannot apply for a visa as a special education teacher. These are in the same profession but are not the same occupation with the same experience.

What if my occupation is not on the ANZSCO list?

There could be two reasons why you can’t find your occupation on ANZSCO:

  • Your occupation is not in any skill shortage areas in Australia or your occupation does not meet the ANZSCO standards to qualify for a visa.
  • Your occupation is on the list but your job title doesn’t match the occupation title as it appears on ANZSCO. For example, some people call themselves ‘speech-language pathologists’ while others give themselves the title of ‘speech and language therapist’. It’s the same job – speech therapy – but just with another title.

If your occupation not appearing on the ANZSCO list is due to either example under number 1, you’ll have to explore other visa options if you’d still like to immigrate to Australia.

However, if it’s because of reason number 2, then immigration to Australia on a work visa is still an option.

Do you feel you need help from an immigration agent?

You’re always welcome to contact us for assistance. Our immigration agents are registered and licensed with MARA (Migration Agents Registration Authority). This means you can rest assured that you’ll get advice that you can trust!

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How can I emigrate to Australia?

how can i emigrate to australia

how can i emigrate to australiaToday we’re going to address a question that many of you are asking – How can I emigrate to Australia?

While you may want a short and standard answer, it’s not that simple. A comprehensive assessment of your personal circumstances has to happen to find the route that’s best for you.

That’s why we’re going to get to answer by…asking you some questions.

Does your occupation appear on a skills shortage list?

Skilled migration is one of the most popular ways to emigrate to Australia. To be able to also take this route, however, you must work in an occupation that appears on a skills shortage list.

There are three skills shortage lists:

  • • Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
  • • Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL)
  • • Regional Occupation List (ROL)

Being in the ‘right’ occupation is only the first piece of the puzzle though. You’ll also have to meet age, language, health and character requirements. All of these factors are taken into consideration when doing your points assessment, another important part of determining your eligibility for a skilled migration visa.

Do you have a job offer?

When you have a job offer, you could emigrate to Australia with an employer sponsored visa. Under this category you’ll have four options:

You’ve only crossed the first hurdle though with a job offer. Like with skilled migration visas, you’ll still have to meet a number of other requirements. These criteria will depend on the visa you’re eligible for, but range from age requirements to being able to demonstrate skilled work experience.

Do you want to join your Australian partner?

Australia offers a number of visa options if you want to join your Australian spouse, life partner or fiancé Down Under. Your visa options are as follows:

  • Partner visa (subclass 820): The subclass 820 visa lets the de facto partner or spouse of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen live in Australia temporarily. Getting this visa is the first step towards a permanent Partner visa (subclass 801).
  • Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300): The subclass 300 visa allows you to go to Australia to get married to your prospective spouse and then apply for a partner visa.
  • Partner Provisional visa (subclass 309): This visa lets the de facto partner or spouse of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen live in Australia temporarily. Getting a subclass 309 visa is the first step towards a permanent Partner visa (subclass 100).

Each of these visas comes with its own criteria. The most important requirement for the 820 and 309 visas is that your relationship is of a genuine and stable nature.

Do you want to set up and run a business in Australia?

You have two visa options if you want to emigrate to Australia as an entrepreneur – provided you can meet the requirements. These visa options both fall under the Business Innovation and Investment program:

  • Business Innovation and Investment visa (subclass 188)
  • Business Talent visa (subclass 132)

Subclass 188 visa

The subclass 188 visa is a temporary residency visa and lets you:

  • Establish;
  • Develop; and
  • Manage a new or existing business.

This visa is also the first step towards qualifying for permanent residency via the Business Innovation and Investment visa (subclass 888).

Subclass 132 visa

The subclass 132 is for eligible individuals who have state nomination to set up or invest in a business. It has two streams that are open for applications:

  • Significant Business History stream: You can apply under this stream if you have a net business and personal assets of at least AU$1.5 million and an annual business turnover of at least AU$3 million.
  • Venture Capital Entrepreneur stream: You can apply under this stream if you have least AU$1 million in venture capital funding to start the commercialisation and development of a high-value business idea in Australia.

Are you looking for an investment route?

The Business Innovation and Investment visa (subclass 188) not only allows you to set up a business. This visa also offers you the opportunity to gain Australian residency by investment.

You’ll have two options:

  • Investor stream: You want to make a designated investment of at least AU$1.5 million in an Australian state or territory, and maintain business and investment activity in Australia.
  • Significant Investor stream: You are willing to invest at least AU$5 million into complying investments in Australia, and maintain business and investment activity in Australia.

You’ll be eligible to apply for permanent residency, the subclass 888 visa, if you meet the requirements.

Do you want to join your children in Australia?

Australia knows that families scattered across the globe want the opportunity to reunite, even if not permanently. For this reason, Australia offers a number of visa options to the parents of settled Australians, both citizens and permanent residents, and eligible New Zealand citizens:

  • Parent visa (subclass 103): This is a permanent residency visa that lets a parent move to Australia.
  • Aged Parent visa (subclass 804): This visa also grants permanent residency and lets an aged parent move to Australia. An ‘aged parent’ is someone who is old enough to receive the Australian age pension.
  • Contributory Aged Parent visa (subclass 884): This visa lets an aged parent stay in Australia temporarily. You must have sponsorship from an eligible sponsor who is usually an eligible child. If you meet the requirements, you’ll be able to apply for permanent residency under the subclass 864 visa.
  • Contributory Parent visa (subclass 173): This visa lets a parent stay temporarily in Australia. Like with the 884 visa above, you must be sponsored by an eligible child. Also similarly, you’ll have the opportunity to apply for permanent residency if you meet the criteria.

But if we had to give one answer to “how can I emigrate to Australia”, it would be this…

Get in touch with a licensed immigration agent to assess you against the criteria for Australian visas. This is the most surefire way to see how you can emigrate to Australia. In other words, discovering the visa or visas for which you qualify.

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Is it better to live in Australia or New Zealand?

is it better to live in australia or new zealand

is it better to live in australia or new zealand

“Is it better to live in Australia or New Zealand?” We bet you’ve asked yourself this question at least once before. Your family won’t be the only one that’s considering both countries!

Here’s the thing…

Both Australia and New Zealand are great places to live. The secret to deciding on where to move to with your family lies in looking at the reason for your emigration.

In other words, what is motivating you to uproot your family to start a new life in a strange country?

For instance, many people immigrate to live a safer life of or to give their children a good education. Once you start zoning in on issues like these, you’ll start seeing difference between Australia and New Zealand. Then you can make an educated decision as to which country is better to live in – for your family.

Should we look at some factors that could influence your decision? We think it’s a good idea, so let’s dive in.

(You can also skip to the end of the article where you’ll find a recap of all the information.)

Are you moving for the money?

The majority of our clients move countries in search of a better life. For many of these people, this equates to earning a better salary. In turn, a better salary affords the person more freedoms and opportunities too.

If this is also your main motivation, then Australia is the country to choose. In 2020, Australians earn a median annual income of AUD79,632 while New Zealanders earn NZD52,000.

However, looking at salary alone doesn’t give us the complete picture. It is also necessary to consider the cost of living. In doing so, you’ll determine how far your salary is going to take you.

According to Numbeo, the average costs of consumer goods and services, rent, and groceries are higher in Australia than in New Zealand. Overall, however, the local purchasing power is 14.99% lower in New Zealand than in Australia.

Let’s make some sense of these numbers, shall we? Let’s look at actual prices for everyday items as these appear on Numbeo. To compare apples with apples, we’re going to show all prices in Australian dollars.

Please note: At the time of writing, the exchange rate was 1(Aus) to 1.08(NZ).

Housing

You’ll fork out more on rent in Australia than in New Zealand. On average, rent in Australia is 12.48% higher.

Let’s say you want to rent a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre. In Australia, you can expect to pay $1,707.20 a month while the same apartment is going to cost you $1,448.71 in New Zealand. Perhaps you’ve just started a family and you’d prefer living in the suburbs. In that case, the costs just about even out if you rent a 3-bedroom apartment. In Australia, your rent will be $1,960.74 while it’ll be 1,933.98 in New Zealand.

Utilities

To keep the lights on and the water running, you’ll have to fork out $217.68 a month in Australia, while it’ll cost you $163.86 a month in New Zealand. This is for an apartment of 85sqm and the cost also includes other basic utilities such as refuse collecting.

It’s certain that you’ll also want to know how much of your salary you’ll spend staying connected to the internet. This is actually going to cost you more in New Zealand than in Australia. With that said, the difference is minimal. The price for uncapped data over ADSL or a cable at 60mbps or more, will cost $77.78 a month in New Zealand while it’ll set you back $74.05 in Australia.

Groceries

On average, grocery prices are 7.93% higher in Australia. With that being said, it’s not all groceries that are more expensive in Australia.

Let’s compare actual prices. We’re going to break it down in four categories:

  • Staples
  • Meat and diary
  • Vegetables
  • Fruit

1. Staples

Australia New Zealand
1L of Milk
$1.61$2.50
Loaf of white bread$2.76$2.25
12 Eggs$4.51$4.88
1kg Rice$2.77$2.80

2. Meat and diary

AustraliaNew Zealand
1kg Chicken fillets
$10.80$12.16
1kg Beef round$17.10$17.30
1kg Local Cheese$10.39$9.63

3. Vegetables

AustraliaNew Zealand
1kg Potatoes$3.33 $3.07
Lettuce$2.67$2.63
1kg Tomatoes$5.06$4.73

4. Fruit

AustraliaNew Zealand
1kg Apples4.373.54
1kg Bananas3.562.83
1kg Oranges3.903.70

Do you live for work or work to live?

In other words, which one do you value more – your career or your free time?

If it’s the former, Australia is a good choice. Australia offers more opportunities, both in the number of jobs and the chance to grow your career. That mainly has to do with the fact that Australia has more and bigger cities together with booming industries. In contrast, New Zealand’s big corporations are mostly concentrated in and around Auckland.

However, if work is more of a means to an end, you’ll find that New Zealand is your best match.
New Zealanders are known for their ‘life is for living’ ethos. They believe a good day’s work should be balanced with time for family and friends as well as spending time in New Zealand’s great outdoors. In fact, when it came to work-life balance, New Zealand ranked second in the world in the 2019 Expat Explorer Survey.

Do you prefer life in the fast or the slow lane?

Australia’s big cities buzz with activity, day and night. Cars speed up and down highways during office hours, while restaurants are packed at night. There’s always something to see and do too, no matter where you go. This is not to say you won’t be able to enjoy a relaxed lifestyle in Australia. It just means that you might have to skip the cities when choosing where to settle down.

In New Zealand, on the other hand, life moves at a slower pace all-round. This can be attributed to New Zealanders’ love for downtime as well as to the fact that New Zealand’s cities are smaller than those of Australia. Smaller cities, as we all know, equals less people, less traffic, and more open spaces.

Do you have children?

You can rest assured that no matter which country you choose, Australia or New Zealand, you children will enjoy a world-class education.

Australia

Australia’s world-renowned Qualifications Framework guarantees that schools as well as tertiary education institutions are government authorized and accredited.

Further to this, Australian schools have:

  • small classes,
  • university-trained and qualified teachers,
  • specialists teachers in subject areas, and
  • additional learning support for children who need it.

You’ll find Australia’s best schools in Melbourne and Sydney. These cities are home to Australia’s five top primary schools and the top five high schools. The schools are a mix of co-education and single-gender facilities.

To have a look at the best schools in each state or territory, click here for primary schools and here for high schools.

New Zealand

The New Zealand education system prides itself on putting the student at the centre of everything it does, while keeping an open mind about learning and teaching techniques. The mission is to teach children to:

  • solve problems
  • process information
  • work with others
  • create and innovate

The best schools in New Zealand are also located in the big cities, Wellington and Auckland specifically. The schools are a mix of public and private institutions, and offer both co-ed and single-gender options.

Is good, affordable healthcare high on your priority list?

Australia and New Zealand’s healthcare are of equally high standards. Both countries have public and private healthcare systems, and you’ll receive world-class treatment in either country.

Australia

Australia’s public healthcare system is called Medicare and it covers part or all of the following health services:

  • Seeing a GP or specialist
  • Tests and scans, like x-rays
  • Most surgery and procedures performed by doctors
  • Eye tests by optometrists

To qualify for Medicare, you have to an Australian citizen or permanent resident, although some temporary residents can also join Medicare. If you don’t qualify for Medicare, you’ll have to ensure that you have private medical aid for the duration of your stay in Australia.

New Zealand

In New Zealand, eligible residents get free or subsidised health and disability services under the public healthcare system. These services include:

  • Primary healthcare visits such as doctor’s visits
  • Prescribed medicines
  • Public hospital services
  • Support services if you have disabilities

Your children will qualify for a range of free healthcare services, all of which are related to their age. For instance, children up to the age of 5 qualifies for Well Child/Tamariki Ora. This services gives children access to a range of health checks, and also provides support and advice to new parents.

Is your family’s safety your main concern?

Keeping our families safe is a huge concern for any parent. It’s no surprise that the majority of parents move countries to offer their children, and themselves, a safer future.

If this is your main concern too, you’ll have to choose New Zealand. Last year, New Zealand was yet again the second safest country in the world, as per the 2022 Global Peace Index. Iceland was the only country that could top New Zealand.

In case you’ve never heard of the Global Peace Index, it measures the state of peace in countries using three domains:

  • The level of societal safety and security.
  • The extent of ongoing domestic and international conflict.
  • The degree of militarization.

A number of indicators are captured within each of these domains, including violent crime, violent demonstrations, the homicide rate, and political instability.

At number 13, Australia is 11 spots under New Zealand. Thirteenth place does, however, put Australia above countries like the Netherlands, Belgium and Sweden.

To recap the answer to the question “Is it better to live in Australia or New Zealand?”

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to the question of whether Australia or New Zealand is a better choice. As you can see now, it’ll depend on what you want for your family.

  • Is it a better salary? Australia is the winner. Australians earn more and have more spending power.
  • Is it to grow your career? Australia comes out tops again, thanks to its many big cities and booming industries.
  • Do you want better work-life balance? Choose New Zealand, where the motto is ‘life is for living’.
  • Is it so that your children can enjoy a good education? You can go with either country as both have world-class education systems.
  • Do you value good, affordable healthcare? Again, either country is a great choice.
  • Do you want to move to a safe country? New Zealand is the second-safest country in the world!

It’s entirely possible that the reason for your overseas move is a mix of one of more of these factors. In this case, our suggestion is to draw up a pro and con list to help you decide.

Let us not forget however…

Whether you go to Australia or New Zealand is also dependent on your family’s eligibility to emigrate to either country. That’s why it’s important to also complete an immigration assessment so that you can ensure that you are making an informed decision.

If you qualify for both countries, as some people do, lucky you! Then you’ll be able to pick and choose the country that’s the best fit for your family.

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Australia Family Visa requirements – The only guide you’ll ever need

australia family visa requirements

australia family visa requirements

The Australia Family visa requirements relates to three categories of visas that enable a person to join certain eligible family members in Australia.

The Australian government established these visas to keep families together or at least allow families to reunite temporarily. This is so important in today’s day and age when more families than ever before are scattered across the globe!

To provide clarity on the Family visa requirements, we’re going to share all the most important criteria for all three visa categories.

What are the Family visa categories?

The three categories are as follows:

  1. Child
  2. Parents
  3. Other Relatives

Each of these categories are further associated with a set of subclass visas. These subclasses are:

  • Child visas, Dependent Child visa, Adoption visa, Orphan Relative visa
  • Parent visa, Aged Parent visa, Contributory Aged Parent visas, Contributory Parent visas
  • Aged Dependent Relative visas, Carer visas, Remaining Relative visas

Now let’s take a look at the visa requirements. We’re going to start with the Child visas, then do the Parent visas and end off with Other Relatives visas.

1. Child visas

1.1 Child visa – Subclasses 101 and 802

Children who have a parent who is an eligible Australian or New Zealand citizen are able to live in Australia permanently on a subclass 101 or 802 visa.

In essence, the visas are the same – both allow for permanent residence and the requirements are similar for the most part. The only material difference is that the subclass 101 visa is for applications from outside of Australia while the subclass 802 visa is for applications from within Australia.

The qualify to apply for this visa, the child must be:

  • A dependent biological child, stepchild, or adopted child of a parent who is an Australian citizen or permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen
  • Under the age of 18 OR a full-time student older than 18 but younger than 25 and financially dependent on the parent OR over the age of 18 and unable to work due to a disability
  • Single and dependent on the parent

In addition to all of these requirements, subclass 802 and 101 visa applicants must be able to meet Australia’s health requirements. If they child is 16 years or older, he or she must also be able to meet Australia’s character requirements.

Children who obtain a visa to join to their parent in Australia will be permanent residents. This means being able to live in Australia indefinitely, study and access Medicare, and apply for Australian citizenship if eligible.

1.2 Dependent Child visa – Subclass 445

Children with a parent who is a provisional partner visa holder are able to live in Australia temporary while the parent’s permanent visa is processed.

To apply for this visa, the child must be:

  • Under the age of 18 OR over the age of 18 and financially dependent on the parent with the provisional visa
  • Dependent on a parent who holds one of these visas:
    • Partner (Provisional) visa (subclass 309)
    • Partner visa (subclass 802)
  • Sponsored by the same person who sponsored or nominated their parent’s permanent partner visa application.

Furthermore, the child must meet Australia’s health requirements. The child must also be able to meet Australia’s character requirements if he or she is 16 or older.

Successful visa applicants can move to or stay in Australia until their parent gets an outcome on their permanent visa application. During this time, the child can work and study in Australia. As soon as the child receives the 445 visa, he or she must be added to their parent’s permanent visa application.

1.3 Adoption visa – Subclass 102

Children who have been adopted by an eligible Australian or New Zealand citizen can permanently live in Australia with their adoptive parent using a subclass 102 visa.

The visa is meant for children adopted from outside of Australia. As such, the child must be outside of Australia when the parent lodge the visa application and while the Department of Home Affairs reviews the application.

The be eligible for this visa, the child must be:

  • Under the age of 18 when he or she is adopted, when the application is lodged and when the Department of Home Affairs makes their decision
  • Adopted or in the process of being adopted by their sponsor parent
  • Able to meet Australia’s health requirements
  • Able to meet Australia’s character requirements if he or she is 16 or older

Adopted children who obtain a subclass 102 visa can immigrate to Australia and live in the country with their adoptive parent indefinitely. As a permanent resident, the child can study and access Medicare, and apply for Australian citizenship if they are eligible.

1. 4 Orphan Relative visa – Subclasses 837 and 117

Children who do not have parents to care for them or parents who are unable to care for them can permanently live in Australia with an eligible relative using either the subclass 837 or 117 visa.

The subclass 837 visa are meant for children who are already in Australia. However, if the child is outside of Australia, then the subclass 117 visa is the appropriate visa to apply for.

To apply for either visa, the child must be: 

  • Under the age of 18, single and with no parent to care for them.
  • Have a relative who is a settled Australian citizen or permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
  • Sponsored by an eligible sibling or step-sibling, grandparent or step-grandparent, aunt or step-aunt, uncle or step-uncle.
  • Able to meet Australia’s health requirements.
  • Able to meet Australia’s character requirements if he or she is 16 or older.

The Australian government will only grant this visa because there is no one to care for the child because both parents:

  • have passed away; or
  • are permanently unable to care for the child; or
  • can’t be found.

Australia also requires that the child has consent to immigrate to Australia. This means the child must have written consent to immigrate to Australia from all persons who can legally decide where he or she lives. It also means that the laws of the child’s home country must allow him or her to leave the country.

Finally, the Department of Home Affairs requires that the immigration of the child is consistent with any Australian child order about the child.

Children who obtain a subclass 837 or 117 visa can permanently join their relative in Australia as well as study and access Medicare. Eligible children can also apply for Australian citizenship.

2. Parent visas

2.1 Parent visa – Subclass 103

Parents with children who are eligible Australians or eligible New Zealand citizens can permanently move to Australia with the subclass 103 visa.

To apply for the subclass 103 visa, you must:

  • Have an eligible who is a settled Australian citizen or permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen
  • Have a sponsor, which will either be your eligible adult child or an eligible relative or community organization if your child is under the age of 18
  • Meet the balance-of-family test, meaning:
    • At least half of your children and step-children are eligible children, or
    • There are more eligible children living in Australia than in any other single country
  • Be outside Australia while the Department of Home Affairs review your visa application
  • Be able to meet Australia’s health and character requirements.
  • Meet all applicable visa conditions and follow Australian law
  • Not have a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) subclass 870 visa when applying for this visa

However, if you’re applying for a subclass 103 visa as a retiree, you don’t have to meet the balance of family test, you don’t need a sponsor, and you don’t need to have an assurance of support.

You can apply as a retiree if:

  • on 8 May 2018, you held or had previously held an Investor Retirement (subclass 405) visa or Retirement (subclass 410), and
  • you have not held any other substantive visa between between 8 May 2018 and the date you applied for the Parent visa

No matter how you apply, as a retiree or not, you’ll be able to live in Australia as a permanent resident as the holder of a subclass 103 visa. You’ll also be able to sponsor eligible family members to come to Australia and apply for citizenship if you’re eligible.

2.2 Aged Parent visa – Subclass 804

Aged parents with an eligible adult child who is an eligible Australian or New Zealand citizen can immigrate to Australia on a permanent basis with the subclass 804 visa.

The definition of an ‘aged parent’ is someone who’s old enough to receive Australia’s age pension.

To be eligible for the subclass 804 visa, you must:

  • Have an eligible child who is a settled Australian citizen or permanent resident or an eligible New Zealand citizen
  • Have an assurance of support confirming that you won’t rely on government assistance after you enter Australia
  • Meet the balance-of-family test, meaning:
    • At least half of your children and step-children are eligible children, or
    • There are more eligible children living in Australia than in any other single country
  • Be able to meet Australia’s health and character requirements
  • Not have a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) subclass 870 visa when applying for this visa

Once you’ve obtained a subclass 804 visa you can live in Australia as a permanent resident. You’ll also be able to sponsor eligible family members to come to Australia and apply for citizenship if you’re eligible.

2.3 Contributory Aged Parent visa – Subclasses 884 and 864

The Contributory Aged Parent visas subclass 884 enables aged parents of eligible Australians and New Zealand citizens move to Australia for up to two years. You’ll be able to work and study in Australia while you’re in the country.

Unfortunately, you cannot renew the subclass 884. You can, however, apply for a subclass 864 visa if you’re eligible. This visa offers successful applicants permanent residence in Australia.

The subclass 884 and 864 visas have the same basic criteria. This criteria requires that you must:

If you apply for permanent residence through the subclass 864 visa and you get it, you’ll be live in Australia as a permanent resident, work and study in Australia, and enroll in Medicare.

2.4 Contributory Parent visa – Subclasses 173 and 143

The Contributory Parent visa subclass 173 offers parents with eligible children in Australia residence in the country for two years. You’ll be allowed to work and study during your stay.

Unfortunately, you cannot renew your visa but you can apply for permanent residence through the subclass 143 visa if you’re able to meet the requirements.

The requirements of the subclass 173 visa, for temporary residence:

  • You have a sponsor for the duration of your stay. This sponsor must be an eligible child who is a settled Australian citizen or permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen.
  • You can meet the balance-of-family test, meaning:
    • at least half of your children and step-children are eligible children, or
    • you have more eligible children living in Australia than in any other single country.
  • You’re able to meet Australia’s health and character requirements.
  • You don’t already have or have applied for a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) subclass 870 visa.

The requirements of the subclass 143 visa

You’ll live in Australia as a permanent resident when you hold a subclass 143 visa. This means you can live in the country indefinitely, sponsor eligible family members to come to Australia, and apply for Australian citizenship.

To be eligible to apply for the this visa, you must:

  • Have an eligible child who is a settled Australian citizen or permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, unless you’re applying for the Retirement Pathway
  • Meet the balance-of-family test, unless you’re applying for the Retirement Pathway or hold a subclass 173 visa
  • Have an Assurance of Support, unless you’re applying for the Retirement Pathway
  • Be able to meet Australia’s health and character requirements
  • Not have a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) subclass 870 visa when applying for this visa

You can apply as a retiree through the Retirement Pathway if:

  • on 8 May 2018, you held or had previously held an Investor Retirement visa (subclass 405) or a Retirement visa (subclass 410), and
  • you have not held any other substantive visa between 8 May 2018 and the date on which you applied for the subclass 143 visa.

3. Other relatives

3.1 Aged Dependent Relative visa – Subclasses 114 and 838

The Aged Dependent Relative visas lets single older people live in Australia if they rely on a relative living in Australia for financial support.

As both visas offer permanent residence, the requirements are similar. The one material difference is that the subclass 114 visa is for applications from outside Australia, while the subclass 838 is for application from within the country.

Whether you’re applying for the subclass 114 or 838 visa, you must:

  • Be sponsored by an eligible relative or an eligible relative’s partner
  • Be old enough to receive Australia’s aged pension
  • Have been dependent on your relative in Australia for basic needs for at least three years before applying for the visa
  • Have no partner, i.e. you must be single
  • Be able to meet Australia’s health and character requirements

As an Australian permanent resident on either of these visas, you can sponsor eligible relatives to come to Australia and apply for citizenship, if you’re eligible.

3.2 Carer visa – Subclasses 116 and 836

The Carer visa enables you to permanently move to Australia to care for someone with a long-term medical condition, provided this person has no reasonable access to care options in Australia.

As with the Aged Dependent Relative and Remaining Relative visas, the Carer visa has an option for applications from within Australia and another for applications from abroad. The former is the subclass 836 visa while the latter is the subclass 116 visa.

The requirements of the subclass 116 visa are that you must:

  • Be able to provide ongoing substantial care and support care for a relative or a member of their family who lives with them, who has no reasonable access to care in Australia
  • Be sponsored by your relative or their partner for your first 2 years in Australia
  • Meet Australia’s health and character requirements

If you’d like to instead apply for the subclass 836 visa, you must: 

  • Be able to provide ongoing substantial care and support care for a relative or a member of their family who lives with them, who has no reasonable access to care in Australia
  • Be sponsored by your relative or their partner for your first 2 years in Australia
  • Hold or have held a substantive visa, meaning:
    • any substantive visa, except a Transit visa (subclass 771), or
    • any substantive visa except a subclass 771 and made a valid application for a subclass 836 visa within a certain time
  • Be able to meet Australia’s health and character requirements

As an Australian permanent resident on a Carer visa, you’ll be able to live in Australia indefinitely, and work and study.

3.3 Remaining Relative visa – Subclasses 115 and 835

The Remaining Relative visas enables people to immigrate to Australia to be with their only remaining family members. As both visas offer permanent residence, the stay in Australia is indefinite. Further to this, the permanent resident status means the visa holder can work and study, and enroll in Medicare.

For the most part, the requirements of the subclass 115 and 835 are the same. There is one major difference, though. The subclass 115 visa is for applications from outside Australia, while the subclass 835 is for application from within the country.

To be eligible for either the subclass 115 or subclass 835 visa, you must:

  • Be a remaining relative of an Australian citizen or permanent resident or an eligible New Zealand citizen.
  • Have sponsorship from an eligible parent or step-parent, sibling or step-sibling, or an eligible partner of your relative
  • Not have other near relatives meaning:
    • Neither you nor your partner have a near relative who usually live outside Australia, or
    • Neither you nor your partner have a near relative who live in Australia on a temporary visa (and are not an eligible New Zealand citizen) or unlawfully
  • Be able to meet Australia’s health and character requirements

Sponsorship requirements for Family visas

The Family visas requires that an eligible Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen acts as the sponsor of the visa applicant.

The criteria for sponsorship include the following:

  • The sponsor for an Other Relatives category visa must be an Australian citizen, a permanent resident or an ENZ citizen, and must be at least 18 years old.
  • For a permanent visa applicant, the sponsor has an obligation to assist the applicant financially and with accommodation for a 2-year period.
  • The sponsor’s circumstances should provide evidence of their means to support the applicant.
  • Eligible New Zealand citizens acting as sponsors must meet Australia’s health and character requirements.

Contact us for assistance with any of these Australian family visas and their requirements

At the moment, our team can assist you with the following visas:

  • Child visa, both subclass 101 and 802
  • Contributory Aged Parent visa, subclass 864
  • Contributory Parent visa, subclass 143

Please do not hesitate to contact us for expert advice or help with your visa application. We’re looking forward to helping you reunite with your family members in Australia!

Please note: While we can still assess your eligibility and start your visa application, we’ll only be able to submit your visa application once Australia’s coronavirus restrictions allow us to do so. Starting now does mean that you can submit your application as soon as it’s possible.

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COVID-19: GSM visa holders can enter Australia after ‘Entry By’ date

Good news for General Skilled Migration visa holders – you can now enter Australia after the ‘Entry By’ date on your visa. Normally, this would not be possible. The Australian Department of Home Affairs has, however, put in place this temporary concession in response to the country’s coronavirus border closures and travel restrictions.

What you should do at the airport…

All General Skilled Migration visa holders would have received a notice detailing all of the above. The Department of Home Affairs has advised that visa holders carry the notice with them when travelling to Australia. The notice should be presented at the departure and arrival airports.

However, before you travel to Australia, please check the Department of Home Affairs’ website for the country’s latest travel restrictions.

Travel to Australia as soon as you can

We encourage you to travel to Australia as soon as it’s possible. At the time of writing, Australia’s borders are still closed to most travellers, but that could change at any time.

Important to note:

1. Applicable to only the subclasses 189, 190, 489 and 491 visas

The General Skilled Migration visas are only one of the following visas:

These visas, when granted to an applicant while he or she is outside Australia, are usually subject to a visa Condition 8504 which provides that:

The holder must enter Australia as the holder of the visa to which the condition applies before a date specified by the Minister.

As mentioned, the Department of Home Affairs has now temporarily waived this condition as both Australian and world-wide travel restrictions has made it impossible for certain individuals to travel to Australia at the moment.

2. Your visa’s validity is not extended

It is important to note that your visa won’t be extended if it ceases for any reason. The ability to thus travel to and enter Australia after the ‘entry by’ date is only possible while your visa is still valid.

3. Your child born while still outside of Australia will need a visa

If neither you nor your partner are Australian citizens, any children born before you enter Australia for the first time, will need a visa to travel to and enter the country. You can read more about family visas on our website.

Contact us if you need assistance with a visa extension or application

If you are currently stuck outside Australia and you suspect that your visa will expire before you can travel, please contact us so that we can assist with advice, an extension or a new application. Our advisors will be happy to help you get to Australia.

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New sub-stream on Subclass 408 visa for COVID-19

The coronavirus has caused chaos all around the world. Many countries have closed their borders meaning countless people are struggling to get back to their home country.

The ripple effect of the closed borders can be seen in immigration. Telephone lines to advisers are buzzing with anxious people calling in to ask what happens when their visas expire.

Australia has adopted an approach of asking those people who are still able to return to their home countries to do so. This is not possible for everyone to do, though, as we now know.

To assist certain individuals with temporary visas, Australia has introduced important changes to the Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408). This visa ordinarily allows someone to come to Australia to work on a short-term basis, but will now also enable former and current holders of temporary visas to lawfully remain in Australia.

COVID-19 now considered under ‘Australian Government Endorsed Events’ on the 408 visa

The Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408) allows for short-term work in Australia for a wide range of activities. Some of these approved activities include:

  • Elite Player, Coach, Instructor or Adjudicator
  • Religious Workers
  • Superyacht Crew
  • Research
  • Staff Exchange
  • Australian Government Endorsed Events

The COVID-19 pandemic has now been classified as an event for the purposes of applying for a subclass 408 visa. It thus falls under ‘Australian Government Endorsed Events’.

This means eligible applicants can now apply for a subclass 408 visa to remain lawfully in Australia  during the crisis if they’d otherwise have to leave Australia, but are unable to due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Who is eligible for the subclass 408 visa?

Temporary visa holders with no other visa options and temporary visa holders who work in Australia’s critical sectors are eligible to apply for the subclass 408 visa.

For these reasons, you must be able to meet these criteria to be eligible for a subclass 408 visa:

  • You’re in Australia.
  • You’re unable to leave Australia due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.
  • You work in Australia’s critical sectors including healthcare, disability and aged care, childcare, and agriculture.
  • There are 28 days or less remaining on your current visa or you held a temporary visa that expired no more than 28 days before the date of your application for a subclass 408 visa; and
  • You are unable to meet the criteria for the same temporary visa that you hold or previously held, and you are also unable to meet the criteria for any other temporary visa subclass.

You don’t need an endorsement to apply

The subclass 408 visa ordinarily requires a written endorsement as part of the application, but the Government has waived this requirement for anyone applying for the subclass 408 visa under the new legislation for the COVID-19 pandemic.

You must apply for a subclass 408 visa online

The subclass 408 visa is only open for online applications. You can get step-by-step instructions on how to do this on the website of the Department of Home Affairs. If the Department of Home Affairs approves your application, you’ll be able to remain in Australia.

In the event that you’d want to extend your stay beyond the validity of your visa, you’ll have to apply for a new visa according to the ordinary conditions of the subclass 408 visa. Whether the Australian Government will keep this requirement in place for visa holders that apply due to the COVID-19 pandemic remains to be seen.

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COVID-19: Here’s what temporary visa holders in Australia should know

One word being used often these days is ‘unprecedented’ and rightly so. In recent history, we have not faced a time quite as uncertain and unusual as right now.

This uncertainty is arguably the largest among foreign nationals in another country, whether this be visitors or temporary residents. There is confusion around what to do about renewing visas, and whether it’s best to stay or leave.

The Australian Government has thankfully published clear guidelines on visa extensions, who can stay in Australia and under what circumstances, and when it’s advised or necessary to leave the country.

At the same time, the Government has also published a number of changes to temporary visa holder arrangements during the coronavirus crisis. These changes are geared towards enabling temporary visa holders to remain in key industries, such as health, aged and disability care, agriculture, and food processing.

Below we’ll address the guidelines and changes, as set out by the Government, for all temporary visa holders. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

Visitor visa holders

If you are in Australia on a visitor visa, you should return to your home country. If you are unable to do so, you must maintain a valid visa and follow Australia’s public health advice in respect to COVID-19.

Should you have a visa with a ‘No Further Stay’ condition that is valid for less than two months, you can request a waiver of this condition. The waiver will enable you to lodge a new visa application.

Employer Sponsored Temporary Work visas

The economy is suffering heavily under the coronavirus. Many business have to let go of employees or rethink the way their employees work. Here’s how you’ll be affected as a Temporary Skill Shortage visa holder if your employer is in this type of predicament at the moment:

You’re working less hours

You will not be in breach of your visa conditions if your employer has reduced the hours you are working. Neither will your employer be in breach of their employer obligations.

You’ve been stood down

If you’ve been stood down, but not laid off, you must maintain your visa’s validity. Your employer will have the opportunity to extend your visa as per the normal regulations.

You’ve lost your job

Should you lose your job due to the coronavirus – and we sincerely hope that you don’t – you must find another job within 60 days. Failing that, you’ll have to make arrangements to leave Australia.

If you cannot return to your home country, you must maintain a valid visa and adhere to Australia’s public health advice while still in the country.

International students

The Government is encouraging international students to rely on family support, part-time work where available and their own savings to sustain themselves in Australia. If you are unable to support yourself through these means, you must make arrangements to return to your home country.

While the Government is strict on students having to meet the financial requirement of their visas, they are relaxing some student visa conditions where the coronavirus and associated travel restrictions have prevented students from meeting conditions. For example, such as attendance at class or the use of online learning.

One other arrangement the Government is changing, is around working hours – specifically for students working in essential sectors.

Students working in essential sectors can now work for longer hours

The Australian government has temporarily relaxed the enforcement of the 40-hour work limitations for the following sectors:

  • International students who are existing workers in major supermarkets to help get stock on shelves due to high demand.
  • International students who are existing workers in the aged care sector.

Student visa holders who are enrolled in nursing can undertake work to help and support the health effort against COVID-19 as directed by health officials.

Here’s how to get approval for longer working hours

If you’re working in a supermarket, and you’d like to work longer hours, your employer must register with the Department of Home Affairs to get access to the temporary relaxation of working hours. Aged care service providers should refer to the correspondence provided to them by the Department of Health.

New Zealand 444 Special Category Visa (SCV)

There are more than 672,000 New Zealanders in Australia on a subclass 444 visa. This visa allows New Zealanders to live and work in Australia.

If you are a New Zealander who’s in Australia on a 444 visa and you arrived before 26 February 2001, you’ll access to welfare payments and the JobKeeper payment.

However, if you arrived after 2001, you’ll only have access to the JobKeeper payment. You’ll be entitled to six months of JobSeeker payments if you’ve been in Australia for 10 years or more.

If you are unable to support your financially through these provisions, work or family support, the government advises that you should consider returning to New Zealand.

Working Holiday makers

To support the critical sectors of health, aged and disability care, agriculture, food processing, and childcare, the government is providing flexible arrangements with regard to ongoing employment of Working Holiday Makers (WHMs):

WMHs working in critical sectors will be:

  • Exempt from the six month limitation with one employer; and
  • Eligible for a further visa to continue working in these sectors if their current visa is due to expire in the next six months.

If you are a WHM in any of the listed critical sectors but you are not eligible for a further WHM visa and you’re unable to return to your home country, you can apply for a Temporary Activity (subclass 408) Australian Government Endorsed Event (AGEE) stream visa.

In the event that you are on a WHM visa but you’re unable to support yourself while in Australia, you must make arrangements to return to your home country.

Seasonal workers

Just like Working Holiday Makers, seasonal workers who work in the critical agriculture sector will be able to extend their visas. This extension will be for up to six months and subject to Labour Market testing.

Further to this, seasonal workers in Australia will be exempt from the requirement to work for a single employer. Instead, seasonal workers will be able to move between approved employers. This will ensure that the needs of the agriculture sector is met at all times during this period.

You can find more information about the arrangements for seasonal workers on the website of the Department of Home Affairs.

Bridging visa holders

The government is urging people with visas that are about to expire to return to their home countries. Especially those people without family support or a means to support themselves financially in Australia.

Of course, not everyone is able to return home. Many people are stuck in foreign countries due to worldwide travel restrictions and border closures.

If you’re in this position and your visa is close to expiry you must apply for a new visa. The new visa will allow you to remain lawfully in Australia.

Your personal circumstances would determine which visa is best. With that said, if your visa expired less than 28 days ago, a bridging visa could be right for you. The bridging visa would allow you to organize your departure from Australia.

You can read more about staying in Australia on a Bridging visa on the website of the Department of Home Affairs.

Stay up to date with immigration news from Australia

Follow us on Facebook or LinkedIn to stay informed about immigration changes that could affect you. We post news as soon as it happens.

Source: https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/

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COVID-19 and Australia: Travel restrictions and more

Australia is battling the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, just like most other countries around the world. At the time of writing, Australia has imposed travel restrictions and a mandatory 14-day quarantine for arriving visitors, and has limited public gatherings to a maximum of two people.

Below we’ll elaborate on these and other measures the Australian government has taken in an effort to address the challenges posed by the coronavirus.

Travel restrictions

Only Australian citizens, residents and their immediate family members can travel to Australia. On arrival, all travellers must undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine in a hotel or designated facility. The relevant state or territory government will determine which hotels and facilities will serve as quarantine sites.

Immediate family members

As mentioned above, immediate family members may still travel to Australia. These family members are:

  • Spouses
  • Dependent children
  • Legal guardians

Partners (subclasses 100, 309, 801, 820) and children (subclasses 101, 102, 445) won’t have to apply for an exemption. Unfortunately, Prospective Marriage visa holders (subclass 300) can’t go to Australia until further notice.

Immediate family members on temporary visas, except for Partner and Child visa holders, must apply for a travel exemption to Australia. The Department of Home Affairs will decide whether or not the person can go to Australia.

If an immediate family member does not have a visa, the person will have to apply for a visa before travelling to Australia and provide proof of their relationship to the Australian citizen or permanent resident.

Please note that the exemption or visa applicant should not travel to Australia until the exemption or visa is approved.

Travelling from Australia

Australian citizens and permanent residents are restricted from travelling overseas as of 25 March 2020. There are certain exceptions however and this travel restriction does not apply to:

  • People ordinarily resident in a country other than Australia.
  • Airline and maritime crew and associated safety workers.
  • New Zealand citizens holding a Special Category (subclass 444) visa.
  • Persons engaged in the day-to-day conduct of outbound and inbound freight.
  • People whose travel is associated with essential work at offshore facilities.
  • People travelling on official government business, including members of the Australian Defence Force.
  • Travel restrictions are subject to change. Some exemptions are in place. Please check back regularly.

You can read more about the travel restrictions and exemptions on the Department of Home Affairs’s website. Get further information for visa holders here.

Public gatherings restricted to a maximum of two people

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that public gathering are limited to a maximum of two people as of Monday, 30 March. He urged people to stay at home unless they were shopping for food and other essentials, attending medical appointments, exercising, or attending work or education.

Prime Minister Morrison also advised that people aged 70 and over should stay at home and self-isolate for their own protection. The same advice, he said, applies to people over 60 with a chronic illness and indigenous people over the age of 50.

To limit public gatherings, a number of public facilities are now also closed from the 30th of March. These facilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Pubs and restaurants (except for takeaways)
  • Movie theatres
  • Public playgrounds
  • Gyms
  • Galleries
  • Museums
  • Outdoor sporting venues
  • Entertainment venues.

Some retail outlets will remain open, however, to allow people to gather essential items ahead of further social distancing restrictions.

The goal of these restrictions is to isolate confirmed cases and make it easier to trace the contacts of people who tested positive for the coronavirus.

No evictions for 6 months and a safety-net package of AU$1.1 billion

Many people are without an outcome or have lost their jobs as a direct effect of the coronavirus outbreak. The Australian government has thus announced that evictions will be put on hold for 6 months by states and territories. The government has also encouraged landlords and tenants to talk about short-term agreements.

Further to this, the Australian government has announced an AU$1.1 billion package to assist the millions of Australians battling the devastating impacts of the coronavirus. The money will be used to expand mental health and telehealth services, increase domestic violence service, and provide Medicare assistance for people at home as well as more emergency food relief to those in need.

See the Department of Home Affairs’s website for more

The Department of Home Affairs regularly updates their website to reflect the latest news on travel restrictions and other measures they have taken. Just go here to stay updated.

If you have an urgent immigration query, you can still contact Australia’s Department of Home Affairs by any of the contact details on their website.

You can also follow Intergate Emigration on either Facebook or LinkedIn where we’ll inform you of updates and developments as it happens.

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