A work visa to Australia provides a foreigner with the opportunity to legally immigrate to this country, reside and work in its territory legally. In some sectors of the economy, Australians are faced with a shortage of skilled workers. Therefore, the state operates programs to attract specialists from abroad.
What professions are in demand in Australia
Employees of the Australian Department of Immigration have compiled two lists of professions in demand in the state:
- Skilled Occupation List (SOL) - specialties, the need for which is observed in all regions of the country.
- Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List (CSOL) - professions that are in demand in certain regions of the continent.
In order for a foreigner to obtain a work permit in Australia, he must be proficient in one of the specialties included in the above lists.
Labor market indicators, minimum and average wages, including in the territorial context, other issues are discussed in the article "National Employment Standards in Australia and Average Wages in 2021".
Thus, the country needs analytic programmers, software engineers, radiologists, therapists, ophthalmologists, chiropractors, osteopaths, anesthesiologists, nurses, ecologists, agronomists, pediatricians, cardiologists, psychologists, preschool educators, teachers, builders, engineers and other professionals. ... The full list can be found here.
What types of work visas exist in Australia
There are temporary and permanent work visas. One of the most popular among foreigners is the temporary work visa of subclass 482 (TSS - Temporary Skill Shortage). It is available in three streams: short-term (2 years), medium-term (up to 4 years) and regulated by an employment agreement.
It was introduced in March 2021. Replaced the previously existing visa with code 457 (subclass 457), which was issued for 4 years with the possibility of extension an unlimited number of times.
Among the permanent ones, visas are distinguished:
subclass 186 (ENS - Emploer Nomination Scheme) - for high-class foreign specialists;
- Subclass 187 (RSMS - Regional Skilled Migration Scheme) - for persons with specialties in need of certain regions of Australia.
Both temporary and permanent visas are issued to specialists who have an invitation from an employer. This role can be played by both an Australian company and a foreign company operating on the continent.
Requirements for work visa applicants
To obtain a work visa to Australia in 2021, a foreign applicant must fulfill a number of requirements. In particular, we are talking about:
- Confirmation of professional skills. You need to prove them in a licensed expert organization in Australia and get the appropriate certificate.
- Proof of English proficiency. It is necessary to pass the IELTS test, gaining 6 points for each section.
- Obtaining a job offer from an Australian employer.
In addition, the candidate must:
- be between the ages of 18-50;
- own a profession that is on the SOL / CSOL list;
For more information about the companies that assess the professional level according to SOL, the requirements for candidates, whether it is possible to immigrate permanently through employment, see the article "The most popular professions in Australia in 2021".
- have work experience in the specialty;
- have no criminal record;
- not have socially dangerous diseases (health status is confirmed by a certificate issued by a certified medical center).
Not every Australian company has the right to hire foreign employees. The employer must meet the standards of the Immigration Department and have Sponsorship status. Only an invitation from such a company can become the basis for issuing a work visa to a foreigner.
Low-skilled foreigners with limited knowledge of the English language have the opportunity to find work in the Northern Territory of Australia and obtain a work visa.
The country has a DAMA (Designation Area Migration Agreements) program, which covers the state of Victoria and the Varrnambul region. It is here that a significant labor shortage and low population growth are observed.
From January 1, 2021, another program is being implemented - DAMA II. According to its provisions, foreigners who have worked in the north of Australia under the DAMA program for 3 years will be able to apply for a permanent work visa.
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The procedure for obtaining a work visa
To obtain a work permit in Australia, you should carefully read the procedure for obtaining it. This will help avoid mistakes when applying and increase the chances of success.
List of official papers
The applicant must prepare the following documents for a work visa to Australia (regardless of its type):
- A foreign passport that will be valid for at least six months on the date of entry into the country (plus copies of all its completed sheets).
- Passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation (plus copies of all his completed sheets).
- Four photos measuring 3.5 × 4.5 cm, taken on a white background (they must be taken no earlier than 6 months before the date of application).
- Bank statement to confirm financial security.
- Medical examination certificate.
- A certificate confirming the availability of housing (if it is not provided by the employer).
- Visa application form filled in and signed by the applicant.
- Medical insurance.
- The invitation received from the employer.
- A receipt confirming the payment of the visa fee.
- Diploma indicating that the applicant has the relevant education.
- A certificate from the previous place of work, confirming the work experience in the specialty.
- Certificate of passing the English language proficiency test.
- Certificate of the applicant's profession for the position held by an expert organization in Australia.
- Certificate of no criminal record.
Russian citizens who have already encountered a work visa to Australia are advised to take with them originals and copies of documents on ownership of property (movable and immovable), a salary certificate from the previous place of work. These papers may be required at the consulate / embassy as additional.
The article "The Life of Russian Emigrants in Australia" will help you to understand how Australia treats immigrants from the Russian Federation, the adaptation of emigrants, the activities of the diaspora.
The amount of the visa fee, the processing time and validity of a work visa
When asked how much an Australian work visa costs, it should be pointed out that as of 2021, the visa fee is 175 Australian dollars. It usually takes 5–20 business days to process an application.
A temporary work permit, as mentioned above, is issued for 2-4 years or for the period specified in the contract with the employer.
A permanent visa does not restrict an immigrant from working in Australia.
Where can I apply for an Australian work visa
A work visa to Australia for Russians is possible in:
- Embassy of Australia in the Russian Federation: Moscow, Podkolokolny lane, 10a / 2.
- Consulate General of Australia in the Russian Federation: St. Petersburg, Petrovsky prospect, 14, office 22-N.
- Australian Visa Application Centers in Russia: Moscow, Sretenka street, 27, building 1, floor 3, or St. Petersburg, Ligovsky prospect, 52.
You can submit an application both online and with a personal visit to a diplomatic institution.
Passing an interview
Before leaving for Australia on a work visa, you will need to pass an interview at the embassy / consulate. As evidenced by the reviews of those who have already come across a work permit in this country, most often diplomatic employees are interested in the question of whether the applicant plans to stay forever in Australia. The best answer is no.
To confirm your decision to return home at the end of the term of the employment contract, you can present papers on the ownership of property in the territory of the Russian Federation.
What to do if a visa is refused
The most common reasons for visa refusal are the following circumstances:
- errors in the visa application form or other documents;
- providing an incomplete list of documents;
- discrepancy between the purpose of the trip and the selected type of visa;
- submission by the applicant of false information about himself;
- violation of the visa regime in the past;
- previous refusal to issue a visa;
- being wanted;
- lack of evidence that the applicant intends to return home at the end of the employment contract;
- having serious health problems;
- inconclusive answers to the consul's questions during the interview.
The reason for the refusal is always communicated. If the applicant considers the consul's decision unreasonable, he can challenge it by seeking the help of a lawyer.
Output
Applying for a professional visa to Australia is a complicated process. Despite the fact that this country is open to expatriates, high demands are made on foreign candidates to fill vacant positions in local companies.
It is not advisable to try to get into Australia illegally to work. If an intruder is discovered, official immigration routes to the Green Continent will be permanently closed to him.
