Migrating to Australia as a skilled person

General skilled migration:
There are 12 different visas that can be granted to those who have a specialist skill or ability that will contribute to the Australian economy – three from within Australia, five from outside Australia and one from either inside or outside Australia, and three that are available to New Zealand citizens only.

Migrating to Australia as a business person

Employer sponsored migration:

Employer nomination scheme:
developed so that Australian employers could recruit workers from overseas who have specialist skills that cannot be found within the Australian labour market.

Regional sponsored migration scheme:
developed so that employers in regional or low population growth areas can fill vacancies that they have been unable to fill from within the Australian labour market.

Labour agreements:
allow employers to temporarily or permanently employ a specific number of workers to fill an identified or emerging shortage of workers in a particular industry.

Invest Australia support skills:
allows overseas companies who make a significant investment in Australia to bring key skilled personnel to Australia.

Business skills entry:

Business owner category: for owners or part owners of a business.

Senior executive category: for senior executives of major businesses.

Investor category: for business people who already invest, or are willing to invest, in Australia.

Business talent category: for talented business people who have sponsorship from a state or territory government.

Migrating to Australia as a student

Student visa subclasses:
There are seven different student visa subclasses which cover various levels of education in Australia including primary school, secondary school, college and university (both private and government, from vocational certificate and diploma level to PhD), non-award studies and full-time study with AusAID or the Department of Defence.

Migrating to Australia as a partner

Partner migration visas allow people to enter and/or remain in Australia if they are legally married to, the de facto partner of, or the interdependent partner (including same sex relationships) of an Australian citizen, a permanent resident of Australia, or an eligible New Zealand citizen.

Migrating to Australia as a family member

Partner migration:
see 'Migrating to Australia as a partner', above.

Child migration:
a child may migrate to Australia if they are the dependent child, orphan relative or adopted child of an Australian citizen, a permanent resident of Australia or an eligible New Zealand citizen.

Parent migration:
a parent may be able to migrate to Australia if they have a child in Australia who is an Australian citizen, a permanent resident of Australia or an eligible New Zealand citizen.

'Other family' migration:
Other family members may be eligible for migration to Australia if they are aged dependent relatives, remaining relatives or carers of Australian citizens, permanent residents of Australia or eligible New Zealand citizens.

Migrating to Australia as an investor retiree

An investor retirement visa allows people to spend some of their retirement years in Australia if they are over 55 years of age, can support themselves financially (part-time work in Australia is allowed), have no dependents (apart from a spouse), and have sufficient funds to invest in Australia.

Migrating to Australia on a humanitarian visa

Permanent humanitarian visa categories:
Refugee category:
for people who are at risk of persecution in their home country and require resettlement. This includes the subcategories of refugee, in-country special humanitarian, emergency rescue and women at risk.

Special humanitarian program: for people already outside their home country, who are subject to gross human rights violations within their home country.

Temporary humanitarian visa categories:
Secondary movement relocation: a five-year visa for people who have moved from a safe first country of asylum to another country before applying to enter Australia.

Secondary movement offshore entry:
a three-year visa for people who have moved from a safe first country of asylum and have come to Australia unlawfully.

Migrating to Australia under the Special Migration program

People eligible to apply include former residents who meet strict criteria and those with an internationally-recognised distinguished talent in a profession, the arts, sport or research and academia.

A migration agent uses their expert knowledge to guide clients through the complex visa application process. Applying for a visa in Australia can be complicated. An agent can make it simple for you by ensuring that:

• the most appropriate visa is being applied for
• all required documentation is presented with the visa application (avoiding delays)
• all sponsorship requirements are met
• all legal requirements are met
• the process is completed as quickly as possible.

Migration agents in Australia must be registered with MARA (Migration Agents Registration Authority), which regulates the industry and makes sure that agents:

• are of good character
• comply with the code of conduct
• are qualified in immigration law
• are regularly checked.

Lions Migration Services (MARA registration # xxxxxx) specialises in business visas, student visas and skilled person visas. At Lions, we understand that moving to a new country is a major life change. We are absolutely committed to treating your case with discretion and sensitivity, moving the process along as quickly as possible and keeping you informed every step of the way. The Lions difference is:

• We provide an honest appraisal of your options before any applications are lodged [is this free?].
• We provide prompt, professional service at reasonable prices.
• We will get your application done right the first time.
• We are here to answer any queries or concerns you may have about moving to Australia.
• We offer advice on migration issues such as employment and selecting a new home, and settling into your new environment.
• [These are obviously fairly general 'differences' (please delete any that do not apply) – is there any way we are actually different, or any special services that we provide, that we can list here?]