Are you a skilled worker planning to apply for a work visa for Australia?

The Land Down Under is internationally renowned as a country that is culturally diverse and racially tolerant that welcomes and offers a wide range of opportunities to those who wish to visit, work, or settle in Australia.

A land of vast opportunities, Australia is a beautiful and varied place of contrasts from its vast breathtaking and adventure-field landscape and the exotic flora and fauna to the charming cosmopolitan cities. It is also a vital destination for business development and growth and most significantly, a vitally valuable work destination in the new millennium for those seeking decent and financially fulfilling employment opportunities.

With decades of immigration history, Australia has now evolved a skilled migration program that is specifically designed to attract people who have the skills and outstanding abilities that will contribute the most to the Australian economy, regardless of sex, religion, or ethnic, and national origin.

The Skill Stream of Australia’s Migration Program is now currently focused on the migration to Australia of skilled people under skilled visa in Australia. These people have the appropriate qualifications and attributes to succeed and help address the current specific chronic skills shortages Australia-wide.

Live your dream of greater opportunity and improved quality of life for yourself and your family – with a working visa in Australia!

Because of Australia’s increasing participation in the international markets, as well as the specific skills deficit in the Australian workforce, the Australian government is currently putting a greater emphasis on the “skill” element of the Migration Program.

To reduce the current chronic skills shortages, the Australian Government is very keen to attract highly skilled labor abroad under skilled visa from Australia.

Now, the opportunities for skilled workers considering immigration to Australia are many and having a work visa Australian has loads of benefits.

All people working in Australia under relevant Commonwealth workplace laws are entitled to general workplace protections. Under the Fair Work Act 2009 – which provides protections of certain employee rights – skilled workers are entitled to workplace rights, the right to engage in industrial activities – such as free to join or not to join an industrial association, such as a trade union or employer association – and the right to be free from unlawful discrimination.
Moreover, under the Fair Work Act 2009, employees are entitled to a set of 10 National Employment Standards (NES) – the 10 minimum standards of employment such as a maximum 38 hours per week of work plus reasonable additional hours, requests for flexible working arrangements – under conditions; parental leave and related entitlements of up to 12 months unpaid leave for every employee, plus a right to request an additional 12 months unpaid leave, and other forms of maternity, paternity and adoption related leave; annual leave of 4 weeks paid leave per year, plus an additional week for certain shift workers; personal / carer’s leave and compassionate leave of up to 10 days paid personal / carer’s leave, two days unpaid carer’s leave as required, and two days compassionate leave (unpaid for casuals) as required; community service leave of unpaid leave for voluntary emergency activities and leave for jury service, with an entitlement to be paid for up to 10 days for jury service; a paid day off on a public holiday, except where reasonably requested to work; notice of termination and redundancy pay of up to 4 weeks notice of termination and up to 16 weeks redundancy pay, both based on length of service and provision of a Fair Work Information Statement to all new employees.

Planning to apply for work in Australia? If you wish to come under the current skilled immigration programme, you should act now and apply for a skills assessment as soon as possible and pass the English language test as these are required before you can lodge your Australia working visa under the current skilled migration program.

However, from the 1st of July 2012, one of the biggest changes to the Australian immigration system in years is set to be implemented.
Last May 10, 2011, the Australian government has announced its decision to implement a new way to manage its Skilled Migration using as a basis the submission of an Expression of Interest (EOI) and a subsequent invitation to apply.

This new Skilled Migration Selection Model for 2012 is called Skilled Migrant Selection Register or simply called SkillSelect and will be introduced on July 1, 2012.

Under the SkillSelect Skilled Migration Model, an Australian skilled visa applicant will undergo an electronic skilled migrant selection system based upon a two-stage process. Australia skilled visa applicant is required to first submit claims for skilled migration through an online EOI. Then subsequently, the Australian working visa applicant must wait for the invitation that would allow the intending applicant to make an Australia working visa application before she can lodge an application. This is a significant change from the current skilled migration program, as working visa Australia applicants for Independent skilled, Family Sponsored skilled, State or Territory Sponsored skilled, Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS), Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS), or Subclass 457 Temporary Business Skills programs will be required to wait to receive an invitation in order to lodge a work visa Australia application.

Once invited, as the SkillSelect electronic system will then ensure a match between the number of applicants and the number of available places providing greater certainty for visa applicants and a much more streamlined processing times, the invited prospective applicants are given 60 days for them to lodge that visa application using the department’s online application system through SkillSelect. Visa processing will then follow the procedures in place at the time the application is lodged.

An EOI will remain active in the SkillSelect for a duration period of two years or until the work visa applicant is either sponsored by an Australian employer or is granted a visa on the basis of an invitation and subsequent application, whichever occurs sooner. An EOI can be updated by the intending skilled migrants at any time and can be renewed after the two years.

So, if you don’t want to come under the new changes in the skilled migration, then apply now for an Australian work visa. If you don’t have the time and forbearance, then let National Visas make your visa application simpler and hassle free.

National Visas is Australia’s topnotch Australian immigration advice and visa provider with years of experience in the Australian immigration industry, proven by the thousands of Australian visa approvals gotten by their clients under their expert and effective services, assistance and support.

National Visas has a range of affordable immigration and visa services that could be tailored to your visa needs and situation on offer. If you avail of these services, you are assured to receive the very best expert Australian immigration advice, support and assistance from Australia’s best MARA-registered migration agents and be provided with the best tailored to your visa need and situation and effective visa application approach that will enable you to gain successfully an Australian visa approval.

So what are you waiting for, avail one of National Visas services and be on your way to a successful Australian skilled visa approval!

Are you interested to work in Australia?

With Australia’s Skilled Migration Program aimed to address specific skill shortages and local labor market needs, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) has made major changes to its immigration policies to address these needs.

These new reforms in Australia’s immigration policies are intended to make certain that the economy gets the skills it needs now by targeting skills in demand across a number of sectors as well as help in making certain that the skilled migration program is responsive to the current economic climate and the needs of the Australian economy.

With these recent developments in the immigration policies, Australia is now looking for skilled workers who want to work in Australia.

Australia Working Visas

Under the Skilled Migration program, there is range of Australian skilled visa options to choose from for skilled workers who want to live in Australia.

Skilled – Independent Visa (Subclass 175)

This is a permanent visa for skilled workers who have skills in demand in the Australian labor market.

Applicants are not sponsored and must pass a points test.

Under this Australia skilled visa, the visa applicants are required that they:

• must be under 45 years old on the day of making their application

• meet the threshold English language requirement of competent English.

• nominate and hold the skills and qualifications that meet the Australian standard for an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) at the time of lodging their application

• must have recent and specific work experience

• must have gotten a pass mark of 120 points

Applicants for this visa do not require sponsorship from an employer or any state or territory in order to apply for this visa.

Applicants, who do not meet the above visa requirements, may have the option to apply for other skilled visa categories namely:

Skilled – Sponsored Visa (Subclass 176)

This visa is intended for skilled workers who:

• under 50 years old

• have competent English language skills

• have the skills and attributes which will contribute the most to the Australian economy.

• have the necessary skills and qualifications that meet the Australian standard for an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL)

The SOL is a list of skilled occupations of high value to the Australian labor market.

Under this Australia skilled visa, the visa applicant is required to either have

• an eligible relative living in Australia who is willing and able to sponsor you

or

• a nomination from a participating State or Territory government agency

• gotten a pass mark of 100 points

• pass the skills assessment

• meet all of the basic eligibility requirements

Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Subclass 475)

This a three year provisional visa that is intended for overseas skilled workers who have the skills and qualifications that meet the Australian standard for an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) and who are unable to meet the criteria for a Skilled – Independent visa.

Under this Australia working visa, the visa applicants are required to:

• either be nominated by a participating state or territory government agency

or

• be sponsored by an eligible relative living in a designated area of Australia.

• meet a pass mark of 110 points

• meet all of the basic eligibility requirements

Holders of this visa have the option to apply for a permanent visa after living for two years and working for at least one year in a Specified Regional Area.

As Australia’s mining industry continues to flourish, which is said to be driven by China’s colossal appetite for iron ore and coal, many economists advice that the Australian government should increase its skilled workforce in order to meet the ever-increasing demand of the booming mining industry.
As the Australian economy bounces back to normal, aided by the booming of the mining industry, the country is facing a shortage in qualified skilled workers with the labor force growth projected to go into the negative.

Now as the mining industry attempts to start their operations on full scale, a shortage in qualified skilled workers resulted.
With the impending projected negative labor force growth facing the country in the near future, the federal government is set to increase skilled workers immigration.
To satisfy the escalating labor demand by the Australian mining industry, steps are taken to streamline the application process for the work visa for Australia.
Some of these important steps undertaken by the government in order to answer the ongoing shortage of skilled workers and the impending projected negative labor force growth facing the country are:
Introduction of the State Migration Plans for each state and territory wherein the plans give the state and territory governments the flexibility to maneuver within the Migration Program to address specific skill shortages and local labor market needs as each agreement is going to be modified to the individual requirements of each jurisdiction
The development of a new Skilled Migrant Selection Model which will make certain that the number of applicants and the number of available program places are matched which will result in the selection of the best and brightest as well as highly skilled migrants. The model is also projected to streamline the processing times of the working visa in Australia.
updating of the Skilled Occupation List (SOL), with 13 occupations added and four occupations removed
the implementation of the new and updated Points Test system on July 1, 2011 that will be utilized to aid in the selection of the skilled migrants who can provide the best in terms of economic benefit to Australia for the points test mechanism is set to tactically select the best people whose skills set fits Australia’s labor market needs.
With these measures, an increased demand for skilled workers is expected, opening more jobs especially in the mining sector.
As steps are undertaken to streamline the working visa for Australia application process and requirements and eligibility, the Australian government is now expecting to see a spike in the work visa to Australia application.
More jobs are available in Australia as the country’s workforce cannot fully fill up its labor force needs. Permanent jobs as well as temporary jobs ideal for tourists have become available as Australian’s mining industry tries to fill up its labor needs in an attempt to start their operations on full scale.

The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen MP, has recently released a new report, The Outlook for Net Overseas Migration: May 2011. It is said to be considered as the first step in generating a comprehensive annual report on Australia’s future immigration levels.
The Outlook for Net Overseas Migration: May 2011 displays the latest economic outlook and other changes to be undertaken announced in the 2011-12 Budget.

The following important points are being taken up in the current annual report:

• The new annual report is said to provide short-term forecasts of the future immigration levels in the country for the first time to inform planning and investment decisions.
• The annual report is also said to complement the Sustainable Population Strategy and provide further information in order to provide assistance to the entire government and community planning in order to better manage Australia’s population change.
• The annual report contains forecast on the level, composition and distribution of net overseas migration (NOM) across states, territories and regions over the medium term.

• The report also contains long-term migration planning framework that is tasked to look beyond the annual permanent migration program to examine both temporary and permanent migration over a number of years.

As planned, the first comprehensive annual report is expected to be released next year and the “The Outlook for Net Migration” to be released quarterly.
According to the Outlook for Net Overseas Migration: May 2011, the latest forecasts show that NOM will continue to drop to about 160 000 people by June 2011.
This means that Australia migration visa applicants will decline by June this year which is said to be attributed to the government’s recent reforms.
According to Mr. Bowen, the decline in NOM levels by almost half from its peak of over 315,000 people for the year ending December 2008 is attributed to the recent reforms undertaken by the Australian federal government.
This recent reforms have affected the number of application for Australian visa, resulting to a slump in the visa from Australia applicants.
However, despite the drop in Net Overseas Migration (NOM), the recent annual report still forecasts that a rise in the percentage of skilled migrants in NOM from around 25 per cent in 2009 to 43 per cent by 2014 will be seen in the country.
This is so as the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIA) has undertaken steps to increase the approval of skilled visas in order to answer the local and regional labor market.
The details of the report: The Outlook for Net Overseas Migration: May 2011 can be found at the DIAC website.
Nationalvisas.com.au is a world renowned online immigration services provider. They offer personalized service at an affordable price for people seeking Australian visa. They deliver a fast, friendly, expert immigration advice and assistance for Australian visa applicants. They employ Registered Migration Agents that will provide you with Australian immigration advice, as required by Australian law.

Are you a skilled worker planning to live and work in Australia?

As Australia’s economic environment improves and starts to stabilize after the global financial crisis, Australian employers’ demand for overseas workers to fill skills vacancies has increased.

In answer to these increasing demands for skilled workers, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) has recently streamlined its Australia Skilled Visa requirements and has given priority for its processing, aiming to halve the processing times from the current median of 22 calendar days. Likewise, changes have been made to the Australian skilled visa in order to make it easier to obtain and earlier to process.

As the government needs skilled workers to work in Australia, with Australian employers increasing salaries to entice would be workers to work for them, now is the time to apply for an Australian Skilled Visa.

For jobseekers who are not sponsored by any Australian employer or even does not have a job yet, the best visa you need to apply for in order to immigrate to Australia is the Australian Skilled Independent Visa.

Visa Requirements

Under the General Skilled Migration Program, your Skilled Independent visa eligibility is assessed under the following points:

satisfy the basic visa requirements namely:

• age: must be under 45 years of age on the day of making your application

• must demonstrate that you meet the English language threshold

• must nominate an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) that is relevant to your skills and qualifications

• must obtain positive skills assessment before you lodge your application

• meet the recent work experience requirement that is having been employed in a skilled occupation for 12 months in the period of 24 months immediately before your Australian Visa application is made

• have met the Australian study requirement in the last six months

• must meet both the health and character requirements

• pass the points test with a pass mark of at least 120 points

Visa Cost

The Visa Application Charge of AU$2575, or the equivalent thereof, must be paid at the time of application.

Payment must be in the currency accepted by the Australian High Commission, Embassy or Consulate where the application is being lodged.

Visa Entitlements

If your Australian Skilled Migrant Visa application is approved, the visa allows you to live as permanent residents in Australia.

As an Australian permanent resident you can:

• live and work in Australia permanently ( even if the visa expired, your permanent resident status is not affected if you are in Australia )

• allowed for 5 year multiple entry that is you are allowed to travel to and enter Australia for five years from the date the visa is granted ( however, if you continue to travel to and from Australia as a permanent resident after your initial visa has expired, you must get a Resident Return Visa (RRV) )

study in Australia

• receive subsidized healthcare through Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)

• have access to certain social security payments (subject to waiting periods)

• be eligible for Australian citizenship (subject to the residency eligibility criteria)

• sponsor people for permanent residence

Australia is one of the famous and most visited countries around the world. Most of the citizen from other countries wishes to work and live here because of the auspicious developed society it offers.
Aside from its good weather, vacation and holidaymakers still make sure to have their working Australia visa or working tourist visa Australia processed just in time as there are wide ranges of job opportunities around this country which has been known as the “Down Under”. You can choose types of works that suit your skills and abilities. There are plenty of part time jobs found in Melbourne and other capital cities. These are mostly manual jobs such as washing the dishes or perhaps waiting on the table for some resorts or companies. The advantage of working in Australia is that you work at the same time enjoy the sights of the wide open spaces and the cosmopolitan influences of the cities.
In Sydney, you will also find numerous jobs here like picking of grapes or fruit of an orchard. You can also get a job on a factory of even on a fishing boat. The Sunshine Capital of Australia which is the Brisbane has a lot of work opportunities to offer, too. Work opportunities here are easier to find than the ones found in other popular cities because of its tourist industry. There are also manual jobs here such as waiting at tables, cleaning rooms at apartelles or resorts. You can also make your own part time job if you have one.
In Adelaide, you will its beautiful public garden which is known as the Garden City. You can even find a job just by sitting in the corner, strolling or just by looking around. You can also opt on looking through papers if you are not into so much of outdoors work or perhaps you can just go online to conveniently find a work you are best at. Jobs online is the best and easiest way to find Australian work opportunities especially for full time job seekers. Most of the Australian companies post work opportunities online as they prefer to recruit online in order to save money and time.
Red newspapers’ classified sections to find for jobs in local businesses. These are the type of jobs that you can find locally and are best for students who seek part time or temporary jobs. Some of Australian employers are firm believers of networking so you can choose your personal and professional networks to find employment in this country. You may also ask your friends or perhaps people you know who reside and work in Australia for work opportunities that may be available for your skills and ability. Most of the companies in Australia normally seek referrals so that will be a big advantage if you are being referred by a friend or relatives who are currently employed.
Work opportunities in Australia are still in its peak despite of the previous recession that affects many countries around the world. There are still plenty of job opportunities available for eligible skilled workers from other countries.

There were reports shown that some part in Australia such as Queensland could suffer shortage from skilled workers – equivalent to more work in Australia offered. It is mainly due to insufficient supply and fierce competitions offered by other mining projects across the country and around the world.

According to the report published by Construction Skills Queensland (CSQ) and Energy Skills Queensland, a hard hit would be on the burgeoning coal seam gas (CSG) industry in the state. It is said that up to 92000 workers would be needed by the ongoing four coal seam gas projects in the region by Shell, Origin, Santos and BG Group.

There is a total of 18000 employees would be recruited as full time workers with stress on premium occupations such pipe fitters, welders, electrical, construction workers and instrumentation – an obvious basis of the said shortage. These growing concerns are also underscored by the new study. It quickly advances in age yet the retention rates of apprenticeship have been alarmingly low while it leaves a wider void for possible replacement on workers nearing retirement age. Plus, Australia skilled visa application seems to be difficult to comply for some overseas skilled workers.

It is said that the mining sector is poised to raid the ranks of the construction industry to complete the shortages seen in the resources industry. A large amount of workforce is really needed and should be boosted enough by 2013. Some skills from the sector of construction could possibly be fished out and enticed to transfer to the sector of mining – just to work specifically on the emerged segment of coal seam gas explorations.

The state government has undertaken the joint efforts and the private sector have addressed and cushioned the impacts of the projected skills shortages. Queensland authorities $10 million of earmarking as training funds for future workers sounds so tempting for prospective overseas skilled workers yet most of them are hesitant because of the oftentimes changing terms and conditions of Australian skilled visa.

So far, this initiative has attracted some 2000 possible skilled workers for deployment. The government assures that these skilled workers would be immediately dispatched into training. Australian state government also stressed its share support to Queensland’s resources industry. The country aimed to develop a workforce that can build infrastructure needed for the emerging CSG/LNG sector. Of course, it involves the combined efforts of the energy and construction industries, government and training providers.

In connection to this, business groups argue political point-scoring over a small numbers of job seekers cloud more pressing and complex issues. This includes the issue on how infrastructure and resources can be managed to account for the country’s needs of labor and a growing work force.

There are many developed nations still grappling with double-digit unemployment rates but unlike Australia, the country’s jobless rate is expected to fall to 4.75% by the second quarter of next year, according to government forecasts. And increase in application for Australian work visa is also expected.

Are you planning to live and work in Australia? If so, I know one of the most critical questions you have right now is deciding what class of visa to apply for. The Australian Skilled Visa is the most popular way for international citizens to immigrate to Australia independently. This is also the most appropriate for those with a skilled trade such as plumbers, hairdressers, nurses or electricians.

There are many other careers that are equally as acceptable as those under the profession of medicine, law and the middle or senior management. All the occupations that are needed or highly in demand in Australia are listed in an official Australian Skilled Occupation List. Take note that the Australia skilled visa is subject to a point system so it is imperative that applicants should understand how this system works before submitting your application.

Skilled Australian work visa are designed to attract skilled workers that the country’s economy needs. You can earn points from a variety of factors which include your education background, work experience and suitability to life in Australia. Additional points can also be earned if you have a job offer from the country.

If you want to live independently in Australia, you can opt on applying for an Australian Skilled Independent Migrant Visa Subclass 175. It is the most beneficial to apply for as it allows you to remain permanently in Australia to live, work and study or even gain Australian citizenship. The application for this visa can be lodged inside or outside of Australia but it is considered an “offshore” application which means that even if you lodge the application in the country, you will have to leave Australia to pick up your visa. Bear in mind that there is no bridging attaches to this application so this means you will still have to leave Australia even if you have another visa that allows you to remain in the country to await your decision.

One of its requirements is you must be under 45 years of age when applying for the Australia Skilled Visa or your application will be refused. Below are the age points in accordance in this type of Australian visa:
Up to the age of 29 years – 30 points are awarded,
30 – 34 years old – 25 points are awarded
35 – 39 years old – 20 points are awarded
40 – 44 years old – 15 points are awarded

On the other hand, a maximum of 60 points to a minimum of 40 points are awarded in respect of the trade, profession or skilled occupation that you nominate in your Australian Skilled Independent Migrant Visa Subclass 175 application.
Most of the applicants applying for this visa face a very real chance of making essential errors which lead to the refusal of the visa application and may mean the loss of the opportunity to enjoy a future in Australia. There are specialist immigration lawyers that are instructed to assist you with the Australian Skilled Visa application process to maximize your chances of success.

The recent boom in Australia’s job market has given opportunities to those people who have been searching for a better career opportunity. Lately, there have been many people who have been facing challenges in their careers as the global economy, influenced largely by the America, is into a slump. There have been reports of workers losing their jobs as a result of the recession. The jobs being offered by Australia are definitely a great help to those who have also been experiencing financial decline.

With this opportunity being offered by Australia, a lot of people, particularly those who have skills, are taking advantage of the chance to get a job there and hopefully live permanently. Recently, there has been an increase in the number of Australia immigration, caused largely by foreign applicants applying for a job position in the Australia. The opportunity is hard to pass up and with the economy still on a slump, the appeal to apply there increases.

However, Australia has also been implementing new systems to accommodate the Australian skilled visa applicants to ensure that only those who have skills that will fit the jobs being offered will be granted an Australian visa. Australia’s population of skilled workers is not enough to sustain the needs that their job market is demanding which is why they have been encouraging other skilled workers from other countries to lodge in their applications. This is another reason why there are more people who have been applying for an Australia skilled visa.

With the increased number of Australian visa applicants, those who are interested in applying for an Australian visa may find it more beneficial and convenient to consult a visa and immigration expert to assist them and give them advice regarding their Australia immigration. National Visas is one of the leading visa and immigration advice who have helped a lot of applicants get their Australian visa in the shortest possible time minus the unnecessary hassles.

As most people would agree to, an application for an Australian visa is no easy task. There are a lot of qualifications that should be accomplished and met. The procedure is likewise no walk in the park but may cause frustrations for there are certainly a lot that one has to undergo. However, with National Visas beside you, all of these won’t be necessary as their visa and immigration experts are highly competitive in the task and are knowledgeable from their years of experience. You will be given the assistance and advice that you need as you go along with your application process. All of these services come with a fixed fee so you need not worry about paying an exorbitant amount.

Getting a promising career is one of the main concerns of people nowadays as everyone struggles to overcome the challenges posed by the economic crisis. Jobs are abundant in Australia and as such, applying for an Australian skilled visa may just be the best solution for those who are in search of a better career opportunity and growth.

Check out NationalVisas.com.au now and avail of the free online assessment to learn of your eligibility for a certain Australian visa.