Moving to Australia - Visa questions etc

daveg

Were thinking of moving to Australia (2 adults married and 1 child). Were thinking of going for a year or so, and if things work out we would hope to stay for longer (maybe permanently). Can anyone help with some questions about the visa?

1 / both my wife and I have skilled jobs (we both have qualifications). However she has a higher qualification than me and, according to the skilled occupation list (http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/1121i.pdf) her work area counts for 60 points compare to mine which qualifies for 50. Therefore can she apply for the visa for our family and can I also work in Australia if she qualifies and the visa is approved?

2/ Were thinking of applying under the “general skilled migration” visa (http://www.immi.gov.au/migration/skilled/index.htm). To obtain this visa you need to score 120 points. We assessed my wife and she scored 120 points plus an extra 5 points for my skills bringing her score to 125.

If we are successful with this visa how long does it last? Do you have to go to Australia within a certain period once the visa is approved? Also if you assess yourself now and score 120 points or more are you more or less guaranteed the visa or do they only issue a certain amount of visas per year? If this is the case are you better applying through an agency?

3/ My wife works for a software developer and may be able to continue her job, working from home, in Oz. If she can do this what are the income tax implications for her? Does she pay income tax in Oz? Does she pay it in Ireland (I know if your out of the country for 90 days per year or more you can claim all your tax back in Ireland).

Any other advice or any comments about living in Oz would be most appreciated.
Just to add were thinking about moving to Sydney.

galah

Hey dave,

you might want to ask your questions here, there's a lot of info about visa and moving to Oz...

www.britishexpats.com


If you get the general skilled visa, it's permanent - and you need to enter within a certain period of time after the visa was granted (2 years? not sure).
If your wife gets the visa, you will also get full working rights...There's some things you'll have to do though - get your qualifications assessed, medicals, police clearances, and all that sort of thing - it's a lot of hassle if you only want to stay for a year - and it's expensive...Plus there's a bit of a wait to get one of those visas...(not trying to sound too negative - just telling ya what I know - been there, done it...;-)) All the info should be in one of the booklets (booklet 6 I think - they're all available on the immi.gov.au website)

Any question, let me know..;-)
galah

daveg

galah wrote:

Hey dave,

you might want to ask your questions here, there's a lot of info about visa and moving to Oz...

www.britishexpats.com


If you get the general skilled visa, it's permanent - and you need to enter within a certain period of time after the visa was granted (2 years? not sure).
If your wife gets the visa, you will also get full working rights...There's some things you'll have to do though - get your qualifications assessed, medicals, police clearances, and all that sort of thing - it's a lot of hassle if you only want to stay for a year - and it's expensive...Plus there's a bit of a wait to get one of those visas...(not trying to sound too negative - just telling ya what I know - been there, done it...;-)) All the info should be in one of the booklets (booklet 6 I think - they're all available on the immi.gov.au website)

Any question, let me know..;-)
galah

Thanks a million for the info Galah. I'll have a browse around www.britishexpats.com.

galah wrote:

it's a lot of hassle if you only want to stay for a year - and it's expensive...Plus there's a bit of a wait to get one of those visas...(

I know what your saying (I think it's about E2500 for the visa application) but we are thinking mainly towards a permenant move but were giving it a year to see how we go on. Accoring to the website it says the visa application can take between 6 months and a year. That ties in fine as my wife turns 30 end of August. We will therefore apply just before her birthday (so as to gain the extra 5 points as shes under 30). Were looking to move end of January 2008 which would tie in fine with what your saying about having 2 years to move.

Is it a case that if you qualify for 120 points you'll have no problem getting the visa?

Also is the visa application process and issuing the same for Ireland and the UK? Will the info posted on the website you linked be applicable to us in Ireland as well?

galah

britishexpats is more like an info forum as well, packed with people who have moved or are in the process of moving, and they are pretty helpful there! it's not only Brits who post there, lots of Irish and German etc too!

Visa regulations in Oz apply to everyone, no exceptions, no special rules for special people (which I kinda like - no one is favoured...;-))

If you make the 120 points, you have a good chance of getting the visa - but you need to get it all assessed (is your wife's job on the Jobs in demand list?) and as it says, it does take time...I found that dealing with Australian authorities is a massive pain in the back, so be prepared for a tedious process...:rolleyes:

But I guess the best idea is to have a good root around the immigriation forum (I looked into general skilled migration 6 years ago, maybe some of the rules have changed now (I returned from Oz 3 years ago...)

daveg

Thanks again Galah. I have looked and posted a few Q's on the forum you linked. Her skills are indeed on the lis (software developer). In my own role I had an ex technician contact me recently looking for info for her skills assessment for a visa for Oz. I know what you mean about the process being slow and tedious. They kept coming back for more and more info. The good news is my company basically passed on whatever technical info she needed and this was good enough. I know my wife would have the same experience with the company she works with too.

BeatTun

even if she qualified for residency, im nearly sure she'd have to go through some sort of probationary perdiod, and during which she wouldnt be able to get you over on her visa.

im here permanently on a partner visa but im not 100% sure about skilled migration

galah

nope - with the skilled migration, you can include your partner in the visa (you have to prove your relationship - if you're married, not a big issue), and they're allowed to come over straight away with you.)
It's all in the migration booklets...

daveg

galah wrote:

nope - with the skilled migration, you can include your partner in the visa (you have to prove your relationship - if you're married, not a big issue), and they're allowed to come over straight away with you.)
It's all in the migration booklets...

Yep Gallah your right. If she qualifies we all get the visa. BTW thanks a million for the website link galah. Were applying next week with gomatilda.com who were recommended. It's expensive but they have done a pre check for us and we score 130 out of 120 so we should be ok

franman

You should head to the RDS this weekend for the Oz Expo

more details here
www.downunder.ie

im sure people there could answer any possible question you might have