New Zealanders can enter, live and work in Australia under the terms of the Trans-Tasman Travel Agreement and do not need a visa. All other migrants must apply for a visa to come to Australia. To get a visa, migrants must pass health and character checks and meet certain entrance criteria depending on the category they fit into. They are selected by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) under the following broad categories:

 

Migrants who have skills or outstanding abilities that will contribute to the Australian economy  In 2007-08, 107 469 people migrated to Australia as skilled migrants, representing about 52% of total migration to Australia. This is an increase from 98 918 skilled migrants in 2006-07. There are several categories of skill stream migrants who are granted visas based on a variety of eligibility criteria:

 

Skilled migrants who are not sponsored by a relative or employer and must pass a points test to be granted a visa. The aim of the points test is to identify factors in the applicant that will either benefit Australia or help with settlement. The accumulation of points is based on the migrant’s age, skills, qualifications, English language ability and employability, so they can contribute quickly to the Australian economy. These ‘independent skilled migrants’ form the largest component of skilled migrants each year. In 2007-08, 54 743 independent skilled migrants came to Australia, representing 51% of the total number of skilled migrants who came to Australia.

 

 People who are interested in settling in states or territories where their skills are in demand and have a sound chance of gaining employment in that state or territory soon after arrival. Skill matching is included under this category. There were 3435 migrants in this category in 2007-08.

Can be independent or sponsored by an eligible relative or by a state or territory to live and work in a regional or low population growth metropolitan area in Australia. There were 4526 migrants in this category in 2007-08.

 

Sponsored by Australian citizens who are related to them or by a state or territory government agency. Applicants must meet a points test which takes into account their age and work skills as well as various sponsor attributes. The Skilled Sponsored visa: introduced on 1 September 2007 for persons with good English language skills who have skills and qualifications in an occupation in need in Australia and who are sponsored by an eligible relative living in Australia or who obtain nomination from a participating state or territory government agency. There were 8343 Australian Sponsored Migrants in 2007-08.

 

Skilled migrants who are ‘sponsored’ by an employer. These migrants may already be working for that employer in another country and wish to transfer to Australia or may be new employees brought in to fill particular skill shortages or vacancies, particularly in regional areas of Australia. In 2007-08, 23 099 employer nominated migrants were sponsored to migrate to Australia.

 

Successful business people with established skills in business who have a genuine commitment to owning and managing a business in Australia. 6532 migrants entered Australia in 2007-08 under this category.

 

Individuals who have outstanding records of achievement in a profession, occupation, the arts or sport.This is a small migrant category and included 213 migrants in 2007-08 

 

Chosen according to their relationship with a sponsor who must be a close family member and an Australian resident or citizen. There is no test for skills or language ability as for skilled stream migrants. There is currently a test for most people applying for Australian citizenship (see section 2.9). The family stream has grown from 31 310 visas in 1997-98 to 45 291 visas in 2005-06. However, in this period the family stream’s overall share of the Migration Program fell from 47% to 35%. The family stream in 2007-08 had 50 680 migrants.

 

More info visit:

Department of Immigration and Citizenship, Overview of Skilled Migration to Australia, Commonwealth of Australia, (2007), http://www.immi.gov.au/media/fact-sheets/24overview_skilled.htm