FAQs FOR AUSTRALIA IMMIGRATION MATTERS
Should you have any specific questions regarding your personal circumstances, please do not hesitate to contact us at any time, with no obligation. Call our UK office on 0845 644 5607, or if you are in Australia, please see our Australia Contact page for specific contact numbers.
Q: I am not able to score enough points for the skilled migration visa, does this mean that I cannot immigrate to Australia as a skilled worker?
A: There are a number of different visas in the skilled migration stream. In many cases it is not necessary to meet the points pass mark to be able to apply for a skilled visa for residence in Australia. Depending on whether you have family in Australia, where they live, where you want to settle, what your occupation is and a number of other factors you may be eligible to secure a visa that allows you to live and work in Australia.
Q: I have no formal qualifications at all but have worked in my occupation for over 10 years. Will I be able to apply for skills migration just on my work experience?
A: You will require a recognised AQF Level 3 Austrlaian qualification should you not hold a form of UK apprenticeship or qualifications. We would recommend you call our office for details of the organisations who can assess your work experience and abilities in your trade and formally grant you an AQF Level 3 qualification.
Q: I have a lot of relatives living in Australia, are they able to sponsor my migration application?
A: Sponsorship is mostly used for family and skills category visa applications. Applicants who have eligible family members living permanently in Australia may wish to apply under the applicable sponsored visa subclasses. For skills migration your relatives cannot be any further removed than an Uncle/Aunt. There are certain limitations to sponsorship and dispensations that may be applicable depending on where in Australia your relative lives, how long they have lived there and how long they have lived in Australia in total.
Q: My partner is an Australian citizen and we want to move to Australia to live. Do we have to get married for me to be able to get a visa that allows me to live in Australia with my partner?
A: Australia recognises marriage, common law & same sex relationships for the purposes of immigration. While it is not necessary to be married to apply for a spouse visa, the applicant must be able to show substantial proof of the nature of the relationship. This means that you would be required to demonstrate the mutually exclusive and enduring nature of the relationship between you and your partner.
Q: Do I have to prove a minimum of self worth/monies to be accepted into Australia?
A: Australia does not have a minimum settlement fund requirement for skilled migrants in order for them to be granted a visa. However, some State Sponsorship applications require a particular amount of cash funds to be demonstrated prior to them sponsoring your application.
Q: If I had my skills assessed by TRA some years ago, is their letter of approval still valid for me to use in my immigration application?
A: We can confirm that their is no validity to a TRA positive assessment. This can be used many years after it was initially assessed, however you will need additional up to date references for the immigration application.
Q: I have a daughter who lives with her natural mother and will not be emigrating with me. Do I have to detail her information in my application?
A: You must include details of your daughter within your application as a non-accompanying dependent if she is under 18 years of age. She will be requested to attend medical examination as well, even though she will not be granted a residency visa.
