The absolute importance of proper documentation cannot be overstated when it comes to immigrating to Australia. The process itself is quite lengthy and requires keeping an eye out for common mistakes. After all, you don’t want to start facing issues on your arrival in Australia just because of incorrectly filed or even missing paperwork.

Australian immigration is known for its thoroughness and a long list of SOPs, making understanding documentation requirements even more important for immigrants planning to move to the country. This means you must ensure that your documentation is in order, not just as a paperwork formality but also to maximize the chances of success of your immigration request.

We understand that you are at an important point in your life, and trying to make sense of the vast amount of information available online. To help you get started on the right path with regard to your Australian immigration dream, we have created this list of documents that you will need to get for your Australian working visa. This guide provides concise and accurate tips to help you navigate this important part of your immigration process.

This blog post will serve as a valuable resource whether you're an experienced professional planning your next career move or a first-time immigrant excited about starting a new chapter of your life. We'll talk about Australian immigration, the different work visa types, and the application process in detail. This blog will also walk you through each document, explaining its importance and also the process that you need to follow to obtain it.

An Overview of the Australian Immigration Process

A Brief Overview of the Australian Immigration Processes

So you've finally decided to make the move Down Under. Australia is well-known for its friendly locals, stunning landscapes, and high standard of living. However, it’s not as simple as hopping on a plane. You need to go through the Australian immigration process before you can start your new life in this beautiful country. Let’s take a deeper look at the Australian immigration to help you understand the steps involved and the documents that you will need to attach to your application.

You must be wondering if the process is going to be easy. Well, it’s no walk in the park but you can definitely manage to complete the steps with a little help. We have broken the process down step by step to provide you with a checklist that you can follow easily.

Australia uses a points system for its immigration application, so the first step is checking if you're eligible to apply. These points are based on factors like age, your education level, English language proficiency, and also your past work experience. This may seem like a game but every point matters. To pass this first eligibility round, you need to have at least 65 points.

The second step is paperwork. Yes, the dreaded document gathering that all immigrants eventually grow to love. It is important that you take your time and complete the Australian immigration’s documentation requirements. Making a small mistake or missing out even one document could set you back quite a bit. We recommend double-checking your documents to make sure that everything is in order.

Next up is the Expression of Interest (EOI) submission. You can submit it online from the comfort of your home. Successful submission doesn’t guarantee a visa invitation but it is still an important step nonetheless. You will be invited to apply for your chosen visa type if your EOI gets accepted based on the information that you submitted in the earlier steps. From here on, time is of the essence and delays could mean that you lose your hard-earned chance. You will have up to 60 days, after receiving your visa invite, to send in your visa application along with all of the required documents.

Now comes the tough part of waiting without any final date in sight. You have submitted your documents, expressed your interest, and followed all of the instructions. It is up to the Australian government to decide if your application will be approved. It can be several months before you hear back from them. However, you cannot forget to check your inbox during this time. Keep an eye out for emails from the Australian immigration, asking for any additional information. It is important that you respond with the required documents or information quickly.

Moving to a new country is a big decision and the immigration process is just part of that journey. It may be challenging, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. While this pretty much sums up the immigration process for Australia, the specific requirements vary based on the type of visa that you are seeking. So, let’s take a look at the Australian working visa and its different types in the next sections.

The Australian Working Visa

Applying for an Australian work visa involves proving your qualifications and skills. You also need to meet health and background check requirements set by the Australian immigration. You will also need to show that you have been sponsored by an approved business to apply for this visa. This means finding a job before you apply, so we’d suggest you get started right away.

There are plenty of online resources, including LinkedIn and job hunting websites, to help you secure a job in Australia. It’s all worth it once you get past the finish line and are allowed to start your professional life in Australia.

Types of the Australian Working Visas

It is important to understand the different types of work visas if you are considering a professional career in Australia. Each visa type has its own requirements and eligibility criteria that you will need to meet. Here we will be talking about the four most commonly applied types of Australian working visas: the Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa, the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189), the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa, and the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190).

Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa

This is a flexible option for skilled workers as it provides them with an option to work in Australia for a period of up to four years if their industry is listed on the STSOL (Short-Term Skilled Occupations List). You can still work for up to two years in Australia if your occupation isn’t included in the list.

To qualify for the Temporary Skill Shortage visa, you need to be sponsored by an Australian government-approved business. Here are the selection criteria that you will need to meet:

Proof of the necessary skills and qualifications for the job position
Meet the English language proficiency requirements in case of a non-U.S. or Canadian citizen
Have at least two years of relevant work experience in your respective field
Meet the health and criminal record check requirements

Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa

This is a permanent residence visa type for skilled workers who want to work long-term in the Australian job market. This visa type is split into three streams: the Direct Entry stream, the Temporary Residence Transition stream, and the Labour Agreement stream.

The eligibility requirements for the subclass 186 visa are:

Nomination by an approved Australian business
Age under 45 years old (exceptions allowed in some cases)
Proof that you meet the skills and qualifications requirements for your position
Meet the English language requirements for the position, if you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen
Health and police character requirements

Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)

This is a point-tested visa for skilled workers who are unable to secure a visa sponsor from an Australian business, family member, or nomination by a state or territory government. Getting a Skilled Independent visa will allow you to live and work in Australia as a permanent resident.

You need to:

Submit your Expression of Interest online
Have an occupation that is mentioned on the list
Meet the minimum points requirement

Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)

The Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa is a permanent visa option for skilled workers with a nomination from an Australian state or territory government. The eligibility requirements are:

Having a nomination
Having your occupation on the relevant skills list
Meeting the points test

Choosing from these visa types will depend on your preferences and long-term career goals. If you're looking for short-term work experience or aren't sure if you want to settle in Australia permanently, then the Temporary Skill Shortage visa will be more suitable for you. Similarly, the Employer Nomination Scheme visa is a great choice if you have long-term career plans of settling down in Australia.

Documents Required for the Australian Working Visa

Collecting your documents can seem daunting, but a well-organized folder and a clear understanding of each requirement can make life easier for you. Here are some of the major document types that you'll need to submit when applying for an Australian working visa.

Identification Documents

It goes without saying that identification documents are central to any visa application as they provide proof of your identity. Depending on your chosen visa type, you will need to provide the following identification documents:

A copy of your passport. Do check to make sure that your passport is valid for at least another six months after your period of stay in Australia is completed.
A copy of your Birth certificate to confirm your place of birth and date of birth.
A government-issued National ID copy, if applicable.
Clear and recent passport-sized photographs.

Educational Qualifications

It is clear by now that your educational background is important for the success of your Australian working visa application. The educational qualification documents that you will be asked to provide are:

Academic transcripts and certificates from all of the institutions you've attended in the past.
Copies of any additional qualifications or certifications that support your application and will make your chances of approval stronger.
Relevant work experience certificates to prove your work history and the skills that you've acquired over the course of your career so far. This can include letters from your past employers detailing your role in their organization, your main responsibilities, and also the dates of employment.

Health Examinations

You need to meet the Australian immigration’s health examination requirements to be eligible for a visa. The exact list of tests that you'll need to take may vary, but we have compiled a general list to give you an idea of what is included:

General medical examination report.
Chest x-ray and/or tuberculosis screening.
Other medical examinations as required by the Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection

The required test results that you need to submit will also depend on your age, occupation, and planned activities in Australia.

Reference Letters/Certificates

Reference letters and certificates will help you strengthen your visa application and can also serve as additional evidence of your skills, character, and career achievements. These include:

Letters of recommendation from past employers, college professors, and other professional contacts.
Police clearance certificates and character references to show that you are a law-abiding citizen in your home country and will not be a risk to law and order in Australia.

Please keep in mind that this is a general list and the exact documents that you need to submit will depend on our visa type and the time of application. We recommend referring to the list provided to you by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection so that you do not miss anything.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

There are some common mistakes that can cause delays in your visa application or even lead to rejection by Australian immigration.

We have compiled a list of some of these mistakes to help you be extra careful and submit your application properly.

Submitting an application without checking if you are even eligible for your chosen visa. To avoid this, it is a good idea to ensure that you meet all the requirements for the visa you're applying for.
Accidentally providing incorrect information is another common mistake. This is why, at Globeia, we recommend our clients to be careful while filling out forms and attaching their documents.
Leaving out some of the required information and submitting incomplete documents is also a common reason for visa refusal. Double-check, or even triple-check if needed, to ensure your application is complete before doing the final submission.

Written by :

We are a background screening and document verification agency in Toronto. While we cover the Greater Toronto Area for in-person appointments, the bulk of our clientele uses our online services from different countries of the world. Globeia makes it simple and cost-effective for companies and individuals to navigate governmental red tape without breaking the bank.

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