Australia is a country that attracts thousands of immigrants from around the world on an annual basis. The several dynamic career opportunities offered by industries in Australia make this country a top destination for professionals worldwide. One of the advantages of pursuing a career in Australia is that the government gives back to its employed population. This includes generous benefits such as pensions. If you meet the requirements for an Age Pension, you will also receive access to numerous discounts. To name a few include discounts on health, medicine, and government services! If being a part of this engaging, productive, and bustling economy is on your agenda, here is everything you need to know about procuring an Australian work visa! 

What type of Australian working visa will you need? 

If you have the skills and capabilities to contribute to Australia’s workforce and economy, you may be eligible to apply for an Australian working visa. 

Some of the top Australian working visa types you should know about include- 

Temporary skill shortage visa 

If you need to fill a temporary skills shortage for an Australian employer, you are eligible to apply for a temporary skill shortage visa. This visa allows you to work in Australia for up to four years, as long as an approved Australian employer sponsor you. 

Employer nomination scheme visa 

This is a type of Australian working visa for employers looking to sponsor skilled workers for full-time employment. You will need to have the relevant qualifications and work experience to nominate for an eligible, skilled occupation. Each employer will have specific work experience criteria that you need to meet. 

Skilled employer-sponsored regional (provisional) visa 

The skilled employer-sponsored regional Australian working visa is a provisional visa that allows you to stay for 5 years. You need to employ in a nominated occupation and you should be in a permanent position within the sponsoring business or the associated entity. The business should also be located in a designated regional area of Australia. Some of the benefits offered by this visa include a pathway to permanent residency. 

Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) 

Under the DAMA Australian working visa, employers are given permission to sponsor skilled & semi-skilled overseas workers. These workers are employed to fill positions that local candidates cannot. This type of visa is only applicable to states with DAMA agreements and is specifically to address the current and growing labour market shortages. 

Working holiday visa 

The working holiday visa is an ideal choice if you are looking for an extended holiday in Australia, in addition to finding short-term employment for funds. This type of work visa is typically provided to individuals between the ages of 18 and  35 years and provides you with the opportunity to live and work in Australia for not more than 3 years. 

Training visa 

If you do additional workplace training to obtain an occupational registration or license, the training visa is one of the best options to consider. This is a visa for people who want to live in Australia temporarily to participate in professional development or occupational training. 

Work & holiday visa 

The work and holiday visa is for young adults who want to vacation and work in the country for up to 3 years. The visa offers the holder an extended holiday in Australia and gives them the ability to fund their trip. 

Temporary work (short stay specialist) visa 

With a temporary work visa, you can stay in Australia for up to 3 months when required. In limited and exceptional circumstances, the visa grants residence in the country for a maximum of 6 months. You will have to place a request for the 6 months when applying for this type of visa. 

What about self-employment visas in Australia? 

There are two streams for Australia’s Business Talent (Permanent) visa or self-employment visa for applicants- 

• Venture Capital Entrepreneur 
• Significant Business History 

The first is for individuals who have sourced venture capital from a member of the Australian Investment Council (AIC) and are seeking to operate an existing or new business venture. The latter is for experienced business owners seeking to operate new or existing businesses in Australia. 

For the Venture Capital Entrepreneur stream, you will need to have secured a minimum of AUD 1 million in funding for a high-value business idea. 

For the Significant Business History stream, you will need a business that has a net value of at least AUD 1.5 million. The business should also have an annual turnover of AUD 3 million for at least two of the four fiscal years immediately prior to the invitation for an application. As the ownership interest, the total net assets should also be around AUD 400,000.