Visa info

Hi all, just wondering how the visa process is for Australia. I am planning to move there in September and trying to figure which visa would be best. Can some of you give me some ideas on which visa you applied for and the processing time. I have a degree in Social Work and would like to practice while in Australia. Thanks for all your help.

Hey, I applied to an engineering company in Wollongong and they sponsored me for the subclass 457 work visa for 4 years. This is the best and easiest way to get a visa. You get the LAFH bonus on your salary as well which is non-taxable plus relocation assistance.
I guess I got lucky. The visa process in total took about 10 weeks. It took this long since I was putting my GF on my visa to be able to work as well.
Temporary work visas are easy to get except they have to get renewed every 6 months I think and you can't be in australia when you apply again(I was told just to fly to New Zealand for the weekend and do it there)

So in short, time is not of the essence since we're all part of the commonwealth but it is soooo much easier when you're sponsored by a company. the only downside is that you must remain with that company. if you quit or get fired, the visa is null and you need to get another sponsor.

The process is a bit complicated but just go through it step by step and all the immigration company employees are extremely helpful. They make it easy and straightforward.

So this is my advice. Good luck!

Ja&Ka

thanks for the info. I am hoping to have my BF come along with me to Australia. He is an Italian citizen so things becoming a little bit more complicated. Currently looking into sponsorship at the moment once my overseas qualifications have been assessed. I am thinking of Brisbane or Melbourne.