Moving to Australia

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Studying in Australia

Australia offers high-quality, world recognised qualifications through its many higher educational institutions. We’re also one of the top destinations for learning English in the world - which may come as a relief to migrants finding it difficult to grasp the language. So it’s little wonder we accept thousands of international students yearly. Find out how you can become one of them.

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• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
• 485 Visa Temporary Graduate: health insurance

Working in Australia

According to the finder.com.au Moving to Australia report, 45% of migrants find it difficult to secure work when they arrive, This doesn’t have to be the case for you. From temporary to permanent work, and regional placements to business ownership, there's a wealth of job opportunities for skilled migrants in Australia. Here’s what you need to know to start a successful working life in Australia.

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• Find a migration agent
• 457 Visa: health insurance
• Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC)

Finances in Australia

Some of the biggest stresses migrants face when moving to Australia include setting up a bank account, getting a credit card, and sorting out health insurance. Guess what? They're not as difficult as you might think. And, in case you were wondering, yes, you CAN organise much of your Australian financial needs online. Click on the links below to find out how.

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• Opening a bank account in Australia
• Getting adequate health insurance to meet your visa requirements
• Sending and receiving money to/from overseas
• Loans for non-residents
• Cost of living in Sydney

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the oldest age you can emigrate to Australia?

  For sponsorship visas there are no age requirements attached. However, for skilled permanent residency visas you will typically need to be less than 45 years of age. There are some exceptions, such as the Parent Visa or the Partner Visa, which do not have specific age limits.

• Can I move to Australia without a job?

  It is possible to move to Australia without a job, but there is strict eligibility criteria. You could apply for the Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189), which you must be invited to apply for. To be eligible, you must have at least 65 points in the points test. You will need a skills assessment proving your experience in your occupation, and then you must submit an Expression of Interest. There are only a certain number of places each year, and you will be ranked against other applicants to determine if you will be invited to apply. The more points you have and the more in-need of a skill you have, the more likely you are to be invited to apply.

• How much money do I need to immigrate to Australia?

  The cost to immigrate to Australia can vary on a number of factors, such as your visa type and personal circumstancs. If you're considering the temporary working holiday visa as an initial step, the visa costs as little as $650 AUD to apply. However, there is a requirement to have "enough money to support yourself" when you enter the country, which is usually around $5,000. Longer-term visas can cost between $7,000 and $15,000 AUD for visa fees, health checks and initial living costs.

• What are the rules for moving to Australia?

  The rules for moving to Australia depend on the visa category you are applying for. You will need a valid visa and to meet character requirements, which often requires police checks. Different visas have different criteria: some may require you to get a skill assessment or sponsorship through an Australian company. Depending on your nationality, you may also need to prove you have health insurance. You will also typically need to prove that you can support yourself financially when you first arrive.

• How can I move to Australia permanently?

  To move to Australia permanently you would need a permanent residency visa, such as the Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189) or the Partner Visa. Meeting eligibility criteria, including age, English proficiency, and work experience, is essential. You may also be able to transition to a permanent resident visa by being sponsored to work in Australia on a temporary work visa like the Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) and then applying for the permanent Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186). You will need to prove your length of employment and only certain occupations are eligible.

Money Smart Week Bronze Partner

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finder.com.au is a proud partner of MoneySmart Week, a weeklong event that encourages and awards efforts in the community to increase financial literacy. This year MoneySmart Week have organised a free challenge to sort out an area of your finances that needs attention. Get involved and help improve Australia's financial literacy today.