Living and Working in Australia
Visa Process
Once we receive the completed questionnaires and documents from you:
- We will liaise with you on any questions we have based on the information and documents you have provided;
- We will provide the draft Nomination to your employer and Visa application to you to review prior to lodgement;
- Once you and your employer have reviewed and approved the Nomination and Visa application it will be lodged with all supporting documents;
- You (and your family) undertake a medical examination;
- We will receive a decision on your visa application or liaise with you should the Department of Home Affairs (the Department) request any further information or have any questions on your application.
Evidence of employment
Evidence of employment may be a combination of the following:
- Employment reference letter (see below)
- Pay slips (one for each 6-month period of employment)
- Bank statements showing payment of wages
- Tax records – Notice of Assessment (Australia), P60/45 (UK) or other records
- Superannuation or Pension Fund records
- PAYG payment summary (Group certificate) (Australia) (or pre-filling report)
- Government labour books or employment records
- Other documents linking you to the relevant employer
Employment reference letter
Employment references should (please also refer to our template letter):
- Be written on the official letterhead of the company or government department providing the reference;
- The letterhead should indicate clearly the full address of the company and any telephone, fax numbers, email and website addresses;
- The name and position of the person authorized to sign the employment reference should be typed or stamped below that person’s signature;
- The contact telephone number of the person writing the reference should be included in the letter; and
- The letter should indicate the exact period of employment (including whether permanent or temporary, full or part time), position(s) held, the 5 main duties undertaken and the salary earned – positions should not be described by generic titles (eg. Research officer, public servant) but according to nature of duties undertaken (eg. Research chemist, accounts clerk).
English requirements
Applicants must meet the relevant English requirement for this visa. Read more
Family Relationships
Family members are able to be included in your visa application. Read more.
Australian Federal Police check (if applicable)
Australian police checks are valid for a period of 12 months. Instructions to apply available here.
Overseas Police checks
We will provide instructions on which police checks need to be completed and how to complete them.
- Re-use of ‘old’ police checks
Police checks are valid for 12 months, irrespective of any validity period specified by the overseas authority issuing the check. Police checks that were issued more than 12 months ago remain valid provided you do not spend more than 2 months in the issuing country from the date of issue of the check. As such, these checks can be re-used for your visa application. If there is any doubt about whether you have spent more than 2 months in the issuing country, we recommend that you request a new check.
Interviews
Phone interviews can occur for all visa types. Please be aware that at any time after lodgement of the application, the Department may contact you by phone without warning to ask questions about any aspect of the application. This may include questions about your current or proposed employment, partner relationship, previous visa applications or any other matter.
Social Media
The Department may also access publicly available social or other media to confirm that claims made in the application are correct. Please adjust your social media settings accordingly or update relevant information.
Payment for visas
It is now a criminal offence to pay for, or receive, a benefit for agreeing to sponsor someone for a visa. Civil penalties may also apply.
