Emigration to Australia – Overview

The place to start the emigration process is the official website of The Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) – which can be found at: www.immi.gov.au/ and Booklet 6 , General Skilled Migration (Form 1119) represents the “Bible” of the Australian immigrant.
In order not to have surprises in terms of up-to-date information and forms (due to the fact that things change in a relatively short period of time – about three times a year, in March, July and November), the best download – you have the respective forms directly from the official website of DIMIA, and you will not complicate it by taking them from other unofficial sources.
Make sure that what and how you fill in the forms correspond completely to the documents you will attach (calendar dates, names of institutions) and keep a copy of each paper you have sent so as not to risk being caught on your feet. wrong if you are asked for certain information that has been mentioned in another form before.
Also, if you did not understand very well what is written in a certain form, read it again until you understand it, because any discrepancy can create suspicions on the part of the emigration officer, which can lead to complications of the file and in the end maybe even refusing a visa.

The emigration process

The information below is based on Booklet 6 – General Skilled Migration.
In order to be eligible for emigration to Australia, you must first meet certain basic conditions regarding:
– age not exceeding 45 years from the date of application;
– English language proficiency that is tested by means of the IELTS test, the minimum acceptable score being 5 in each of the 4 bands (for a certain visa category a score of 4.5 is also acceptable, but this is an excepted case);
– studies , being necessary at least high school;
– nominated occupation, which must be found on the list of occupations in Australia, respectively on the Skilled Occupations List (SOL) which can be found at www.immi.gov.au according to this classification, occupations are divided into 3 categories: occupations worth 60 points, occupations worth 50 points and occupations worth 40 points respectively – recent professional experience , which must be at least 12 months out of the last 18 months in the case of occupations of 60 points and of minimum 2 years from the last 3 years for occupations of 40 or 50 points

There are certain exceptions to the rule regarding language proficiency for those who have studied English at university level (for example, the Faculty of Economic Studies in Foreign Languages ??within the Academy of Economic Studies, Bucharest) or if they are native speakers of the language. English.
There are also certain exceptions in terms of recent professional experience, for certain occupations such as managers requiring a larger number of years to be able to obtain positive equivalence (five years more precisely in the case of managers), or in in the case of those who have studied in Australia for at least 2 years, it is not necessary to meet this condition, if they submit the emigration form within 6 months from the date of completion of the studies.
In order to fulfill the basic requirement regarding the nomination of an occupation to be found on SOL, it is necessary to equate the professional qualification (skills assessment) by the relevant professional body in Australia (such as in Romania for accountants). CECCAR)

Once these basic requirements have been met, the type of visa to be chosen must be chosen, as there are several types of visas, from this point of view, namely:
1. Temporary Visas :
a) Graduate Skilled (Temporary) (Class UQ, subclass 497)– for those foreign students in Australia who intend to apply for residency, allowing them to extend the period of expiration of their student visa with which they came with another 6 months from the date of completion of studies, this will be the deadline until to which they can submit the emigration form; this additional period of time is justified by the period of equivalence of the profession, which can last between a few weeks and a few months, depending on the occupation.
b) Skilled Independent Regional (Provisional) (Class UX, subclass 495)– this type of visa is intended for those who cannot meet the current 120-point passmark, but who accumulate at least 110 points, and entitle the holder to live and work in Australia for a period of 3 years in certain areas less economically attractive (regional Australia / low population growth metropolitan areas – broadly the rest of Australia except metropolitan areas / capital cities, ie: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Canberra and the entire Australian Capital Territory; as an exception this category includes the entire state of South Australia, including the capital Adelaide), following that after the first 2 years, if the applicant has complied with the obligation to live in these more disadvantaged areas,and proves that he has been employed for at least 12 months in the employment nominated in the emigration file, can apply for a permanent visa without any further restrictions on mobility in Australia.

2. Permanent Visas :
a) Offshore General Skilled :
– Skilled-Independent (Class BN, subclass 136) – this visa is intended for workers who intend to settle in Australia and is responsible for the largest number of Australian residents granted. In order to apply for this type of visa it is necessary:
 ·  to satisfy the basic requirements, stated above;
 ·  To meet a score of at least 120 points;
 ·  To name an existing occupation on SOL.
– Skilled-State Territory Nominated Independent (Class BN, subclass 137)– this visa is for those with certain qualifications or professions on the shortage list, ie for which the Australian labor market cannot cover the demand based on the local labor supply. In this case, the applicant is sponsored by the respective state in order to be able to apply, giving priority to this type of visa, but it does not mean that he is provided with a job. It should be mentioned that not all states participate in this type of visa, and the applicant has the obligation to establish and employ for the first 2 years only in that state that sponsored him.
– Skilled Matching (Class BR, subclass 134)– similar to the previous one, only in this case the sponsorship comes from an employer and not from a state. It should be noted that this type of visa is not subject to the points test.
– Skilled-Designated Area Sponsored (Class BQ, subclass 139) – this type of visa is for those who have relatives in a specific area of ??Australia and are willing to sponsor them. The applicant’s category includes those who have the following types of kinship with the sponsor:
 ·  child (adoptive, natural or stepbrother)
 ·  parent
 ·  sibling (including stepbrother or adoptive)
 ·  uncle / granddaughter of uncle (including stepbrother or adoptive)
 ·  Primary var
 · nephew
Even in this case it is not necessary to evaluate based on the score.
– Skilled-Australian Sponsored (Class BQ, subclass 138) – similar to the previous one only in this case the applicant can only have the following types of kinship with the sponsor:
 ·  child (adoptive, natural or stepbrother)
 ·  parent
 ·  sibling ( including stepfather or adoptive  parent )
 · uncle / granddaughter of the uncle (including stepbrother or adoptive parent)
Please note that the evaluation based on the score is necessary.

b) Onshore General Skilled :
– Skilled-Independent Overseas Student (Class DD, subclass 880)– This type of visa is intended for foreign students who wish to settle in Australia upon completion of their studies. In this regard, applicants must
 ·  meet the basic requirements
 ·  meet the score
 ·  nominate an occupation on the SOL
 ·  obtain an equivalent for a 60-point job or hold an Australian doctoral degree, in which case also nominates a 50-point job
– Skilled-Designated Area Sponsored Overseas Student (Class DE, subclass 882)– this type of visa is also intended for foreign students, who at the end of their studies wish to settle in Australia, but unlike the previous one, allows the nomination of a 50-point job without the condition of an Australian doctorate, if the applicant finds a sponsor with whom he / she has a family relationship
 ·  child (adoptive, natural or stepchild)
 ·  parent
 ·  sibling (including stepbrother or adoptive)
 ·  uncle / grandchild (uncle or stepchild)
 ·  primary cousin
 ·  grandchild
– Skilled- Australian Sponsored Overseas Student (Class DE, subclass 881)– the only difference between this type of visa and the previous one consists in the fact that in this case the applicant can have towards the sponsor the quality of
 ·  child (adoptive, natural or stepbrother)
 ·  parent
 ·  brother / sister (including stepbrother or adoptive)
 ·  nephew / uncle’s niece (including stepfather or adoptive)

c) Onshore New Zealand Citizen :
– Skilled-Onshore Independent New Zealand Citizen (Class DB, subclass 861)
– Skilled-Onshore Designated Area Sponsored New Zealand Citizen (Class DB, subclass 863)
– Skilled -Onshore Australian Sponsored New Zealand Citizen (Class DB, subclass 862)

Once the applicant knows what type of visa to apply for, follow the points test for those visa categories that require it. This points test represents a selection or evaluation grid according to several criteria. For those who apply for the Skilled-Independent visa category (Class BN, subclass 136) which is also the most common, passing this test is essential. Points are awarded for:
 ·  qualification;
 ·  Age;
 ·  Language proficiency in English;
 ·  Specific professional experience;
 ·  Occupation in demand (possibly with job offer);
 ·  Australian qualifications;
 ·  Completed studies or residency in certain regional areas
 · The  qualifications of the spouse;
 ·  Blood relationship (Australian Sponsored visas only).

You can also receive bonus points for:
 ·  investing in Australia, or
 ·  Australian professional experience, or
 ·  fluency in one of the languages ??of major Australian communities (other than English).
In order to pass this scoring test, a score at least equal to or higher than the passport in force for the respective visa category on the date of application must be met. If the score obtained is lower, it means that you have obtained a poolmark, ie a score with which you are waiting 2 years from the date of application, in the hope that maybe the score for that visa category will decrease or in the hope that it will be will invent another type of visa for which the score obtained would be sufficient (as was the case with the CRS). In this regard, the necessary score should be checked 

Calculating the score

1. Qualification – this score is awarded according to the nominated occupation, and can be found on form 1121i – Skilled Occupations List, and obtaining it is conditional on obtaining a positive equivalence from the relevant professional body. From this point of view, occupations are divided into 3 categories:
a) occupations worth 60 points (managers, psychologists, accountants, engineers, computer scientists, nurses, lawyers, architects, pharmacists, doctors, some teachers, craftsmen, etc.);
b) occupations worth 50 points (economists, journalists, mathematicians, biologists, secretaries, meteorologists, industrial pharmacists, sales representatives, some teachers);
c) occupations worth 40 points (fishermen, sailors, assistants, technicians);

2. Age – is considered at the time of application, and is scored as follows:
a) between 18 and 29 years – 30 points;
b) between 30 and 34 years – 25 points;
c) between 34 and 39 years old – 20 points;
d) between 40 and 44 years – 15 points;
e) after 45 years you are no longer considered eligible
Age is proven based on the birth certificate; for example, if you turn 30 on April 1, and the forms have been received and registered (lodged date) on March 31, it means that you receive the score for the age category between 18 and 29, ie 30 points

3. Linguistic competence in English – from this point of view there are only two categories:
a) Competent English for those who have obtained at least grade 6 in each of the 4 bands of the IELTS test for which it is awarded – 20 points;
a) Vocational English for those who have obtained at least a grade of 5 in each of the 4 bands of the IELTS test for which it is awarded – 15 points;
Language proficiency is usually proven by taking the IELTS test, which you can learn more about at www.ielts.org or www.britishcouncil.org/romania . Other tests such as TOEFL, Cambridge are not accepted.
Native speakers, or those who have studied in English, automatically obtain the score corresponding to the level of Competent English, respectively 20 points

4.Specific professional experience – points are awarded if you have worked in 3 of the last 4 years prior to application:
a) if the nominated occupation is worth 60 points and you have worked in the nominated occupation in 3 of the last 4 years, 10 points are awarded;
b) if the nominated occupation is worth 40, 50 or 60 and you have worked in any occupation on SOL in 3 of the last 4 years, 5 points are awarded;
Proof of professional experience is usually provided by references, which can be verified by telephone or even on the spot by an official at the Australian Embassy in Belgrade. Therefore, workbooks are of little value.

5. Required occupation / job offer– if the nominated occupation is also on the list of occupations in demand on the Australian labor market (Migration Occupations in Demand List – MODL which can be found on the DIMIA website) or you also have a secure job offer is granted points as follows:
a) if the nominated occupation is required and you also have a definite full-time job offer from an organization that has hired at least 10 people in the last 24 months – 20 points;
b) if the nominated occupation is on the list of occupations in demand on the Australian labor market but you do not have a definite job offer – 15 points;

6. Australian qualification– if you have studied in Australia for a period of at least 2 years, you can receive points as follows:
a) for a doctoral degree obtained after a period of study of at least 2 years – 15 points;
b) for a master’s degree obtained after a period of study of at least 1 year and together with a bachelor’s degree obtained after a period of study of at least 1 year, totaling at least 2 years – 10 points;
c) for a post-secondary diploma to be obtained after a study period of at least 2 years – 5 points;

7. Residence in certain parts of Australia– if you have lived and studied in certain economically disadvantaged regions of Australia (regional Australia / low population growth metropolitan areas) for a period of at least 2 years, you can receive – 5 points.

8. Qualification of the spouse – if you are married and the spouse meets the basic requirements in terms of age, English language proficiency, qualification, nominated occupation and recent work experience and to obtain an equivalence positive from the relevant professional body is also awarded – 5 points.

9. Bonus – 5 extra points can be awarded for one of the following situations:
a) investment in Australia of at least AUD $ 100,000 for at least 12 months, or
b) Australian professional experience of at least 6 months in the last 48 months prior to application, or
c) fluency in one of the languages ??of the major Australian communities ( including the Romanian community).
But be aware that no more than 5 points can be awarded, so even if you have $ 100,000 AUD to invest and you are fluent in Romanian, you will still receive only 5 points.

10. Family ties – can only be granted in the case of Skilled-Australian Sponsored visas, if the main applicant or his / her spouse has the status of
– child (adoptive, natural or stepbrother)
– parent
– sibling (including stepbrother or adoptive)
– Uncle’s grandchild (including step-grandparent or adoptive parent)
to the Australian relative who will be the sponsor.

After calculating the score and checking if the basic conditions and the current level of the passmark for the respective visa category are met, the following is
– filling in the 47SK form,
– sending it together with all the documents attached by mail to the address:

or by courier to:

all documents must be sent in a certified copy accompanied by an authorized translation. Be careful not to send the original documents, as you will not receive them back.
– payment of the file processing fee in the amount of AUD $ 1845 (according to the Form that can be done at the moment with the Typhoon card issued by BancPost.
If you do not want to use the services of the Romanian Post, due to shipping risks, there several fast courier services that can be used, such as: DHL, TNT, UPS, FedEx (see www.emigarare.info for links), different in terms of fees and options offered ( shipping time, security).

For applications submitted after July 1, 2004, the time to receive medical forms has been reduced to only a few weeks from the date of receipt and registration of the application (lodgement date).
The medical examination is performed at the Clinic of the French Village – General medicine, family medicine and emergency medicine which can be found at Soseaua Nordului no. 119.
A telephone number where you can call for appointments is 232.35.80 (hours are Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 17:00, Saturday 11:00 to 12:00), Dr. Ioana Mateescu and Dr. Ileana Mateescu
The medical examination costs 70 € in this money being included the radiography (which alone would cost 15 €) To this is added the cost of the expedition by TNT which is still 60 €
Also, along with the medical tests, the criminal record must be sent.
If all goes well, you should receive a visa in approximately 2-4 months from the submission of the file, depending on the period in which you send (Christmas), complications that may occur in the file, whether or not the nominated occupation is MODL, the courier through which you send documents, etc …

Finally, I think it would be useful to repeat the main steps to be taken

1. Checking the fulfillment of the basic conditions
2. Choice of visa type
3. Calculating the score
4. IELTS exam *
5. Obtaining professional equivalence
6. Sending the file
7. Performing medical tests and obtaining a criminal record
8. Sending a passport to Belgrade for a visa

* It is not always necessary to take the IELTS exam prior to professional equivalence, but only for certain occupations for which the relevant professional bodies require a certain level of English language proficiency which can be proved precisely by this test, as is the case of engineers – IEAust.

PS This information is not exhaustive and does not represent legal advice for emigration.