Australia Work Visa for Indians

Australia offers various types of work visas for foreign nationals and Indians seeking employment opportunities in the country. These visas serve as legal permits for residency and work, allowing individuals to work in both the public and private sectors. The application process and requirements vary depending on the specific visa category.

Depending on the visa category, the foreign worker may need to undergo a skill assessment to prove their qualifications and expertise in their chosen occupation. This assessment is conducted by designated assessing authorities recognised by the Australian government.

Once the visa application is submitted, the Department of Home Affairs will assess the application and all the relevant documents. Once these are approved, the foreign worker will be granted a work visa to work and live in Australia for a specified period. The visa grant letter will contain important details, such as visa conditions and the validity period.

With the work visa granted, the foreign worker can plan their travel to Australia. They must carry their visa grant letter and other relevant documents for immigration clearance upon arrival.

Australia offers several work permit visa types for Indian nationals who wish to work there. Each visa category has specific requirements and conditions. Here are the key work permit visa types available for Indian nationals in Australia:

1. Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa (subclass 482):

The Temporary Skill Shortage visa allows skilled workers to work in Australia for up to four years. It has three streams:

• Short-Term Stream: For occupations on the Short-Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL). Allows a stay of up to two years.

• Medium-Term Stream: For occupations on the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) or the Regional Occupation List (ROL). Allows a stay of up to four years and may lead to permanent residency.

• Labour Agreement Stream: For workers sponsored under a labour agreement between the employer and the Australian government.

2. Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189):

The Skilled Independent visa is a points-based visa that allows skilled workers to live and work in Australia permanently. It is for individuals who have occupations listed on the MLTSSL and meet other eligibility criteria. This visa does not require sponsorship from an employer or a state/territory government.

3. Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190):

The Skilled Nominated visa is a points-based visa that allows skilled workers to live and work in Australia permanently. It requires nomination by an Australian state or territory government agency and having an occupation listed on the MLTSSL or the Regional Occupation List (ROL).

4. Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa (subclass 186):

The Employer Nomination Scheme visa allows skilled workers to work in Australia permanently. It requires sponsorship by an approved Australian employer. There are three streams: Temporary Residence Transition, Direct Entry, and Agreement.

5. Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) Visa (subclass 187):

The Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa allows skilled workers to work in regional areas of Australia permanently. It requires sponsorship by an approved Australian employer in a designated regional area. This visa has three streams: Temporary Residence Transition, Direct Entry, and Agreement.

The documentation required for an Australia work visa can vary depending on the specific visa category you are applying for. However, here is a general overview of the documents commonly required:

1.Passport: You will need a valid passport with at least six months of validity remaining.

2.Visa application form: You will need to complete and submit the appropriate visa application form online through the Department of Home Affairs website.

3.Employment-related documents:

• A job offer/employment contract from an Australian employer (if applying for an employer-sponsored visa).

• Proof of relevant work experiences, such as reference letters, employment contracts, or payslips.

• Educational qualifications, including degree certificates or diplomas.

4.English language proficiency:

• Proof of English language proficiency (e.g., IELTS, TOEFL, PTE) for some visa categories.

5.Health requirements:

• Completed health examinations conducted by approved panel doctors. This may include a medical examination, chest X-ray, and blood tests.

• Overseas police clearance certificates to demonstrate good character, depending on the visa category.

6.Financial documents:

• Evidence of sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay in Australia, such as bank statements or financial declarations.

7.Identity documents:

• Birth certificate or national identification card.

• Marriage certificate or evidence of a de facto relationship (if applicable).

8.Proof of relevant licences or registrations:

9. Depending on your occupation, you may need to provide evidence of relevant licenses, registrations, or memberships.

1. Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa:

• Sponsorship documents from the approved employer, including sponsorship approval letter.

• Labour Market Testing (LMT) evidence which demonstrates that the position could not be filled locally.

• Training benchmarks if the sponsoring employer is an Australian business.

2. Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa:

• Employer nomination documents, including the nomination approval letter from the employer.

• Evidence that the nominated position is genuine and available.

• Market salary evidence showing that the salary offered meets the market rate for the occupation.

4. Skilled Independent (subclass 189) visa:

• Skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your occupation.

• Expression of Interest (EOI) reference number and points test result.

• Evidence of recent work experience in your nominated occupation.

5. Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa:

• Nomination by an Australian state or territory government.

• State or territory nomination approval letter.

• Evidence of a genuine commitment to living and working in the nominating state or territory.
  You may also refer to the Department of Home Affairs website for the documentation required for the specific visa you are applying for.

When applying for an Australia work visa permit, it is important to understand the processing time of the visa you have applied for. This can enable you to make other preparations for your move, such as getting your financial resources ready or arranging for accommodation in Australia.
Though the processing time for each visa will depend on the duration of your employment and the stream of application, here is the approximate processing time for all the working visa types. Alternatively, you can also visit the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs official website to know about the processing time in greater detail:

• Visit the official website of the Department of Home Affairs.

• Click on Online Services at the footer of the page.

• Select ImmiAccount to apply for a visa.

• Start by creating your ImmiAccount and enter your user and account details.

• After logging in, click New Application, choose the application from the list and read all the terms and conditions.

• Fill in all the details as needed, and then select which documents you want to attach from the list.

• You can also attach documents that are not on the list by selecting ‘Other Documents’ under ‘Additional Documents’.

• After this step, you can simply submit your Australia work visa application.
  Using the ImmiAccount, you can also save incomplete applications for a later date, update the details and check messages on your visa application.

If you are an Indian who is applying for an Australia work visa, you will need to provide your biometrics are the Australian Biometrics Collection Centre (ABCC). You can simply check a list of Australian Embassy/High Commission/Consulate-General offices outside Australia where you can get an appointment to proceed with the biometrics program and know the amount that needs to be paid as a service fee.

Here is how you can start the process:

• Your photograph will be taken with a digital camera.

• All 10 of your fingerprints will be scanned with a digital scanner.

• A parent or guardian must accompany anyone below 16 years or an individual who does not understand the biometrics process.

• There is no need to collect fingerprints of children under 5 years; only the photograph will be taken.

• In case of injuries to your face or fingers, wait until the injuries have healed before the biometrics process.

• If the applicant is missing a finger, fingerprints of the remaining fingers will be collected.

• Contact your Australian Biometrics Collection Centre (ABCC) to know if you can opt for biometrics if your hands are covered with henna, mehendi or any temporary tattoos.

• Contact your AVAC or ABCC to find out if you can still give fingerprints if you have a mehndi or other temporary decoration of your hands or fingers.

• If you are wearing glasses or your head is covered due to religious reasons, you will still need to have your photo taken. However, if you are asked to remove your head covering, your photo and fingerprints will be collected privately by a person of the same gender.

Your biometrics are used to help protect you from identity fraud and also to protect Australia from any threats. The biometric information is stored in a protected database and may be checked with any Australian or international agency to verify your background and safeguard your identity.

The fees for Australia work permit visa fees in India can vary depending on the specific visa category and individual circumstances. Here is an approximation of the working visa in Australia cost:

Additional charges may apply for each dependent included in the application. It is important to consider that there may be other costs involved in the visa application process, such as health assessments, police clearance certificates, and migration agent fees if you choose to engage one.

Check the status of your Australia work visa application online by following these steps:

• Visit the official website of the Australian Government – Department of Home Affairs.

• Click on the Check Visa Details and Conditions.

• Visa holders can use the Visa Entitlement Verification Online system (VEVO) to see their current visa details and conditions.

• To see your visa details and conditions you will need information from a travel document such as your passport or ImmiCard. You will also need either a transaction reference number (TRN), a visa grant number or a visa evidence number. New Zealand citizens on Special Category visa (subclass 444) can use their VEVO password to access the VEVO system.

• Check your visa details with VEVO and select any one of the following travel documents:

• a passport

• an ImmiCard

• a convention travel document – also known as a Titre de Voyage

• a document for travel to Australia (DFTTA)

• a PLO56 evidence card

• Under 'Reference Type', choose any one and then type in the number:

• transaction reference number (TRN)

• visa grant number

• visa evidence number

• VEVO password

• Enter your personal information, such as your date of birth, along with your passport number or ImmiCard number. If you use your passport in VEVO, choose the country that issued your passport. For Titre de Voyage (TDV), enter the ‘country’ as the ‘nationality’ shown in the TDV. ImmiCard users need not select a country.

• Accept the terms and conditions of VEVO and submit all the correctly filled-in information.
  You can also use the VEVO mobile application to view and email your visa details. Follow the steps as given below:

• Download the myVEVO app from the Apple iTunes store or Google Play store free of cost.

• Create a personal identification number (PIN), which is your secure code number, to access your visa details through the myVEVO app. You can also set up a fingerprint scan to access myVEVO.

• Under ‘Document Type,’ select passport or ImmiCard and keep the chosen document ready.

• Enter your personal information, such as your date of birth and your passport number or ImmiCard number.

• Accept the terms and conditions and submit the information.

You can also email your visa information from the VEVO app to your employer, landlord or government office. To do so:

• Access your details

• Click on 'Send Email'

• Select 'Send Email' to visit the 'Create email' page.

Here is the contact information for obtaining Indian Consular Services through the official VFS Global website:

Here are some of the main reasons why your Australia work permit visa may get rejected:

• Failing to provide all the required documents or providing incorrect information can lead to a visa rejection.

• Each visa category has specific eligibility criteria. If you do not meet the requirements, such as qualifications, work experience, or language proficiency, your application may be rejected.

• If you have a serious health condition that could pose a threat to public health or if you have a criminal record, your application may be rejected.

• If you cannot provide the proof of funds needed during your stay in Australia, your application may be rejected.

• Not having a genuine employer's sponsorship or any discrepancies in the information provided can lead to your application being rejected.

• If you have previously violated visa conditions or overstayed your authorised period of stay in Australia, such a breach may affect your visa application.

• If there are any concerns about your background or associations that could pose a security risk to the nation, your application may be rejected.

• If the government has imposed stricter criteria or quotas, your application may be rejected. Hence, stay updated on the most recent policy changes to avoid any hassles.

Travel insurance is an essential requirement, no matter which country you travel to. However, when obtaining an Australia work visa for Indians, this is one of the important documents that is required during the process.

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Tata AIG offers a range of different travel insurance plans that you can buy online in a few simple steps. Moreover, if you are concerned about the policy premiums, we also enable you to calculate the premiums online so that you can choose a suitable coverage amount that matches your budget.
Knowing that you are covered by comprehensive and extensive travel insurance coverage takes away all the stress of protecting yourself from unknown risks and emergencies. This will, in turn, enable you to procure your Australia work visa and plan your trip to Australia more efficiently.

If you are visiting Australia before applying for a work visa or simply taking a holiday, these are some of the popular spots you can visit:

- Sydney Opera House (Sydney, New South Wales): One of the most iconic and recognizable buildings in the world, the Sydney Opera House is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It hosts a variety of performing arts events and offers stunning views of Sydney Harbour.

- Great Barrier Reef (Queensland): The world's largest coral reef system, the Great Barrier Reef is a paradise for divers and snorkelers. It is home to abundant marine life and vibrant coral formations.

- Uluru (Northern Territory): Formerly known as Ayers Rock, Uluru is a sacred site for the Indigenous Anangu people. This massive sandstone rock formation is renowned for its changing colours at sunrise and sunset, making it a mesmerizing natural wonder.

- Great Ocean Road (Victoria): This scenic coastal drive stretches for over 240 kilometres, offering stunning views of rugged cliffs, beautiful beaches, and the Twelve Apostles rock formations. It is a popular route for road trips and offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities.

- Daintree Rainforest (Queensland): Located in the tropical north, the Daintree Rainforest is one of the oldest rainforests in the world. It has unique flora and fauna, including rare species like the endangered cassowary.

- Bondi Beach (Sydney, New South Wales): Known for its golden sand and crystal-clear waters, Bondi Beach is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike. It is perfect for swimming, surfing, and relaxing by the shore.

When you travel to Australia, you will need to have a travel insurance policy that can help safeguard you against a number of emergencies when abroad. Your travel insurance plan can protect you with adequate insurance coverage, including lost or delayed baggage or a medical emergency.

Since travelling to a foreign country such as Australia will incur several other expenses, including a working visa for Australia, ensure that your travel insurance plan has sufficient coverage with reasonable premiums. With Tata AIG, you can easily procure a travel insurance policy online and customise the plan as per your needs!

We also assure you of a 24-hour customer service team that can help you with all your policy-related queries at all times. Hence, if you do face an emergency on your trip, we can help you claim your travel insurance policy without any hassles.

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How to get a working visa in Australia?

To procure a working visa in Australia, you will need to determine the type of visa that matches your qualifications and the work you intend to do in Australia.

Once you have selected the appropriate visa, gather, and submit the required documentation, including proof of qualifications, health and character certificates, and evidence of English proficiency.

Is an Australian working visa hard to get?

The process of obtaining an Australia work visa can vary depending on various factors such as the visa category, your qualifications, and the demand for your skills in Australia.
For instance, some visa categories, like the Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa, require sponsorship from an approved employer, which means you need to secure a job offer before applying.

Additionally, you may need to demonstrate your qualifications, English proficiency, and health and character requirements.

Can I work in Australia as an Indian citizen?

Yes, as an Indian citizen, you can work in Australia under certain conditions and by obtaining the appropriate visa. There are several visa options available for Indian citizens who wish to work in Australia.

Information last updated July '23.
While this information is sourced reliably, visa requirements can change. For the most current visa details, visit the official Consulate/Embassy website.