Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Choose the type of work permit you wish to apply for. Both temporary and permanent Australian work visas exist. Temporary work permits are easier to obtain in many cases and last for a maximum of four years. Permanent work permits last for four years, following which the applicant is permitted to make application for permanent Australian residency. Different types of work permits exist within these two categories as well. Find the recommended work visa type for you by entering your information into the Australian Government's Visa Wizard at www.immi.gov.au (see resources).
Locate your type of employment on the Skilled Worker List from the Australian Government Department of Immigration and Citizenship website at www.immi.gov.au (see resources).
Contact the assessing authority for your type of employment with the information provided on the Skilled Worker List. Request a list of information that you will be required to provide to the assessment authority.
Gather and prepare any documentation required by the assessing authority. This required information will normally include birth certificate, proof of education (such as a college degree) and proof that you have recently worked in the occupation that you are being assessed for (such as paycheck stubs). When proving work experience in the field, it is necessary to show that you have worked a minimum of 20 hours a week for at least 12 of the last 24 months. In the absence of work experience in the applicable field, students who obtained a degree in the field in the last 16 months may furnish proof of that degree to the assessing authority.
Take the English proficiency test if you are required to do so. If you hold a registered passport and are a citizen of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, or the Republic of Ireland, you are not required to prove English proficiency. If your home country is any other country, you will be required to take either the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Occupational English Test (OET) as proof of English proficiency. The IELTS test may be taken in your home country in most cases. Visit the IELTS website at www.ielts.org (See resources) to find a testing location near you.
Complete and sign the work permit application, and sign the Australian Values Statement. At this time, pay the work visa application fee. This fee may range from $265 to $7165 AUD, with a wide variation in fees according to the specific type of work permit requested.