Select your job skills from the Australian government's "Skilled Occupation List." Send evidence of job skills--such as academic transcripts, university diplomas and work references--to the relevant assessing body, found at immi.gov.au/asri. This authority must approve your job skills before you apply for a work visa.
Apply for a visa. Visit the Department of Immigration and Citizenship's "Visa Wizard" to determine which visa is best for your situation. If you have a prearranged job in Australia, apply under the employer nomination scheme. If you want to find work after moving to Australia, apply for an independent skilled migrant visa. Complete your visa application on the Department of Immigration and Citizenship website. Include all supporting documents. Submit the completed application online or by post to the nearest Australian consulate.
Enter your work information on the Australian government's Skill Matching Database at immi.gov.au/skills to get a head start on job hunting. You may do this as you wait for work visa approval. This allows Australian employers to review your experience, and you might get an early job offer. Visit Australian job-hunting websites such as seek.com.au.
Put your house on the market or give your landlord notice several months before your move, as Working In's "Moving to Australia Checklist" recommends. Book temporary accommodations and transportation to greet you when you arrive in Australia.
Prepare for a smooth transition to Australia. Give notice at work three months before you plan to move. Register your children at schools in Australia.
Sell unwanted furniture and ship necessary belongings to Australia in the final three months before you move. Open an Australian bank account and transfer funds. During the last month, cancel all subscriptions, such as newspapers and cable.
Apply for a tax file number as soon as possible after arriving in Australia. The Department of Immigration and Citizenship states that this is the first thing immigrants should do. Tax file numbers allow Australian residents to receive paychecks for the work they do.
Register with Medicare in Australia. The Department of Immigration and Citizenship urges immigrants to do this seven to 10 days after landing in the country.
Register for Centrelink, especially if you are still looking for a job after arriving in Australia. Centrelink is a government service for Australians that can help immigrants find jobs through work expos and job searches. Centrelink also provides other community services--such as helping new immigrants and supporting local groups and businesses--that can make your transition to Australia smooth.
