Visa for Australia

You want to emigrate to Australia but are not sure yet which visa for Australia you qualify for? We have all the information for you: which visas have which requirements? What documents do you need, and how does the visa process work? Find out now which visa is the best for you.

There are various options for this visa, but the only one for EU citizens is the “points-tested stream”. You do not need a fixed job offer in advance for this visa. However, your occupation must appear on the Skilled Occupation List.

In addition, the following additional requirements apply:

• Age: You have to be under 45 years old.
• Successful “Skills Assessment Test”: This test assesses your professional skills. You have to organise taking this test yourself in advance with the responsible organisation.
• 65 points in the points test: This visa is based on a points system. Based on your information, points are awarded for age, English skills, work experience, qualifications, etc. (Calculate points)
• English language skills: These must be at the "Competent English" level.
• Meet health requirements: You must meet the health requirements and may have to undergo a health check.
• Impeccable police clearance certificate: To obtain a visa for Australia, you must have a flawless police clearance certificate.

• Skills assessment: You will need the result of the Skills Assessment Test for your application, so make sure you take this test early enough.
• Expression of interest: To apply for a visa, you must first submit an “expression of interest”. Your information will be used to determine the number of points you have. In total, you need 65 points. If you manage this, you will receive an “invitation to apply” and can go ahead and apply for the visa.
• Prepare documents: Now you should prepare all the documents you need for your visa application, including translations into English.
• Visa application: You have up to 60 days to submit your application after you have received the “invitation to apply”.
• Confirmation of receipt of application: After you have submitted your application, you will receive a confirmation of receipt.
• Visa decision: And now the suspense – the authorities make a decision in the next few weeks as to whether or not you will be granted the visa.

• Passport
• Police clearance certificate
• Proof of English language skills to “Competent English” level
• Documentation of information submitted in the “expression of interest” (You must be able to provide evidence of all information that was relevant for the awarding of points)
• If applicable, marriage certificate, divorce certificate, death certificate (if you are married, divorced or widowed.)

NB: You must have all your documents, except your passport, translated.

You do not need to have a definite job offer beforehand for this visa either. However, you must be nominated by a state or territory in Australia to be eligible to apply. We explain how to do this in this section.

The following additional requirements also apply:

• Skilled Occupation List: Your occupation must be on the Skilled Occupation List.
• Age: You must be under 45 years old.
• Successful “Skills Assessment Test”: For this visa too, you have to take a test that proves your skills. You yourself are responsible for arranging in advance to take this test with the responsible organisation.
• 65 points in the points test: This visa is also based on a point system.
• English language skills: These must be at the “Competent English” level.
• Meet health requirements: You must meet the health requirements and may have to undergo a health check.
• Impeccable police clearance certificate: To obtain a visa for Australia, you must have a flawless police clearance certificate.

• Skills assessment: You will need the results of the Skills Assessment Test to submit the application for your visa, so make sure you take this test in good time.
• Expression of interest and nomination: This step is the most important, because it involves two fundamental parts of the process. Firstly, whether or not you achieve 65 points is determined based on your information. Secondly, the Australian states and territories will be able to view your application and nominate you. You can apply for the visa only if you are nominated. This means that, if you have managed both 65 points and a nomination, you will receive an “invitation to apply” and may submit your application.
• Prepare documents: Get all of your documents ready, including translations into English.
• Visa application: You have 60 days to submit your application after receiving the “invitation to apply”.  
• Confirmation of receipt of application: After you have successfully submitted your application, you will receive a confirmation of receipt.
• Visa decision: Now it is time to wait and see – in the next few weeks you will find out whether or not you have been granted the visa.

• Passport
• Police clearance certificate
• Proof of English language skills to “Competent English” level
• Documentation of information submitted in the “expression of interest” (You must be able to provide evidence of all information that was relevant for the awarding of points)
• If applicable, marriage certificate, divorce certificate, death certificate (if you are married, divorced or widowed.)

NB: You must have all your documents, except your passport, translated.

For this visa, you need a definite job offer beforehand. In this case, your employer will nominate you so that you can apply for the visa. This visa offers two different pathways: the “Direct Entry Stream” and the “Labour Agreement Stream”.

For the “Direct Entry Stream”, your occupation must appear on the “Skilled Occupation List”.  

The following requirements also apply:

• Age: Generally, you must be under 45 years of age. This condition does not apply to certain professions.
• Work experience: You must have at least three years of professional experience in your occupation.
• Successful “Skills Assessment Test”: As a rule, you also need to successfully complete the “Skills Assessment Test” for this visa. This obligation does not apply to certain professions.
• English language skills: These must be at the “Competent English” level.
• Meet health requirements: You must meet the health requirements and may have to undergo a health check.
• Impeccable police clearance certificate: For an Australian visa, you have to be able to produce a flawless police clearance certificate.

• Skills assessment: To submit the application for your visa, you will need the results of the Skills Assessment Test.
• Prepare documents: Have all documents ready, including translations into English.
• Transaction Reference Number (TRN): Your employer will submit an application for your nomination. If this is successful, your employer will receive a “transaction reference number”. You can then use this number to apply for the visa.
• Visa application: You have six months to submit your application after you are officially nominated.
• Confirmation of receipt of application: After you have successfully submitted your application, you will receive a confirmation of receipt.
• Visa: Now it is time to wait and see – in the next few weeks you will find out whether or not you have been granted the visa.

• Passport
• Police clearance certificate
• Proof of English language skills to “Competent English” level
• References and certificates
• If applicable, marriage certificate, divorce certificate, death certificate (if you are married, divorced or widowed.)

NB: You must have all your documents, except your passport, translated.

There are some employers in Australia who are allowed to conclude a “Labour Agreement” with you. Once you have completed this, you can apply for this visa.

The following additional requirements apply:

• Age: As a general rule, you must be under 45 years of age, unless otherwise stipulated in the Labour Agreement.
• Work experience: You must have relevant professional experience. This is also set out in the Labour Agreement.
• English language skills: You must have appropriate English language skills. This is also regulated in the Labour Agreement.
• Meet health requirements: You must meet the health requirements and may have to undergo a health check.
• Impeccable police clearance certificate: You must have a flawless police clearance certificate.
• Possibly a successful Skills Assessment Test: In some cases, you may be required to take a Skills Assessment Test. Do not take this test until you are explicitly asked to do so.

• Prepare documents: Have all documents ready, including translations into English.
• Transaction Reference Number (TRN): Your employer will submit an application for your nomination. If this is successful, your employer will receive a “Transaction Reference Number”. You can use this number to submit your application for this visa.
• Visa application: Submit your complete application for this visa.
• Confirmation of receipt of application: After you have successfully submitted your application, you will receive confirmation of receipt.
• Visa: Now it is time to wait and see – in the next few weeks you will find out whether or not you have been granted the visa.

• Passport
• Police clearance certificate
• If applicable, marriage certificate, divorce certificate, death certificate (if you are married, divorced or widowed.)

NB: You must have all your documents, except your passport, translated.

You must present all documents, except your passport, in English.

For most Australian visas, you will need proof of language proficiency. The Australian government only accepts language tests taken at a language centre. Language tests taken online are not accepted.

If you have a passport for the following countries, you do not need proof of language proficiency: United Kingdom, USA, Canada, New Zealand or the Republic of Ireland.

The following tests are accepted:  

• IELTS (Academic or General Training): At least Band 6 in each of the four components (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking).
• TOEFL: At least 12 points in Reading, 13 in Listening, 21 in Writing, and 18 in Speaking.
• PTE Academic: At least 50 points in each of the 4 components.
• CAE (C1: Advanced): At least 169 of each of the 4 components.
• OET (Occupational English Test): At least B in each component.