Australia Mover

The Four Things You Can Only Do and See in Australia

2013-12-06T07:30:00.000+11:00

Australia is the 6th largest country and the smallest continent in the world. With its vast land, unlimited natural resources and the lowest population density in the world, it's no wonder Australia is one of the most liveable countries in the world.

According to recent data published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the country's population will likely double in the year 2075 due to migration. In their projections which include Australian immigration factors, more and more migrants will be heading their way to Australia to become Australian permanent residents in the coming years. Though there are many controversies regarding this assumed number, one thing that the Settlement Council of Australia iterates is that migration, based on Australian history, actually helps the country and not the other way around.

If you're one of the many who have want to move to Australia and have a Australian permanent residency, you might be wondering about all the amazing things the country has to offer that can't be found anywhere else. If you want to explore truly one-of-a-kind things to do and see in the Land Down Under, here are 4 things that can only be found Australia:

Coober Pedy

Dubbed as the opal capital of the world, Coober Pedy is a mining town whose residents live underground. About 70% of the area's population live in houses underneath the ground called "dugouts." Most of the people who live in Coober Pedy are miners and living underneath the ground protects them from the scorching heat of the desert. For a truly remarkable experience, head down to the Desert Cave Hotel and enjoy their "Down N Dirty" you’re where you can be an opal miner for a day. You will be given a hard hat and an axe and go crazy in the hotel's show mine.

Lake Hiller

One of the most mysterious places in the world, the Lake is literally colored pink and no one seems to know why - not even scientists. When you take the water out of the lake and into a container, the water remains pink. Theories have been proposed about a certain algae that produces red dye may cause the color but when researchers tested the water for the bacteria, there was none. For a truly unique place to see, head down Western Australia to see this amazing natural wonder for yourself.

Vision Walks at the Nightcap National Park

Many of Australia's animals are nocturnal so if you want to explore the country's wildlife in the day, you might get disappointed. Head to the Nightcap National Park where the Visions Walk tour will provide you with military night vision goggles. You can see the animals such as birds of prey, quolls and bandicoots in their natural habitats.

Ride the Longest Straight Railway in the World

Get from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific in 3 days and 3 nights with the Indian Pacific Railway. You can start from Perth and end in Sydney or the other way around. During this 65 hour epic journey, get to see spectacular deserts and valleys that only Australia can provide.

Moving to Australia will not only give you and your family great quality of living and employment opportunities, living here can also give you a a greater appreciation for nature and life in general.

About the Author:

Michael Ma was an assistant to a migration agent in Move Migration - an Australian immigration company that has registered migration agents in Sydney offering assistance in all kinds of visa subclasses such as the Australian student visa and the Australian partner visa.

Darwin City: Australia's Most Hardworking City

2013-11-28T15:35:00.000+11:00

It's not a mystery that many people from all over the world are in Australia to fill jobs in the country's many skill shortages. The most popular state for foreign workers is Western Australia - which is in dire need for low skilled to skilled workers to fill in job vacancies to its mining industry boom. However, other states are also a favorite among workers from overseas, especially the city of Darwin in the North Territory.

Dubbed as the most hardworking city in Australia for the year 2013, the capital of the North Territory ranks the highest in terms of employment rate, workers who work the longest hours, and the biggest percentage of people working in one single household. Figures reported by the Australia Bureau of Statistics show that the city has the highest employment to population ratio of all of Australia's capital cities.

Darwin also has the highest population of younger people, with an average age of 33 compared to the national average of 37. The figures from ABS also show that they are also the only capital city that has a population of more men over women. Because of these two facts, the city's potential for employment is higher compared to other cities who have older residents. On the other end of the spectrum is the city of Hobart, that is the least hardworking city in Australia. This is due in part to their population made mostly of older people and the city's low cost of living that make it easier for its residents to get by without having to work as much. Darwin's facts on its population show that because the majority of their residents are young and male, their potential to work is high due to the booming industries in construction and mining where male workers are more needed.

The figures also show that the North Territory has a significantly high number of migrant residents. About 72% of the state's population were born overseas , showing that most of the residents of the state are immigrants. According to head of the School of Business at the Charles Darwin University Ram Vemuri, most of the people who go to Darwin to reside go there for work and not for vacation. Most of its residents, when they don't find work in the city, they leave. This means that people actually go to the city to work.

Darwin, the northern most city of Australia, is in close proximity to South East Asia - providing the major gateway for foreign workers from the region to the country. Out of Darwin's migrant residents, the highest percentage of them comes from the UK, the Philippines, New Zealand, India, Greece, Indonesia, and China. Because of the city's mining and tourism industries, many of these foreign workers find work in both sectors, where 8% of the city's residents are actually employed in the latter sector.

Aside from having the highest rate of employment, Darwin also has the highest percentage of people working longer hours every week, with an average of 49 hours. Because of this, residents also enjoy higher average incomes than the rest of the country.

Need some help with your visa application processing? Move Migration’s certified migration agents can help you break down the immigration process into simple stages. Visit Move Migration office at 8/281 Pacific Hwy, North Sydney NSW 2060 Australia or call +61 2 8006 0535 for more information about their services.

About the Author:

Michael Ma was an assistant to a migration agent in Move Migration, which is an immigration boutique specialist with registered migration agents in Sydney offering simple fee structures and exceptional services to their customers. They specialize in many of Australia's visa subclasses, including the Australian student visa and many others.

Australia Is Experiencing a New Wave if Irish Immigrants

2013-11-21T10:00:00.000+11:00

Among the many nationalities who are heading their way to Australia to work, live, or study in the country, there has recently been an increase in Irish migrants who stay permanently.

It is not a mystery that Australia is one of the leading destinations for immigration for a lot of nationalities from all over the world. With a vast land area, unlimited natural resources, a laid back lifestyle, and a welcoming attitude on people from all walks of life, Australia has been attracting droves of immigrants for over a hundred years. A country based on immigration, the Irish has always been one of the biggest number of migrants living in Australia.

The first wave of Irish migration occurred during the great famine in Ireland in the mid-1800's. They were the second largest immigrant group in Australia after the English, and had employment mainly in skilled occupations such as factory workers, laborers, farm hands, fishermen, and others. Many eventually owned land and became professionals, building families and communities in the country. During the late 19th century, about 1/3 of Australia's population were Irish, helping shape the Australian political and cultural lifestyle.

When the economy in Ireland improved in the 1960's, the number of Irishmen coming to Australia decreased. However, with the global economic crisis in 2008, thousands and thousands of people in Ireland lost their jobs, forcing them to look for employment in other countries. With a big community of Irish migrants already in Australia, and news of great employment opportunities, many Irish citizens were encouraged to leave their country in search of a better life in the Land Down Under. The skill shortages and the need to go somewhere with an already established network of support, Australia has again, become an attractive place to go for the many Irish men and women seeking for a better life.

According to data, in 2012 alone, about 87,000 people in Ireland left the country to move somewhere else. In the same year, the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship granted 26,000 skilled workers visa, or the 457 Temporary Working Visa to those coming from Ireland. Another Australian visa subclass that are encouraging more foreign skilled workers to the country is the Holiday Working Visa, which is eligible for individuals aged 18-30. More and more young Irish professionals are looking to establish their careers in the country, with the hopes of getting permanent residency through their employers' sponsorship.

Around 50,000 backpackers and holiday makers from Ireland visit Australia each year, with 5,000 of them eventually staying in the country permanently. The Australian government's new scheme on migration encourages qualified foreign workers to come to the country, and this is attractive for young professionals in Ireland when compared to the scarce availability of jobs in their homeland. Many of those who come to Australia, never return to Ireland. As Ireland struggles to recover from their economy's financial crisis, the increasing trend of Irish immigrants in Australia is going to continue.

The most popular region for such immigrants is Western Australia. Though many of them live in big cities such as Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, many are heading their way to Western Australia due to the employment opportunities, lower cost of living, and decent salaries.

If you need some help with your visa application processing, Move Migration’s licensed migration agents can help you break down the immigration process into simple stages. Visit Move Migration office at 8/281 Pacific Hwy, North Sydney NSW 2060 Australia or call +61 468 402 825 for more information about their services.

About the Author:

Michael Ma was a migration agent assistant for Move Migration, an immigration boutique specialist with migration agents in Sydney, Australia. Their migration agents break down the immigration process into simple stages so that the clients understand the process as they guide them along.

The Importance of English for Australian Migrants

2013-11-13T10:00:00.000+11:00

Migrating to Australia can offer you and your family a brighter future and great cities to live in. This predominantly English-speaking country is one of the most multicultural diverse in the world, with one out of every four people having been born overseas. Since Populate or Perish policy of the Australian government after World War II, about 7 million people have migrated to Australia, making it a country based on international immigration.

Australia is a promising land of opportunity because of its vast land and rich natural resources. Large scale immigration has always been a part of the Australian culture, with the biggest number of migrants coming from skilled migration and family reunion programs. In line with this, many of these migrants have little English language skills, which cause them a significant disadvantage when it comes to employment and engagement in society.

English, the country's main language, is highly important for migration purposes. People who seek employment in Australia need to pass an internationally standardized test to be able to fulfill certain requirements for a visa. You need to speak, read, and write English to be able to work in Australia's workforce, where the main language used is English. If you go to Australia to reunite with family and loved ones, you still need English to be able to take part in society. Sure there are other languages spoken in the country, about 200 of them, but the dominant one used is English, making it an important skill that you can't simply do without. Even if, for example, you only speak Mandarin, and you work in a Chinese store with Chinese clients, you still need English to be able to function well into other areas, such as seeking for another job, getting further education, or simply doing your groceries.

The importance of English for migrants have been emphasized by the Australian government since their first English education program was launched in 1951. After the 2nd World War, large scale immigration from European countries occurred due to the government's efforts to attract immigration to the country. And since many of the migrants spoke very little or no English at all, the government decided to provide English language education through the Australian Adult Migrant Education Program in the fifties and sixties. Over the years, the focus of the program has switched to helping migrants develop a long-term ability to settle into the Australian society, and therefore, contribute more to the community and the economy. Today, this program is now called the Adult Migrant English Program, or the AMEP, used by over 50,000 migrants every year.

When you have good English skills, you will be able to bring the full value of your skills and experience to the industry. If you want to look for another job or change careers, its best that you have a great command of the language since English is used in the workforce. By being proficient in the language, you will also eliminate the chances of being taken advantage of by your employer - it will be easier for you to learn and know about your rights and laws in your new environment.

Need some help with your worker’s visa application processing? Move Migration’s licensed migration agents can help you break down the immigration process into simple stages. Visit Move Migration office at Suite 8, 281 Pacific Highway North Sydney NSW 2060 Australia or visit www.movemigration.com for more information about their services.

About the Author:

Michael Ma was a migration agent assistant for Move Migration, an immigration specialist agency with registered migration agents in Sydney, offering simple fee structures and exceptional services that will make the entire process easier and faster for its clients.

Weird Visa Questions from All Over the World

2013-11-06T11:00:00.000+11:00

Gaining entry to another country is life changing for anyone - you can have the opportunity to work, visit the nation's amazing national wonders, study in world class universities, reunite with family members you haven't seen for years, and meet incredible friends along the way. However, in a lot of countries, you need to have a visa to be able to do all these things.

In the world of visa applications, most often than not, it can be an exhausting process. Doing research, paying certain fees, gathering documents, interviews, getting the services of a migration agent, the long waiting period - sometimes it can take the life out of you. In the sometimes grueling process of applying for a visa, a poll conducted by the website IXPVisas.com shows the lighter side of the whole process. Having questioned over 1,450 travelers from around the world, the site revealed a list of the weirdest questions immigration of several countries asks their applicants to answer. From describing your moustache, to asking where your wife sleeps on the bed, here are some of the weirdest visa questions travelers encountered.

One traveler reported being asked to describe his moustache or beard in an application form in Mexico, making him scratch his head about how to actually describe it.

Another traveler reported being asked if he had been to a farm in the last 6 months to be able to enter Australia.

In a Middle East visa application, a businessman was asked about how many wives he intends to bring in his travels.

In the US, applicants were asked about the side of the bed their wives sleep in.

And for overseas students in the UK, they were asked whether or not they were involved in war crimes such as crimes against humanity and genocide.

Other weird questions asked international students to name three things about a certain topic and in the US, applicants were asked whether or not they have been involved in any terrorist activities.

Though most people would laugh or wonder about these questions, according to IXPVisas.com's Liam Clifford, these may seem ridiculous, but they are there to serve a purpose, such as highlighting cultural differences. He also said, that if you joke or laugh about certain requirements, expect that your application won't go down well. According to him, the biggest and number one rule of traveling is to respect other cultures.

Most often, questions are not mere questions. In interviews, how you carry yourself and how you react can mean more than the words that come out of your mouth. Nonverbal communication is just as important as the words you write down on the application forms. So if you think a country's visa requirements are ridiculous, keep it to yourself, as according to Clifford, the bottom line is, they're requirements.

There are always social and cultural differences wherever you may go and something that seems unnecessary to you may be important to a certain culture. The way you handle yourself and situations like these are one of the factors that immigrant officers will look at to evaluate your application.

If you need some help with your visa application processing, Move Migration’s licensed migration agents can help you break down the immigration process into simple stages. Visit Move Migration office at Suite 8, 281 Pacific Highway North Sydney NSW 2060 Australia or visit www.movemigration.com for more information about their services.

About the Author:

Michael Ma is working as migration agent assistant at Move Migration, which is an immigration boutique specialist with migration agents in Sydney. They are among the leading migration agencies in the region, specializing in all visa assistance services such as the Australia partner visa, student visa, or skilled worker visa.

How a Migration Agent Can Help Your Spouse Get Australia Visa Quickly

2013-10-31T10:15:00.000+11:00

Applying for Australian partner visa could take a lot of your time and effort. There are different types of partner visas issued by Australian government and among them are offshore partner temporary visa and partner permanent visa. You can apply for the visas when in de-facto relationship or as married couples. Getting help from a migration agent would surely make the entire application process easier. To ensure successful application, you will need to show that your relationship is genuine. There are four categories of relationship evidence which will be called for and include:

Financial Aspects: This evidence shows that you have joint financial commitments with your spouse and covers joint property ownership, joint bank accounts, sharing bills and joint insurance among others. This evidence must show financial support in both ways. Both partners should support each other. Your Australia partner visa agent will help show this in the application process.

Social Context: This entails how your family and friends see your relationship. They should have accepted you as a couple through party invitations, having common friends and group photos among others.

Nature of Household: Your partner and you should be sharing household responsibilities such as housework, living arrangements and sharing bills among others.

Nature of Commitment: The partners must prove that they have a joint commitment to each other. Chat and phone logs should be provided in case of separation.

Other requirements are relationship history describing how you met and what has happened since that time. Also required are statutory declarations that help to prove the social part of your relationship. Police and medical checks carried out by a doctor that has been approved by Australian immigration should be provided.

Because of the mammoth challenges that prospective migrants face, it is imperative to enlist help from a migration agent registered by the Australian government. However, you need to know that some agents have better abilities than others. Here are important guidelines to help you choose the best Australia partner visa agent.

Sales Teams or Target Driven Agents

Don’t agree with migration agents who pressurize you to sign up with them. Some of them enroll clients who don’t even qualify for Australian visas and make them pay the fee. Anytime you come across this, treat it as a red alert.

False Immigration Information: Agents provide false information because of their inexperience, scaremongering or over complication. Verify the truthfulness of the information provided.

Experience: The professional capacity of professional migration agent is determined by experience. Those who have more than three years of practical experience would offer excellent service.

Client Feedback: Those who have used the services of Australia partner visa agent will always be more than willing to share their experiences with others. Check the testimonials to ensure that you are dealing with the right person.

Registration and Agency Fees: Make sure the agent you are dealing with is duly registered by the government of Australia. Its agency fees should also be reasonable.

General Attitude and Response Time: It’s important dealing with a migration agent who responds to clients concerns quickly. Also, their general attitude and their response time which would determine if you would use their services.

Generally, a registered migration agent makes it easier for you when applying for an Australian partnervisa. The entire process takes time and effort and there is a lot of evidence required to get a spouse visa processed. But with the help of an experienced and registered migration agent, it could be easier for you!

About the Author:

Michael Ma is working as migration agent assistant at Move Migration, a migration agency with professional and licensed migration agents in Sydney, Australia. Their registered migration agents offer exceptional services and simple fee structures that will make the entire process easier and faster for its clients.

4 Scholarships Available for International Students from Top Universities in New South Wales

2013-10-22T10:00:00.000+11:00

It seems that more and more international students are preferring to study in Australia. Being one of the top 3 countries in the world with the highest number of English-speaking international students, Australia currently has over 40,000 foreign students enrolled in its leading universities. With the Australian government spending millions of dollars on its education system every year, plus having the most livable and happiest cities in the world, this number is only going to get higher.

Recently, the Council of International Students Australia launched a short story writing competition to inspire others to study in the country. With the main purpose of bringing awareness to their contribution to the Australian community, international students currently studying in the country were invited to share their experiences while studying in Australia. Sharon San from Western Australia bagged the top prize with her story about working in part-time jobs and even as a housekeeper to complete her Masters degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management.

Studying in Australia can be a little expensive, but most universities actually offer a number of scholarships to international students. If you want to study in the Land Down Under but are thinking about the tuition fees and other financial things, here are 4 scholarships intended for foreign students at the New South Wales' leading universities.

The Sydney Achievers Scholarships for International Students

Australia's first ever and oldest university, the University of Sydney offers 100 scholarships every year to new international students from around the world. This program was created to attract high quality, achieving, and academically excellent foreign students from other countries to study at one of the best institutions of higher education not only in Australia, but the world. The scholarships are open for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. For eligibility requirements and application procedures, check out the university's website for more information on the scholarships.

The Macquarie University Scholarships for International Students

Renowned for its interdisciplinary research and teaching, the Macquarie University offers full and partial scholarships to international students across all courses, covering tuition fees for both undergraduate and post-graduate degrees. Having one of the most generous scholarships in the entire country, Maquarie University offers countless opportunities for international students to study and become part of its highly skilled graduates. Complete requirements and details of the scholarships can be found on the university's official website.

University of Newcastle International Postgraduate Research Scholarships

Funded by the Research Division, the University of Newcastle offers international scholarships for students who are studying for their Master's or PhD degrees by research. Open to all foreign students, this scholarship will allow students of higher learning to study and learn at this world class university that ranks as the 9th best university in Australia. More details on the scholarships can be found on the University of Newcastle's website.

The University of Technology Sydney Achievement Scholarships for International Postgraduate Students

One of Australia's leading universities of technology, the University of Technology offers scholarships for its international students who are excelling academically during their first semester in postgraduate degrees. Six students from the engineering courses are given this scholarship, as well as 6 other students from the Information Technology courses. For a complete list of requirements and details on the scholarship, check the university's website for more details.

Though studying in Australia may cost you or your family a significant amount of money for your future, there are plenty of scholarships for international students that will surely benefit the student, the school, and the community in the long run.

Need some help with your Australia student visa application processing? Move Migration’s licensed migration agents can help you break down the immigration process into simple stages. Visit Move Migration office at Suite 8, 281 Pacific Highway North Sydney NSW 2060 Australia or visit www.movemigration.com for more information about their services.

About the Author:

Michael Ma is a migration agent assistant at Move Migration; an immigration boutique specialist with migration agents in Sydney, specializing in visa application assistance such as the Australia partner visa and student visa.

Top 3 Best Jobs in Australia in Terms of Salary

2013-10-15T11:00:00.000+11:00

Named as the best place in the world to live and work by the Paris based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development for the third straight year, Australia has a great job market for both its residents and foreigners. With the country's unemployment rate of 5%, plus labor shortages in many industries, it's no wonder that Australia's average salary is one of the highest in the world - even beating the US and the UK in minimum wage rates. What you can earn in the US for a month can be potentially earned in Australia for just a week. Though the cost of living in Australia is higher than most Western countries, many people would still opt to work in Australia, not just for the high salaries, but also for the many perks that come with the jobs - a no-worries work attitude, more paid leaves, and of course, living in the best place to live on earth.

If you want to earn big while living in Australia, you have to take a look at what occupations are in demand and are paying the highest. Here are the top 3 best jobs in Australia, in terms of income earned:

Medical Jobs

Image Credit: medicaljobsaustralia.net

Anaesthesiologists, surgeons, general practitioners, and those who work in the medical care industry are among the country's top earners. Surgeons earn an average of $350,000 a year, while anesthesiologists come in second with $300,000, and general practitioners around $260,000. These are just the average salaries, which mean some doctors are earning way more than these figures. With the country's ageing population, it comes as no surprise that jobs in the field of medicine are highly in demand.

Financial Jobs

Image Credit: allstarrecruitment.com.au

Business executives in the financial industry, accountants, auditors, and financial dealers and brokers are also at the top of the pack. Average salaries can range from $150,000 to $280,000 per year. These jobs can range from taking care of a company's budget, to credit assessments, to handling investments and transactions of personal and corporate finances. One must earn a business related degree, or even law and economics. Dealing with other people's money is always a high paying job in Australia's economy, with more and more investors keeping the economy at great levels.

Mining Engineers

Image Credit: theaustralian.com.au

Australia is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of natural resources. With the world's high demand for minerals such as gold, nickel, iron, and others, the country's mining industry is among the leaders in the economy. Mining engineers evaluate, plan, and build mines, bringing essential minerals to the world. Average salaries of mining engineers are at $160,000 a year, plus many perks including a car and several weeks of paid leave.

The perks of working in Australia go way beyond the high salaries. Dubbed as the happiest place on earth, you'll also be enjoying a high quality of life.

About the Author:

Michael Ma is working a migration agent assistant at Move Migration; a company of professional migration agents in Sydney, Australia that offers exceptional assistance and services to its clients. Their fully registered migration agents have high success rate in their visa application assistance, with having exceptional services and simplified procedures.

Tips on How to Find the Best School in Australia

2013-10-08T10:00:00.000+11:00

If you're about to enter college, or are planning on acquiring higher education, studying overseas is a good choice for those who want to enroll in top notch schools with Centers of Excellence coupled with invaluable international experience. Australia is fast becoming the top destination for English-speaking international students from around the world. Only coming in 3rd after the US and UK with the highest number of international students currently enrolled in the top universities in the country, there are now over 40,000 students from 140 countries who avail of the excellent Australian education system.

A good number of Australian universities are among the Times Higher Education top 100 universities world ranking. The University of Melbourne is currently number 39, while the University of Sydney is ranked 49 - which just go to show that Australian education is among the best in the world.

However, choosing the best school in Australia should not be based solely on world or national rankings. There are many factors that go into choosing the best school in Australia. Here are a few tips in choosing the best school in Australia for you:

Determine Your Needs.

The first thing you have to do is to know what you want. Do you want a degree in Psychology where you plan to get a doctorate after college? Or do you want to study under a particular professor? Or maybe you want to work in a research center established by a school? Choosing the best school for you will always be based on your needs.

Do Your Research.

While it's good to look at lists of top schools online, you should also do your own research about the schools that you like. Once you've narrowed your choices to the top 5 schools for you, you should then start to gather as much information as the schools as you can.

You can check out the schools' websites and read everything there is to know - the courses offered, accreditation and recognition of programs, and even qualifications of teachers and professors.

You can also contact students who are currently enrolled in the school, to get some valuable feedback from people who are actually studying in the university.

If you are living in the area of the university, join the school's open house and visit the campus. Talk to teachers, visit the classrooms, see the facilities, or better yet, sit in one of the classes. After you've visited the campus, explore the environment outside. Is the location safe? Are there nearby establishments like a good hospital, good places to buy basic needs, public transportation, and lodging, just in case you decide to live outside the campus? Your living environment should also be a major factor in choosing the best school for you.

If you're an international student, though, and you're currently overseas, this may be difficult to do. So the best way to check out the school is from their website, where you can get all the information you need.

Once you've chosen the best school for you, you can then start to apply. Just remember to keep in mind that the best factors in choosing your school are academic reputation, quality of professors, and a safe and secure living environment.

About the Author:

Michael Ma is working a migration agent assistant at Move Migration; a company of professional migration agents in Sydney, Australia that offers exceptional assistance and services to its clients. Their fully registered migration agents help their clients by breaking down the immigration process into simple stages with exceptional services and simplified procedures.

Registered Migration Agents: Helping You Increase Your Chances of Successful Migration Application

2013-10-01T10:00:00.000+10:00

Averages of 250,000 Australian visas are granted each year. However, the amount of visa applications is more than triple that number, which means that more and more foreign individuals want to move or work in Australia.

So what are those 250,000 applicants doing right? In most cases, it is a simple matter of getting the services of a registered migration agent. Sure, there are quite a number of people who do all the work themselves, but the benefits of getting assistance from a knowledgeable and registered agent far exceeds the proposed savings one gets from doing it themselves.

But whether you plan to do all the work yourself or hire an agent, there are always pros and cons to any method you choose. If you do it yourself, you eliminate the need to pay thousands of Australian dollars. But it will also take so much effort and time on your part by doing all the research and legwork yourself, plus you have to start from square one if you don't have any contacts with immigration and other government departments. If you hire a migration agent, you will definitely spend a considerable amount of money for someone who will guide you every step of the way in your application. But, since they have the right knowledge and experience, you will definitely save more time and effort on your part.

If you choose to hire a migration agent, there are things that you have to know. Since literally hundreds of thousands of people are trying to migrate in Australia, some individuals have also taken advantage of this opportunity to make money using fraudulent information. Unregistered migration agents abound so it's best that you make sure your agent is registered with The Migration Agents Registration Authority in Australia.

The office of the MARA was established in 2009 by the Australian government and in partnership with the "Department of Immigration and Citizenship" (www.immi.gov.au), to protect and ensure that migration agents' clients are provided with the proper and highest quality assistance that only registered agents can give. If you are planning on hiring an agent, you can check MARA's website, which is www.mara.gov.au for a complete list of registered migration agents Sydney, in other cities, and overseas.

Registered migrations agents have the legal training, greater knowledge of Australian immigration laws, requirements, policies, and have years of experience in the field. They are also well-equipped with the latest news and updates since they must go through continuing professional development so they can re-register to be able to continue practicing their profession.

There are hundreds of types of visas each with different requirements and policies. From the 457 visa, to the Working Holiday Visa, the Student Visa, and Australia Partner Visa, it can be a headache which subclass you should apply for. Migration agents, with their vast knowledge and expertise, will not only point you to the right direction, but will actually guide you every step of the way.

However, you shouldn't rely solely on your migration agent to do everything. You would also have to educate yourself about the basic laws and processes so you know what's happening in terms of your application. Working together, both you and your agent will increase your chances of success, plus reducing time and stress compared to doing it on your own.

About the author:

Michael Ma is working as migration agent assistant at Move Migration; a migration agent company in Sydney, Australia. They are top quality boutique immigration specialists who have a proven track record of exceptional service.

Preparing Yourself for the Australia Partner Visa Application

2013-09-24T11:00:00.000+10:00

Being in a romantic relationship with someone who has a different nationality or is living in another country can be a challenge for anyone. If your partner is in Australia and you live overseas, it can be a burden to your relationship to be in a long distance commitment. So it's only natural that the both of you would want to live and stay together.

Australia makes it possible for partners of their citizens and residents to reside in the country either temporarily or permanently. There are different subclasses for Australia partner visa with different requirements and policies. If you are planning to apply for this type of visa, you can do your research by yourself or better yet, hire a registered migration agent who will assist you on your visa application.

You can apply for a partner visa if you are married to an Australian citizen, resident, or a qualified New Zealand citizen. If you are in a de facto relationship for at least one whole year prior to your application, you can do so, as well. One of the major requirements for lodging an application with immigration is evidence of your genuine relationship.

The evidence could be a simple piece of paper where you and your partner make a statement or declaration about the history and other important information about your relationship. The more proof you have, the better it will be for immigration to assess and grant your visa. History could include when and where you first met, how the relationship developed, phone and email accounts, joint financial accounts, a similar mailing address, proof that you're living together, and many more. You can get a full detail of the kinds of documents and evidence are accepted by downloading Booklet 1, Partner Migration, through the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) website at www.immi.gov.au. Or you can also ask your migration agent about it.

Now when you've lodged your partner visa application, two things can either happen. One is migration outright accepts your evidences or two, they might need more proof or information by going through a process of interviews for you and your partner. There are about 20,000 cases filed to immigration in any given time but the DIAC will only interview a small fraction, with most cases being decided upon without an interview. So how will you know if you and your partner will most likely be interviewed?

You will most likely get a call or asked for a personal interview if you and your partner are not of similar age, for example you are 25 and your partner is 45; if you come from different backgrounds or cultures; if you do not speak English; if you or your partner have been married before; if you or your partner have applied for the Australia partner visa before and failed; lacking proof of your relationship; and inconsistent information.

If you think you will definitely get that call for an interview, you and your partner can prepare by knowing what kind of questions will most likely be asked. Questions will be based on the history and condition of your relationship, and personal information about each other.

The best way to have your visa application granted is to prepare the necessary requirements and equip you with the knowledge about the whole application process.

If you need some assistance in processing your visa application, you can seek help from Move Migration; a migration specialist company located at Suite 8, 281 Pacific Highway North Sydney NSW 2060 Australia. They can help you break down the immigration process into simple stages. Visit Move Migration's website at www.movemigration.com to learn more about their services.

About the Author:

Michael Ma is working as migration agent assistant at Move Migration is a boutique immigration specialist in Australia consists of professional migration agents. With their exceptional service and expertise in migration processes, they have enjoyed a high success rate on helping their clients with any migration application processes in Australia.

The Different Australia Partner Visa Subclasses Simplified

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Before you lodge your applications for your Partner Visas, there are a few things you need to know and do. First, your partner must either be: an Australian citizen, and Australian permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen. Second, you must read the Partner Migration information booklet before you start processing your application, so you are better equipped with the knowledge needed to be able to apply successfully. The booklet contains the basic requirements needed, your rights and obligations, sponsorships, costs, how to provide that your relationship is genuine, health and character, and the entire application process. The booklet can easily be downloaded for free from the Australian Government Department of Immigration and Citizenship official website.

You can apply for the Offshore Temporary Partner Visa, which is subclass 309, if you are currently in a relationship or are married to an Australian citizen/resident and you are outside the country when the visa application was lodged. You must also be outside the country when it is granted. Once you have your subclass 309 visa, you can enter the country temporarily, until the duration of your visa. After two years, if you are still in the relationship and living in Australia, you can then apply for the Onshore Temporary Visa, which is subclass 801.

However, there are exceptions to the rule when you apply for the Offshore Partner Visa. You won't have to wait for two years before you can apply for the Offshore Permanent Visa, which is subclass 100, if you comply with the following conditions: If you have been married or in the relationship for three years or more; a minimum of two years if there is a dependent child; or if your partner was granted a Protection or Permanent Visa under the humanitarian program and you were already together or married before the visa was granted to your partner. If you meet any of these requirements, then you can apply for the Offshore Permanent Visa.

The Onshore Temporary Visa, which is subclass 820, can be processed if you are already in Australia with your partner. For example, you are on a student or tourist visa when you filed your application. Once you have this visa granted, you can apply for the Onshore Permanent Visa after two years and you're still together.

If you are still about to get married and you are outside the country, you can apply for the Prospective Marriage Partner Visa, which is subclass 300. This will allow you to enter and leave the country within 9 months. You can then apply for the Onshore Temporary Visa once you get married.

About the Author:

Michael Ma is working as a migration agent assistant at Move Migration, a migration agency aiming to help out people who plan to move to Australia with the help of their expert migration agent. Learn the steps and process of Australia partner visa and other type of visas; and how to make it easier with his informative and very helpful articles.