In April 2022, India and Australia signed an agreement named Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA). This landmark bilateral trade pact not only focuses on making Indian goods get duty free access in Australia but also creates job opportunities. The island nation’s strong temporary entry and commitment will pave the way for one million job opportunities.

Individuals who have the skills and capabilities to boost Australia’s economy and workforce can migrate to this country by applying for a work visa. Read on to learn more about Australian work visas for Indians

A work visa or work permit is a legal document that enables foreign nationals such as Indians to work in Australia.

Australian work visas are primarily designed to encourage applicants secure nomination or obtain sponsorship through an employer.

The Australian work visa can be categorised into two segments depending on the length of time or validity. These are as follows,

1. Permanent Australian Work Visa Options

• Distinguished Talent Visa: Individuals who have made a position globally for their unmatched work in the profession of academics, research, arts, and sports can obtain a Distinguished Talent visa.
• Employer Nominated Scheme (ENS) Visa: This type of visa is available for skilled workers who can relocate to Australia and work in the country permanently. Remember, these employees are solely nominated by their employers.
• Skilled Nominated Visa: Skilled Nominated visa refers to a permanent visa that is given to individuals with skilled occupations (particularly skills that have demand in Australia). These nominated individuals can work and live in Australia as permanent residents.
• Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme Visa: Under this category, skilled workers can live in regional Australia and work in the country. Here, the employers nominate their employees. 
• Skilled Independent Visa: This type of visa invites individuals with skilled occupational roles to work in Australia. Although it is a permanent visa, designated individuals need not have any sponsor or invitation.

2. Temporary Australian Work Visa Options

• Temporary Work (International Relations) Visa: Under this category, foreign internationals can come to work in Australia under certain rules. These conditions are stated in a bilateral agreement between the Australian government and the government of another country (residence of foreign national).
• Temporary Australia Work Visa (Short-stay Specialist):  As the name suggests Temporary Australia work visa is a short-term work visa especially granted only for highly-specialised work in Australia.
• Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (TSS): Individuals can work in Australia for 2 to 4 years with a Temporary Skill Shortage visa. However, the requirements depend on the employer. Under this category, applicants less than 45 years old and a minimum of 2 years of experience in the skill in the same field (applied job) can apply.
• Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa: This temporary visa option is available for skilled individuals who are willing to work and live in regional Australia.

In Australia, a point-based system works, which enables candidates to evaluate their eligibility or suitability at the pre-application level.

For this, the government created a General Skilled Migration Program (SkillsSelect) in 2013 that replaces the Australia skilled work visas.

The SkillsSelect is created in such a way that it can easily assess the applicant’s skill under a point-based system. Thus, the process of selecting immigrants with the right skills becomes easier.

Following is a list of Australian work visa requirements for Indian citizens.

• Age Requirement: Candidates whose age range from 25 to 33 get the majority of points, such as 30 points. However, candidates whose age is above 45 years can hardly receive any points.
• Regional Study: Individuals studying and living in Regional Australia get 5 points.
• Community Language Skills: Candidates who have proficiency in any of the community languages of Australia will get 5 points.
• Australia Student Visa: Candidates who have studied or are currently studying in Australian universities and meet the study permit requirements will get 5 points.
• Language Proficiency: The IELTS score of 8 bands or above is ideal for an Australian work visa. Candidates who have achieved this score will get 20 points.
• Professional Experience: Candidates who have at least 1 year of work experience in Australia in the last four years from either ACS/CPA/CAANZ/IPA/Engineers Australia will get 5 points. Applicants must score at least 65 points to become eligible for a visa under the General Skilled Migrant Program.
• Spouse/ Partner Skills and Qualifications: Candidates who have included their spouse/partner in the visa application then have their skills will be considered to count the applicant’s total points. This is applicable also when the spouse or partner is not an Australian resident/citizen. Candidates will get an extra 5 points if their spouse or partner fulfils the basic requirements of the Australian General Skilled Migration.

Here is a step-by-step guide on the application process for an Australian work permit for Indians.

Step 1 – Fulfil the Skillselect requirements to get the work permit. 

Step 2 – Determine the work visa category as per the eligibility.

Step 3 – Next, ask the employer complete the nomination or sponsorship programme process online (as per applicability).

Step 4 – Complete the application form for the selected work visa category.

Step 5 – Submit essential documents (discussed later).  

Step 6 – Pay the application fees (discussed later) to process a work visa in Australia. The processing time varies depending on the work visa category. Irrespective of the work visa category, candidates will get results via email.

While applying for an Australian work visa, candidates must gather the following list of documents,

• A passport with validity for a minimum of 6 months
• Job Offer Letter
• English Language Proficiency Proof (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE)
• Proof of Educational Qualification
• Travel and Health Insurance
• Police Clearance Certificate
• Form 80 for Personal Character Assessment
• Recent passport-size photographs

The processing time of a work visa in Australia depends on the type or category applied for. However, generally, it can take 1 week to 14 months to process an Australian work visa.

Please note that almost 70% of the applicants receive an answer within 2-5 months of their application.

Applicants can stay in Australia for 12 months to 4 years, depending on the category of work visa. If the Australian work visa is under the RSMS or ENS, then applicants can stay as long as they get sponsorship under these schemes.

Below is a list of the most common reasons for Australian work visa rejection,

• Having a damaged or invalid passport
• Submitting Incomplete visa application form
• Furnishing Insufficient documents
• Submitting Incorrect or misleading information or documents
• Failing to pass health tests
• Failing the character test conducted by the Multicultural Affairs or one of their delegates, the Minister for Home Affairs, Minister for Immigration Citizenship
• Not having sufficient funds to migrate to Australia.

With a detailed discussion on the types, eligibility, and application process of Australia work visas for Indians, we have reached the end. Read these details carefully and be a part of the strong economy of Australia by obtaining an Australian work visa.