How to migrate from UK to Australia in 2022

There are numerous reasons why people living in the UK want to migrate to Australia. One factor is Australia’s good quality of life, as well as the country’s great outdoors and job prospects.

If you’re considering migrating to Australia, the country offers various subcategories of visas to applicants who meet specific qualifying requirements. Many immigration systems for the PR visa have been established by the Australian government in order to streamline the immigration process, filter immigrants, and ensure that only suitable applicants are granted visas.

Each immigration pathway has its own set of eligibility standards and selection criteria.

The assessment of PR visa applications in Australia is based on a points system. The minimum score required for a PR visa is 65 points, which includes age, education, work experience, adaptability, and other factors.

Check your eligibility

Immigrants wishing to move to Australia usually opt for one of the following two migration streams:

1. Skilled stream
2. Family stream

Skilled stream

Australia needs qualified migrants who can contribute to the economy. Skilled migrants bring with them a higher level of education and a greater chance of finding work.  Employee-sponsored migrants are capable of contributing to the economy.

The skilled stream is the most popular immigration program and is based on a points system. You can apply for a visa through the General Skilled Migration (GSM) Program if you are a skilled worker. To be eligible for a visa under this program, you must meet the GSM category’s fundamental requirements. These are the requirements:

• Applicant must be under 45 years.
• Applicant’s skills must be included in the government’s Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List.
• Applicant’s skills must be assessed by a designated assessing authority
• Applicant must have good health status and character which will be evaluated by recognized authorities.

The eligibility conditions for the three primary visa categories under the Skilled Migration Program are given below.

Skilled Independent visa (Subclass 189): You must first submit an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect. This can be done both inside and outside of Australia.

Applications are only accepted by invitation; to be considered, you must:

• Have Experience in a nominated occupation on Australia’s Skilled Occupations List
• Get a skill assessment report by a designated authority for that occupation
• Submit an Expression of Interest
• Be under 45 years
• Meet general Skilled Migration basic requirements
• Score at least 65 on the points test
• Meet health and character requirements

Once you receive an invitation to apply for this visa, you must do so within 60 days.

Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190): You are eligible for this visa if you are nominated by an Australian state or territory. The benefits of this visa are the same as those of the Skilled Independent visa (Subclass 189).

The application requirements are the same, with the exception of having experience in a nominated occupation on the Skilled Occupations List.

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Subclass 491 Visa:  This visa requires skilled workers and their families to live, work, and study in designated regional areas for five years. They will be eligible for a permanent residency visa after three years. The requirements are identical to those for other Skilled Nomination programs.

Global Talent Program: The government has also introduced a Global Talent Independent Visa program (GTS) to help fill the tech talent shortage in Australia. The GTS aims to attract tech workers and encourage innovation in the future-focused industries in the country. There are plans to expand the GTS visa to provide permanent residence option. 

Distinguished Talent visa: The Distinguished Talent visa is for people who have made a significant contribution to the arts or sports, or research or academic sectors. The visa is divided into two subclasses: onshore Subclass 858 and offshore Subclass 124.

Business Innovation and Investment Program: The Australian business visa program helps foreign business owners, senior executives and investors to come here for business purposes and develop new or existing businesses in Australia. This can also be a pathway to permanent residency.

Family stream

You can move to Australia under the family stream if a close relative is an Australian citizen or permanent resident. In the family stream, spouses/partners, dependent children, parents of citizens and permanent residents of Australia are given priority. It also permits other family members to relocate to Australia to be with their families, such as elderly and dependent relatives, caregivers, and others.

Choosing your stream

Every year, the Australian government sets migration planning levels and a cap on the number of slots available under each migration program. The following table shows the number of places awarded to each migration program in the years 2021-2022:

According to the Australian government’s immigration plan, the Skilled Stream category, which has a total of 79,600 immigration places, will receive the most places. If you match the eligibility conditions and score the required points, you will have a higher chance in this stream. Seek the counsel of an immigration specialist to choose the right stream to migrate from the UK to Australia in 2022.