Expert: Patrick Cummings - 5/25/2008

Question
Hi me and all of my family are interested to moving to australia but we are not sure how to go about applying for visas,renting accomodation,jobs etc.Im a qualified beauty therapist,my partner is in the construction industry,my sister and her partner are currently doing bar work.We currently live in tenerife and my dad travels to and from the UK as he has his own flooring business and he is worried about the work situation in australia as he is also 52.My mum doesnt work for health reasons could you please reply with some advice for us thanku

Answer
Hello -

I cannot provide accurate answers as you have simply left too many areas open.  When you apply for a visa and apply for family members as well, its the immediate family - husband/wife and children.  Nothing more.  You also have to have the skills required for the skills currently in demand in Australia - all of which will require at minimum a BA or at least 5-7 years of work experience in a field thats in demand.

Too see what Skills are in demand and the associated certification agency, check out form 1121i - Skilled Occupation List ( http://www.dimia.gov.au/allforms/pdf/1121i.pdf )

Also, if your father is over the age of 50, the only way for him to live in Australia is to get a retirement visa, as Australia does not allow immigration past the age of 45, unless its a temporary visa.

I suggest you visit http://www.dimia.gov.au for more information or contact a Migration Agent.

Cheers,
Patrick