Australia is a preferred destination for expatriates from Austria – most Australian cities are relatively cheap to live in and there are job opportunities for skilled people. You can follow different paths to obtain Australian permanent residency through the worker category. Following migrant worker categories exist: Employer Sponsored Worker Visa Employer sponsored working visas can apply when an Australian company sponsors a foreign national employee in Australia. The 457 visa is supposed to be applied for temporary skilled employees in Australia. Officially titled the Temporary Work (Skilled) (Subclass 457) visa, it is for employment in jobs that have a labour shortage in Australia. The 457 visa can be valid for up to four years and you are allowed to bring with you any eligible dependent family members. You will also be able to leave and enter Australia freely as long as your visa remains valid. The process of getting a 457 worker visa consists of following three parts: The Australian employer must be approved for sponsorship. The Australian employer must nominate the foreign-national worker for a position. The visa application. Once you have been sponsored and nominated, you will have to apply for the visa. In order to be eligible for the 457 worker visa, you need to have good knowledge of the English language. You also need to arrange health insurance during your stay in Australia and you must meet the health and character checks required for all Australian visa applicants. General Skilled Migration Program The General Skilled Migration (GSM) program is an Australian visa program for people that are not sponsored by Australian businesses, but who still own a skill value in Australia. It applies for workers possessing certain skills that Australia is in need of Doctors and nurses – permanent residency is available to doctors and nurses on a need-only basis. The Skilled Independent (subclass 189) visa refers to skilled workers that are not sponsored. Sponsorships can be from employers, a state territory or even a family member, but they are not necessary for this category. This will be a permanent residency visa, meaning the applicant can live and work in Australia permanently and eventually have the option for citizenship. The Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) visa applies to skilled workers who are nominated by a state or territory of Australia. This will be a permanent residency visa, meaning the applicant can live and work in Australia permanently and eventually have the option to apply for Australian citizenship. If applying for the Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) visa, you should be willing to settle in the state or territory that nominates you and will need to remain in this state or territory for at least 2 years. Skilled Regional The Skilled Regional Sponsored (Subclass 489) visa is related to skilled workers who are sponsored by an eligible Australian relative living in a ‘Designated Area’ or nominated by a participating state or territory government. This visa is valid for an initial period of four years at which point you can apply to adjust your status to permanent resident, meaning the applicant can live and work in Australia permanently and eventually have the option to inquire Australian citizenship. For further information on how to obtain a visa visit our immigration services web page.