How to obtain a working visa for French nationals who plan to relocate to Australia

Australia is a popular destination for French expatriates – most Australian cities are relatively cheap to live in and there are job opportunities for skilled people. There exist some different paths to obtain Australian permanent residency through the worker category. Following migrant worker categories exist:

Employer Sponsored Worker visa
The Employer sponsored working visa can be applied when an Australian company sponsors a foreign national employee in Australia. The 457 visa is 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 to get a 457 worker visa consists of three parts:
  1. The Australian company must be approved for sponsorship.
  2. The Australian company must nominate the foreign-national worker for a position.
  3. 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 companies, 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 applies for 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 refers to skilled workers who are nominated by a state or territory of Australia. This is a permanent residency visa, meaning the applicant can live and work in Australia permanently and eventually have the option for 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 for 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 4 years at which point you may apply to adjust your status to permanent resident, meaning the applicant can live and work in Australia permanently and eventually have the option for citizenship.

For further information on how to obtain a visa visit our immigration services web page.