Why should I use a Registered Migration Agent?
Can you guarantee the success of my application?
How much will my visa cost?
How long will it take for my visa to be granted?
Can Australian Embassies or diplomatic representation overseas assist me perparing my visa aplication?
Can immigration refuse my visa application?
What is the difference between temporary residence and permanent residence?
How soon can I apply for Australian Citizenship?
What are the English requirements for migrating to Australia?
Can you assist me to locate employment?
When I migrate, can I work in Australia?

Why should I use a Registered Migration Agent?

There are three primary reasons why you should use a Registered Migration Agent:

• Knowledge
• Ethics
• Confidence

A registered migration agent (RMA) has been accredited by the Migration Agent Registration Authority (MARA) which is a division of the Migration Institute of Australia Limited, the peak professional association of migration agents in Australia. MARA was established by the Federal Government in 1998 under a statutory self-regulation scheme to help consumers and maintain a high level of knowledge, ethics and professionalism in the migration advice profession.

To become registered, agents must show evidence of a thorough knowledge in all aspects of immigration legislation in Australia. Additionally to maintain registration, Registered Migration Agents are required to ensure their knowledge is current by obtaining a minimum number of Continuing Professional Development points each year.

All registered migration agents are bound by the MARA Code of Conduct which is your assurance of a quality service being provided.

An application prepared by a registered migration agent will often enhance the prospect of a successful outcome from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). The reason:  a registered agent will address all aspects of the regulatory requirements pertaining to the specific visa you are seeking to apply for and ensure that a valid application is made prior to lodgement.

Can you guarantee the success of my application?

No, unfortunately we cannot guarantee this. No matter how strong an application appears on paper, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) ultimately determine if the application meets all the requirements under Australian law for a grant to be made.  Some criteria such as health and character are beyond the control of migration agents.

As registered migration agents, we operate under the Code of Conduct which is administered by the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA), to ensure the highest level of professional conduct in all of our dealings with clients. Your visa application will be handled to the very best of our ability, and we will ensure that everything that is reasonable and ethically within our control to bring about the desired result.

We will not accept your instructions to proceed with any visa application unless we believe in the likelihood of a successful outcome.

How much will my visa cost?

The costs associated with the visa application are affected by many factors. These include:

Generally, costs for temporary residence applications are less than for permanent residence applications as procedures are usually simpler.

Latitudes Migration Services offers different levels of services ranging from online assessments to comprehensive management.  Our fees for the comprehensive migration management depend on the type and complexity of your application.

Currently there are in excess of 140 different types of visas. We are able to provide specific information about the fees and associated costs involved in your case once we have discussed your case in detail with you.

How long will it take for my visa to be granted?

Each application is different and processing times are dependent on the type of visa applied for, whether you are onshore in Australia or offshore while applying and the complexity of the supporting documents required for your application. Complete applications with all necessary supporting documentation will generally be processed more quickly than incomplete applications.

Generally it will take most applicants for permanent residence visas 6 to 12 months to receive a decision on their visa application, which includes the time required for completion of your  skills assessment and to prepare the your visa application for lodgement.

Can Australian Embassies or diplomatic representation overseas assist me perparing my visa aplication?

No, Australian Embassies and Australian overseas diplomatic representations are not able to help you to prepare your visa application. The role of these representations is to enforce the immigration laws, make decisions on residence applications and to issue residence visas.

Although they are able to provide you with basic information and application forms, they are unable to provide migration advice and personalised assistance relating to your specific situation.

Can immigration refuse my visa application?

Yes, the immigration authorities have the right to refuse visa applications. Many problems are caused by submitting incomplete information, incorrect supporting documents or misunderstandings by applicants regarding the requirements that must be fulfilled for each visa application. Applicants are often unaware how strictly the immigration regulations are enforced.

Should your visa application be refused, you will be advised of any review rights and the date by which you must apply for a review. If a review is not possible, and you are in Australia, you will be advised of the date by which you must leave Australia.

Failure to do so will result in you becoming an unlawful and liable for detention and removal from Australia.

What is the difference between temporary residence and permanent residence?

Temporary residents are allowed to stay in Australia for the time specified in their visa. They may have work rights depending on the visa subclass and visa holders are required to pay tax on any income earned in Australia. Temporary residents do not have access to social welfare benefits and may not have access to public health cover during their stay. It is therefore recommended that temporary residents have private health insurance.

Some countries have a reciprocal health care agreement with Australia and as such citizens of these countries can access Medicare, Australia’s universal health care system, during their stay. Further information regarding your eligibility and the scope of cover provided under such agreements can be found at Medicare Australia.

Permanent residents have the right to live and work permanently in Australia. Although eligible to access Medicare immediately, they must be resident in Australia for two years before qualifying for most social welfare assistance. Permanent residents are not permitted to vote in Australian elections.  Permanent residents have unrestricted travel to and from Australia for the first 5 years however after this time, they may require Resident Return Visa (RRV) to return to Australia when they travel overseas and have not obtained Australian citizenship which entitles them to an Australian passport.

How soon can I apply for Australian Citizenship?

The Australian Government encourages all permanent residents to apply for citizenship as soon as they are eligible to apply. People who became permanent residents on or after 1 July 2007 must have been lawfully resident in Australia for four years immediately before applying including:

• 12 months as a permanent resident

AND

• absences from Australia of no more than 12 months, including no more than three months in the 12 months before applying.

AND

• are required to pass the Citizenship Test

before applying for citizenship.

What are the English requirements for migrating to Australia?

Some visa subclasses require proof of your English language ability. This is particularly required for skilled visas and sponsored temporary and permanent business visas. This requirement may also extend to any secondary applicants aged 18 or over.

Unless your native language is English, or you have completed qualifications at an institution where the medium of instruction was English, you will need to sit for the International English Language Testing System

IELTS has four components: speaking, reading, listening, and writing.

The level of English required is dependent on the visa subclass you are applying for. Language ability is divided into the following ranges:

Proficient English: score of at least 7 on all four components of the IELTS test.
Competent English: score of at least 6 on all four components of the IELTS test or a score of at least 5 on all four components of the IELTS test for a trade occupation (ASCO Group IV occupation).
Vocational English: score of at least 5 on all four components of the IELTS test.
Functional English: average band score of at least 4.5 over the four components of the IELTS test.

Alternatively you can pass the Occupational English Test (OET) which is specifically designed for certain professions.

Secondary applicants who have less than functional English will need to pay the "English Language Education Charge" to cover English language tuition after their arrival in Australia.

Can you assist me to locate employment?

If you are seeking employment as a medical practitioner of any level, allied health or other health care professional, please contact our medical recruitment division.

If you are seeking to obtain information about employment prospects in Australia a very useful starting point are Australian newspapers, especially the Wednesday and Saturday editions, which have most job vacancies.  You can also search for positions online using one of the many job boards and portals such as:

www.seek.com.au
www.careerone.com.au
www.mycareer.com.au
www.jobserve.com.au
www.workingin.com
www.jobsguide.com.au
www.traveljobs.com.au
www.graduateopportunities.com

Employment programs information is available on the following web sites:

www.workplace.gov.au (Australian Government Employment Portal)
www.dewr.gov.au  (Department of Employment and Workplace Relations home page)

When I migrate, can I work in Australia?

Unrestricted rights to employment are the privilege of Australia citizens and Australian permanent residents. Any other foreign national who seeks to work in Australia must have a temporary visa that specifically allows employment. The conditions placed on work rights will depend on the subclass of temporary residence visa held.

Examples of work rights:

Visitor visas do not have give permission to work in Australia.

Working holiday visas permit any kind of work for not longer than six months with any one employer.

If sponsored by an Australian company, you have full rights to work for your sponsor but are not permitted to work for any other company, without changing to a new visa for the new sponsor.

Overseas student visa holders generally have work rights which permit work for 20 hours a week during semester time, unless that work is a registered component of the course. During semester breaks, holders are permitted to work up to 40 hours per week.

On a retirement visas permit work of up to 20 hours per week.