How to Migrate to Australia from India

Australia has always been an appealing destination for Indian immigrants, especially those who seek better career prospects. If you wish to migrate to Australia from India you need a visa, and Australia Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) manages these.

Recent years have seen a record number of Indians heading to Australia under various immigration programs. This is mainly due to the lack of skilled employees in Australia, in various sectors. Individuals with knowledge and skills in such sectors can migrate to Australia from India in order to gain hand full of salaries and begin a new life.

Visas

The number of Indians in Australia is growing every year. There are various visa classes available are for Australian immigration from India. Some of the major visa classes are as follows:

• Temporary Work (Skilled) visa (subclass 457)
• Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)
• Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462)
• Temporary Work (Long Stay Activity) visa (subclass 401)
• Business Talent (Permanent) visa (subclass 132)
• Business Innovation & Investment (Permanent) visa (subclass 888)

The most popular out of these is generally the skilled immigration visa (subclass 189). These provide permanent resident status for overseas individuals. However, individuals need to meet and continue to meet certain requirements in order to migrate to Australia from India. An official list of different visas can be found at Australian Immigration, and this list is regularly updated.

Moving

Once you have your visa sorted, you can start planning your move. We have broken down the move into categories that are important to keep in mind when expatriating.

Finances

Plan your finances, making sure that you open an account in Australia. Once this is done you can easily transfer money with services such as OrbitRemit, which will be explained further on in more detail.

Tax

Plan your tax arrangements. You may have been filing tax returns in both India and in Australia. Make sure that the relevant Government departments know you are leaving, and arrange for an agent in India to help complete your tax return if needed.

Freight & Insurance

Choose a freight company that has a good reputation. Generally, the cheapest carrier is not necessarily the best. For further peace of mind, be sure to arrange freight insurance. The freight company will usually provide one included with their quote. Make an inventory of everything you are packing with approximate valuations and that the insurance covers all of this. If you have especially valuable possessions, it may be a good idea to make this known to the freight company, as sometimes insurance has limited cover.

Documentation

Keep key documents with you, with copies (or scanned electronic versions) emailed or store electronically and travelling separately from you. Have a folder of documents that include passport, proof of address, driver’s licence as well as a copy of your freight inventory. It is also good to have copies of birth certificates for all members of the family, and other documentation like school reports to hand.

Utilities and Services

Give notice to all utilities and services, and in the case of the former arrange for meter readings and final payment accounts to be sent to your new address.

Changes of Address and Mail

Get your changes of address done, and arrange for all your mail to be forwarded to your address in Australia. Setting this up for 6 or 12 months is a good idea.

Job Hunt

If you plan on working, it is important to secure employment before you return. However, it is recommended that you agree to a start date a while after you arrive. This allows time for you to settle in.

Schools

If you are travelling with your family, it is a good idea to organise a school in Australia in advance. Make sure you speak with the person who manages allocation of places. Understand how to gain admission, and keep in touch with the school. In some areas entrance to schools is somewhat complicated. Even if places are not immediately available, get on the waiting list and understand how many are ahead of you because things can change quickly.

Accommodation

Finding a place to live in advance of returning gives a lot of reassurance. And with the Internet, you can easily find places that suit your needs. You should consider renting for your first year back. This has many advantages, as you may find your plans change after having been back for a while and, in any case, it allows you time to find a home to purchase that is perfect for your needs.

Packing your bags

Make sure you have clothing that is appropriate for the climate in Australia. It is also a good idea to pack enough items to cover you while your freight arrives. This may mean considering the current season and the one after.

Remittance

Once you move countries, you will need to move money back and forward between them. This may mean transferring money from India to Australia when you leave, and remitting money back home after you start work. Luckily, this is quick and easy with services such as OrbitRemit.

OrbitRemit has three main steps. Firstly, you create a payment instruction online. This just involves stating how much you want sent, and where to. Next, you need to transfer the money to the local OrbitRemit bank account. There is no charge for this as it is a domestic transfer.

Once this is cleared the payment is made to whom you specified. This happens in a short period of time, and in most cases payment is completed the next working day after funds have been received.

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