Dreaming of working in the UK as an Australian? I have good news for you. In this guide, I will tell you all you know about the working visa for Australians. Australians can live in the UK without a visa for six months as a tourist.
However, if you intend to study, or do any paid, unpaid, or volunteer work while in the UK, you will need a visa. There are a variety of visas available to you based on the work you plan to do, as well as a range of study and visitor visas. Read along to learn about the UK working visa for Australians!
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Right of abode
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Before embarking on the strenuous process of choosing a visa, applying, and waiting for it, you should find out if you need it first. Having a right of abode in the UK means you can live there without having to deal with any kind of immigration restrictions. However, there are some conditions that you need to meet to have the right of abode:
- Your parents(or one of your parent) must have been born in the UK (and were still UK citizens when you were born)
- You were birthed before 1st January 1983 into a Commonwealth country
- You have never stopped being a Commonwealth citizen since 31st December 1982.
If you need any of these requirements, then you don’t need a UK working visa to work in the UK.
UK Immigration point-based system
The points-based immigration system used in the UK is heavily influenced by that in Australia. Before 2008, there were more than 80 distinct types of visas available, but since then, it has gotten a lot simpler (although still pretty complicated).
The visas are broken down into five tiers, and to qualify for each tier, you must obtain a minimum number of points. English language proficiency, age, prior experience, planned employment, and funds are the key score drivers. However, they may differ significantly depending on the visa you’re seeking. Fortunately, Australians typically start with a 10-point advantage due to their inherent English language competence.
Types of UK working visa for Australian
There are five types of UK working visas for Australians. Let me walk you through each of them:
1. Tier 1 visa
a. Exceptional Visa
This visa is targeted at highly skilled immigrants who have been recognized as having “exceptional talent” or “exceptional promise” in their respective fields. There is a cap of 1000 spots per year, which are released in two waves (500 on 6 April and another 500 on 1 October). You can work in the UK with this visa, travel within and outside the nation, and bring your family along with you.
However, you are not permitted to work as a professional athlete or as a doctor or dentist-in-training. This visa lasts for 5 years and 4 months, although extensions of up to 5 years are possible.
b. Entrepreneur visa
This UK working visa for Australians is for entrepreneurs who want to launch new businesses in the UK. You need this Visa if you want to launch your own business in the UK.
If you’re extremely entrepreneurial, you could even start running many businesses on your visa! You are also welcome to bring your family. However, you cannot work for anyone while you are there. This visa is valid for 3 years, and 4 months, with a 2-year extension being an option.
2. Tier 2 visa
a. General (skilled worker) visa
The Tier 2 General visa is your best entry into the UK if you have a skilled work offer in the UK. You will require a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from your employer, which they must be able to provide because they must be a licensed sponsor for you to receive one.
The UK registration of licensed firms is extensive, making it easy to locate a business that is a licensed sponsor. You can study, travel to and from the UK, engage in volunteer work, and travel with your family with this visa.
The visa time is the specified duration on your Certificate of Sponsorship plus one month, but it cannot exceed 5 years and 14 days.
b. Intra-company transfer visa
This type of visa is for those whose employer is moving them abroad to work in the UK branch of their company. It enables you to start working in the UK, fill the abroad position, bring your family with you, and travel within and outside of the nation.
There are two types: One intra-company transfer visa type is for long-term employees, while the other is for graduate trainees.
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3. Tier 3 visa
The third tier of the UK’s five-tiered immigration system was created in 2008. Its goal is to bring in non-EEA citizens to fill shortages of unskilled labor. However because it was never used, it was shut down entirely in 2013.
4. Tier 4 (student visa)
This is the visa option for international students (including Australia) who want to study in the UK. You will require this visa to relocate if you are at least 16 years old and have been offered a spot at a UK university. You are allowed to bring dependents with you, but some conditions vary depending on the situation, so do your research.
5. Tier 5 visa
a. Youth mobilization scheme
This visa combines the benefits of tiers 1, 2, and 4 but comes with a few restrictions. It allows you to study, work, start your own business, or simply travel. Most importantly, family members cannot accompany you as dependents on your application if you reside with (or are financially liable for) any children. They must instead submit separate applications.
As you can see, a lone wolf would benefit more from this type of visa. Also, you must be between the ages of 18 and 30.
b. Temporary worker visa
This visa also known as a Government Authorized Exchange, is similar to the Tier 2 visa in that it permits you to work in the UK as long as you have a sponsor.
However, this visa is only for a short term. Once you get a Certificate of Sponsorship, you can work in the UK as long as the job isn’t permanent. You can also study, have a second (temporary) job, and bring family members with you.
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Final thoughts on UK working visa for Australian
You’ve already completed half the work if you’ve opted to relocate to the UK, but they still need to determine whether they want you. Don’t quit though; in 2016, Australia ranked among the top 5 nations for non-EU nationals receiving UK visas. This means you can easily get a UK working visa for Australia. So apply now!
