Australian immigration rules are what we’ll be looking at in this part our guide to emigrating to Australia…

Around 25% of Australia’s estimated resident population of 20 million was born overseas and every year more than 110,000 new migrants enter the country under the Migration Act 1958 and its accompanying regulations, the practical application of which is the responsibility of the Department of Immigration and Culture (DIAC).

A universal visa system is in place, which means that all non-citizens (not including citizens of New Zealand) must have a visa to to gain entry to Australia and that all non-citizens in Australia who don’t hold a valid visa are there unlawfully and are liable for detention and removal. To get a visa, you must lodge an application with the DIAC under one of their visa programs, and submit the subsequent fee (which differs from program to program).

The various visa programs on offer (retirement, skilled, employer sponsored, etc.) all have their specific terms and criteria that must be met. If you mistakenly apply for the incorrect one, or you don’t convince the Australian government that you qualify for it, your application will be rejected without refund of the application fee.

Your nationality, ethnic origin, sex, race and religion play no part in determining eligibility, but factors like age, medical history, character and criminal records, previous visa history, and overstay risk, do. It’s an open process though and you’re given a right to lodge an appeal with an independent review tribunal should you feel that you’ve been subject to unfair discrimination.

Separate migration and humanitarian programs are used, so as to offer a balance between the Australian Government’s economic, social and environmental objectives and Australia’s international humanitarian obligations. There are annual limits on each of these and after they’re reached no more immigrants are given entry until the next year.