The subsequent list is shared to save you time and to ensure that you are aware of what is expected in terms of documentation and information sharing prior to applying to migrate.
This may not be a comprehensive list, as immigration requirements largely depend on individual circumstances. We will continue to add to this list so that you are better informed before applying.
1. Ensure all documents are translated into English using a NAATI-certified translator. The National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters, NAATI, is the national standards and certifying body for translators in Australia. Find one online at NAATI Online Directory.
If you come from an English-speaking country, such as Canada, you may be exempt from verifying and/or translating your school and university degrees.
2. Ensure all your bank account statements are verified by a notary.
3. Your travel history and movement records are very important for the last 5-10 years. We recommend creating an Excel file with a list of all dates and countries you have travelled to. If you are thinking about applying in the future, then please begin this exercise – it will save you valuable time later.
If the option exists, reach out to the border authority of your native country and request for your travel history to be emailed to you.
4. Depending on the visa type, you may need to demonstrate English language proficiency through tests such as IELTS or TOEFL. Please see our Learn English post.
English proficiency is an extremely important factor – to apply for a points-based system, for work, to network and make new friends, and Australians give a lot of importance if one speaks English and learns their lingo. Check out An Insight into Australian Slang: Decoding Aussie Lingo on our About Us page for some good humour once you are done making notes.
5. Get a police clearance certificate/letter and fingerprints from all countries you have lived in for at least 12 months, during the last 10 years. If you can apply online, great! A lot of countries do not allow fingerprints to be authenticated by third party organizations, especially if you are residing in a different country altogether. At the very least, see if you can get a national police clearance letter by applying online to the respective authorities. It will help in your application on ImmiAccount.
6. Health checks – it is almost guaranteed that you will be asked to undergo some health checks once your application has been submitted. The government does not cover the costs of these tests, so if you have health insurance, check if it covers the costs of immigration health check-ups. Else, be prepared to shell out a couple hundred $$$ AUD. In Australia, private health insurance for overseas visitors and temporary visa holders, does NOT cover these health examinations.
More information on the health examinations you will need is available at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au.
To put the costs of these exams into perspective - standard tests for adults over 15 years of age include: a medical examination, a chest x-ray, an HIV test, and a Serum creatinine/eGFR test. As of 2023, these have to be paid for by card. A credit card surcharge is about 0.495%. Total costs (for the author) in Q4-2023 were AUD $536.84. Keep in mind, these can vary by state but at least you have an approximate idea on how much the generic health exams cost. If they identify a health condition during your initial examination or during the visa application process, then you will likely require further tests to be conducted, for which there will be additional costs associated.
7. Even if you are applying for a visa for yourself, ensure you have your entire family’s information on hand. I have yet to understand why I had to input my parents and my siblings’ IDs on ImmiAccount, but yes, they ask for all this information. Keep their passports on hand or saved digitally so you can access the information easily.
8. There are a LOT of scams in Australia. Once you get a local phone number, you will receive a lot of calls and text messages – kindly block and report as spam on your phone. Do NOT respond to these messages or answer a suspected spammer’s phone calls. The more you respond, the more spam you will receive.
The government will never send you anything by text with regards to your personal information or your banking information. They may send you updates via email, but the government or any Australian Government app, such as myGov, will never ask you to share your password or pin. So please be cautious. Ensure any emails or communication you receive is genuine. If you are unsure, contact the CORRECT department for accurate information, such as the Department of Home Affairs. Or contact your bank or financial institution's official website/banking app if you receive any suspicious phishing emails.
9. You should aim to get Statutory Declarations from Australian Citizens. For most Australian “systems”, from immigration to public employment, the preference is towards being an Australian citizen or having a PR. Temporary visa holders, even if you have been in the system for a few years, are viewed as such, temporary, until you have your permanent residency. So, ensure you have statutory declarations from Australian Citizens, along with others, from friends and family, who don’t necessarily reside in Australia. More information on Statutory Declarations is shared in Documents Required.
Please continue to Documents Required to learn more about strengthening your application with the respective documentation. Or head over to the About Us page for a good dose of Australian humour and to learn more about the authors.
If you can think of anything else we should include on this list, please do email us at support@immigratingtoaustralia.com. If we have helped you in any way, kindly Donate a Cup of Coffee to help with the long nights. If you have donated, thank you kindly for supporting migrants in their journey.
