Immigration

    

This process takes patience.

This process is not for the hasty nor the faint hearted. It can be a turbulent journey of ups and downs, with little knowledge of how you are progressing. (Use austimeline to help with this).

I applied for Independent Skilled Migration and the process takes about a year. The only way it gets quicker is if you have a fast tracked occupation. The only occupation that this applies to when I did it (2002-2003) was nursing.
         
 

Do I need a Migration Agent?

    

I chose not to use a migration agent and suffered no problems by doing so. If you are reading this then you are probably already motivated and sensible enough not to use one. A migration agent will cost you extra money so you will need to consider whether you really want to spend the money and what you deem you would get for it.

As I migrated I did have questions, but I found all the answers in either the DIMIA website or from the excellent expats forums.

         
 

Essential Websites

   
DIMIA

The immigration website that will give you all the forms and information you need, though it may not be too easy to wade through! I started with: 1119 (Booklet 6)
IARC

Immigration Advice and Rights Center
AusTimeLine

See how others are progressing through the system. Allows you to best guess your situation.
GoMatlida

Keeps you up-to-date with the latest migration changes.