How to migrate from Singapore to Australia in 2021?

For Singapore residents, Australia has always been a very popular destination. Around 300,000 Singaporeans arrive in Australia either to study, work or live in the country.

Australia provides several subcategories of visas to applicants with unique criteria for eligibility. The Australian government has devised many immigration systems for the PR visa in order to streamline the immigration process, filter the immigrants and ensure that eligible applicants are given visas.

Each immigration program has its own specific requirements for eligibility and selection criteria.

Requirements to migrate to Australia

The most common ways to migrate to Australia are Skilled Immigration Visas and Nominated/Sponsored Visas. If you are opting for either of them, then you must meet these eligibility requirements:

• You must have the required bands score in the IELTS test for English Language Proficiency
• If you are applying for Nominated/Sponsored Visas, then you must have the Sponsorship /Nomination from the Territory or State in Australia
• You must submit your Expression of Interest –EOI online
• Must secure at least 65 points in points-based immigration system on basic factors– Work experience, English proficiency, Education, Age, etc.
• Have the required certification to prove you are in good health and have no criminal record

Moving to Australia for employment

If you wish to move to Australia for work then you must first check if your occupation appears in the Skilled occupation list which features occupations facing a skill shortage or is in demand in Australia. You can check the following lists to see if your occupation is in demand.

• Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
• Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL)

You can move to Australia under the Skilled Stream.

Permanent residency

The Australian government has devised many immigration programs for the PR visa.

Each immigration program has its own unique eligibility requirements, conditions, and the criteria for selection.

Immigrants wishing to move to Australia usually opt for one of the following two migration streams:

1. Skilled stream
2. Family stream

Skilled stream

Australia needs skilled migrants who will contribute to the economy. Skilled migrants bring with them high educational qualifications and higher employment potential. This holds the promise of better contribution to the economy. Migrants who are sponsored by employees have more potential to bring the desired results.

Here is a brief description of the eligibility requirements for the three main visa categories under the Skilled Migration Program.

Skilled Independent visa (Subclass 189): Before submitting your application under this category, you must give an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect. This can be done within or outside of Australia.

 The applications are by invitation only, for this you should:

• Have Experience in a nominated occupation on Australia's Skilled Occupations List
• Get a skill assessment report by a designated authority for that occupation
• Submit an Expression of Interest
• Be under 45 years
• Meet general Skilled Migration basic requirements
• Score at least 65 on the points test
• Meet health and character requirements

Once you receive an invitation to apply for this visa, you must do so within 60 days.

Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190): You qualify for this visa if you are nominated by an Australian state or territory. The privileges in this visa are the same as the Skilled Independent visa (Subclass 189)

The application requirements are similar except that you should have experience in a nominated occupation on the Skilled Occupations List.

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Subclass 491 Visa: This visa has replaced the Subclass 489 Visa as a pathway to a PR visa. Under this visa skilled workers and their families must live, work and study in designated regional areas for 5 years. They will be eligible for a PR visa after three years. The eligibility requirements are the same as for other Skilled nomination programs.

Global Talent Program

The government has also introduced a Global Talent Independent Visa program (GTS) to help fill the tech talent shortage in Australia. The GTS aims to attract tech workers and encourage innovation in the future-focused industries in the country. There are plans to expand the GTS visa to provide permanent residence option.

Employer Sponsored Migration

 The program aims at filling skill shortages in the Australian Labor Market by matching the vacancies to those migrants who have the requisite skills and experience.

Business Innovation and Investment Program

The Australian business visa program helps foreign business owners, senior executives and investors to come here for business purposes and develop new or existing businesses in Australia. This can also be a pathway to permanent residency.

Distinguished talent visa

The Distinguished Talent visa is designed for individuals who have achieved something exceptional in a profession, in arts or sports or in research or academic fields. The visa has two subclasses- Subclass 858 for onshore and Subclass 124 for offshore.

Family stream

Under the family stream you can migrate to Australia if your close family member is a citizen or permanent resident in Australia. The family stream gives preference to the spouse/partner, dependent children, parents of citizens and permanent residents in Australia. It also provides an opportunity for other family members such as relatives who are old and dependent, caretakers etc. to move to Australia to be with their families. 

Which stream has better chances of success?

Every year, the Australian government sets the migration planning levels and fixes a certain number of places under each migration program. Here is a table with details of places allotted to each migration program in 2020-2021:

Skilled Stream category	2020-21 Planning Levels
Employer Sponsored (Employer Nomination Scheme)	22,000
Skilled Independent	6,500
State/Territory (Skilled Nominated permanent)	11,200
Regional (Skilled employer sponsored/skilled work regional)	11,200
Business Innovation and Investment Program	13,500
Global Talent Program	15,000
Distinguished Talent	200
Total	79,600
Family Stream Category	2020-21 Planning Levels
Partner	72,300
Parent	4,500
Other Family	500
Total	77,300
Child & Special Eligibility	3,100

As you can see in the table the highest number of places is allocated to the Skilled Stream category which has a total of 79,600 immigration places for 2020-21.

You have better chances under this stream, provided you meet the eligibility requirements and score the required points.

The Family stream has also seen an increase in the number of places by about 61 percent (an increase from 47,732 to 77,300) out of which 72,300 are partner visas.

To choose the right stream which will help you to migrate from Singapore to Australia in 2021, take the help of an immigration consultant who will provide you with the right guidance.