How to apply for your new position
Although other visa options are available (see below), the vast majority of overseas lawyers are sponsored by their employers. Accordingly, the more common route is to secure a job from the UK rather than resigning and pitching up in Australia on a tourist or working holiday visa and applying on the ground. If you want to take some time to travel en-route, Australian law firms are usually pretty flexible about delaying start dates or allowing time off during employment. And, although most positions are offered on a permanent basis, Australian firms are also relaxed about hiring people who don't intend to emigrate permanently.
Visas
For UK or other non-Australian nationals (with the exception of New Zealand citizens who have an automatic right to live and work in Australia), the main route to a working visa is through sponsorship by an employer. A temporary residency visa gained in this way will normally last for 4 years, after 3 years of which permanent residency can be applied for.
Australia is in the process of increasing its migrant intake and potential immigrants without a sponsoring employer can also apply for permanent residency. Applications are assessed on a points-based system, with credit being given on age (the younger the better, and no more than 45), education, profession, family connections and time already spent working in Australia. At the time of writing, lawyers were on the list of skilled occupations attracting points, but not on the occupations-in-demand list. The process can take up to 18 months and, consequently, it makes sense for most people to find a sponsoring employer first.
The working holiday visa scheme, under which those under 30 can stay and work in Australia for 12 months, is only suitable if you intend to do short stints of paralegal work as it limits the time spent in any one job to 3 months.
Finally, marrying or co-habiting with an Australian citizen or visa holder for 12 months (whether in a heterosexual or same sex relationship) qualifies you for a dependent visa. Just make sure you don't split up...
Useful links
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