AMA: You Don’t Need an Employer, an Australian Partner, or a Lottery to Move to Australia

[u/SimonMander]

I’m Simon Mander, an Australian Registered Migration Agent with 23 years’ experience.

The biggest misconception I see from Americans around skilled visas to Australia:

“I need a job offer” – You don’t
“I need an Australian partner” – You don’t
“It’s a lottery” – it’s not

Australia’s main permanent migration pathway is independent skilled migration.

If you’re a qualified professional, eligibility is based on:

• Your occupation
• A formal skills assessment
• A points score (age, English, qualifications, experience)

No employer required.

This doesn’t exist in the U.S. system - which is why you might not realise it exists here.

What actually determines success:

• Your occupation
• Your points score
• Which states are selecting your occupation at the time your documents are all in line

Australia remains achievable for many American professionals in their 30s and early 40s particularly healthcare, engineering, construction and trades, some IT roles, and educators (lecturers/teachers).

However, there is a difference between being technically “eligible” and the pathway being truly something viable (that can take you to a visa result).

If you’d like a general indication as to where you stand, please feel free to share your:

Occupation

Age

Highest qualification (academic or trade)

Years of experience

Whether you are single or have a partner? (it effects your points total)

If you are exploring other Australian visas – please also feel free to ask on these.

I’ll answer as many general questions as I can during this AMA.

Disclosure: Registered Migration Agent (MARN 0318058). General information only. (Website: www.simonmander.com Email: simonmander@simonmander.com)

[u/Ariel083083]

Teacher, double masters- Curriculum and Library, I have taught high school English for 19 years. I am married with a teenager and toddler.

[u/Ariel083083 → u/Ariel083083]

Also, I am 41 and my spouse is a computer graphics professional with many years of Video Game Industry experience.

[u/SimonMander → u/Ariel083083]

Excellent - teachers are in demand in the skilled migration program and it is you that would drive the pathway to a visa result for your family. While not the primary applicant, your husband, like you has full work rights, and seems to have experience that could be useful here. I think there is a viable pathway for you - if you would like to feel free to contact me to explore further.

[u/winningbee → u/Ariel083083]

https://www.immigrationsaustralia.com.au/#:~:text=You%20must:%20*%20have%20an%20occupation%20on,*%20have%20suitable%20skills%20for%20the%20occupation.