There is an Australian Visa for Parents/Guardians of International Students

Australia’s 590 Student Guardian Visa

One Australian student visa option is not for students themselves but for their caregivers and guardians. If you are the legal guardian of a foreign student in Australia who is under the age of 18, you may be eligible to live in Australia with that student.

The following information about the 590 Student Guardian visa is from the Australian Department of Home Affairs:

“Stay

“This is a temporary visa. The length of your visa will be determined by the student visa holder’s stay and their age.

…

“With this visa you can

*come to Australia to provide care and support for a student visa holder who is under 18 years of age or older due to exceptional circumstances

…

“You must

*be the student’s parent, custodian or relative who is 21 years or older

*have enough money to support yourself and the student during your stay

*be able to provide accommodation, welfare and other support”

Please note that while you are on the 590 visa you cannot work.

Source: The Australian Department of Home Affairs.

The Department of Home Affairs also stipulates the following as some other conditions of the 590 visa. That:

“For this visa, a relative is the student’s:

• parent or step-parent
• grandparent or step-grandparent
• sibling or stepsibling
• aunt, uncle, step-aunt or step-uncle
• niece, nephew or step-niece or step-nephew
• partner
• child or stepchild”

Learn other eligibility requirements of the 590 Student Guardian visa.

Many International Students Study in Australia Each Year

Australia’s Other Student Visas

Read about Australia’s two other student visas: The Student 500 visa and the Temporary Graduate 485 visa and how they might be applicable to you.

Consult with a Visa Expert About Australia’s Student Visas

To understand more about Australia’s three student visas, book a consultation with a Migration Ways registered and expert visa specialist. We offer in person visa consultations at our Melbourne CBD office or Internet consultations via Skype.

 Learning English in Australia

Understand more about how learning English is the key to your success to study, live and work in Australia.

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If you like a Migration Ways article, update or alert, please feel free to share it on social media or to include its link on your website. Go to this webpage to read many of our articles about Australian Immigration, Citizenship, and Permanent Residence.

 Reviews of Melbourne Migration Agents Migration Ways

“We approached Alberta and her team at Migration Ways quite late in the process of our visa applications for James Cromwell and Dennis Waterman, the stars of “Never too Late”. They solved some complex issues for us quickly and seamlessly and were a pleasure to work with.” Antony I Ginnane – producer “Never too Late”

Read many testimonials of the work and staff of Migration Ways, one of Melbourne’s leading immigration consultants and experts on Student and many other visas.

Contact Migration Ways.

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Graduate from an Australian School

Flag of Papua New Guinea

Australia and Papua New Guinea

Of any people in the world, Papua New Guineans arguably have had the longest relationship with Australia. Some historians report that the first people to come to Australia came via Papua New Guinea probably around 50,000 years ago.

In the modern era, especially in the later 1800s, the island of New Guinea and its three main territories (Western New Guinea, New Guinea, and Papua) were outposts of Dutch, German and British colonies and as such interacted with the British colonies of Australia and the post 1901 nation of Australia. Today, people from Papua New Guinea or those of Papuan New Guinean descent live in Australia or come here to work.

Map of Papua New Guinea (dark orange) with Indonesia, Australia, and New Zealand

The Names New Guinea and Papua

Over the years, the territories of the island of New Guinea have had different names that can be confusing. Generally, Papua is the name for the south eastern part of the island of New Guinea, which in 1902 came under the authority of the new nation of Australia. The name New Guinea often refers to the north eastern part of the island, which came under Australian control after World War 1. The western half of the island is currently called Western New Guinea and is now part of Indonesia. It was a colony of The Netherlands.

After World War 11, the territories of Papua and New Guinea became a union, administered by Australia.  Papua New Guinea gained its independence from Australia in 1975.

Papua New Guinea was a Site for Major World War Two Battles

Australia, Papua and New Guinea During World War II

The relationship of Australia and Papua and New Guinea was especially deepened by the events of World War II. Wikipedia notes that:

“Shortly after the start of the Pacific War [in December 1941], the island of New Guinea was invaded by the Japanese. Most of West Papua, at that time known as Dutch New Guinea, was occupied, as were large parts of the Territory of New Guinea but the Territory of Papua was protected to a large extent by its southern location and the near-impassable Owen Stanley Ranges to the north.”

…

“Bitter fighting continued in New Guinea between the largely Australian force and the Japanese 18th Army based in New Guinea until the Surrender of Japan to end the war on September 2, 1945. The New Guinea campaign was a major campaign of the Pacific War. In all, some 200,000 Japanese soldiers, sailors and airmen died during the campaign against approximately 7,000 Australian and 7,000 American [killed] service personnel.”  

The Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels

The Anzac Portal reveals one especially important relationship between Allied troops and local Papua New Guineans during World War II: “The great majority of the 18,000 New Guineans who participated in the campaign did so as carriers of supplies for the Allies, though 800 men from the Papuan Infantry Battalion and the Royal Papuan Constabulary fought against the Japanese in 1942.”

One especially respected carrier work of the Papua New Guineans during the war was their aid to wounded Australian troops. The Anzac Portal continues, “Teams carried seriously wounded and sick Australian soldiers all the way back to Owers’ Corner [at the end of the trail from Kokoda.] They earned admiration and respect from the Australians, who dubbed these men their ‘fuzzy wuzzy angels’”.

Sugar Cane Field in Australia

Papuan New Guineans in Australia in the 19th – 20th Centuries

Museums Victoria reports that “The first Papua New Guinean visitors to Australia were most likely mission-sponsored villagers and boat crews who arrived before 1870. They were followed by significant numbers of labourers recruited to work in the Queensland sugar industry, some of them kidnapped and forced to work. Whilst most of this group eventually returned home, some stayed and became part of the Pacific Islander community in Queensland.

“From the early 20th century, the White Australia Policy restricted Papua New Guinean immigration to Australia. Exemptions were made for those who came to work in the Queensland pearl fisheries.”

Papua New Guinean Australians Today

Wikipedia notes that “At the time of the 2011 Australian census, there were 15,460 people of Papua New Guinean descent in Australia and 26,787 Papua New Guinea-born people residing in the country. The gap between the two figures reflects the fact that many of those born in PNG were the children of Australian expatriates; only 8,752 (less than one-third) of Australian residents born in PNG reported that they were of Papua New Guinean ancestry.”

The State of Victoria, Australia

Papua New Guineans in Victoria

Museums Victoria also reports that from the early 20th century “In Victoria, the [PNG] community remained small for several more decades, with just 39 people from Papua and New Guinea – which were then administered separately by Australia – recorded in 1921.

“The number of Papuans and New Guineans settling in Victoria increased with the relaxation of the White Australia Policy in the 1960s, and by 1971 the population was 1,093…The Papua New Guinea-born population of Victoria increased gradually to 2,430 in 1991. In 2016, the number had remained steady at 2,607.

“Few recent arrivals are indigenous Papua New Guineans. The greater proportion of the community is of European descent, and many are the children of Australians who went to Papua New Guinea for work during the years that it was administered by Australia.

“In Victoria today, the community of those from Papua New Guinea is relatively young, with 50% under the age of 40. The majority are Christian, and most speak English at home. About half of those employed work in professional roles, while many others work in trades, service or clerical roles.”

Woman from Papua New Guinean

Australian Visas for Papua New Guineans

Many of the citizens of Papua New Guinea who contact Migration Ways are tradesmen who have worked or who want to work in Australia’s mines and industries or gain Australian Permanent Residence. With that in mind, the following visas might be helpful to them to work and live in Australia.

Workers, visitors and students from Papua New Guinea need a visa to enter Australia. They should investigate the following Australian visa options, starting with work related visas:

The Pacific Seasonal Worker Program 

According to the Australian Department of Employment, “The Seasonal Worker Program started on 1 July 2012 building on the Pacific Seasonal Worker Pilot Scheme in contributing to the economic development of participating countries, while also offering Australian employers in the horticulture industry access to workers from eight Pacific island nations and Timor-Leste when they cannot find enough local labour to satisfy seasonal demand.” Learn more about the Seasonal Worker Program and if it may be applicable to you.

Read answers to frequently asked questions about the Seasonal Worker Program.

Read this news report about the positives and potential negatives of the Seasonal Worker Program.

Australia Needs Mechanics

Skilled Visas

There are at least three main Skilled visa options that will allow recipients to live and work in Australia. Read more about the 189, 190 and 491 visas.

 Regional Visas

Australia’s two new Regional visas are a good option to consider re working, living and studying in Regional Australia, which now includes all of Australia except for the state capitals of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Learn more about the potential opportunities of the 491 and 494 Regional visas.

Work Visas

There are at least seven main Australian work visas, especially the 482 Temporary Skill Shortage visa. Learn more about Australia’s work visas.

Search Occupations in Demand in Australia

Occupation Lists

Australian Occupation Lists reveal what occupations are currently in demand across Australia. From this Australian Department of Home Affairs page, read the lists of visas “available to individuals who are qualified to work or train in an eligible skilled occupation in Australia and can meet all other requirements”.

State Visa Occupation and Nomination Lists

Also check these lists to learn what occupations are in demand in each of Australia’s 8 states and territories.

Is Your Occupation on the Visa Nomination Occupation List of Victoria?

Read this short article to learn more about occupations in demand in the state of Victoria, the home state of the main office of Migration Ways.

Learn about the need for trades men and women in Australia.

Learn about the need for engineers in Australia.

Which Visa You Can Get List

In this ABC news report, scroll down to learn of hundreds of occupations in Australia that need workers and which specific visas are related to those occupations.

Other Australian Visa Options

Rainbow in Australia

Australian Visitor Visa

Learn more about the Australian Visitor visa for PNG citizens.  

Learn how PNG citizens may apply online for a Visitor visa.

Read more general information about Australian Visitor visas.

Permanent Residence Visas

There are five main categories of Australian Permanent Residence visas. Learn more about Permanent Residence visas.  

Australian Student Visas

Consider one of the Australian Student visas as an option for you to live and study in Australia. Learn more about Australian Student visas.  

For More Australian Visa Information for PNG Citizens

Check out this webpage for more Australian visa information specific to citizens of Papua New Guinea.

Your Registered Australian Visa Consultant

Our expert immigration agents have more than 40 years combined experience working in the migration field in Australia, Italy, Brazil and the United States. We can provide service in Italian, Spanish and English, and all our agents have been migrants. Contact Migration Ways now to book a consultation.

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Coat of Arms of Papua New Guinea

Australia Needs Plumbers

Designated Area Migration Agreement, DAMA

The Department of Home Affairs describes DAMAs this way:

“A Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) provides flexibility for states, territories or regions to respond to their unique economic and labour market conditions through an agreement-based framework.

“Under the DAMA framework, employers in designated areas experiencing skills and labour shortages can sponsor skilled and semi-skilled overseas workers.”

Source: The Australian Department of Home Affairs.

“We currently have seven DAMAs in place:

• Northern Territory: Northern Territory Designated Area Migration Agreement
• The Goldfields, WA: City of Kalgoorlie Boulder
• Great South Coast, VIC: Warrnambool City Council
• Adelaide City and Regional SA: Immigration South Australia
• Orana, NSW: Regional Development Australia – Orana, NSW
• Far North Queensland: Cairns Chamber of Commerce DAMA – Cairns Chamber of Commerce, FNQ”

Source: Department of Home Affairs.

Of these seven DAMAs, currently the most fully implemented seem to be those in the Northern Territory and South Australia.

The Northern Territory, Australia

Northern Territory DAMA

The Northern Territory Department of Trade, Business and Innovation describes the Northern Territory DAMA thus:

“The new Northern Territory Designated Area Migration Agreement (NT DAMA) lets the Northern Territory (NT) employers sponsor skilled and semi-skilled overseas workers for positions they are unable to fill with local workers. It is the second version of the NT DAMA and applies to the whole of the NT and is tailored to address current and emerging labour market shortages and local terms and conditions of employment.

“NT DAMA utilises the labour agreement stream of the Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482), businesses enter into a labour agreement with the Australian Government and workers are then granted a subclass 482 visa.

“Note: The NT DAMA is an employer-sponsored visa program and individual workers cannot apply for a visa independently.

“The key elements of NT DAMA are:

*pathways to permanent residency for NT DAMA visa holders (including transitional arrangements for existing visa holders)

*a broad range of occupations that reflect NT skilled and semi-skilled shortages, with no caveats to apply

*English language concessions for some occupations

*salary concessions that reflect NT market rates, ensuring that worker terms and conditions of employment are not eroded, and NT businesses and consumers are not subjected to inflationary costs

*a range of risk and integrity actions to ensure that the rights of both employees and employers are protected

*a five year agreement to reduce red tape.”

Source: The Northern Territory Department of Trade, Business and Innovation.

Check this list re the Occupations in the Northern Territory DAMA.

Read these overview notes about the Northern Territory DAMA.

South Australia

South Australia DAMA

SBS reports that “South Australia has announced the list of approved occupations for sponsorship under the state’s Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) with the federal government.”

…

“The South Australia Government has entered into a Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) with the federal government, which was announced last month.

“This agreement is to help businesses and other employers find skilled overseas workers for sectors facing skill shortages.”

Source: SBS.

Check this list for the approved occupations in the South Australia DAMA.

Three other DAMAs are in regional Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia.

Cairns Port Australia

Far North Queensland Designated Area Migration Agreement

The Far North Queensland DAMA is now operational and managed through the Cairns Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber’s website notes:

“The Far North Queensland Designated Area Migration Agreement (FNQ DAMA) allows Far North Queensland (FNQ) employers to sponsor skilled and semi-skilled overseas workers for positions they are unable to fill with local workers. The FNQ DAMA is tailored to address current and emerging labour market shortages and local terms and conditions of employment.” Learn more about the Far North Queensland DAMA.

Seal Near Warnambool, Great Ocean Road Australia

The Great South Coast Region/Warnambool, Victoria DAMA

Learn about the regional Victoria DAMA.

Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Western Australia DAMA

Learn about the Kalgoorlie DAMA.

And here.

The Future of DAMAs

Although the current federal government is promoting Regional visas and DAMAs, it remains to be seen how helpful DAMAs will be to foreign skilled workers and if the DAMAs will actually be easier to apply for and obtain than other visas.

Read about DAMAs and skills assessment.

Map of Australia Showing its States and Territories

Your Regional Australia Visa Agents

If you wish to learn more about DAMAs and Regional visas and your suitability for them, contact Migration Ways to book a consultation with one of our registered Australian visa specialists.

Learn more about Regional visas.

Learn more about Skilled visas.

If you are aged between 18-31 and from an eligible country, including now Greece, check out Australia’s Working Holiday visas.

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Sleeping Koala

Australia Needs Engineers

The 476 Graduate Visa

Australia needs engineers and has various visa programs that allow foreign engineers to work Down Unda. The most significant Australian visa for foreign engineers is the 476 Graduate visa.

The Department of Home Affairs notes the following about the 476 visa:

“Skilled—Recognised Graduate visa

“This visa allows recent engineering graduates to live, work or study in Australia for up to 18 months. You must have completed a degree or higher qualification from a specified institution within the past 2 years, and be under 31 years of age.”

The 476 is a temporary visa that can be applied for in Australia or overseas, but you must be offshore when the visa decision is made. Family members may also apply with you for the 476 visa. Learn more about the eligibility requirements of the 476 Graduate visa.

Female Engineer at Work

Skilled Visas

After being on your 476 visa and you want to stay and work longer in Australia, a Skilled visa could be a good option for you. During your 476 visa work stay you will have gained more work experience and made contacts, so you will now be better placed to apply for a Skilled (or Employer Sponsored) visa.

Learn more about Australia’s Skilled visas and other Work visas.

Skilled Occupation Lists

Regarding Skilled visas, it can be helpful to know what jobs are on Australia’s national Occupation lists and state Occupation lists. These occupations are those that governments in Australia have decided need to be filled, consequently visas have been made available for these occupations. Links to the Occupation lists for Australia and its eight states and territories follow.

Search These 9 Pages for Occupation Lists in Australia

Australia’s National Skilled Occupation Lists

State Occupation Lists

Each Australian state or territory has an Occupation list for jobs that need to be filled in that state.

Victorian Occupation List

New South Wales (NSW) Occupation List

Queensland Occupation List

South Australia Occupation List

Western Australia Occupation List

Tasmania Occupation List

Northern Territory Occupation List

Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Occupation List

Search Occupations in Australia

SkillSelect – Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)

Another possible avenue for skilled foreigners to seek an Australian visa is through SkillSelect. The Department of Home Affairs notes the following re SkillSelect:

“Use SkillSelect to make an expression of interest (EOI) if you are a skilled worker or business person from overseas who wants to migrate to Australia. All EOIs must be completed online using SkillSelect. An EOI is not a visa application and there is no fee to create or submit an EOI in SkillSelect.

“For certain programs you may be required to participate in a skills assessment or appropriate points test. You will be able to complete an EOI even if you don’t meet the pass mark, but you will not be eligible to be invited to apply for a visa.”

Discover more about SkillSelect and how it might be a good visa avenue for you.

Have Your Skills Assessed

Skills Assessment

As part of the Skilled visa application process, engineers (and other trades/skilled persons) will need to have their skills assessed. There are many institutions who perform this service for all trades, but the main one for engineers is the Institution of Engineers Australia.

Check this list of approved bodies in Australia that perform skills assessments for all industries.

Learn more about Australian skills assessment.

Australian Permanent Visas

Read a general introduction of other Australian Permanent visas you may wish to consider once you have your 476 temporary visa.

Australian Regional Visas

One way to remain in Australia to work and live after your 476 visa expires is Regional visas. Read this general introduction to Australia’s two main Regional visas, the 491 and the 494.

Work in Regional Australia

DAMAs

A more recent opportunity of a way to obtain a visa to live and work in Australia is through the new (and increasing) DAMA programs instituted across regional Australia. Read this introduction to DAMAs from the Department of Home Affairs.

Finding Employers

Consult this article of tips of how to find jobs and employers in Australia.

Your Australian Immigration Consultant

Migration Ways is a registered Australian migration business that advises and assists individuals and businesses to apply for all types of visas to enter Australia, including for temporary, skilled, and entertainment work. We are also experts on Australian citizenship and permanent residence. Our registered agents have more than 40 years combined experience working in the migration field in Australia, Italy, Brazil and the United States. We can provide service in Italian, Spanish and English, and all our agents have been migrants. Contact Migration Ways now to book an in-person or Skype consultation.

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Brighton Beach, Melbourne Australia