I’m in my 40s. Can I still migrate to Australia?

If you are in or approaching your 40s, you probably already know that most Australian visas have an age limit of 44 years. This looming limit makes the plan of migrating permanently to Australia a little more daunting and a lot more urgent. But where there is a will, there is a way!

For those of you who are already over 45 years of age, your options are fairly limited. There are visas that allow an eligible family member or partner to sponsor you and there is a visa for highly distinguished talents. For those who do not fit into these categories, you could consider visa subclass 188 which requires a business innovation and investment, or visa subclass 482 which provides temporary visas for people to fill skill shortages. The 482 has a pathway to PR but only for those under the age of 45, meaning you would not be eligible. If you are determined in your plan of permanent migration, booking a consultation with 4Migration will allow our team to consider your case and provide you with individualised advice.

For those of you who can see the age limit on the horizon, this post is for you! You still have some time before you turn 45 and you need to use it wisely. Where you currently sit in your strategy will impact your chances, but regardless of your position, making the most of every minute is vital.

Identify your weakness and make it your strength!

When applying for a skilled visa, a point system is used. The older you are, the fewer points you receive in the ‘age’ category. But it is not the end of the world! You can make up points in other areas. More points can be awarded in areas such as English level, work experience and state nomination. The first step is to find out where your weakness is. In which area do you have the potential to earn more points than you currently have?

Points, in plain English:

You cannot change your age, but you can change your English proficiency. In fact, this is often the most flexible area! There are several different English tests that are accepted by Immigration and each differs in their style and focus. Try out different tests online to see which version suits your skills best, and then stick with it!

Courses focussed on specific tests are available online and in schools around Australia, and practice makes perfect. You can take a test multiple times until you achieve the score you’re after (just keep in mind they have a fee each time and need to be scheduled in advance). If you are interested in exploring the differences between English tests, check out our post here.

Work it, baby!

Another area to consider is your work experience. If you are older, it is likely that you have a significant amount of work experience in your chosen profession. The more years of experience that are recognised on your Skills Assessment, the more points you receive. Focus your energy on putting together the best Skills Assessment application as possible by providing as much detail and documentation as you can. Remember that many Skills Assessments don’t require an English test and on some occasions professional experiences can somehow “expire” if several years have passed since you worked in the field, so don’t delay!

If you do not have enough experience as of yet, applying for a temporary visa that allows you to work full time in your area of expertise will help strengthen your Skills Assessment. Regional areas currently have skill shortage for a large number of occupations, which may help you fast-track the process. Regional areas for migration purposes are outlined here.

The whole kit and caboodle:

When creating a migration strategy to reach your goals, you need to consider every aspect of your situation. The essential factors for a skilled visa are below:

Occupation: Is your occupation on a list, and if so, which list
Qualification: Do you have a degree or the required level of qualification in your area of expertise?
Experience: How many years of professional experience do you have in the field?
English: Have you achieved the score you need on an accepted English test?

The stronger your answers are to these questions, the stronger your application will be. If you are not sure where you stand on these categories, it is time to get cracking! If you are already well organised but could gain more points in one area, make that your focus.

Find the support you need:

Following a pathway to permanent migration is difficult at the best of times but with a deadline getting closer by the day the challenges only increase. Your dream of PR is not out of reach, even if you are approaching age 45, but how you spend your time now has the power to make or break that dream.

Don’t waste any more time due to uncertainty: contact 4Migration today so we can guide you towards your goals and beat the clock! Let us take the dread out of each upcoming birthday and give you something to really celebrate!