Becoming Australian

Since 1945, more than 6.5 million people have emigrated to Australia, helping to increase the country's population from about seven million to 21 million. Each ethnic group has helped to shape the modern-day outlook of Australia, and immigration is still open to everyone.

If you have an Australian partner you can apply for a spouse visa, which, if successful, gives you four years in the country. And, if you have secured a job in Australia, your company will more than likely sponsor you, meaning that they will help you fill in all the paperwork.

However, if you do not fit into these categories there are still plenty of options. While the days of the ‘£10 Poms' — when Britons who emigrated to Australia after the Second World War using an assisted passage scheme were only charged £10 (Dh59) for their fare — are long gone, Australia is still a country that welcomes a number of nationalities each year. If you are in a profession considered valuable, this will stand you in good stead.

Your suitability for a visa is assessed on a points system, with educational qualifications, skills, age, English language ability and a range of other factors all taken into consideration. If, after assessing your suitability against the criteria (which can be found on the Australian Department of Immigration website), your points total adds up to less than 80, your application will be refused. If it is between >80 and 100 points you will be placed in a reserve pool for two years (meaning that if the pass mark is lowered and your score is then above that mark your application will be reassessed). If you score between 100 and 120 points you will be eligible for a skilled, sponsored visa and if you score more than 120 points you will be eligible for a skilled, independent visa, meaning you do not require sponsorship to emigrate.

One exception to this rule is doctors and nurses. There is a shortage of medical professionals in Australia, particularly in rural areas, and GPs or specialists who have obtained their primary qualifications are much sought after. The same applies to nurses.

Integrating immigrants

Once a visa has been awarded, new entrants can apply for assistance from the authorities if they have moved on humanitarian grounds, have moved with their families but their spoken English is poor, or are a skilled migrant living in a rural area whose spoken English is poor.

The Settlement Grants Programme helps these people to get in touch with relevant groups or authorities. It also helps them find a place to live, enrol their children in schools, help them improve their English and get involved in community groups.

Harvey Zaocanella moved to Sydney with his father, mother and sister from Italy more than 50 years ago and says he could not imagine living anywhere else. "I still have family in Italy who I often go and see, but Australia is most definitely my home now," Zaocanella says. "It was tough at first not speaking the language, but being young at the time you soon pick it up. I've brought my children up here and I can't think of a place I would have rather done it."

After residing in the country for four years, expats are eligible for citizenship — a step that 2006 Australian of the Year, Scottish-born scientist Professor Ian Frazer, was delighted to take. "We'd been in Australia a couple of years and decided we wanted to stay here," he says. "Becoming a citizen was the natural thing to do.

"I've always felt that what I do in life should be good for the community. I think that's the measure of being an Australian citizen."

Looking to emigrate to Australia? Check out who is wanted where

Australia is keen to attract a number of professionals, although each state has its own financial requirements for applicants.

Here are some examples of what the states are looking for. Those hoping to secure skilled, sponsored visas must be under 45 when they lodge their applications (for a full list of all the occupations in demand visit www.acacia-au.com/skilled-sponsored-176-886.php).

New South Wales: research and development managers, laboratory managers, chemists, life scientists, accountants, software designers, solicitors. ACT: Construction project managers, project builders, IT managers, zoologists, park rangers, meteorologists, civil engineers. Queensland: production managers (mining), civil engineers, petroleum engineers, radiation therapists, hospital pharmacists. Victoria: chemists, geologists, mathematicians, computing professionals, pre-primary school teachers, social workers. Northern Territory: engineering managers, architects, electrical engineers, mining engineers, accountants, secondary school teachers, locksmiths, mechanics.Western Australia: architects, accountants, psychiatrists, optometrists, dental technicians, toolmakers, aircraft maintenance engineers, electricians.South Australia: surveyors, accountants, mechanical engineers, locksmiths, welders (first class), carpenters, bakers. Tasmania: civil engineers, pharmacists, urban and regional planners, chefs, joiners, bricklayers.

What visas are available?

Spouse visas: You must provide evidence that you have been in an exclusive relationship with your Australian partner (and living with him/her) for at least the 12 months previous to your application. If successful you are given either a two-year or four-year visa, depending on the length of your relationship.

Skilled, sponsored visas: You must have an eligible relative in Australia who is willing to sponsor you. You must be under 45 and you must have an occupation that is needed in Australia. Successful applicants are given permanent residency.

For more information and a full list of all the visa sub-classes, visit the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship at http://www.immi.gov.au/immigration.