Call of the wild

If you have had it up to here with the freezing winter months and are looking to escape to warmer climes, why not attend Next Step Australia's Job and Relocation Exhibition in January, which will provide expert migration advice for those considering making the move...

Emigrating abroad is becoming ever more popular and having all of the essentials in place before you leave - job, accommodation, schools - is, well, essential.

So, if you are one of millions thinking of leaving your home country for the sights and sounds of Australia, the Next Step Australia Job and Relocation Exhibition at the Queens Hotel in Leeds is well worth a visit.

Being held on Sunday 25th January between 10am and 4pm, the event will provide you with information on careers, visas, haulage companies, pet passports and flights.

You can also find out everything you need to know about transferring your finances down under with the help of National Australia Bank, foreign exchange specialists Money Corp, and pension transfer experts Montfort International.

Next Step Australia is one of the leading job finder services and has their finger in many pies all across Australia, thus allowing you to match your skills with millions of vacancies and find your ideal job in your new country.

If you are looking to live and work in Australia on a permanent basis, you can apply to immigrate to Australia, with an Australian visa, through the Australian General Skilled Migration Programme.

The programme aims to meet current skills shortages in Australia by attracting skilled migrants who can make an immediate contribution to the Australian economy.

Australian visa categories

Skilled - Independent

This visa subclass is the most popular skilled migration category for immigration to Australia and is geared towards skilled workers who can make an immediate contribution to the Australian economy.

Skilled - Sponsored

This visa is aimed at skilled applicants who have close family members living in Australia or who are sponsored by an Australian State or Territory.

Skilled - Regional Sponsored

The Skilled - Regional Sponsored visa is for skilled migrants who either have sponsorship from a participating state Government or have sponsorship from a relative who lives in a Designated Area of Australia who is willing to sponsor them.

Skilled - Regional

This visa is for skilled migrants who have been living in Australia on a Skilled - Regional Sponsored visa and are seeking a permanent visa pathway.

Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS)

The Australian Government's RSMS is limited to certain areas of Australia. It allows employers to sponsor skilled migrants for job vacancies. The RSMS visa provides permanent residency.

Skills Matching Visa

This is the visa for those who may or may not meet the Points Test and are seeking to be nominated by an Australian State/Territory or employer.

Labour Agreements

Labour Agreements enable Australian employers to recruit a specified number of workers from overseas in response to identified skills shortages in the Australian labour market. Employees may come to Australia on either a temporary or permanent basis.

Graduate - Skilled

This visa is for foreign students who have family in Australia and have recently completed a program of study in Australia.

Mind the gap

If you aren't quite at the emigration stage as yet, but fancy a gap year in Australia to test the waters or simply to travel, the Next Step Australia exhibition will also provide expert advice Working Abroad magazine and Odyssey Overseas.

The event is free but places are limited. To reserve your place, call Next Step Australia on 01943 872200 or visit the www.nextstepaustralia.com.

Picture by fatskybus