theboystu

Hello everyone

I've been offered a job where i would be working internationally at sea, I currently live in the UK but have been wanting to move out to Oz to follow some of my family for a while.

My question is: Could i live in Oz for the medium to long term while not being employed in the country. I still have a current WHM Visa but when that expires could i get a residence visa? I assume (maybe wrongly) at some point they stop dishing out tourist visas, and as i won't be employed by an Australian company technically i don't need entitlement to work inside the country.

Sorry, i did a search but i couldn't find anything that matches my situation. Any help and advice appreciated.

Cheers

Dorothy

You may be best to seek the advice of a good migration agent since your scenario is not a common one. However, from my limited knowledge I would say you probably cannot live here in Australia without having something to contribute to the country, whether it be a skill which is needed here or an employer willing to sponsor you for work here. I do know you cannot live here on a tourist visa, though.

theboystu

If my occupation is on the SOL could i not apply for a 175 visa even though i don't intend to currently work for an Australian employer. (Although i could in the future)???

Dorothy

You can apply for a 175 visa if you meet the criteria, which means a positive skills assessment, work experience, health and character, etc. Once you have been granted the visa you can live and work anywhere in Australia. The visa is a 5 year visa after which time you have to apply for a return resident visa or citizenship if you wish to leave the country.

It's all set out in www.immi.gov.au

theboystu

Already seen that!... all received an understood

Then would it not matter who i worked for, could i then still work internationally while living in Australia.

Next question being would my international income be taxable in Australia?

Appreciate this maybe a unique situation, I currently work in the offshore industry so my work takes me allsorts of places. I just want to be able to live in Australia and if i end up working for an Australian employer then so be it.

Cheers

JAJ

Yes! - if you had a skilled independent permanent visa.

But you should investigate whether the time outside Australia would be counted for the purposes of getting a resident return visa (RRV) and/or citizenship.

If your home base was genuinely in Australia, then you would probably be able to get an RRV but you might not be able to become a citizen if you spent more than 25% of your time outside the country.


If you were a permanent resident living in Australia - probably, yes!

But do check the rules on tax residence at http://www.ato.gov.au

Also - can you even get a visa to migrate?

sonnyg

I am in a similar situation, or I will be - http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=590179

I plan to get professional advice after we move to Australia.
But, if you happen to find any definite information, please share it here.

Cheers.