deadfingers

Hi Guys,

I am currently on a 457 (came as backpacker and was sponsored by current company). I will be on my 457 visa two years at the start of 09. I wish to apply for permanent residency after that. My question is

1 - What visa should I apply for?
2 - Can I return to the UK if I am approved residency and say work there for a year and then return to Oz with no issues and take up work again or do I need to be Oz or else I lose my residency? I have heard that I must stay in Oz for 1 month out the year if I wish to maintain my residency?


Sorry if this sounds lazy but I have searched through page after page of gov websites but nothing seems to match what I am looking for!

Thanks.

JAJ

Unclear how you could have missed it in all your extensive searching but the answers you are looking for are in:

1. Booklets 5 and 6:
http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/booklets/booklets.htm

2. http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/968i.pdf