How hard or easy is it for a Thai to get an Aussie work visa.

What are the requirements, cost and time to get a 12month work visa.

Is it possible?

What qualifications do you have? What is your age? Do you have a job offer in Australia? I would suggest that the best way would be to contact the Australian Embassy

I would contact a registered migration agent.

Visa Plus contributes to the forum and is very helpful. (See right hand side advertisement)

Have a chat with him, they have the experience and hopefully they might suggest a 457 sponsored visa etc.

Good luck

You can undertake some research to work visa requirement at the following Australian government website: www.immi.gov.au

From the website that simple1 suggests above ...

Employer Sponsored Workers

For people with recognised skills seeking to work in Australia after being sponsored by an Australian or overseas employer. Website here.

Professionals and other Skilled Migrants

This program, also known as General Skilled Migration, is for people who are not sponsored by an employer but who have skills in particular occupations required in Australia.

Business People

For people to come to Australia for a business-related visit. Also for people to establish, manage or develop a new or existing business, or invest in Australia.

SkillSelect

SkillSelect is an online system that enables skilled workers interested in migrating to Australia to record their details to be considered for a skilled visa through an Expression of Interest (EOI).

Specialist Entry

For people to participate in specific professional, cultural, social or research activities.

Doctors and Nurses

Information and visa options for doctors and nurses who want to work in Australia.

Regional Employment

Information about options available to encourage skilled migrants to live and work in areas outside of Australia's major cities.

Skills Australia Needs Events

Skills Australia Needs Events are designed to help meet the current skills shortages in Australia. They allow skilled workers to meet with employers and state and territory governments about employment and sponsorship opportunities in Australia.

Air and Sea Crew

Information about visas and entry requirements for air and sea crew coming to Australia.

Pacific Seasonal Worker Scheme

Information for people from Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu seeking to work in Australia under the Pacific Seasonal Worker Scheme.

Also there is a Visa Wizard which might help you in discovering a work visa which matches the Thai persons skills

In addition there is a 'Working Holiday' type Visa.

Working Holiday visa holders are permitted to do any kind of work while in Australia, for up to six months with each employer.

First Working Holiday Visa Eligibilityfor the above Visa Class

General requirements

You must:

• be outside Australia when you apply and, when your visa is granted
  
• not have previously entered Australia on a Working Holiday (417) visa
  
• not have previously entered Australia on a Work and Holiday (462) visa
  
• be aged between 18 and 30 years (inclusive) at the time of applying
  be applying no more than 12 months before you intend to travel to Australia
  
• not be accompanied by dependent children at any time during your stay in Australia
  

Any Visa which enables the participant to work in Australia is quite a process to apply for, so take a breath, do some research and then, if it does look all a bit daunting, maybe try edwinclapham's suggestion above.

The easiest way to get a work visa is via the employer sponsor route, although you need a job offer and be doing a profession which is on the skills shortage list (this changes on a regular basis) although if an employer likes you they may be able to find a suitable job title for you to satisfy the latter requirement. The benefit of this is if you have a partner they will usually be on the same sponsorship and will be free from all restrictions in relation to work and study. With this visa you are tied to your job - leave your job you have to find another sponsor or leave Australia.

Not sure how easy it is for a Thai to get a working holiday visa. I have only ever met people from Western countries that have been on working holiday visas but that doesn't mean to say it is not possible for a Thai to get one.

Most Thai people end up in Australia via the student visa route. There are many English courses offered that provide the study visa. Study visa also entitles you to work up to 20 hours per week legally.