Services
Every client’s case if different. To ensure we understand your unique circumstances, we talk to you to get the facts. This is done either in person or via telephone conference and is referred to as ‘the first interview.’
Unlike many other providers, we do not ask you to complete a standard questionnaire. Our experience shows that a standard questionnaire does not always gather the critical facts and can omit vital information that can only be obtained after we develop an understanding of your unique circumstances.
At ‘the first interview,’ we provide you with detailed oral advice that clarifies your situation, assesses your options, recommends a course of action and realistically assess your likelihood of success.
Because we provide specialist advice from the outset, a fee is payable at or prior to attending ‘the first interview.’
Should you elect to continue beyond preliminary advice, we can manage your application from beginning to end. This includes preparing applications and documentation to the Department of Immigration, the Tribunals and the Courts and acting for you in correspondence, interviews or appearances.
We are able to assist with all immigration matters including visa applications as well as reviews and appeals of unfavourable decisions.
Tourist & Other Visitor Visas
If you are coming to Australia for a holiday, you may be eligible for a tourist visa or another type of visitor visa.
- Tourist Visa
- available for periods of stay in Australia of up to 3 months, 6 months, or 12 months
- ETA (Electronic Travel Authority)
- available to passport holders from specific countries
- allow stays in Australia of up to 3 months at a time
- Working Holiday Visa or Work and Holiday Visa
- available to passport holders from specific countries to come to Australia for a holiday, allowing them to supplement their holiday with casual work
- Sponsored Family Visitor Visa
- available to applicants who wish to visit Australia and are sponsored by a family member or other eligible individual
- often requires that the Australian family member (or other sponsor) pay a bond to the Department of Immigration
Student Visas
There are many types of student visas. The right one for you will depend upon which country you are applying from and what type of study you intend to undertake in Australia. Student visas are valid for the period of study and have limits on work rights. You can apply for a student visa for various levels of study, including:
- English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS)
- Primary or Secondary School
- Vocational Education and Training
- Higher Education
- Postgraduate Research
To apply for a student visa, you may be required to provide documentation relating to your English language ability, educational background, and financial ability to support your stay while you study in Australia.
Skilled Visas or The General Skilled Migration Program
Skilled visas are available for individuals who are highly skilled or who have recently completed studies in Australia. You must be under 45 years of age and have a high level of English language ability.
The majority of skilled visas are permanent, though there are some temporary visas that allow you to gain the relevant experience and skills required for a permanent visa application.
You will be assessed for a skilled visa on a score of points that are allocated based on a number of factors, including your work experience, occupation choice, English ability level, and age.
Please note: Important changes frequently occur in the General Skilled Migration program. Please contact us for information on the latest changes and to find out how they may affect you.
If you would like us to make an assessment of your eligibility for skilled migration, please complete our SKilled Migration Eligibility Assessment Form and return the form by fax on (+613) 9328 4191 or email: info@erskinerodan.com.au 
Employer Sponsored & Employer Nominated Visas
Employer sponsored or employer nominated visas are available when an Australian business is looking to fill a vacancy in their organisation with a highly skilled individual from overseas, or where an overseas company wishes to send employees into Australia. These visas can be temporary (the most common type being the subclass 457 visa) or permanent.
The business must apply to the Department of Immigration to sponsor employees in approved positions within the business and the visa applicant must meet relevant requirements to enter and work in Australia.
Please note: Important changes frequently occur for employer sponsored visas. Please contact us for information on recent changes and to find out how they may affect you.
Business Skills Visas
You may be eligible for a business skills visa if:
- You have had a successful business career
- You have significant assets
- You would like to establish, invest, or participate in business in Australia
To apply for a business skills visa, you will need to provide information relating to your business history, financial and legal documents relating to your current business interests, and a detailed business plan for a proposed business in Australia.
Sponsorship by an Australian state or territory may be available to businesspeople who are over 45 years of age, have a lower level of English language ability, or have a lower level of net assets and would otherwise not meet the requirements for an un-sponsored business skills visa.
Partner Visas
If you are in a relationship with an eligible Australian resident (Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen), you may be able to apply for a partner visa. The relevant visas are:
- Fiancé(e) (prospective marriage)
- for those who are outside of Australia and are engaged to marry an Australian resident
- the marriage must take place during the validity period of the visa
- Spouse
- for those who are married to, or in a de facto relationship with, an Australian resident
- Interdependent
- generally obtained by those in same-sex relationships with an Australian resident
It is important for partner visas that you submit an application with strong and relevant evidence of your relationship. Please contact us for more information about evidence for your application.
Family & Child Visas
If you have relatives who are settled in Australia, they may sponsor you to join them. This can be accomplished in limited circumstances through a family visa.
- Parent Visas
- this category includes Parent, Aged Parent and Contributory Parent visas
- Remaining Relative Visa
- For those whose only living close relatives reside in Australia
- Carer Visa
- For individuals to join an Australian relative who is in need of care due to a serious medical condition (assessed as 30% impairment)
- Child Visas
- Includes options for dependent, adopted, and orphan relative children
Refugee & Humanitarian Visas
Our firm has a commendable history of assisting those seeking protection visas. It is important in these kinds of applications to provide as much detail as possible to the Department of Immigration or on appeal. We have the experience and expertise to help in this regard.
Returning Resident & Citizenship
If you obtain permanent residence you are entitled to remain living in Australia indefinitely. However, those permanent residents who live for long periods outside of Australia may have difficulties reinstating their permanent resident status. We are experienced in obtaining Resident Return Visas for clients, even where the person may have been absent from Australia for a long period of time.
The Citizenship Act 2007 governs how permanent residents become citizens. There are different provisions for people seeking citizenship who became permanent residents before 1 July 2007 and those who became permanent residents after 1 July 2007. An application for citizenship includes a citizenship test, which is a multiple choice computer-based test. Once you are granted citizenship, you can obtain an Australian passport from any approved passport issuer, for example, an Australia Post Office.
Tribunal Reviews & Court Appeals
If you have had a visa refused or cancelled by the Department of Immigration you may have certain rights to have the decision reviewed by the relevant Tribunal. Please be aware that strict time limits apply for seeking review. You should contact us as soon as possible after receiving a refusal decision or notice of cancellation.
Similarly, if you have had a visa refusal or cancellation upheld by a tribunal, there is a limited scope in which you can appeal to a Court about the decision. Again, strict time limits apply and you should seek our legal advice. Our firm has impressive experience in litigation for immigration matters and will make a detailed analysis of the suitability of your case to litigation.