Getting a visa for Australia over 30

So you’ve sailed into the part of your life that Friends once made look so glamorous and you really want to travel? Only snag is, every option seems to assume you’re a young backpacker in your 20s and – hey! – you’re still young, but getting a visa for Australia over 30 requires a little more planning.

How to get a visa for Australia over 30

It goes without saying that the Australian Immigration Service is the ultimate source for all things visa. But, it’s not exactly the most digestible, and it won’t show you real, relatable stories of people who’ve been on these visas. And that’s where I step in. Here’s a rundown of a few options to get you started.

An Australian working holiday visa

Cost: $ – from $500 AUD

Age limit: entry before 31st birthday

Wait, don’t run off! I know you’ve heard these visas are only 18 – 30, right? Well, there is a narrow window for us 30 somethings. So long as you apply just before your 30th birthday, you can use the visa up until you turn 31.

It’s a very flexible option where you’re able to travel around Oz and pick up backpacking jobs and more. Initially, it’s for one year, with the option to extend for two years,

For more on this, read my full working holiday visa guide and five things that had the biggest impact on making my own working holiday visa in Oz a success.

A student visa in Australia

Cost: $ – from $500 AUD

Age limit: none

If the working holiday visa ship has sailed, you can use this option to upskill while still having the right to work for a limited number of hours per week. You get to study towards a qualification and get to know life Down Under.

It can be hard to make ends meet however…

Reika explains her experience on a student visa in Australia.

I first came to Australia tourist visa first, as a good way of sussing out what life in Australia would be like, costs and where I wanted to live. Once I’d decided I wanted to study in Melbourne, I went back to Malaysia and approached an agency to arrange my bachelor’s degree in Australia.

The agency received commission from the university, so there were no fees for me as a student. I filled in some forms, passed a medical and applied to my top picks in the city – with finger crossed.

After submitting my statement, my top choice selected me and I was excited! It was time to book my flight and pack.

During the visa I needed to work to support myself, but it could only be for 20 hours a week. It was a real challenge to survive on the low wages and make ends meet, but if you’re prepared to share with flatmates and live cheaply, you can do it.

It’s all worth it in the end, because you are newly qualified and once you’ve studied for three years on an accredited programme, one that is part of the ENSOL list, you’ll receive a temp working visa for a couple of years. You have the chance to keep going from there.

You can follow Reika on Instagram for more.

A partner visa in Australia

Cost: $$$ from $2000 AUD

Age limit: none

This visa allows you to:

• stay with your partner in Australia
• work
• get on the path towards permanent residency

Having spent two years and countless hours of paperwork on this visa, I know a little something about making this work.

If you happen to have fallen in love with an Aussie, you should know that this is a very long and very effort intensive route. It might be easier to just study so that you can be together, or something.

And if you apply for this visa from outside Australia, you will be spending most of that time outside Australia. Whereas, if you both apply while you are on Australian shores, you’ll get to stay while they make the decision. It’s a crucial difference.

The process starts with gathering evidence (bank statements, letters, emails, photos and more) to prove your relationship. Allow at least six months to get everything reading.

When you’re ready, you’ll hit submit on a 40+page form, pay the fee and have the chance to upload all that evidence. If you’ve done it right, you’ll instantly get a temporary visa – and you can start waiting for the final decision.

You may even be able to work while you’re waiting for a decision, depending on the rules of the visa you entered the country on.

Click here for my awesome guide to the Australian partner visa.

The regional sponsored migration scheme

Cost: $$$ – from $3500 AUD

Age limit: 45

Not everyone likes city life, and if that’s you, you might find that your skills are in demand in regional Australia.

Employers in rural parts need to fill roles, and you could be just the person they need. You’ll first come to Australia for five years, but will be on track for permanent residency.

You need to stay in the position that brought you to Australia for at least two years, but then you have flexibility and the chance to leave your employer.

Check if you could be eligible here – it’s worth getting in early because it’s not uncommon to wait two years to receive a decision.

Skilled visa (work)

Cost: $$$ – from $3500 AUD

Age limit: none

With this visa you can:

• get on the path to citizenship
• work and study

Like many countries, Australia needs more employees in certain roles. And if you meet that demand, age is no barrier AND you don’t have to work in a regional area.

A lot of people are surprised by what’s on the list – it’s not just brain surgeons, but has included hair dressers and chefs in recent years.

It does change regularly, so make sure you keep an eye on what they’re looking for. Applications are points tested.

The visa application document were quite standard.

One thing was particularly a pain, which was the certificate of good conduct in all the countries that you’ve lived in for more than 3 months.

Getting the certificate of good conduct from countries outside of Malaysia (my home country) takes time.

Suss out your options here.

And there are many more, with countless different options. Please let me know below which others you feel should be included!

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Danni Lawson

A small town girl on a mission to live in 10 different countries before she pops her clogs, Danni began travelling with a job in Peru at the age of 18. Now an expert in living and working abroad, she shares all the tips and tricks you need to get started.

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