General information concerning Australian Visa and immigration matters is available on the Department's website at www.immi.gov.au. This site will also provide advice about lodging applications.

• Completed application from, signed, and accompanied by one recent passport size photograph.

• Valid passport with 2 unused visa pages.

• Fee in the form of a bank draft payable to the "AUSTRALIAN CONSULATE GENERAL" Mumbai for the amount of Rs. 1,775/=. Accompanying family members (spouse and children) may be included in this application at no extra charge.

• Original letter from your employer stating your job designation and monthly salary if you are self-employed, evidence of your business (eg business registration, balance sheets, income tax statements).

• Details of your proposed activities in Australia.

• Original evidence of correspondence with your business contacts in Australia including evidence of any appointments.

• Evidence of previous business transactions with your business contacts in Australia

• Evidence of sufficient funds for the duration of your visit (eg bank statements for your company account).

• Previous passports if any.

Applications should be made between 9.30 am and 12.30 pm and passports will generally be available for collection between 2.00 pm and 4.00 pm two working days later.

IMPORTANT - IF YOU ARE AGED 70 YEARS OR OVER:

In recognition of the higher potential public health costs sin respect of visitor visa applicants who are 70 or over, it is policy that such applicants undergo a medical examination by a panel doctor. Applicants over seventy years of age will be provided with medical examination forms and a list of panel doctors at the time they lodge their application. Applicants must provide an additional two passport sized photographs for this purpose, (three in total). All expenses relating to the medical examination will be the responsibility of the applicant. Applicants are also expected to provide evidence of private health insurance covering the proposed period of stay in Australia.

Employment in Australia:

In order to live and work in Australia, an appropriate entry visa is required. Australia does not grant entry visas for short or long term employment unless an Australian employer requires a worker with a particular skill and has the approval from the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs in Australia to recruit that worker from an overseas country.

Skilled Migration:

A limited number of places are available each year for applicants who meet the requirements for entry under the independent, skill matching and family sponsored categories. Assessment is based on a number of factors including age, English language ability and whether your skills and qualifications are acceptable in Australia. The pass mark is high and there are currently more applicants than place available.

You can find our about employment opportunities in Australia by consulting the Australian newspapers publicly available at the office of the Australian Consulate General, 16th floor, Maker Tower E, Cuffe Parade, Colaba. Many Australian newspapers are now also available on the Internet.

The Visa Office in Mumbai is currently processing a limited range of temporary visa applications. Other temporary visa class applications, student visa applications and migration visa applications continue to be processed by the Australian High Commission in New Delhi. Applications and enquiries for these visa classes should be directed to Australian High Commission, 1/50G Shantipath, Chankyapuri, New Delhi, telephone 011 688 8223, 687 2035, facsimile 01 688 7536.

Available at the Visa Office in Mumbai is a limited range of forms and information concerning other visa classes. Migration packages suitable for applicants interested in skilled migration to Australia are available for purchase from the Visa Office in Mumbai. The fee for the package is 280 rupees, in the form of a bank draft payable to the "AUSTRALIAN CONSULTATE GENERAL MUMBAI'.

The Visa Office in Mumbai is open for the collection of forms or the sale of migration packages between 9.30 am and 12.30 pm and 2.00 pm and 4.00 pm.