My passion for helping people pursue and secure a new life through migration is a result of my journey. In 2001, my father applied for my student visa to Australia through an agent in Harare. Dad firmly advised me that it was my responsibility to adhere to the visa conditions

Upon arrival, I quickly realised the need to transfer Uni & cities in order to support myself. I researched on visa requirements & conditions. I noticed that my decision to change Uni and cities in under 12 months of arrival would be a breach of my student visa provisions.

What was I going to do? I believe I was the youngest of approx. 30 Zimbabweans at the Uni, but most of them were not familiar with my plight nor were they open to a move that far, so who was going to help me?

I decided that at the end of the semester, I was going to go ahead with the interstate move and would decide the next step afterwards. Thus, began my keen interest in migration options.

I discovered there is always a way forward, an avenue, it just depended on one priceless thing called INFORMATION. Migration largely depends on Information. Today, I would like to share some steps to assist anyone who has been pondering on the ‘HOW to migrate’ aspect.

Australia’s state governments (provincial) identify skill shortages based on a variety of largely local economic and social factors; these skills are compiled onto a skills occupation list.

Today’s visa is for Northern Territory(NT) - Skilled - Independent (Permanent) (subclass 189) visa The first step is establishing eligibility.

1. Is your skilled occupation on the skills list? Check on link here https://theterritory.com.au/migrate/migrate-to-work/northern-territory-government-visa-nomination/northern-territory-migration-occupation-list

2. This is a points-tested visa. This takes into account your age (you need to be Under 45 ), working experience, English proficiency. See link here https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-work-regional-provisional-491/points-table

3.If you find your skill on the list use SkillSelect website to make an expression of interest (EOI). An EOI is NOT a visa application and there is NO fee to create or submit an EOI in SkillSelect.

4. Link to SkillSelect website https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia/skillselect

5. If you are invited to apply for a visa you will receive an invitation from SkillSelect. You will then have 60 days from the date of invitation to make a valid visa application online before the invitation expires

6. Applications received outside of this timeframe will not be valid and you will need to wait for a further invitation before being eligible to make an application.

7. You will need to write and pass an English test, see score levels required on the website https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-our-requirements/english-language

8. Check this link for your regional location https://www.ielts.org/book-a-test/find-a-test-location/location-list/zimbabwe/tv.

9. The extra documents that will be required include but not limited to police check, medical examination results, visa fees.
10.Frequently asked Questions are answered here https://theterritory.com.au/migrate/migrate-to-work/common-questions-for-nt-government-visa-nominations

11. If your occupation is not on the NT list check under Australia’s permanent and temporary skilled visa program for other options https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia/skill-occupation-list