FAQs

1. How can I find out which visa is most appropriate for me and my family members?

As you are aware, there are a range of visa options which are subject to different requirements, conditions and validity periods. Determining which visa is most suitable to your circumstances is often exhausting and time consuming. Hamilton Watts Consultants are happy to talk to you about your migration plans and provide a free telephone appraisal for no charge. Our consultants are all registered Migration Agents with the Migration Agents Registration Authority and members of the Migration Institute of Australia.    

2. I have a family member in Australia, are they eligible to sponsor my visa?

All family stream applicants must be sponsored by a close family relative, partner or fiancé. The sponsor must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or an Eligible New Zealand citizen and must be at least 18 years old.

The sponsors that are required for different types of family visas are listed below:

• Partner applicants must be sponsored by their spouse or fiancé(e);
• Child category applicants must be sponsored by a parent or step-parent;
• Parent applicants are usually sponsored by their child or stepchild, but they may also be sponsored by their child's partner.

What is an Assurance of Support?

An AoS is a legal commitment by an Australian resident to repay the Australian Government for certain welfare payments claimed by new residents during the period in which their AoS is in force. Generally an AoS is in force for a period of two years. Welfare payments that are recoverable by Centrelink include, among others, the Newstart Allowance, Austudy Payments, Mature Age Allowances and Special Benefits.  

Some family stream applicants, such as Parent applicants, are subject to a mandatory AoS. Other applicants may be subject to a discretionary AoS if they are assessed as being at risk of becoming a burden on Australia's welfare system.

3. Can my family accompany me to Australia?

Your spouse, dependent children, and other dependent relatives who are living with you, are able to accompany you to Australia on family stream visas as long as they meet the requirements for secondary applicants. These requirements include meeting the necessary health and character criteria.
 
4. What benefits does an Australian permanent resident visa entitle me to?

The most notable benefit of becoming an Australian permanent resident is the ability to reside indefinitely in Australia. Further benefits of permanent resident status include:

• No restrictions on employment in Australia;
• Access to Australian education entitlements. Including the right to enrol in publicly funded schools, vocational training, universities and other public or State education institutions;
• The right to access medical and social security benefits. Please note that a 2-year waiting period applies for some social security benefits;
• The right to sponsor relatives for particular temporary and permanent residence visas;
• The right to apply for Australian citizenship.

Please note: The permanent resident visa gives the visa holder the right to reside in Australia permanently. It also gives the visa holder permission to travel into and out of Australia any number of times for a period of five years from the date the visa is granted. Once this re-entry facility expires, if the holder wishes to continue to travel to and from Australia as a permanent resident, they must obtain a Resident Return Visa (RRV) or become an Australian citizen.

5. Can Hamilton Watts assist with obtaining Return Resident Visas and Citizenship in Australia?

Hamilton Watts is able to assist with return resident visa applications and citizenship.

6. What benefits does Australian citizenship entitle me to?

The primary benefits of Australian citizenship are as follows:

• The right to vote in federal and state or territory elections, and in a referendum;
• The right to work for the Australian Public Service or in the Australian Defence Force;
• The right to apply for an Australian passport and re-enter Australia freely;
• The right to register children born overseas as Australian citizens by descent.

7. How can I be sure about business confidentiality and professional conduct?   

Hamilton Watts Migration Services employs Consultants who are Registered Migration Agents with the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA). Registration is required annually and in order to re-register, Consultants must undertake continuing professional development including attendance at courses approved by the MARA and the Department of Immigration in accordance with Australian Migration Law.

Migration Agents are bound by a Code of Conduct which must be displayed in our place of work and which is available online at the MARA website at: https://www.mara.gov.au/Code-of-Conduct/Code-of-Conduct/default.aspx.

Hamilton Watts represents clients across broad industry sectors. Indeed, many of our clients are competitors domestically and internationally. We maintain strict confidentiality with all our clients and their business planning to the extent that only information necessary for the visa application process is provided to Australian Government authorities. We have no other purpose or obligation to disclose corporate client or employee information.

8. Under what circumstances would Hamilton Watts provide a refund?

Hamilton Watts operates on a fee for service basis (not on fee for result terms). This means that our invoice covers professional fees for work done on various immigration services. There may be some circumstances where the refund of a fee might be necessary, for example if work has not substantially started and the case does not proceed. This can be discussed with your HWIMS Consultant.