In land area, Australia is estimated to be 7,692,024 square Kilometers and the sixth largest nation after Russia, Canada, China, the United States of America and Brazil. It has, however, a relatively small population. Australia’s culturally diverse society includes its Indigenous peoples who arrived more than 50,000 years ago, and settlers from countries all around the world. Immigration is an important feature of Australian society. Since 1945, over six million people from 200 countries have come to Australia as new settlers. Migrants have made a major contribution to shaping modern Australia. People born overseas make up almost one quarter of the total population.

The federal government sets immigration intake numbers on a yearly basis. Australia’s immigration policies are non-discriminatory and all applicants to migrate must meet the same selection criteria.

Australian culture is as broad and varied as the country's landscape. Australia is multicultural and multiracial and this is reflected in the country's food, lifestyle and cultural practices and experience.

Australia has an important heritage from its indigenous people, which plays a defining role in the cultural landscape.

This diversity of influences creates a cultural environment in Australia that is lively, energised, innovative and outward looking.

Australian Immigration offers two classes of visas, work rights and immigration. These classes are broken down into two categories:

•             Temporary Australian Visas, for travel and working holidays.

•             Permanent Australian Visas, for immigration and permanent residence.

Australia's temporary residence program is designed to allow overseas people to come to Australia for specific purposes which result in some benefit to Australia.

A temporary Australian visa can be granted for holidays, temporary employment sponsored by an employer, students etc. The Visa expires after a specified date. I wouldn’t recommend illegally overstaying or you could find yourself a guest of Australia Immigration Officials in one of Australia’s immigration centers.

A permanent visa allows a person to live in Australia indefinitely. It is initially granted for five years and visas can either be applied offshore (outside Australia) or from within Australia whilst on a temporary visa.

There are various streams of permanent Australian visas including: Family, Skilled and Business.

Permanent residents must meet the criteria for the visa they are applying. There is also stringent health and character criteria that has to be met. For newly arrived permanent residents generally there is a two year waiting period before being able to claim for social security benefits, but there are some exemptions to this rule depending on the visa.

Australia has a skilled shortage and has a general skilled migration program that identifies a range of occupations that are in need. There is also a demand list for the most wanted occupations.

The skilled visa stream has a range of visas that are points tested. In summary it is intended for skilled applicants, who are under 45 years of age, have a certain level of english, work in an occupation that is in shortage in Australia and have the relevant qualifications and work experience.

The Points Test has a certain pass mark depending on the visa subclass that is being applied for. The pass mark is constantly under review and is subject to change.

Applicants MUST meet a threshold requirement before applying. Points are awarded in 12 categories: Skill, Age, English, Australian Qualification, Specific work experience, an occupation that is on the demand list, Australian work experience, Study In regional Australia, Partner skills, State and Territory nomination, Designated regional relative sponsorship and Community Language.

For certain visa subclasses the pathway to permanent residency is a two tiered process with temporary residency initially being granted.

In order to become an Australian citizen you must legally reside in Australia for at least four years, and must live in Australia as a permanent resident for at least 12 months. You will have to demonstrate good character by producing police clearances for the time you have lived in Australia, and you will probably have to take a simple citizenship test requiring basic knowledge of Australia and rudimentary English language abilities