Those moving to Australia can apply for different types of visas. The application process while still in the UK may be lengthy, from three to four months or longer. You can apply for the visa yourself, or use a migration agency which will charge a fee.

The Temporary Business Long Stay — Standard Business Sponsorship visa 457 is the most common with UK recruiters. It is valid for four years. If the visa holder wishes to stay in Australia longer, he or she must apply for a new visa. To remain permanently in the country, you need to apply for company-sponsored residency, which can take up to a year to obtain.

The 457 visa is for skilled workers. To qualify, recruiters must have a degree and working experience in the field, pass health and character checks, have been offered a full-time job which is available for at least two years, be under 45 years of age, be offered a job with a minimum salary, and provide their own health insurance. In lieu of a degree, longer working experience may be acceptable. With the 457, the visa holder is entitled to bring a spouse/partner, as well as dependents, to Australia.

For those who do not yet have a job but want to investigate working in Australia, the Working Holiday visa 417 is an option. It is available online and applies to those aged 18-30 interested in a working holiday of up to 12 months in Australia. If the 417 visa holder finds a job in the skilled worker category and meets the qualifications, they can convert the 417 to the 457, which offers a longer stay.

The Visitor visa is another option. It can be applied for on-line and is generally for a stay of up to three months. Again, if the visitor finds a job he or she may convert to the visa offering a longer stay.

Norris says her consultancy in Sydney, deals primarily with those who come to Australia to apply for jobs. "It's always better to have a face-to-face interview," she says. "Our clients prefer this even with video conferencing." Getting the 457 once in Australia is not that difficult, she adds, and not that costly. You can do it yourself for about $190 or pay an agency which should charge between $600 and $1,200. "It can take from a couple of days to six weeks, but it's not like the US where it takes up to a year," she says. "The paper work is a bit involved, about 10 pages, but people have been doing it for years."