The main role of the Victorian Government's Skilled and Business Migration Program is to help people migrate to Victoria through providing information and advice, and state visa sponsorship for eligible migrants. We also offer a number of services to help skilled and business migrants settle in Australia and adapt to life in Victoria.

Arriving in Australia

Customs and quarantine

Australia has strict laws about what you are and are not allowed to bring into the country. Products that may bring in foreign pests and diseases are closely regulated. When you arrive, you will go through customs, where you must declare anything in your luggage that may be restricted. Your luggage will be checked, and officials may quarantine some items for a specified period. You may be asked to pay a charge to clean certain goods, especially if they are made from, or have been in contact with, animal, plant and wood products.

Bringing a pet

It is possible to bring your pet cat or dog into Australia, but it is a lengthy process. You must plan early if you want to bring your pet, and remember to check the regulations in your home country. Your pet will be placed in quarantine when you arrive for somewhere between 30 and 60 days, depending on which country you are coming from. You will need to pay for this quarantine service.

Further information

For more information on customs and quarantine, visit the following websites:

• Australian Quarantine Inspection Service
• Australian Customs Service
• Guide to Importation of Personal and Household Effects into Australia

Post-arrival support services

Finding work in Victoria

The Skilled and Business Migration Program provides information but we do not provide a recruitment service and cannot help you directly to find a job in Australia. The Skilled - Sponsored and Skilled - Regional Sponsored visas are independent visas, so you will need to find employment in Victoria yourself. For information on finding work in Victoria, view our Finding a Job section.

Occupation registration and licensing

Some occupations have special requirements such as registration or licensing with a government authority or membership of a professional or industry association. The Australian Skills Recognition Information site helps you to find out how you can have your overseas qualifications and skills recognised in Australia. It also includes state-specific licensing and registration requirements to practice your occupation in Australia. For more information, see the Occupations page.

Relocation support services and networks

There are a number of relocation support services and networks available to help migrants settle in to life in Victoria.

Local government councils

Many local government councils around Victoria offer support services and information to newly arrived migrants. For more information, view the interactive map of Victoria or visit the Local Government Victoria website.

Further information

The following websites provide information on other relocation support services:

• Relocation Network - offers free information about services that support people relocating to Australia
• Newcomers Network - offers free information about services that support people relocating to Australia
• Victorian Multicultural Community Directory - a directory with contact details for multicultural services and organisations that support newly arrived migrants
• Migrant Resource Centres - provide settlement services and support for migrants
• Adult Multicultural Education Services (AMES) - offers a migrant English program, as well as other settlement services
• Chinese Community Services- provides free settlement information and community activities to newly arrived Chinese migrants. 华人社团服务- 对于中国新移民免费提供有关安居的信息及社团活动.
  

Settling in to everyday life

For information on everyday life in Victoria, visit our Living in Victoria section. You can also download this information as a Relocation Guide.

Read the personal stories of skilled and business migrants who have already settled in Victoria.

To find out how to stay in touch with relatives overseas, see the mail and phone services information under Facts About Victoria.

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) also provides general information about settling in to life in Australia, as well as the 'Beginning a Life in Australia' booklet (available in English and 37 other languages).