How to migrate from Australia to France?

Can someone please break down how to permanently migrate from America to Australia?

• I am almost ready to graduate high school but ever since I visited Australia as a young girl I have dreamed of someday living there, and I'm determined to make that dream come true! I am going to go to my 4 year college and then I will study law for three years, and after that I plan to become a citizen and move to Australia (Whale Beach, Avalon area- not entirely sure yet). Can someone please help me with what is the easiest way to do this? I have a few questions... -Do I have to live in Australia before I can apply to be a citizen and permanently migrate there? -Will it matter that I went to college/law school in America? -Will it be hard to find a job in Australia as a Lawyer? -Are the prices far higher than in America? -Is it going to be a huge pain getting a new insurance? -This might sound really stupid, but will I need a new ID? -How am I supposed to ship all my belongings to Australia? I'm sorry if any of this sounds ignorant, I'm just so eager to start a life in that beautiful country and I want to make sure that I know everything I need to know! Anything else you would like to include would be GREATLY appreciated! Thank you!

• Answer:

  • Do I have to live in Australia before I can apply to be a citizen and permanently migrate there? You have to get an immigration visa first and can only apply to be a citizen after you're lived there for at least 4 years including at least 1 year as a Permanent Resident i.e. on a permanent visa. You will not be eligible to apply for a skilled immigration visa until you have at least 1 and probably 5 years post qualification work experience (and that assumes that lawyers are still eligible for immigration at that time - it's an occupation that comes and goes on the Skilled Occupations List). • Will it matter that I went to college/law school in America? You won't have to do law school all over again, but a certain amount of study and retraining will be required to make you eligible for registration as a barrister or solicitor and you can't practise as one without registration. See the links on the following for registration requirements. • Will it be hard to find a job in Australia as a Lawyer? Probably though the degree of difficulty will depend on the nature of your legal experience. • Are the prices far higher than in America? For some things, yes but our salaries are also generally higher. A lawyer will be able to enjoy a good standard of living though your preferred location is up there with the most expensive for accommodation in the entire country. You may have to set your sights a bit lower to begin with. • Is it going to be a huge pain getting a new insurance? No. If you come on a permanent visa, you will have automatic eligibility for our Medicare universal healthcare system and private insurance is much less expensive than in the USA. Insurers must accept anyone who wants insurance with them regardless of their medical history and must charge the same premiums to everyone with the same level of cover. •This might sound really stupid, but will I need a new ID? You will have a passport which is universally accepted ID. You will be able to change your US driving licence to an Australian one without needing to do any tests. • How am I supposed to ship all my belongings to Australia? There are literally hundreds of companies that can ship your belongings to Australia. You will have to buy new large electrical appliances in Australia as our voltage is different and they won't work here but furniture etc can be shipped in a shipping container.