Australian Government

Department of Immigration and Citizenship

Level 4, 55 Currie Street Adelaide SA 5000 GPO Box 1638 ADELAIDE SA 5001
Telephone: +61 1300 364 613 (outside Australia) 1300 364 613 (within Australia)
Facsimile +61 (0) 8 8237 6629 (outside Australia) 08 8237 6629 (within Australia)

Website: www.immi.gov.au
INFORMATION ABOUT EMPLOYMENT REFERENCES

As part of their skilled migration application applicants, who are relying on their employment
history to satisfy visa requirements, are required to provide verifiable documentary evidence of
employment supporting their skills and employment claims.

Only paid employment for at least 20 hours a week in the relevant period can be considered.

It is essential that any employment references presented in support of an application contain enough
information to satisfy the decision-maker that the applicant meets the work experience requirement.

Work experience references must:

be written on the official letterhead of the company or government department providing the
reference
the letterhead should indicate clearly the full address of the company and any telephone, fax
numbers, email and website addresses
the name and position of the person authorised to sign the employment reference should be
typed or stamped below that person's signature
the direct contact number of the person writing the reference should be included in the letter
the letter should indicate the exact period of employment, including whether permanent or
temporary, full or part-time, position/s held, the main five (5) duties undertaken, and the
salary earned positions should not be described by generic titles (eg research officer,
public servant) but according to the nature of the duties undertaken (eg research chemist,
accounts clerk)
where appropriate a payslip from the applicants current employment should also be
included this is especially important for applicants working in government departments.

Other documents which may assist in evidencing work experience claims could include, but are not
limited to:
contracts
pay slips
tax returns
group certificates

It is important to note that if the applicant fails to provide sufficient verifiable documentary
evidence of employment, there is likely to be a significant delay in processing the visa
application. Furthermore, failure to satisfy the decision-maker that the work experience
requirement has been met, will result in refusal of the visa application.