Every year Australia actively seeks skilled immigrants to relocate 'down under' and start a new life living in the sunshine of Australia. At the same time, every year thousands of Britons, Europeans and North Americans consider their options of starting a new life far away from their old life in a new country where the climate is fantastic, the lifestyle is excellent and the prospects are pretty much perfect. This is why annually Australia is one of the countries in the world that receives the greatest number of applications from would-be new citizens seeking a residential visa.

Australia offers so much to its citizens, from the aforementioned excellent weather to plentiful job opportunities, from a great standard of affordable living to a free society where everyone is considered equal. If you're currently a little disillusioned by your home nation because of economic issues, rising crime, falling wages or just because you want a change of scenery and a chance for a new and better life, have you considered emigrating to Australia?

If you have started thinking about it, this guide will show you how to emigrate to Australia with a visa in hand and plenty of potential for your future.

Stage One - Getting Your Visa

Before you rush off and apply for a visa you need to know that there are multiple types of visa that one can apply for to gain residency in Australia. For those who only want to visit for a few months there's the working holiday visa that allows anyone eligible who is between the age of 18 and 30 to go and live and work their way round Australia for 12 months. For those who want to relocate permanently there are skilled worker visas, employer and investor visas or even humanitarian visas.

You need to spend some time on the Australia immigration department's website looking at which type you are most likely to be eligible for. There are individuals and agencies out there which can help you with your application - for a fee. But if you prefer to go it alone, just take the process slowly and surely, make sure you send all the evidence of your eligibility with your application and persevere. If you do have skills and talent that would benefit Australia, you stand a good chance of entry.

Stage Two - Making the Move

With your visa in hand you now have to make the move a reality. You may be keen to sell up everything at home and leave with no ties - but what about if a move 'down under' to Australia doesn't work out for you? How will you ever make it back? Think carefully about what solution would work for you best and then know that it is never too soon to start packing, looking for a job in Australia, seeking accommodation etc.

Some people prefer to make the move when they have a home to go to, jobs to go to and the children enrolled in school. Others are happy to just arrive, stay for a few weeks in a holiday let and sort everything out when they are on the ground. Whichever approach you choose, there are others who have gone before you and succeeded so know that although it will be tough at times, you can make a go of it if you try hard.

Stage Three - Coping with Homesickness and Settling In

Although you have dreamt of a move to Australia and finally made your dream come true through pure perseverance and hard work, the honeymoon period once you arrive in Australia doesn't last long for most people! The stress of actually having to put together the pieces of a new life can take its toll on even the most organised people, and most people reach a point where they think 'why have I done this? Why have I turned a perfectly good life upside down?' This feeling is NORMAL! Don't panic. Just push through, keep your eye on the goal which is settling in to life in Australia and you will get there.

Possibly one of the best things you can do to make your transition easier is make friends. So, get out and about and meeting people and make contacts and friends who will support you and help you, and before you know it, you'll have that brand new life you dreamed of and you will be happier than ever before!