How to Apply for Australian Permanent Residency: A Complete Guide
Australia enjoys high demand as a country of choice for people seeking to start a new life in a new country due to a higher quality of life, a sound economy, and diverse population. The Australian permanent residency visa lets a person live, work and study in Australia as they please. In this guide, you will find out the major processes, eligibility criteria, and procedures for immigration to Australia as a permanent resident using accurate and up-to-date information from Australian government organizations.
- What is Australian Permanent Residency?
The immigration status like Australian Permanent Residency (PR) offers you most of the rights as an ordinary citizen in Australia. With PR status, you can:
- Able to work, live and study within Australia with no restrictions of time.
- Get sponsorship for eligible family members with PR.
- Make use of Medicare to receive free or at a subsidized price health care service.
- Apply for citizenship of Australia after satisfying the requirements.
- There be no limitation on travel within or outside Australia on conditions of travel facility though.
However, PR holders cannot vote in federal or state elections, unless they obtain Australian citizenship.
- Key Pathways to Australian Permanent Residency
There are several visa categories through which individuals can obtain PR in Australia. The most common pathways include:
- a) Skilled Migration Visas
The Australian government appreciates skilled workers, and there are several visas available in Australia for workers with skills. Some key skilled migration visas include:
- Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)
- This visa is for people who don’t have an employer, a state or a family member to sponsor him or her. It is a point-based visa that enable the holder to live and work in Australia permanently in any given state of his/her choice.
- Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)
- This visa is for skilled workers who have been sponsored by an Australian state or territory government agency. This one also has point systems but applicants are required to be resident in the nominating state for a particular number of years.
- Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491)
- This is a temporary visa of the skilled worker who is sponsored by a state or a territory to work in regional Australia. When all the conditions have been met, an applicant may use the Subclass 191 visa to apply for PR.
To apply for these visas, applicants must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through Australia’s Skill Select system and receive an invitation to apply.
- b) Employer-Sponsored Visas
If one has a job offer from any Australian employer, he/she may be eligible for employer sponsored visa. Most common path ways in this class are:
- Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa (Subclass 186)
- This visa is applicable only for skilled workers nominated by an employer in Australia. Applicants can either apply from inside or outside Australia.
- Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) Visa (Subclass 187)
- This visa applies for skilled workers nominated by an employer in regional Australia. It requires workers to work in a regional area of the country.
- c) Family-Sponsored Visas
Family members of permanent residents or Australian citizens are also eligible to apply for PR. Common options in these visas include:
- Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801, 309/100)
- Spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen or PR holder can apply for this visa to live in Australia.
- Parent Visa (Subclass 103, 143)
- This visa enables the parent of a citizen of Australia or a permanent resident to move to Australia. As mentioned before, there are a number of parent visa categories; however, some of them can take a very long time to be granted, up to 30 years for non–PBS parent visa.
- d) Business and Investment Visas
Australia encourages business owners, investors and entrepreneurs to migrate through Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 188) and the permanent Business Talent (Permanent) Visa (Subclass 132). These categories of visas require significant financial investments or successful business ownership.
- Points-Based System for Skilled Migration Visas
For skilled migration visas (Subclass 189, 190, and 491), Australia uses a points-based system to assess candidates. Points are awarded based on various factors, including:
- Age: Applicants between 25-32 years get the maximum points.
- English Language Proficiency: High scores in tests like IELTS or PTE can earn more points.
- Work Experience: Relevant work experience in your occupation in and outside Australia can give you points.
- Qualifications: Higher education degrees such as a bachelor’s or master’s degree are awarded more points.
- Australian Study Requirement: Studying in Australia can add additional points.
- State Nomination or Sponsorship: Additional points are awarded if a state or territory government nominates you.
Currently, the minimum required points to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) is 65, but most successful applicants tend to score higher (typically around 80+ points).
- The Application Process
- a) Step 1: Check Eligibility
Before applying for any PR visa, you must ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria, such as occupation requirements, qualifications, and work experience. For skilled migration visas, your occupation must be on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) or the Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List (CSOL), depending on the visa subclass.
- b) Step 2: Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)
For skilled migration visas, you must lodge an EOI through Skill Select, the Australian Government’s online system. In your EOI, you’ll provide details of your skills, qualifications, and points assessment.
If your EOI is selected based on your points score and occupation, you will receive an invitation to apply for the visa.
- c) Step 3: Gather Required Documents
Once you receive an invitation, you must gather the required documents. These typically include:
- Proof of identity (passport, birth certificate).
- Skills assessment (conducted by an assessing authority for your occupation).
- Proof of English language proficiency (IELTS, PTE scores).
- Work experience and educational qualifications.
- Health and character certificates (police clearance, medical exams).
- d) Step 4: Lodge Your Visa Application
After gathering all the necessary documents, you can lodge your visa application online through the Immi Account portal. The processing time for PR visas can vary depending on the type of visa and individual circumstances but generally ranges from 6 to 12 months.
- e) Step 5: Await Decision
Once your application is submitted, you will receive a bridging visa (if applying from within Australia) that allows you to remain in the country while your PR application is processed. You can track the status of your application online, and you may be asked to provide additional documents if needed.
- Costs Involved
Applying for Australian PR can be expensive. The costs include:
- Visa application fee: Varies depending on the visa subclass but typically ranges from AUD 4,240 to AUD 7,850 for primary applicants.
- Skills assessment fees: Depending on your occupation, these can range from AUD 300 to AUD 1,000.
- English language test: The IELTS test fee is approximately AUD 375.
Additionally, there may be fees for medical exams, police clearances, and other associated costs.
- Final Thoughts
Australian Permanent Residency visa application needs strategy, legal compliance for visa qualification. If you go by the correct channel such as through talent or employer nomination or family sponsorship or business investment then your chance of a positive outcome and getting the PR and a new life in Australia are high. The Department of Home Affairs is the relevant and credible source of information regarding all the PR applications. You can visit their official website for the most current updates on requirements, fees, and application processes: Ministry of home affairs Australian government. With these ideas, you can remain informed about the issues facing PR and be prepared sufficiently to successfully achieve your particular goal.
