Australia is a top choice for skilled professionals, students, and families looking to live abroad. Its high standard of living, strong economy, excellent healthcare, and world-class education make it a desirable place to live. Permanent residency (PR) is a visa status that allows you to live, work, and study in Australia for the rest of your life.
You can find everything you need to know about how to get Permanent Residency in Australia, including visa pathways, eligibility requirements, points system, documents, and how to apply.
1. How Does Australian Permanent Residency (PR) Work?
Permanent Residency (PR) in Australia allows you to live and work there without time restrictions. The right to vote and access to certain government positions are the only rights that PR holders do not enjoy as Australian citizens.
PR visas allow you to:
- Indefinitely live and work anywhere in Australia
- Any Australian institution can offer you a study program
- Sign up for Medicare (Australia’s public healthcare system)
- Sponsor eligible family members for permanent residency
- After a few years, apply for Australian citizenship
2. Australia’s Main Pathways to Permanent Residency
The process of obtaining Australian permanent residency can be accomplished in several ways. Among the most popular are:
1. Pathway for skilled migration
In the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program, qualified professionals with in-demand skills may apply.
Subclasses of visas:
- Visa subclass 189 – Skilled Independent Visa (without sponsorship)
- Visas under Subclass 190 – State-sponsored skilled nominee visas
- Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (regional sponsorship)
2. PR sponsored by employers
Sponsorships from approved Australian employers are available to individuals.
As an example:
- Subclass 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS)
- Subclass 187 – Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS)
3. PR sponsored by family members
Partner, child, or parent of an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
As an example:
- Visa for Partner (Subclass 820/801 or 309/100)
- Visa for parents
- Visa for children
4. Visas for business or investment
Entrepreneurs and investors who can contribute to Australia’s economy are encouraged to apply.
As an example:
- Visa for Innovation and Investment in Business (Subclass 188/888)
5. The student-to-PR pathway
The following are some of the ways in which international students obtain PR after studying in Australia:
- Taking a course that is eligible
- Getting work experience with a Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)
- Skilled visa applications for permanent residency
3. Requirements for Australian Permanent Residency
Visa categories determine eligibility, but the following are the core requirements:
- Application age: Generally under 45 years old.
- English Proficiency: You must prove your ability to speak English (IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL).
- Skilled Occupation List (SOL): Your job must be listed on the list.
- Assessment of Skills: Qualifications and experience must be evaluated by an assessing authority that has been recognized by the government.
- Requirements for health and character: Medical clearance and police clearance certificates are required.
- Skills Visa Points Requirements: To qualify for a skilled visa, you must score 65 points or more on the points test.
4. Australian PR Points System (General Skilled Migration)
You are eligible for a Subclass 189, 190, or 491 visa based on a set of points awarded based on a number of factors.
| Factor | Maximum Points |
|---|---|
| Age (18–44 years) | 30 |
| English proficiency | 20 |
| Skilled employment (Australia/Overseas) | 20 |
| Educational qualifications | 20 |
| Australian study requirement | 5 |
| Specialist education qualification | 10 |
| Partner skills | 10 |
| State nomination or regional sponsorship | 15 |
| Community language accreditation | 5 |
There is a minimum requirement of 65 points for an Expression of Interest (EOI).
Your chances of being invited increase with higher scores.
5. Australian PR Process Step-by-Step
Step 1: Verify your eligibility
The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) website has a points calculator that can help you determine whether you are eligible for permanent residency.
Step 2: Select the right type of visa
Choose the subclass of visa that best fits your qualifications, experience, and goals (Skilled Independent, Employer Sponsored, Partner, etc.).
Step 3: Take the English test
You can take one of the following language tests:
- A minimum score of 6 in each band is required for IELTS
- Minimum of 50 points in each band for PTE Academic
- A minimum score of 12 in Listening, 13 in Reading, 21 in Writing, and 18 in Speaking on the TOEFL iBT is required.
PR points can be increased by higher scores (IELTS 8 or equivalent).
Step 4: Conduct a skills assessment
AHPRA, Engineers Australia, ACS, and ACS for IT professionals are some examples of approved Australian assessing authorities.
The following will be needed:
- Certificates of completion
- Documentation of work experience
- References from professionals
Your skills meet Australian standards if you receive a positive assessment.
Step 5: Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)
Register for SkillSelect (the online immigration portal for the Australian government).
EOIs should indicate your selected visa class and state (if you are applying for nomination).
EOIs must include:
- Factors such as age, education, experience, language results, and points calculation.
You will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for PR if your score is competitive.
Step 6: Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
The DHA website gives you 60 days to submit your complete PR application once you have been invited.
Step 7: Submit an application for state nomination (for subclass 190 or 491)
A separate application must be submitted to the government of a state or territory if you wish to apply for a state-nominated visa.
Step 8: Send in your PR application
All required documents should be uploaded, including:
- Obtaining a passport
- Transcripts of education
- Results of the skills assessment
- Results of the English test
- References and letters of employment
- Clearances from the health department and the police
- (If required) Proof of funds
At this point, you must pay the visa application fee.
Step 9: Check your health and character
Make sure all countries you’ve lived in for more than 12 months have provided you with police clearance certificates.
Step 10: Await PR decision
Visa processing times vary by subclass, but are generally between six and twelve months.
Upon approval, you will receive a notification of your Permanent Residency Grant.
6. Subclasses of visas leading to permanent residency
Visa subclass 189 – Skilled Independent
Skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer or family member.
Based solely on points.
Australia is a country where you can live and work anywhere.
Visa subclass 190 – Skilled Nominated
Nominations are required from Australian states or territories.
The state requires you to live and work there for a specified period of time.
Provides an extra 5 points toward PR eligibility.
Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional Visa (Provisional)
Regionally sponsored applicants or applicants whose family members are regionally sponsored.
A minimum of three years must be spent living and working in a regional area.
After 3 years, you can apply for PR under Subclass 191.
Subclass 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme
Skilled employees can obtain a visa sponsored by their employers.
Nomination by an Australian employer is required.
Directly leads to PR.
Visa subclass 888 – Business Innovation and Investment Visa
Designed for business owners and investors who establish or manage businesses in Australia.
Investment and business performance proof are required.
Visa for Partner (Subclass 820/801 or 309/100)
Spouses or de facto partners of Australian citizens or PR holders.
A temporary visa (820/309) leads to a permanent visa (801/100) after two years.
7. Documents required for PR applications
A PR application typically requires the following documents:
- A valid passport is required
- Test results for English (IELTS, PTE, TOEFL)
- Assessment of positive skills
- Certificates and transcripts of education
- Pay slips and references from previous employers
- Certificates of police clearance
- Reports of medical examinations
- Photographs the size of a passport
- Certificates of marriage or birth (if applicable)
- Nomination or sponsorship proof from the state
Translations and certifications are required for all documents not in English.
8. Fees and processing time for Australia PR (2025)
| Visa Type | Average Processing Time | Government Fee (Primary Applicant) |
|---|---|---|
| Subclass 189 | 6–10 months | AUD 4,640 |
| Subclass 190 | 7–11 months | AUD 4,640 |
| Subclass 491 | 9–12 months | AUD 4,240 |
| Subclass 186 | 7–12 months | AUD 4,640 |
| Partner Visa | 12–24 months | AUD 8,850 |
Fees may vary depending on dependents, location, and exchange rate.
9. How to increase your chances of getting PR
- Perform well on English tests (IELTS 8.0 or PTE 79+).
- Obtain additional qualifications relevant to your profession.
- Nominate your state for bonus points.
- Obtain a 491 visa to work in regional Australia.
- Temporary visas allow you to gain Australian work experience.
- If your spouse has a suitable occupation, include their skills.
10. The benefits of permanent residency in Australia
- Indefinitely live and work anywhere in Australia
- Obtain free or subsidized healthcare (Medicare)
- Bring family members with you by sponsoring them
- After two years, you can access social security benefits
- Enroll children at local rates in public schools
- After four years, apply for Australian citizenship
- Australia is a free country to travel in and out of
11. Reasons for rejection of PR applications
- Skilled Migration program insufficient points
- Results of English tests that are invalid or expired
- Documents that are incorrect or fraudulent
- Medical clearances or police clearances that are incomplete
- Incorrect occupation when applying
- Inability to meet health or character requirements
Verify your information carefully before submitting and seek professional migration advice if unsure.
12. The process of converting a temporary visa into a permanent visa
It is common for applicants to arrive in Australia on a Temporary Visa (Student, Graduate, or Work Visa) and then transition to Permanent Residence.
Example of a common pathway:
- A student visa allows you to study in Australia
- Working on a Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)
- Experience relevant work
- PR through Skilled Migration (subclass 189/190/491)
International graduates who have some work experience and meet occupation and skill requirements often take this route.
13. Applying for a PR visa after receiving it
The following steps should be taken once your PR has been granted:
- An email notification will be sent to you once your visa is granted.
- Indefinitely, you can enter and live in Australia.
- The validity of your PR for travel purposes is five years (renewable).
- After living in Australia for 4 years (with at least one year as a Permanent Resident), you can apply for citizenship.
14. Checklist for Summary
Make sure you follow these steps before applying for PR:
- Under 45 years of age
- Occupation on the Skilled Occupation List
- A minimum score of 65 points is required
- Passed an English test
- Assess your skills in a positive way
- No criminal or medical history
- Documents must be accurate and complete
15. Concluding remarks
If you prepare well and meet the eligibility requirements, you can obtain Permanent Residency in Australia. To achieve success, you must choose the right visa, achieve a competitive points score, and submit complete documentation.
It is possible to make your dream of living permanently in Australia a reality if you are a skilled worker, international student, entrepreneur, or a family member of a resident.
You can start your journey towards Australian PR today by researching, planning carefully, and taking your time.
