How Can I Get Permanent Residency in Australia?

You can get permanent residency (PR) in Australia through skilled migration, employer sponsorship or partner and family visa pathways. The main visa options include the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189), the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) and the Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186). Eligibility depends on the visa pathway and may involve a skills assessment, English-language proficiency, a minimum points score, state nomination or employer sponsorship. Once your permanent visa is granted, you can live, work and study in Australia indefinitely, access Medicare and pursue Australian citizenship.
*Want to apply for Australia PR? Let Y-Axis guide you through the application process.

 

What Are the Different Pathways to Get PR in Australia?
 

Australia offers several pathways to permanent residency (PR), including skilled migration, employer sponsorship, regional migration, partner and family visas, and the National Innovation visa (subclass 858). Each pathway has specific requirements relating to your occupation, qualifications, work experience, age, English-language proficiency and employer or family sponsorship.

• Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189): For skilled workers who do not need employer sponsorship or state nomination.
• Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190): For skilled workers nominated by an Australian state or territory.
• Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186): For skilled workers nominated by an Australian employer for permanent residence.
• Regional migration (subclass 491 or 494 leading to subclass 191): For skilled workers who live and work in regional Australia on a provisional visa before applying for permanent residence.
• Partner and family visas: For people sponsored by an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen who is their partner or family member.
• National Innovation visa (subclass 858): For people with an internationally recognised record of exceptional achievement in their profession, sport, the arts or academia and research.

 

Eligibility Requirements for Australia PR
 

The requirements for Australia PR depend on the visa you apply for. Points-tested skilled visas (subclasses 189, 190 and 491) have the most criteria: an eligible occupation, a positive skills assessment, English proficiency, an age under 45 at invitation and at least 65 points. Employer-sponsored and partner visas are assessed mainly on the sponsor’s nomination or your relationship. Every applicant must also pass health and character checks.

 

*Need help with Australia PR requirements? Book a free consultation with Y-Axis today.

 

Documents Required for Australia Permanent Residency
 

Every applicant needs identity documents, police certificates and a medical examination. Skilled, employer-sponsored and partner applicants then add the evidence for their own pathway.

All applicants

• Identity documents: A valid passport and full birth certificate.
• Police certificates: Certificates from each country where you have lived for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.
• Medical examinations: Results from an approved panel physician.

Skilled visas (189, 190 and 491)

• English test results: Results from an accepted test, such as IELTS or PTE Academic.
• Skills assessment: A positive assessment for your nominated occupation.
• SkillSelect invitation: The invitation to apply for your points-tested visa.
• Work experience evidence: Employer reference letters stating your job title, duties and employment dates.
• Educational certificates: Degree certificates and academic transcripts.
• State nomination (190 and 491 only): Approval from an Australian state or territory.

Employer-sponsored visa (186)

• Employer nomination: Nomination details submitted by your Australian employer.

Partner visas

• Relationship evidence: A marriage certificate or proof of a genuine de facto relationship.

 

How to Apply for Permanent Residency in Australia?
 

To apply for Australian PR through skilled migration, check your occupation, complete a skills assessment, meet the English-language requirements and submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect. After receiving an invitation, submit your visa application with the required documents. Employer-sponsored and partner visas follow separate application processes.

 

Step 1: Check your eligibility
Match your occupation, age, qualifications and work experience to a skilled visa and confirm your occupation is eligible.

Step 2: Get a skills assessment and take an English test
Apply to the assessing authority for your occupation, and book an accepted English test such as IELTS or PTE Academic.

Step 3: Calculate your points
Add up your points for age, English proficiency, qualifications and work experience. You need at least 65 points to be eligible for an invitation.

Step 4: Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)
Create a SkillSelect profile with your skills assessment, English results, qualifications and work experience.

Step 5: Receive an invitation
Home Affairs sends invitations through SkillSelect. For subclasses 190 and 491, you also need nomination from an Australian state or territory.

Step 6: Lodge your visa application
Apply through ImmiAccount, upload your documents and pay the visa application charge within 60 days of receiving your invitation.

Step 7: Complete health and character checks
Attend your medical examination and submit your police certificates. The Department of Home Affairs then assesses your application and issues its decision.

*Want to apply for Australian PR? Book a free consultation with Y-Axis today.

Cost of Australian PR
 

The Home Affairs application charge for the main applicant is AUD 6,135 for the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) and AUD 6,140 for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190). Your total cost will be higher once you add the skills assessment, English test, medical examination and police certificates.

 

 

Australia PR Processing Time
 

Processing starts when you lodge your visa application, so it does not include the wait for a SkillSelect invitation. For points-tested skilled visas, half of applications are decided within 2 to 5 months and 90% within 8 to 18 months. Employer-sponsored applications take longer.

 

*Want to migrate to Australia permanently? Book a free consultation with Y-Axis today.

 

FAQs

Do I need an Expression of Interest (EOI) to apply for Australia PR?

For points-tested skilled visas (subclasses 189, 190 and 491), yes. You submit an EOI in SkillSelect with your skills assessment, English test results, qualifications and work experience, then wait for an invitation to apply. Employer-sponsored and partner visas don’t use SkillSelect.

How many points do I need for Australia PR?

You need at least 65 points to be eligible for an invitation for a points-tested skilled visa. Invitations go to the highest-scoring applicants in each round, so the score that actually gets invited is often higher than 65.

Can I get Australia PR without a job offer?

Yes. The Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) needs no employer sponsorship or state nomination. The Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) needs state or territory nomination but no job offer.

What is the age limit for Australia PR?

For skilled visas, you generally must be under 45 when you are invited to apply. Employer-sponsored visas have their own age rules and some exemptions.

How long does it take to get PR in Australia?

After you lodge, half of points-tested skilled applications are decided within 2 to 5 months and 90% within 8 to 18 months. For the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189), the median is 61 days. Employer-sponsored applications generally take longer, with a median of 13 to 14 months for subclass 186. The wait for a SkillSelect invitation is extra.

How much does Australia PR cost?

The main applicant’s visa application charge is AUD 6,135 for subclass 189 and AUD 6,140 for subclass 190. You also pay for a skills assessment, English test, medical examination and police certificates.

Which is the easiest PR visa to get in Australia?

No single visa is easiest, because it depends on your occupation, points score, work experience and sponsor options. The Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) is the most flexible because it needs no sponsor, but competitive occupations and high invitation scores can make it harder. The Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) and the regional visa (subclass 491) can suit applicants with lower scores who are willing to meet state or regional requirements.

Which documents do I need for Australia PR?

You need a valid passport and birth certificate, an English test result, a positive skills assessment, work experience evidence, police certificates and a medical examination. Depending on your visa, you may also need a SkillSelect invitation, state or employer nomination, or relationship evidence for a partner visa.

Can I include my family in my PR application?

Yes. You can include your partner and dependent children in a skilled visa application. They must meet health and character requirements, and the partner’s skills and English ability can add points to your score.

Can I apply for Australian citizenship after getting PR?