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Last Updated: 17 June 2026

Australia Permanent Residency (PR): Eligibility, Points & How to Apply

Q: What is the minimum points required for Australia PR?

The minimum points required for Australian PR is 65. However, 65 points alone is rarely enough to receive an invitation in current rounds — most successful Subclass 189 applicants score 80 or above, while Subclass 190 and 491 applicants have a higher chance at lower scores due to the additional points awarded through state or regional nomination.

Q: What is the difference between Subclass 189, 190 and 491?

Subclass 189 is a fully independent permanent visa with no sponsorship required, best suited to applicants with 80 or more points. Subclass 190 requires state or territory nomination and adds 5 points to your score, and is permanent from the day of grant. Subclass 491 requires regional nomination, adds 15 points, and is a temporary visa that leads to permanent residency through Subclass 191 after three years of regional living and working.

Q: Can I apply for Australia PR from outside Australia?

Yes, you can apply for Australian PR from outside Australia. Subclass 189, 190 and 491 visas are open to both onshore and offshore applicants. You will need to submit your Expression of Interest through SkillSelect, receive an Invitation to Apply, and meet all standard eligibility requirements regardless of where you are located.

Q: Can a Subclass 482 visa lead to Australia PR?

Yes, the Subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa can lead to Australian PR through the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme. If your employer nominates you and you have worked for them in the same occupation for at least two years, you may be eligible for the Temporary Residence Transition stream of the Subclass 186 visa, which grants permanent residency.

Q: How can I increase my Australia PR points?

The most effective ways to increase your Australia PR points are to improve your English test score to Superior level (IELTS 8+ or PTE 79+), gain more Australian work experience in your nominated occupation, apply for state nomination through Subclass 190 or regional nomination through Subclass 491, and complete a Professional Year Program in IT, accounting or engineering.

Q: What are the most in-demand occupations for Australia PR?

The most in-demand occupations for Australian PR include registered nurses, civil and structural engineers, software engineers, accountants, aged care workers, chefs, electricians, and early childhood teachers. These roles appear consistently on the Core Skills Occupation List and attract strong invitation rounds through both Subclass 189 and state nomination programs.

Q: How much does Australia PR cost?

The government application fee for Australian PR is AUD 4,910 for the main applicant across Subclass 189, 190, 491 and 186, with additional charges of AUD 2,455 per adult dependent and AUD 1,230 per child dependent. Additional costs include skills assessment fees (AUD 300 to AUD 1,200+), English test fees (AUD 350 to AUD 450), and medical examination costs (AUD 300 to AUD 500).

Q: What is SkillSelect and how does it work?

SkillSelect is the Australian government's online platform for managing skilled migration applications. Applicants submit an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect, which is then ranked against other applicants in regular invitation rounds. If your score meets the threshold for your chosen visa subclass, you will receive an Invitation to Apply and have 60 days to lodge your full visa application.

Q: What is a Resident Return Visa and when do I need one?

A Resident Return Visa (RRV) is required when you want to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident after your five-year travel facility has expired. To be eligible, you must have lived in Australia as a permanent resident for at least two years in the last five years. RRV fees range from AUD 165 for a one-year visa to AUD 365 for a five-year visa.

Australian Permanent Residency (PR) gives you the right to live, work, and settle in Australia permanently with no visa conditions or employer restrictions. The Australian government is actively welcoming skilled professionals and families through a structured points-based migration program. Under the 2026-27 Permanent Migration Program, 185,000 PR places have been confirmed with over 70% reserved for skilled migrants across healthcare, engineering, IT, construction and trades.

Why Apply for Australian PR?

Australian PR is the most secure way to settle in Australia permanently. It gives you and your family the stability and freedom to plan and build a long-term future in Australia.

Work for any employer across Australia
Earn an average annual salary of AUD 106,000
Full Medicare access from day one
Free state schooling for your children
Sponsor your family members to join you
Pathway to Australian citizenship after four years

*Want to Migrate to Australia? Get a Free Eligibility Assessment from Y-Axis today.

What is Australian Permanent Residency?

Australian Permanent Residency (PR) is a permanent visa status granted to foreign nationals who meet Australia's skilled migration eligibility criteria. Unlike temporary visas, PR has no expiry date and is not tied to a specific employer, occupation, or location. Applications are assessed through a points-based system that rewards age, English proficiency, work experience, and qualifications.

Australia Immigration Levels Plan 2026-27

The Australia Permanent Migration Program 2026-27 has confirmed 185,000 PR places, with the skilled stream receiving the largest allocation at 132,240 places. Employer-sponsored visas hold the highest single allocation at 58,040 places, followed by state and territory nominated at 35,500 places. The Australian government has confirmed plans to reform the points test from 2026-27 to better reward Australian work experience and qualifications.

Australia Permanent Migration Program	2026-27 Allocation
Total permanent migration places	185,000
Skill stream	132,240
Employer sponsored (Subclass 186)	58,040
Skilled independent (Subclass 189)	21,090
State and territory nominated	35,500
Regional (Subclass 491/494)	14,110
Family stream	52,460

Types of Australian PR Visa

Australia offers several permanent residency pathways for skilled professionals, families, sponsored workers, and investors. The right pathway depends on your occupation, points score, work experience, employer sponsorship, and whether you are applying from within Australia or overseas.

Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189): Points-based permanent visa for skilled workers that does not require employer sponsorship or state nomination.
Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190): Points-based permanent visa requiring nomination by an Australian state or territory government.
Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491): Temporary regional visa leading to permanent residency through Subclass 191 after three years of living and working in a designated regional area.
Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186): Permanent visa for skilled workers nominated by an approved Australian employer.
Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482): Temporary employer-sponsored visa providing a pathway to permanent residency after two years of employment with an approved Australian sponsor.
Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801): Permanent visa for spouses or de facto partners of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens.
National Innovation Visa (Subclass 858): Permanent visa for exceptionally talented individuals with an internationally recognised record of achievement in research, sport, arts, academia, or investment.

Australia PR Visa Comparison: Subclass 189 vs 190 vs 491

Australia has three main points-based PR pathways: Subclass 189, 190 and 491, each suited to a different applicant profile. Subclass 189 offers full independence with no sponsorship required, Subclass 190 adds 5 points through state nomination, and Subclass 491 adds 15 points for applicants willing to live and work in regional Australia.

Feature	Subclass 189	Subclass 190	Subclass 491
Visa Type	Permanent	Permanent	Temporary, leads to PR through Subclass 191
Sponsorship Required	No	Yes, state or territory nomination	Yes, state/territory or eligible regional family member
Where Can You Live	Anywhere in Australia	Nominating state or territory	Designated regional areas across Australia
Extra Points	None	+5 points	+15 points
Processing Time	8 to 12 months	6 to 12 months	9 to 12 months
Pathway to PR	Permanent from day of grant	Permanent from day of grant	Subclass 191 after 3 years of regional living and working
Best For	Applicants with 80+ points wanting full location freedom	Applicants who need state support or 5 extra points	Applicants who need 15 extra points or prefer regional living

*Planning to settle in Australia permanently? Book a Free Consultation with Y-Axis today.

Australia PR Eligibility

To be eligible for Australian PR, you must score a minimum of 65 points on the points test, hold a valid skills assessment, and meet age, English proficiency, health, and character requirements.

Eligibility Criteria for Australian PR

Applicants must be under 45 years of age at the time of invitation
Your occupation must be listed on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)
Meet English language proficiency requirements
Applicants must meet health and character requirements
Hold a valid passport or travel document

*Want to check your eligibility for Australia PR? Book a Free Consultation with Y-Axis today.

Australia PR Points System

Australia's PR points system assigns points based on age, English proficiency, work experience, qualifications, and other factors, with a minimum score of 65 points required to lodge an Expression of Interest. Most competitive applicants score 80 or above to receive an invitation in current rounds.

Category	Maximum Points
Age 25-32 years (maximum)	30
Age 18-24 / 33-39 years	25
Age 40-44 years	15
Superior English (IELTS 8+ / PTE 79+)	20
Proficient English (IELTS 7+ / PTE 65+)	10
Australian work experience 8+ years	20
Australian work experience 5-7 years	15
Australian work experience 3-4 years	10
Australian work experience 1-2 years	5
Overseas work experience 8+ years	15
Overseas work experience 5-7 years	10
Overseas work experience 3-4 years	5
Doctoral degree	20
Bachelor, Masters or Diploma (Australian institution)	15
Bachelor, Masters, Diploma or trade (overseas recognised)	10
STEM postgraduate research (Australian institution)	10
State nomination — Subclass 190	5
Regional nomination — Subclass 491	15
Professional Year Program	5
NAATI community language accreditation	5
Partner skills assessment and English	10
Single applicant or partner is Australian/NZ citizen or PR	10

*Want to check your eligibility for Australian PR? Use the free Y-Axis Australia PR Points Calculator to find out in minutes.

How to Increase Your Australia PR Points?

The fastest way to increase your Australia PR points is to improve your English score to Superior level, which adds 20 points. Other effective strategies include gaining more Australian work experience, securing state nomination, and completing a Professional Year Program.

Tips to Improve Your Australia PR Points

Improve your English test score to Superior level
Gain more work experience in Australia in your nominated occupation
Apply for state or regional nomination through Subclass 190 or 491
Complete a Professional Year Program in IT, accounting or engineering
Study or work in a designated regional area of Australia
Include your partner's skills and English proficiency in your application
Obtain NAATI community language accreditation

Australia Skilled Occupation List

To apply for Australia PR through skilled migration, your occupation must be listed on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). The list reflects Australia’s workforce needs and is regularly updated by the Department of Home Affairs. A listed occupation is required for Subclass 189, 190, and 491 visas, while some applicants may also qualify through employer-sponsored pathways such as Subclass 186.

Some of the most in-demand occupations include:

Sector	Eligible Occupations
Healthcare	Registered Nurse, General Practitioner, Aged Care Worker
IT	Software Engineer, Cybersecurity Analyst, ICT Business Analyst
Engineering	Civil Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Electrical Engineer
Trades	Electrician, Plumber, Carpenter
Finance	Accountant, Financial Analyst
Education	Early Childhood Teacher, Secondary School Teacher
Construction	Project Manager, Quantity Surveyor
Hospitality	Chef, Cook

Skills Assessment for Australia PR

A positive skills assessment is required for most Australia PR visa pathways. It verifies that your qualifications and work experience meet Australian standards for your nominated occupation before submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect.

Assessing Authority	Occupations Covered	Estimated Processing Time
ACS (Australian Computer Society)	ICT professionals, software developers, data analysts	4–8 weeks
Engineers Australia	Civil, mechanical, electrical, and chemical engineers	3–6 months
VETASSESS	Chefs, HR, marketing, accountants (non-CPA), and other occupations	10–16 weeks
CPA Australia / CAANZ	Accountants and finance professionals	4–8 weeks
AHPRA	Doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists	Up to 12 months
TRA (Trades Recognition Australia)	Electricians, plumbers, carpenters, and other trade occupations	3–6 months
AITSL	Teachers and early childhood educators	8–12 weeks
ANMAC	Registered and enrolled nurses, midwives	8–12 weeks
AMC (Australian Medical Council)	Medical practitioners and general practitioners	Up to 12 months

Documents Required for Australia PR

To apply for Australia PR, you must submit documents related to your identity, skills assessment, education, work experience, English proficiency, and health and character checks.

Identity Documents

Valid passport
Birth certificate
National identity card (if applicable)

Skills and Qualifications

Positive skills assessment
Educational certificates and transcripts
Professional registration (if applicable)

Work Experience

Employment reference letters
Pay slips or tax records
Statutory declaration (if reference letters are unavailable)

English Proficiency

IELTS, PTE Academic, OET, or TOEFL iBT results

Health and Character

Medical examination results
Police clearance certificates

Additional Documents

SkillSelect Expression of Interest (EOI) confirmation
State nomination letter (Subclass 190 or 491, if applicable)
Partner documents (if applicable)

How to Apply for Australia PR?

Applying for Australia PR is a structured process that starts with a skills assessment and submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect. Once invited, you can lodge your visa application through ImmiAccount with the required documents, health checks, and character clearances.

Step 1: Choose the Right Visa Subclass

Select the PR pathway that best matches your occupation, points score, work experience, and personal circumstances.

Step 2: Get a Skills Assessment

Submit your qualifications and work experience to the relevant assessing authority for your occupation. A positive skills assessment is required before submitting your EOI.

Step 3: Complete an English Proficiency Test

Take an approved English language test such as IELTS, PTE Academic, OET, or TOEFL iBT and achieve the required score for your chosen visa subclass.

Step 4: Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect

Lodge your EOI through the SkillSelect portal. Your profile remains valid for up to two years and is ranked against other applicants during invitation rounds.

Step 5: Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)

If your EOI meets the required criteria and places are available, you may receive an Invitation to Apply for your selected visa subclass.

Step 6: Lodge Your Visa Application

Submit your complete visa application through ImmiAccount within 60 days of receiving your invitation, along with supporting documents, health examinations, and character clearances.

Step 7: Receive Your PR Visa

Once approved, your Australia PR visa is granted, allowing you to live, work, and settle permanently in Australia.

*Want to apply for Australia PR? Book a Free Consultation with Y-Axis today.

Australia PR Processing Time

Australia PR processing times currently range from 5 to 14 months depending on the visa subclass and occupation. Submitting a decision-ready application with all documents, health checks and police clearances complete at the time of lodgement gives your application the best chance of being processed within the faster end of the timeframe.

Visa Subclass	Estimated Processing Time
Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent)	5 to 14 months
Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated)	5 to 12 months
Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional)	5 to 12 months
Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination)	6 to 14 months
Subclass 191 (Permanent Skilled Regional)	3 to 5 months

Note: Processing times are updated regularly. Check the latest on the official website before applying.

Australian PR Fee

The government visa application fee for Australian PR is AUD 4,910 for the main applicant across Subclass 189, 190, 491 and 186, with additional charges for dependants included in the application. Skills assessment, English test, medical examination, and police clearance costs apply separately and vary by individual circumstances.

Visa Subclass	Main Applicant	Adult Dependent (over 18)	Child Dependent (under 18)
Subclass 189 — Skilled Independent	AUD 4,910	AUD 2,455	AUD 1,230
Subclass 190 — Skilled Nominated	AUD 4,910	AUD 2,455	AUD 1,230
Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional	AUD 4,910	AUD 2,455	AUD 1,230
Subclass 186 — Employer Nomination	AUD 4,910	AUD 2,455	AUD 1,230

Additional Costs include:

Cost Item	Approximate Cost (AUD)
Skills Assessment	AUD 300 to AUD 1,200+
IELTS / PTE Academic test	AUD 350 to AUD 450
Medical examination (per person)	AUD 300 to AUD 500
Police clearance (per country)	AUD 42 to AUD 100+

Note: Processing costs are updated regularly. Check the latest on the official website before applying.

How to Maintain Your Australian PR Status?

Australian PR does not expire, but the travel facility attached to your visa is valid for five years from the date of grant. To re-enter Australia after your travel facility expires, you need to apply for a Resident Return Visa (RRV).

Your PR travel facility is valid for five years from the date of grant
Apply for an RRV before travelling abroad for extended periods
To qualify for an RRV, you must have lived in Australia as a permanent resident for at least two years in the last five years
RRV fees range from AUD 165 for a one-year visa to AUD 365 for a five-year visa
Applicants outside Australia with strong ties to the country may also be eligible for an RRV

Once you meet the four-year residency requirement as a permanent resident, you can apply for Australian citizenship, which gives you a permanent right to enter and remain in Australia without any travel facility restrictions.

Highest-Paying Jobs in Australia

Australia's skill shortages across healthcare, engineering, IT, construction and education create strong PR opportunities for qualified professionals, with average annual salaries exceeding AUD 100,000 across many in-demand sectors.

Occupation	Average Annual Salary (AUD)
Engineering	AUD 122,698
Banking, Finance and Insurance	AUD 116,037
Sales and Marketing	AUD 110,543
Education and Childcare	AUD 103,399
Healthcare and Social Services	AUD 103,143
Information Technology	AUD 101,116
Accounting, Administration and HR	AUD 99,440
Construction and Maintenance	AUD 98,248
Hospitality and Travel	AUD 82,088
Food Services	AUD 70,384

Australia PR Pathways for Temporary Visa Holders

If you are already in Australia on a temporary visa, your pathway to PR depends on the visa you currently hold. Most temporary visa holders are well positioned to apply for PR from within Australia.

Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand Visa): 482 visa holders can apply for PR through the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme after two years of employment with an approved sponsor in the same occupation.
Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate Visa): 485 visa holders can submit an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect and apply for Subclass 189, 190, or 491. Australian study and work experience on your 485 visa counts toward your points score.
Subclass 500 (Student Visa): The standard pathway for student visa holders is to complete your degree, transition to a Subclass 485 graduate visa, gain work experience, complete a skills assessment, and apply for PR through SkillSelect.
Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional Visa): 491 visa holders can apply for permanent residency through Subclass 191 after three years of living and working in a designated regional area of Australia, with a minimum annual income of AUD 53,900.

How Can Y-Axis Help You?

Y-Axis Australia is a MARA-registered migration consultancy with offices in Melbourne and Sydney. Our Registered Migration Agents are authorised to provide immigration advice and support you throughout your Australia PR application process.

When you work with Y-Axis, you get:

Free eligibility assessment using the official Australia PR Points Calculator
Honest advice on which visa subclass you qualify for
End-to-end case management from your first consultation to your PR grant
Skills assessment support across ACS, Engineers Australia, VETASSESS, AHPRA, CPA Australia and CAANZ
PTE and IELTS coaching through our Australia-based team
Document review and EOI preparation through SkillSelect
Family visa lodgement for your spouse and children
Post-arrival support with Medicare, Centrelink and your first Australian job

Book a free consultation with our Melbourne office on +61 3 9939 4818 or our Sydney office on +61 2 9146 0950.

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