Australia, known for its high quality of life, diverse culture, and strong economy, is a top destination for individuals seeking to make a permanent move. Gaining Australian Permanent Residency (PR) offers a pathway to becoming a full-fledged member of the community, with the right to live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely. This guide will walk you through the process of applying for Australian Permanent Residency, including the different visa categories, eligibility requirements, application procedures, and tips to ensure a successful application.
What is Australian Permanent Residency?
Australian Permanent Residency (PR) is a status granted to non-citizens that allows them to live and work in Australia indefinitely. PR holders enjoy many of the same rights and privileges as Australian citizens, including access to healthcare through Medicare, social security benefits, and the ability to apply for Australian citizenship after fulfilling certain residency requirements.
Benefits of Australian Permanent Residency
Obtaining Australian PR comes with numerous benefits that make it an attractive option for those looking to settle in Australia long-term:
- Right to Live and Work: PR holders can live and work in Australia indefinitely without restrictions.
- Access to Medicare: PR holders are eligible for Australia’s public healthcare system, Medicare, which provides free or subsidized healthcare services.
- Social Security Benefits: After fulfilling a qualifying period, PR holders can access certain social security benefits through Centrelink.
- Pathway to Citizenship: PR is the first step toward Australian citizenship. After meeting residency requirements, PR holders can apply for citizenship.
- Sponsor Family Members: PR holders can sponsor eligible family members to come to Australia.
- Travel Flexibility: PR holders can travel in and out of Australia without needing a visa each time, though they must ensure their PR status remains valid.
Eligibility Requirements for Australian Permanent Residency
To apply for Australian Permanent Residency, you must meet specific eligibility requirements that vary depending on the visa category you are applying under. The most common pathways to PR include skilled migration, family sponsorship, and business or investment visas.
General Eligibility Criteria
While the exact requirements differ by visa type, the following general criteria are typically required for PR:
- Age: Most PR visas have an upper age limit, typically 45 years old.
- English Language Proficiency: You must demonstrate proficiency in English, usually through a recognized test like IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE.
- Skills Assessment: For skilled visas, you must have your skills assessed by a relevant assessing authority.
- Health and Character Requirements: You must undergo a medical examination and provide police certificates to meet health and character requirements.
- Points Test: Many skilled migration visas operate on a points-based system, where you must score a certain number of points based on factors like age, education, work experience, and English language proficiency.
Pathways to Australian Permanent Residency
There are several pathways to obtaining Australian PR, depending on your circumstances. The most common routes include skilled migration, family sponsorship, and business or investment visas.
Skilled Migration Visas
Skilled migration is one of the most popular pathways to Australian PR. These visas are designed for individuals with skills in demand in Australia and are assessed based on a points system.
Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)
The Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) is a points-tested visa for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer, family member, or state/territory government. This visa allows you to live and work anywhere in Australia permanently.
- Eligibility: You must have a relevant occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), pass a skills assessment, and score at least 65 points on the points test.
- Application Process: Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect, receive an invitation to apply, and then submit your visa application.
- Benefits: This visa offers full work rights, access to Medicare, and a pathway to citizenship.
More information can be found on the Skilled Independent Visa page.
Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)
The Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) is a points-tested visa for skilled workers nominated by an Australian state or territory government.
- Eligibility: You must have an occupation on the relevant state or territory skilled occupation list, pass a skills assessment, and score at least 65 points on the points test. You must also be nominated by a state or territory government.
- Application Process: Submit an EOI through SkillSelect, receive a state nomination, and then apply for the visa.
- Benefits: This visa allows you to live and work permanently in Australia, with a requirement to live in the nominating state or territory for two years.
More information can be found on the Skilled Nominated Visa page.
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491)
The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491) is a points-tested visa for skilled workers nominated by a state or territory government or sponsored by an eligible family member living in a designated regional area.
- Eligibility: You must have an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list, pass a skills assessment, and score at least 65 points on the points test. You must also be nominated by a state or territory government or sponsored by an eligible family member in a regional area.
- Application Process: Submit an EOI through SkillSelect, receive a nomination or sponsorship, and then apply for the visa.
- Benefits: This visa is valid for five years and provides a pathway to permanent residency through the Skilled Regional Permanent Visa (Subclass 191) after living and working in a regional area for three years.
More information can be found on the Skilled Work Regional Visa page.
Family Sponsorship Visas
Family sponsorship is another common pathway to Australian PR. These visas allow Australian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their eligible family members for PR.
Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801)
The Partner Visa allows the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to live in Australia.
- Eligibility: You must be in a genuine relationship with an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. This visa is first granted as a temporary visa (Subclass 820) before becoming permanent (Subclass 801) after two years.
- Application Process: Apply for both the temporary and permanent visas together. After two years, if the relationship is ongoing, the permanent visa will be processed.
- Benefits: This visa allows you to live, work, and study in Australia, access Medicare, and apply for citizenship.
More information can be found on the Partner Visa page.
Parent Visa (Subclass 103)
The Parent Visa allows the parent of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to live in Australia permanently.
- Eligibility: You must have a child who is an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, and meet the balance of family test, where at least half of your children must reside in Australia.
- Application Process: This visa has a long processing time, often over 30 years, due to high demand. There are also Contributory Parent Visa options with faster processing times but higher fees.
- Benefits: This visa allows you to live in Australia permanently, access Medicare, and eventually apply for citizenship.
More information can be found on the Parent Visa page.
Business and Investment Visas
For those with significant business skills or investment funds, the Australian government offers several visas that provide a pathway to PR.
Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 188)
This visa is for people with business skills or those willing to make a significant investment in Australia. It has several streams, including Business Innovation, Investor, and Significant Investor.
- Eligibility: Eligibility varies by stream but generally requires a history of successful business operations or a willingness to invest a significant amount of capital in Australia.
- Application Process: Submit an EOI through SkillSelect, receive a state or territory nomination, and then apply for the visa.
- Benefits: This visa is valid for up to five years and can lead to permanent residency through the Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) Visa (Subclass 888).
More information can be found on the Business Innovation and Investment Visa page.
Global Talent Visa (Subclass 858)
The Global Talent Visa is designed to attract highly skilled professionals in specific sectors such as technology, finance, and engineering.
- Eligibility: You must be highly skilled in one of the target sectors and recognized internationally for your achievements.
- Application Process: Submit an EOI through the Global Talent Independent program and, if successful, receive an invitation to apply for the visa.
- Benefits: This visa offers a fast-tracked pathway to PR with no age or points test requirements.
More information can be found on the Global Talent Visa page.
Zara Adeyemi