The country is a top choice for skilled professionals, students, and families seeking a new home abroad. A high standard of living, a strong economy, excellent healthcare, and world-class education make it a desirable place to live. With permanent residency (PR), you can live, work, and study in Australia for the rest of your life.
The following information will help you understand how to obtain Permanent Residency in Australia, including visa pathways, eligibility requirements, points system, documents, and application procedures.
1. What is Australian Permanent Residency (PR)?
Australia’s Permanent Residency (PR) allows you to live and work there without time restrictions. As Australian citizens, PR holders only have access to certain government positions and the right to vote.
With a PR visa, you can:
- Live and work anywhere in Australia indefinitely
- An Australian institution can offer you a study program of your choice
- Register for Medicare (Australia’s public healthcare system)
- Permanent residency sponsorship for eligible family members
- Apply for citizenship in Australia after a few years
2. Pathways to Permanent Residency in Australia
The process of obtaining Australian permanent residency can be accomplished in several ways. These are some of the most popular:
1. Migration pathway for skilled workers
Professionals with in-demand skills may apply for the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program.
Visa subclasses include:
- Visa subclass 189 – Skilled Independent Visa (no sponsorship)
- Subclass 190 visas – State-sponsored skilled nominee visas
- Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (regional sponsorship)
2. Company-sponsored PR
Individuals can apply for sponsorships from Australian employers who have been approved.
For instance:
- Subclass 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS)
- Subclass 187 – Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS)
3. Sponsored PR by family members
An Australian citizen or permanent resident’s partner, child, or parent.
For instance:
- Partner visa (Subclass 820/801 or 309/100)
- Parental visa
- Children’s visas
4. Business or investment visas
Applications are encouraged from entrepreneurs and investors who can contribute to Australia’s economy.
For instance:
- Subclass 188/888 – Innovations and Investments in Business Visa
5. Pathway from student to PR
Following their studies in Australia, international students can obtain PR in the following ways:
- Enrolling in an eligible course
- Work experience with a Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)
- Getting a permanent residency visa as a skilled worker
3. Requirements for permanent residency in Australia
A visa’s category determines eligibility, but the following are the core requirements:
- Age of application: Generally under 45 years old.
- The IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL are tests that measure your ability to speak English.
- List of Skilled Occupations (SOL): Your occupation must be listed on the list.
- Assessment of skills: Government-recognized authorities must assess qualifications and experience.
- Health and character requirements: Medical clearances and police clearances are required.
- Points requirements for skilled visas: To qualify for a skilled visa, you must score 65 points or more.
4. Points-based system for Australian PR (General Skilled Migration)
Subclass 189, 190, or 491 visas are granted based on a set of points awarded based on a variety 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 |
A minimum of 65 points is required for an Expression of Interest (EOI).
Higher scores increase your chances of being invited.
5. Australian PR Process Step-by-Step
First step: Verify your eligibility
For more information about permanent residency eligibility, visit the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) website.
Step 2: Select the right type of visa
Depending on your qualifications, experience, and goals, you can choose between a skilled independent visa, an employer-sponsored visa, or a partner visa.
Third step: Take the English test
Here are some language tests you can take:
- IELTS requires a minimum score of 6 in each band
- PTE Academic requires a minimum of 50 points in each band
- A minimum score of 12 is required for Listening, 13 for Reading, 21 for Writing, and 18 for Speaking on the TOEFL iBT.
Higher scores (IELTS 8 or equivalent) increase PR points.
Step 4: Conduct a skills assessment
Examples of approved Australian assessing authorities include AHPRA, Engineers Australia, ACS, and ACS for IT professionals.
Here are the things you’ll need:
- Completion certificates
- Work experience documentation
- Professional references
If you receive a positive assessment, your skills meet Australian standards.
Step 5: Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)
Create an account in SkillSelect (the online immigration portal for the Australian government).
If you are applying for nomination, your EOI should include your chosen visa class and state.
In EOIs, the following must be included:
- These factors include age, education, experience, language results, and points calculation.
If your score is competitive, you will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
Step 6: Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
You have 60 days after being invited to submit your complete PR application on the DHA website.
Step 7: Submit an application for state nomination (for subclass 190 or 491)
Applicants seeking a state-nominated visa must submit a separate application to the government of the state or territory.
Step 8: Send in your PR application
Upload all required documents, including:
- Passport application
- Education transcripts
- Assessment of skills results
- English test results
- Employment references and letters of recommendation
- Police and health department clearances
- Proof of funds (if required)
The visa application fee must be paid at this point.
9th step: Assess your character and health
You must have police clearance certificates from every country you have lived in for more than 12 months.
Tenth step: Wait for PR decision
The processing time for visas varies by subclass, but is generally between six and twelve months.
Once you have been approved, you will receive a notification of your Permanent Residency Grant.
6. Visa subclasses that lead to permanent residency
Subclass 189 – Skilled Independent
Non-sponsored skilled workers.
Awarded solely on the basis of points.
You can live and work anywhere in Australia.
Subclass 190 – Nominated skilled workers
Australia’s states and territories are required to nominate candidates.
State law requires that you live and work in the state for a specified period of time.
Boosts PR eligibility by 5 points.
Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional Visa (Provisional)
Candidates who are sponsored by a regional agency or whose family members are sponsored by a regional agency.
The applicant must live and work in a regional area for at least three years.
A PR application under Subclass 191 can be filed after 3 years.
Class 186 – Employer Nominations
It is possible for skilled employees to obtain a visa sponsored by their employers.
An Australian employer must nominate you.
Leads directly to PR.
Subclass 888 – Business Innovation and Investment Visa
Designed for business owners and investors who operate or manage businesses in Australia.
It is necessary to provide proof of investment and business performance.
Partner visa (Subclass 820/801 or 309/100)
A spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen or PR holder.
Two years after receiving a temporary visa (820/309), a permanent visa (801/100) will be issued.
7. Required documents for PR applications
Documents typically required for a PR application include:
- It is necessary to have a valid passport
- Results of English tests (IELTS, PTE, TOEFL)
- Positive skills assessment
- Education certificates and transcripts
- References from former employers and pay slips
- Clearance certificates from the police
- Medical examination reports
- Passport-sized photographs
- Marriage or birth certificates (if applicable)
- Proof of nomination or sponsorship from the state
In the case of documents that are not in English, translations and certifications are required.
8. Australia PR (2025) fees and processing time
| 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 |
The fee may vary based on the number of dependents, the location, and the exchange rate.
9. What you can do to increase your chances of getting a PR
- Achieve an IELTS score of 8.0 or a PTE score of 79+ on an English test.
- Your profession may require you to obtain additional qualifications.
- Make sure your state is nominated for bonus points.
- Work in regional Australia by obtaining a 491 visa.
- Working in Australia is possible with a temporary visa.
- Include your spouse’s skills if they have a suitable occupation.
10. Australia’s permanent residency benefits
- Live and work anywhere in Australia indefinitely
- Get free or subsidized healthcare (Medicare)
- Don’t miss out on the opportunity to bring family members with you by sponsoring them
- Social security benefits are available after two years
- Public schools should be enrolled at local rates
- Apply for citizenship after four years
- Travel to and from Australia is free
11. Rejection reasons for PR applications
- Insufficient points for the Skilled Migration program
- Invalid or expired English test results
- Fraudulent or incorrect documents
- An incomplete medical clearance or police clearance
- When applying, the occupation was incorrect
- An inability to meet health or character requirements
Make sure your information is accurate before submitting, and if you are unsure, seek professional migration advice.
12. Obtaining a permanent visa after a temporary visa is granted
People often arrive in Australia on Temporary Visas (Students, Graduates, or Work Visas) and then transition to Permanent Residence.
An example of a common pathway is:
- You can study in Australia with a student visa
- Obtaining a Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)
- Relevant work experience
- The Skilled Migration Programme (subclass 189/190/491) provides PR through skilled migration
Most often, this route is taken by international graduates with some work experience and who meet the occupation and skill requirements.
13. Obtaining a PR visa after receiving one
Once your PR has been granted, you should take the following steps:
- Once your visa is granted, you will receive an email notification.
- It is possible to enter and live in Australia indefinitely.
- For travel purposes, your PR is valid for five years (renewable).
- Citizenship can be applied for after living in Australia for 4 years (with at least one year as a Permanent Resident).
14. Summary check list
Before applying for PR, follow these steps:
- A person under 45 years of age
- The Skilled Occupation List has the following occupations
- It is necessary to score at least 65 points
- Tested and passed in English
- Positively assess your skills
- There are no criminal or medical records
- The documents must be accurate and complete
15. Final remarks
You can obtain Permanent Residency in Australia if you prepare well and meet the eligibility requirements. A successful visa application requires a competitive points score, complete documentation, and the right visa.
Skilled workers, international students, entrepreneurs, and family members of residents can make their dream of living permanently in Australia a reality.
By researching and planning carefully, you can begin your journey towards Australian PR today.