Applying for an Australian Permanent Residency (PR) opens the door to living, working, and studying indefinitely in Australia. PR holders benefit from access to healthcare, social security, and the opportunity to apply for citizenship after four years. With over 160,000 permanent visas granted annually, Australia remains a top destination for skilled migrants.
The Australia PR process can be summarized in three main steps:
Step 1: Skills Assessment
Complete your skills assessment through a designated skills assessment authority relevant to your occupation. Submitting all required documents promptly can help expedite the assessment process.
Step 2: Visa Application and Approval
Submit your visa application along with all necessary supporting documents to the Department of Home Affairs (DHA). The DHA will carefully review your profile and, if you meet the eligibility criteria, grant your Australian PR visa.
Step 3: Prepare for Arrival
After receiving your visa grant letter, make arrangements to relocate to Australia. Ensure you enter the country by the initial entry date specified on your visa grant letter to activate your permanent residency status.
Australian Permanent Residency (PR) allows skilled workers and eligible applicants to live, work, and study indefinitely in Australia, with access to healthcare and social benefits. There are several visa pathways to obtain Australian PR, each catering to different eligibility criteria and sponsorship requirements.
Australia PR Visa Pathways include:
*Want to apply for Australia PR? Let Y-Axis assist you with the process.
The Australia PR Points Calculator helps applicants assess their eligibility by assigning points based on factors like age, English proficiency, work experience, and education. Achieving the minimum required points is essential to apply for permanent residency and increases the chances of receiving an invitation to apply.
Category |
Maximum Points |
Age (25-32 years) |
30 points |
English proficiency (8 bands) |
20 points |
Work Experience outside Australia (8-10 years) |
15 points |
Work Experience in Australia (8-10 years) |
20 points |
Education (outside Australia) – Doctorate degree |
20 points |
Niche skills such as Doctorate or master’s degree by research in Australia |
10 points |
Study in a regional area |
5 points |
Accredited in community language |
5 points |
Professional year in a skilled program in Australia |
5 points |
State sponsorship (190 visa) |
5 points |
Skilled spouse or de facto partner (Age, Skills & English language requirements to be met) |
10 points |
Spouse or de facto partner with ‘competent English’ (No need to meet Skills requirement or age factor) |
5 points |
Applicants without a spouse or de facto partner or where a spouse is an Australian citizen or PR holder |
10 points |
Relative or regional sponsorship (491 visa) |
15 points |
*Check your eligibility to Australia with the FREE Y-Axis Australia Immigration points calculator to get an instant score.
Eligibility to apply for Australian PR depends on:
Applicants must provide the following to apply for Australian PR:
Additionally, applicants must:
To obtain Australian PR, applicants should follow these steps:
Step 1: Check eligibility and select the appropriate visa subclass.
Step 2: Complete a skills assessment through the relevant authority.
Step 3: Take an approved English language test.
Step 4: Submit an Expression of Interest via SkillSelect.
Step 5: Receive an invitation to apply (ITA).
Step 6: Lodge the visa application with all required supporting documents.
Step 7: Await visa processing and receive the visa grant letter.
Step 8: Travel to and enter Australia, where they can live indefinitely.
Permanent residency in Australia allows individuals to live, work, and study indefinitely with access to various social and travel benefits.
Benefits of Australian Permanent Residency:
An Australian PR visa is a permanent residence visa that allows holders to remain in Australia indefinitely with rights similar to citizens, excluding the right to vote in federal elections and hold an Australian passport until citizenship is obtained. PR visas often come with a travel facility valid for five years, enabling holders to re-enter Australia multiple times.
The Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) is a points-tested permanent visa for skilled workers not sponsored by an employer, family, or state government. It allows holders to live and work anywhere in Australia indefinitely. Applicants must meet the minimum points requirement based on age, English proficiency, work experience, and education.
The Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) is a permanent visa for skilled workers nominated by an Australian state or territory government. It allows holders to live and work in the nominating state or territory and provides a pathway to Australian citizenship. Applicants must meet eligibility criteria, including a suitable skills assessment, points test, and commit to residing in the nominating region for a specified period.
Australia offers over 800,000 job vacancies across various top sectors including healthcare, engineering, information technology, construction, and education. Skilled migrants are in high demand in occupations such as registered nurses, software engineers, and electricians. The average annual salaries in these sectors range from approximately AUD 70,000 to AUD 160,000, reflecting competitive compensation aligned with Australia's strong economy and low unemployment rate.
Occupation |
Annual salary in AUD |
IT |
$81,000 – $149,023 |
Marketing & Sales |
$70,879 – $165,000 |
Engineering |
$87,392 – $180,000 |
Hospitality |
$58,500 – $114,356 |
Healthcare |
$73,219 – $160,000 |
Accounting & Finance |
$89,295 – $162,651 |
Human Resources |
$82,559 – $130,925 |
Teaching |
$75,284 – $160,000 |
Professional and Scientific Services |
$90,569 – $108,544 |
The cost of applying for Australian PR varies by visa subclass and applicant circumstances. For example, the base application fee for a skilled independent visa (subclass 189) is approximately AUD 4,240 for the primary applicant, with additional fees for family members. Other costs include skills assessments, medical examinations, English tests, and potential migration agent fees.
Category |
Fee Effective from 1st July 24 |
Subclass 189 |
Main Applicant - AUD 4765 |
Applicant above 18 yrs - AUD 2385 |
|
Applicant below 18 yrs - AUD 1195 |
|
Subclass 190 |
Main Applicant - AUD 4770 |
Applicant above 18 yrs - AUD 2385 |
|
Applicant below 18 yrs - AUD 1190 |
|
Subclass 491 |
Main Applicant - AUD 4770 |
Applicant above 18 yrs - AUD 2385 |
|
Applicant below 18 yrs - AUD 1190 |
Applicants must have their skills assessed by a designated skill assessment body relevant to their occupation. This assessment verifies that the applicant’s qualifications and work experience meet Australian standards. The cost and processing time vary depending on the assessing authority and occupation.
Processing times for Australian PR applications vary by visa subclass and individual circumstances but typically range from 6 to 12 months. Factors influencing processing times include the completeness of the application, demand for the occupation, and security checks.
Processing times can be affected by factors such as the volume of applications, the complexity of individual cases, completeness of supporting documents, and changes in immigration policy.
Investing in Australia through business or investor visa streams can provide pathways to PR and offers potential financial returns. Australia’s stable economy has attracted over 10,000 investor visa applicants annually, with many reporting average returns of 7-10% per year on investments in sectors like real estate and infrastructure. Compared to traditional investments such as fixed deposits or gold, which typically yield 3-5%, Australia’s robust market presents significant long-term growth opportunities.
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