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.
Y-Axis, the leading overseas immigration consultancy in Canada, offers customized and tailored immigration services for every client based on their requirements. Some of our services include:
No, Australian permanent residents (PR holders) cannot vote in federal or state elections. Voting rights are reserved for Australian citizens only. PR holders can live, work, and study indefinitely in Australia and access many government services, but they must become Australian citizens to participate in elections. To gain voting rights, you need to apply for citizenship after meeting residency and other eligibility criteria, including passing the citizenship test and attending a citizenship ceremony. Once you hold Australian citizenship, you can enroll to vote in local, state, and federal government elections.
Yes, you can apply for Australian PR from Canada. The Australian immigration system allows applicants to lodge their visa applications online from anywhere in the world, including Canada. You need to meet eligibility criteria such as age, English proficiency, skills assessment, and occupation on the skilled occupation list. The process involves submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI), receiving an invitation to apply, and lodging your visa application with required documents. It’s advisable to consult a registered migration agent or check the Department of Home Affairs website for the latest requirements and processing times while applying from overseas.
You can follow the below steps to get Australia PR:
Step 1: Start by checking your eligibility based on age, occupation, English proficiency, and health.
Step 2: Obtain a skills assessment through a designated authority related to your occupation.
Step 3: Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect.
Step 4: If invited, lodge your visa application with all required documents and pay the fees.
Step 5: After visa approval, enter Australia before the initial entry date to activate your PR status.
The cost of an Australia PR visa varies by visa subclass and applicant circumstances. For example, the primary applicant fee for a Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) is approximately AUD 4,765, with additional fees for dependent adults and children. Other costs include skills assessments, English language tests, medical examinations, police checks, and possible migration agent fees. Family members included in the application add to the total cost. Fees are subject to change, so always check the Department of Home Affairs website for the most current fees before applying. Budgeting for all associated costs is essential for a smooth application process.
Australia PR points are calculated based on factors like age, English language proficiency, work experience, education, and other eligibility criteria. The points system awards up to 30 points for age (maximum for ages 25-32), 20 points for English proficiency (e.g., IELTS 8 bands), 15-20 points for skilled work experience (both in and outside Australia), and up to 20 points for education qualifications. Additional points can be earned for state sponsorship, professional year completion, accredited community language skills, and spouse qualifications. Achieving at least 65 points is necessary to be eligible to apply for a skilled visa leading to PR.
Eligibility criteria for Australia PR include:
Australia PR is valid indefinitely, allowing holders to live, work, and study in Australia permanently. However, the travel facility attached to the PR visa, which permits leaving and re-entering Australia, is valid for five years from the visa grant date. After five years, if you plan to travel outside Australia, you must apply for a Resident Return Visa to regain travel rights. If you remain in Australia continuously, your PR status does not expire. Permanent residents can apply for Australian citizenship after meeting residency requirements.
To move from Australia PR to citizenship, you must meet residency requirements: generally, living in Australia lawfully for four years, including at least 12 months as a permanent resident before applying. You must be of good character, pass the citizenship test demonstrating knowledge of Australian values, history, and laws, and intend to live in or maintain a close association with Australia. After approval, attend a citizenship ceremony to pledge allegiance. Once granted, you become an Australian citizen with full rights, including voting and holding an Australian passport.
Yes, you can get Australia PR without a job offer through points-tested skilled visas like the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189). This visa does not require employer sponsorship or a job offer but requires meeting points test criteria, including skills assessment, age, English proficiency, and occupation on the skilled occupation list. Other visas like the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) require state nomination but not a job offer. Having a job offer may strengthen your application but is not mandatory for all PR pathways.
To apply for Australia PR, follow these steps:
Step 1: Check eligibility and choose the right visa subclass.
Step 2: Complete your skills assessment.
Step 3: Pass an approved English language test.
Step 4: Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect.
Step 5: Lodge your visa application with required documents if invited.
Step 6: Undergo health and character checks.
Step 7: Receive your visa grant letter upon approval.
Step 8: Enter Australia before the specified date to activate your PR status.
The Australia PR calculator is an online tool that helps prospective applicants estimate their points score for skilled migration visas. It assesses factors like:
Other eligibility criteria to calculate your total points.
Achieving the minimum required points (usually 65) is essential to be eligible to apply for Australia PR. The calculator helps you understand your chances and identify areas to improve your score before submitting an Expression of Interest. Official calculators are available on the Department of Home Affairs website and other immigration consultancy platforms.
Requirements for Australia PR include:
The documents required for Australia PR include:
The steps to apply for Australia PR from Canada are listed below:
Step 1: Check your eligibility for Australia
Step 2: Prepare for the Skills Assessment test
Step 3: Take language proficiency tests
Step 4: Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)
Step 5: Wait for an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
Step 7: Receive your PR visa
Yes, Canadian citizens can apply for Australian Permanent Residency (PR) through various visa streams, including skilled, family, and employer-sponsored pathways.
You would need a minimum of 65 points to be eligible to apply for Australia PR.
Applicants for most skilled-based permanent residency visas in Australia should generally be under 45 years old at the time of application. However, there are some exceptions and other visa categories where age is not a strict requirement.
As an Australian permanent resident, you can initially travel in and out of Australia freely for the first 5 years, but after that, you'll need a Resident Return Visa (RRV) to re-enter as a permanent resident.
International professionals living and working in Australia can apply for Australia PR after working for 2 to 3 years of working in Australia. Permanent residency in Australia offers several benefits, some of them are given below:
Improve your proficiency in English language through free language courses.
Your Australia PR can be revoked in under the circumstances given below.
