Australian Permanent Residency: Your Pathway to a Life Down Under

Explore the main pathways to Australian Permanent Residency (PR), including skilled, family, employer-sponsored, and investment routes — and understand key eligibility criteria under the points-based system.

Australian Permanent Residency: Your Pathway to a Life Down Under

Australian Permanent Residency (PR) grants indefinite stay, access to benefits like healthcare and education, and potential citizenship. You may pursue PR through skilled migration, employer or family sponsorship, or business/investment streams.

Why Seek PR?

PR unlocks rights almost equivalent to citizenship, including free or subsidised services, while offering flexibility in travel and long-term stability in Australia’s multicultural society.

Main PR Visa Streams

Employer-Sponsored Visas (Subclass 186, 187)

For workers nominated by an Australian employer, offering direct PR through Temporary Residence Transition, Direct Entry, or regional streams.

Family-Sponsored Visas

Includes Partner visas, Child visas, and Parent visas — with partner and child visas being more accessible, while Parent visas may face long wait times.

Business & Investor Visas

For individuals investing or establishing businesses in Australia, leading to PR under the business/investor stream.

General Skilled Migration (Skilled Independent 189, Skilled Nominated 190, Skilled Regional 491)

Points-based PR for skilled workers, requiring a minimum of 65 points and relevant occupation listing; some streams require state or regional nomination.

Subclass 189:Permanent PR, no sponsorship needed.

Subclass 190:State-nominated, adds 5 bonus points.

Subclass 491:Regional visa (temporary, 5 years), adds 15 points; pathway to PR via subclass 191.

Benefits

Live, work, or study in Australia indefinitely.

Access to free or subsidised health, education, and legal services.

Eligible for citizenship after meeting residency requirements.

Freedom to travel in and out of Australia (subject to travel facility validity).

Application Process

Obtain a positive skills assessment in your occupation.

Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect.

Receive an invitation to apply based on points and occupation demand.

Lodge visa application via ImmiAccount, including documents for health, character, and English proficiency.

If granted, apply for travel facility to re-enter Australia if needed.

FAQs

How many points do I need for PR?

You need at least 65 points to lodge an EOI, but successful invitations often go to those with 70–85+ points, depending on subclass.

What benefits do PR holders have?

PR holders may live, work, and study indefinitely in Australia, access government services, and eventually apply for citizenship — with some travel conditions.

How long does PR approval take?

Processing times vary by visa type and completeness of application; skilled visas often process within several months, while family or investment streams may vary.

Can my family be included in my PR application?

Yes — you can include spouse/partner and dependent children; spouse skills may also contribute points if eligible.