The Australia Permanent Residency (PR) process is one of the most complicated visa processes in 2024. There are multiple stages involved, several skill assessment bodies included, etc. What's worse is the cost of an Australia PR visa, which is in lakhs and non-refundable in case of visa rejection.
In this blog, we let you know the step-by-step process to ensure that you don’t waste your time and money.
What is Australia PR?
Permanent Residency (PR) in Australia allows non-citizens to live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely. Having an Australian PR has multiple benefits. It also allows you to apply for Australian citizenship after 3 years of being a PR holder!
Benefits of Australia PR
- PR holders can work and study anywhere in Australia.
- Access to Medicare, Australia’s healthcare system.
- Eligibility for some social security benefits after a waiting period.
- Ability to sponsor relatives for permanent residence.
- PR holders can travel to and from Australia freely.
- After fulfilling certain residency requirements, PR holders can apply for Australian citizenship.
Australia PR Process (Step-by-Step guide) from India
Step 1: Check if You Are Eligible
To be eligible for an Australian PR Visa, your occupation must be listed in the Skilled Occupation List, regardless of the visa type you have decided to apply for.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Occupation: Must be listed in the Skilled Occupation List.
- Age: Below 45 years.
- Points: Score at least 65 points in the Points Grid. It evaluates factors such as age, education, work experience, and other relevant criteria.
Step 2: Get Your Language Proficiency Test Results
Complete an English language proficiency test. You can choose one of the following tests:
- IELTS: Score 7 or above.
- TOEFL: Score 25 or above.
- PTE: Score 65 or above.
Step 3: Obtain Your Skills Assessment Report
Get your education and professional credentials evaluated by a designated assessment authority.
- Assessment Body: Use SkillSelect for evaluation.
- Factors Considered: Age, education, English test score, work experience, and commitment to stay.
- Processing Time: Takes 8-10 weeks.
Attach your SkillSelect report to your Expression of Interest (EOI).
Step 4: Register Your Expression of Interest (EOI) on SkillSelect
Inform the Australian authorities of your interest to apply for an Australian PR Visa. You can do so by registering an EOI on the SkillSelect portal.
Steps to Register EOI:
Create a profile in the SkillSelect portal.
- Sign in to the portal.
- Select your visa type.
- Enter your IELTS score.
- Enter your educational qualifications.
- Enter your work experience.
- Submit your declaration form.
Factors such as English proficiency score, education, and work experience will rank your EOI.
Step 5: Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
- Wait for your Invitation to Apply (ITA). Applicants with the highest EOI ranking will receive an ITA.
- Receiving an ITA indicates you are one step away from obtaining your PR Visa.
Step 6: Submit Your PR Application
After receiving your ITA, submit your Australia PR visa application within 60 days.
Step 7: Submit Health and Character Certificates
Provide additional documents. It includes health and character clearance certificates and a passport for visa stamping.
Get a personalized roadmap for your process
Australia PR Process Overview
- Get a Positive Skill Assessment: Ensure your skills are assessed positively for your nominated ANZSCO code.
- Pass the English Proficiency Test: Complete and pass a recognized English proficiency test.
- Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI): File your EOI through the SkillSelect system.
- Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) and Submit Your PR Application:
- After receiving an ITA, lodge your application for Permanent Residency.
- Include all required documents such as Police Clearance Certificates (PCC), and medical examination reports. Also, pay the PR processing fees.
- Upon the approval of your visa application, you will get a notification.
Rights and Restrictions of Australian Permanent Residents
|
Rights |
Restrictions |
|
Remain in Australia indefinitely |
Cannot hold an Australian passport |
|
Work and study in Australia |
Cannot vote in Australian Government elections. That is unless enrolled as a British subject before 26 January 1984 |
|
Enroll in Australia’s national health scheme, Medicare |
Cannot access student loans |
|
Apply for bank loans to buy property |
Cannot join the Australian Defence Force |
|
Sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence |
Cannot obtain ongoing work in the Australian Government |
|
Apply for Australian citizenship, if eligible |
Must have a valid travel facility to return to Australia from overseas (no automatic right of entry) |
|
Travel to and from Australia for as long as your travel facility permits (see Overseas travel as a permanent resident) |
|
|
Attend free English language classes provided by the Adult Migrant English Program |
|
|
Work in New Zealand |
|
Eligibility Criteria for Australia PR Process
To qualify for an Australian PR visa, you must score at least 65 points. Higher scores increase your chances of receiving an invitation to apply. That is getting 80 to 85 points expediting the process. Various categories and eligibility requirements are:
|
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 (Doctorate degree outside Australia) |
20 points |
|
Niche Skills (Doctorate or Master’s 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 (meeting age, skills & English requirements) |
10 points |
|
Spouse or De Facto Partner with Competent English |
5 points |
|
Applicants Without a Spouse or with an Australian Citizen/PR Spouse |
10 points |
|
Relative or Regional Sponsorship (491 visa) |
15 points |
Detailed Breakdown of Points
Age: 25-32 years: 30 points (must be under 45 years to apply)
English Proficiency: IELTS 8 bands (or equivalent in PTE, TOEFL): 20 points
Work Experience:
- Outside Australia: 8-10 years: 15 points
- In Australia:
- Less than 1 year: 0 points
- 1-2 years: 5 points
- 3-4 years: 10 points
- 5-7 years: 15 points
- 8-10 years: 20 points
Education:
- Doctorate degree (Australia or recognized foreign): 20 points
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree (Australia or recognized foreign): 15 points
- Diploma or trade qualification (Australia): 10 points
- Qualifications recognized by assessing authority: 10 points
- Master by research or Doctorate in STEM fields (Australia): 10 points
Additional Points:
- Study in a regional area: 5 points
- Accredited in a community language: 5 points
- Professional year in a skilled program in Australia: 5 points
- State sponsorship (190 visa): 5 points
- Relative or regional sponsorship (491 visa): 15 points
Spouse Application:
- Additional 10 points if spouse:
- Is under 45 years old
- Has competent English scores
- Occupation code is in the same list as the primary applicant
Skilled Occupation Lists (SOL):
- Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
- Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL)
- Regional Occupations List (ROL)
Note: These lists are updated regularly to reflect changes in the Australian labour market.
Top 6 Australian PR Visa Benefits {+Process}- Kansas®
Documents Required for Australia PR
Required Documents for the Australian PR Visa Application are listed here:
|
Document |
Description |
|
Passport |
Valid passport from the applicant's country of citizenship. |
|
Birth Certificate |
Proof of date of birth, parentage, and nationality. |
|
Skill Assessment |
Positive assessment from an Australian assessing authority for the nominated occupation. |
|
English Language Proficiency |
Proof of English proficiency (IELTS, PTE, OET), with scores as per the visa subclass. |
|
Employment Evidence |
Relevant work experience documents, including references, pay slips, tax records, etc. |
|
Education |
Academic transcripts and qualifications relevant to the application. |
|
Health Examination |
Mandatory health assessment meeting requirements of the Australian Department of Home Affairs. |
|
Character Certificate |
Evidence of good character. It covers police clearance certificates from countries where you've resided. |
|
Family and Relationship Documents |
Details and relevant documents for family members included in the application. For example: marriage, and birth certificates. |
|
Statement of Commitment |
Necessary for some visas, especially regional ones. It confirms the commitment to live and work in a regional area of Australia. |
|
Financial Evidence |
For business or investor-stream PR visas, proof of business or investment assets and history. |
|
Photographs |
Recent passport-sized photographs. |
Cost/Fee of Australia PR
Getting Australian PR through Subclass 189/190/491 skilled visa schemes entails certain fees.
Subclass 189/190/491 Visa Fees:
|
Type of Applicant |
Fees (AUD) |
Fees (INR) (Approx.) |
|
Primary Adult Applicant |
4,640 |
2,54,200 |
|
Additional Adult Applicant (above 18 years) |
2,320 |
1,27,100 |
|
Dependent Child (below 18 years) |
1,160 |
63,550 |
Applicants can pay fees using their International Visa, Mastercard, or American Express debit and/or credit card. But, please note that payments made via Discover card will non-acceptable.
It's essential to note that Australian visa fees are non-refundable. Hence, it is advisable to consult a registered immigration consultant.
Processing Time for the Australia PR
- Processing time for Australia's Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189 visa) can take 8 to 9 months.
- The processing time for Australia's Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190) can take between 6 to 8 months.
Factors Affecting Processing Time
The processing time for Australia PR Visa can vary due to several factors:
- Number of applications received each month, which fluctuates.
- Seasonal variations in application numbers.
- Complexity of cases or incomplete applications.
- Reasons like incorrect applications or lack of supporting documents.
- Time taken to address queries from immigration officers.
- Demand for the applicant's occupation in Australia.
- Points scored by the applicant in the SkillSelect online system.
- Delays in background verification.
- Waiting for information from external agencies regarding health or character.
- Availability of spots in the migration program.
What are the different programs for Skilled Australia Immigration?
|
Visa Subclass |
Visa Type |
Description |
|
Subclass 189 |
Skilled Independent visa |
This visa is for invited workers with the skills Australia needs. It allows them to live and work permanently anywhere in the country. |
|
Subclass 190 |
Skilled Nominated visa |
Allows nominated skilled workers to live and work in Australia permanently. |
|
Subclass 407 |
Training visa |
Allows you to join training activities in Australia to improve your skills for work, study, or career growth. |
|
Subclass 482 |
Temporary Skill Shortage visa |
Employers can sponsor skilled workers for temporary jobs if local talent isn't available. |
|
Subclass 485 |
Temporary Graduate visa |
For international students with relevant qualifications to live, study, and work temporarily in Australia after graduation. |
|
Subclass 489 |
Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa |
For skilled workers wanting to live and work in regional Australia, with the chance to apply for permanent residency later on. |
|
Subclass 491 |
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa |
For skilled individuals nominated by a state or territory government to live and work in regional Australia. |
|
Subclass 494 |
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa |
Allows regional employers to sponsor skilled workers to address labor shortages in their region. |
|
Subclass 186 |
Employer Nomination Scheme visa |
Enables skilled workers nominated by their employer to live and work in Australia permanently. |
|
Subclass 187 |
Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa |
Allows skilled workers nominated by their employer in regional Australia to live and work in Australia permanently. |
How to Get an Australia Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)?
Post-Arrival Checklist in Australia
When you arrive in Australia, there are a few things to take care of:
- Airport Immigration: Show your passport and PR visa to immigration officials.
- Baggage Collection: Pick up your luggage after passing through immigration.
- Customs and Quarantine: Declare any food, plants, or animal products to avoid penalties during baggage inspection.
- Medicare Card: Get a Medicare card for access to healthcare services in Australia.
- Tax File Number (TFN): If you're working in Australia, get a TFN for tax purposes.
- Bank Account: Use your PR visa and passport to open a bank account.
- Driving License: If you plan to drive in Australia, think about getting an Australian driving license.
- Accommodation: Find a place to live, whether you're renting or buying.
- School Enrolment: If you have children, enrol them in schools if needed.
How can Kansas help?
Kansas Overseas Careers specializes in a variety of visa services for countries like Canada, UK, USA, Germany, and Hong Kong. It includes Permanent Residency, Work, Study, Temporary, and Dependent Visas.
In addition to these services, Kansas provides personalized assistance, including:
Profile Evaluation: Professional guidance based on a thorough assessment of your profile to gauge your visa success prospects.
Documents & Review: Detailed, error-free documentation tailored to meet specific visa requirements.
Dedicated Case Officer: Personalized assistance from a dedicated consultant throughout the visa process.
Visa Filing: Ensuring that visa applications meet all standard requirements of immigration authorities.
Test Preparations: Free online courses to help improve language proficiency for exams like IELTS, French, TOEFL, and PTE.
Visa & Interview: Guidance and verified documents for visa interviews.
Post-Landing Service: Assistance in settling down comfortably in the new country after receiving the visa.
For job-seekers, additional services include:
Resume Writing: Crafting tailored resumes to meet immigration authorities' and potential employers' prerequisites.
Profile Marketing: Creating top-notch portfolios. It aims to enhance job-seekers profiles on job portals, provided as a complimentary service.
Other FAQs
1. How can you get an ACS assessment done for 2 different job codes for migrating to Australia?
To get an ACS assessment done for two different job codes for migrating to Australia, you need to submit separate applications to the Australian Computer Society (ACS) for each job code. Each application should include:
- Relevant documentation and evidence of your qualifications
- Work experience related to the respective job codes.
2. What are the Eligibility Criteria for an Australia PR visa for Indians?
The Eligibility Criteria for Australia PR visa for Indians include meeting the points requirement based on factors like:
- Age
- English language proficiency
- Education
- Work experience,
- Other relevant criteria specified by the Australian government.
3. What is the process of applying for an Australian permanent residency visa?
The process of applying for an Australian permanent residency visa involves several steps. It includes:
- Submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the SkillSelect system
- Receiving an invitation to apply
- Lodging a visa application
- Providing supporting documents,
- Undergoing health and character assessments.
4. How much time do you have to get into Australia once you have received your visa for permanent residence?
Once you receive your visa for permanent residence in Australia, you have up to 12 months to make your initial entry into the country.
5. What is the age limit for applying the permanent resident visa to Australia?
The age limit for applying for a permanent resident visa to Australia varies depending on the visa subclass. Generally, most skilled migration visas have an age limit of 45 years at the time of invitation to apply.
6. How much money do you need to invest in Australia to gain permanent residency?
There is no specific investment amount required to gain permanent residency in Australia. But, certain visa subclasses, such as the Business Innovation and Investment visa, may require significant investment in specific business or investment activities.
7. What if I fail the health requirements for Australian permanent residency?
If you fail to meet the health requirements for Australian PR, you may be asked to undergo further medical examinations. Apart from that you might need to provide additional information. In some cases, you may be eligible for a health waiver depending on the circumstances.
8. What is the duration required to get permanent residency in Australia?
The duration required to get permanent residency in Australia can range from several months to a few years.
9. How long does it take to become a permanent resident in Australia?
It takes around two to three years to become a permanent resident in Australia through the skilled migration pathway.
10. How long do you need to stay in Australia to maintain your PR approval?
To maintain your permanent residency approval in Australia. You generally need to meet the residency requirement, which involves spending at least two years out of every five years in Australia.
11. What is the quickest way to get permanent residency in Australia?
The quickest way to get permanent residency in Australia is through skilled migration programs. This includes:
- Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)
- Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186)
This is subject to the eligibility criteria and get a sufficient number of points.
12. What are the benefits of having a permanent residency in Australia?
Having a permanent residency in Australia offers several benefits, including
- Right to live, work, and study indefinitely in Australia
- Access to subsidised healthcare through Medicare
- Eligibility for social security benefits,
- Opportunity to apply for Australian citizenship after meeting certain requirements.
13. How long will it take to get EOI approval for the Australia PR process?
The time taken to get EOI (Expression of Interest) approval for the Australia PR process can vary from weeks to months.
