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How to Apply for Permanent Residency in Australia?

Becoming a permanent resident in Australia opens the door to countless opportunities. Whether you’re looking for a stable career, world-class healthcare, or a better lifestyle, this guide walks you through the steps of applying for permanent residency. Discover the different visa options, eligibility requirements, and the path to Australian citizenship. Read on to take the first step toward securing your future in Australia!

Australia is well-endowed with opportunities for its residents, boasting a high quality of life, quality healthcare, and a strong economy. For many, the dream is to live in Australia, and the permanent resident visa is the key to this.

Permanent resident status allows the holder to live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely while enjoying rights and access to healthcare, and it is also the preferred route to Australian citizenship. However, the application process can appear complicated as it differs from one visa type to another.

In this blog, you will explore the basic requirements for PR and learn about the different types of visas. This guide will also help you understand the eligibility requirements.

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What is a Permanent Resident Visa?

A Permanent Resident Visa is a document that allows individuals to live, work, and study in Australia without a fixed timeframe for their stay. This resident visa provides almost all the rights that Australian citizens enjoy, including access to healthcare, social security, and the ability to travel in and out of Australia.

It also paves the way for Australian citizenship after fulfilling the residency criteria. Applicants must meet specific requirements, such as skills, employment history, family ties, or other factors. The resident visa attracts people who wish to settle in Australia long-term.

Pathway to Australian Citizenship

  • TSS 482 Visa to Australian Permanent Residency: The TSS 482 visa enables employees of overseas businesses to fill skilled positions temporarily in Australia. Once they meet certain eligibility requirements, like sponsorship from the employer or passing skills tests, they may apply for PR under ENS or RSMS.
  • 457 Working Visa to Australian Permanent Residency: The 457 visa was replaced by the current TSS 482 visa in March 2018, but it allows former 457 visa holders to apply for permanent residency. If you hold a 457 visa and qualify, your employer or any other skilled migrant visa sponsor can nominate you for PR.
  • Regional Visas to Australian Permanent Residency: There are visas for those willing to work and live in regional areas, including the Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) and subclass 489. Once holders meet the residency and work requirements, they can transition to PR through the Skilled Regional Visa (subclass 191).
  • Student Visa to Australian Permanent Residency: Many international students first arrive in Australia on a student visa. After their studies, a graduate visa (subclass 485) allows them to gain work experience. Students may then opt for skilled migration visas or state-nominated PIDs for PR, depending on qualifications and work experience.
  • 485 Graduate Visa to Australian Permanent Residency: The Graduate Visa (subclass 485) allows foreign graduates to work while gaining experience. Graduates can transition to PR via skilled migration or state-nominated skilled visas, depending on occupation and qualification level.
  • 489 Skilled Provisional Visa to Australian Permanent Residency: The Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa subclass 489 is for individuals intending to live and work in regional Australia. This visa may last up to four years and permits holders to live and work in the designated area. Once the required standards are met, they can transition to the Skilled Regional visa subclass 191, allowing them to obtain permanent residency.

State Sponsorship for Australian PR

Each state and territory in Australia maintains its own skilled immigration occupation list and system. Skilled workers can be nominated for sponsorship, which provides access to visa options like the Skilled Nominated Visa subclass 190.

Eligibility and Application

  • Age Requirements: Candidates aged 44 years and below are generally favoured when it comes to eligibility for permanent residency.
  • English Proficiency: High IELTS, PTE, or other language proficiency test scores increase eligibility.
  • Work Experience: Both Australian and overseas skilled work experience improve eligibility, though Australian experience is more relevant.
  • Educational Qualifications: Higher academic achievements, particularly in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, are preferred.
  • State or Regional Sponsorship: Some applicants may receive sponsorship from states or regions to support their applications.
  • Skilled Occupation Lists (SOL): These include the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), Short-term Skills List (STSOL), and the Regional Occupation List (ROL). These lists define occupations in demand and are reviewed frequently to align with Australia’s needs.

Supporting Documents

  • Identity and Personal Documents: Legal identification, birth certificates, and proof of relationship documents.
  • English Language Proficiency Documents: A certificate proving English language proficiency.
  • Skills Assessment Results: Your official skills record, endorsed by a professional body.
  • Reference Letters: Letters from previous employers or professional references.
  • Points Test Documents: Age identification, qualifications, proof of work experience, and registration/license documents.
  • Health and Character Documents: Certified medical certificates and police clearance certificates.
  • Relevant Financial Documents: Documents proving financial status and confirmation of funds.
  • Additional Supporting Documents: Relationship documents (if applying with a partner), dependent children documents, and sponsorship documents.

Benefits and Responsibilities

  • Become an Australian Citizen: Holding a permanent resident visa makes it easier to apply for Australian citizenship. After living in Australia for at least four years, including one year as a permanent resident, you may be eligible for naturalisation. This status also includes the right to vote and apply for an Australian passport.
  • Medicare and Healthcare: As an Australian permanent resident, you are eligible for Medicare, Australia’s world-class healthcare system. This includes fully covered treatments, hospitalisation, and subsidised prescription drugs for you and your family. However, to retain your Medicare qualification, you must meet specific residency conditions.
  • Travel and Residency: A permanent resident enjoys the same rights as Australian citizens, with the freedom to work, live, and travel within Australia. If you are a New Zealand citizen, you may be eligible for a special category visa, granting similar rights. If you leave Australia, you will need a Resident Return Visa (RRV) to re-enter.

The Role of Employer Sponsorship in the 187 Visa Process

The 187 visa is employer-sponsored, meaning you must have an employer in a regional area willing to sponsor you. Your employer must meet the requirements, including operating in a regional area and having a genuine need for your skills.

Additionally, your employer will need to demonstrate that they have tried to recruit local workers for the position before offering the job to an overseas worker. This ensures that the employer is meeting the Australian Government’s requirements for sponsoring skilled workers.

Conclusion

The process of obtaining a permanent resident visa in Australia is detailed and challenging, with several steps that require careful consideration. Whether you’re applying through skilled migration, a student visa, or an employer-nominated visa, a well-prepared application increases the chances of success.

Stay updated on the current immigration laws and policies, and consult experts for assistance. Australia’s Permanent Residency offers numerous advantages, including access to Medicare, the right to sponsor relatives, and the ability to enjoy a high quality of life.

FAQs

Yes, a permanent resident can live and work in Australia indefinitely, as long as they meet the residency and travel conditions.
Yes, after becoming a permanent resident for at least four years, you need to pass a citizenship test, which includes knowledge about Australia and its values.

If your employer withdraws sponsorship, your TSS 482 visa may be cancelled.

You must live and work in a designated regional area for three years before applying for PR under some regional visa subclasses.

Yes, after your 485 visa expires, you may need to apply for a skilled migration visa to qualify for PR based on your skills and experience.

Yes, it is possible to apply for permanent residency while in Australia, depending on the visa type.

Yes, Australian PR holders can sponsor family members, such as spouses and parents, under various family migration visas.

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