Australia PR Visa: Eligibility, Fee, and Application Guide

Australia has earned a standing as one of the top places to live for skilled workers, international students, and families who want to better their standard of living and further develop their careers. The Australia Permanent Residency (PR) Visa permits someone to live, work and study in Australia indefinitely.

However, to be eligible to apply for a PR visa, you need to fulfill eligibility criteria, which involve matching the requirements of a points-based system and going through a complete application process. This guide explains eligibility for the Australia PR visa, what the application fees are, and provides a complete step-by-step guide to the application process to give you an understanding of how to obtain permanent residency in Australia.

Why Choose Australia for Permanent Residency (PR)?

Australia provides many opportunities for skilled individuals and families to create a safe and happy life in a new place with an open immigration system and a comfortable lifestyle.

Here are the top reasons to choose Australia for Permanent Residency (PR):-

1. Robust Economy and Employment Opportunities

Australia has a strong economy that offers a huge number of job opportunities in fields including healthcare, engineering, IT, and others. Because skilled professionals are much needed, salaries can be high and it is easier to make career paths. With unemployment and government-funded employment programs in place, it becomes ideal for long-term career growth.

2. High Quality of Life

Australia is consistently rated among the best in the world for quality of life. People enjoy fresh air, safe cities, spectacular natural environment, and excellent public facilities. The healthy lifestyle, caring communities, and approach to well-being are valuable for living and raising a family while working for professional success.

3. World-Class Education and Healthcare

Australia provides internationally acclaimed schools and a strong health system. PR holders are provided with cheap healthcare via Medicare and receive subsidized education for their children. Such systems provide residents and their relatives with the best possible care for personal growth, health, and long-term protection.

4. Pathway to Citizenship

Gaining permanent residency in Australia is usually the initial pathway to citizenship. Upon fulfillment of the residency terms, PR holders may apply for citizenship, earning the full right to vote and travel worldwide. This makes PR appealing to those seeking to settle down and have equal chances like citizens.

Types of Australian PR Visa

Australia provides various permanent residency (PR) visa streams, mostly classified under skilled, family, and business. The most significant visas tend to be skilled independent workers, state-nominated workers, employer-sponsored workers, and partners of Australian citizens or permanent residents.

Here are the types of Australian PR visas:

Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189): A score-based visa for experienced workers who are not supported by a family member, a state or territory government, or an employer.
Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190): Points-based visa for skilled workers selected by an Australian state or territory government.
Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa (subclass 186): This visa assists employers in Australia to nominate foreign skilled workers for a permanent job in their business.
Partner visas (subclasses 100 and 801): This visa allows a partner of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen to apply for a visa to remain in Australia permanently.
Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191): This is a visa made for people who have stayed and worked in an eligible local area of Australia on an eligible visa (e.g., subclass 491) for no less than three years and have gained the required taxable income.
Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa (subclass 888): This is a permanent visa for holders of the Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) who fulfill the needs of their temporary visa.
Global Talent visa (subclass 858): This visa is available for people with a globally approved experience of excellent performance in a single field, for example, a profession, sport, the arts, or research and academia.
Child visa (subclass 101): This visa allows an eligible child overseas to come to and settle in Australia with their Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen parent.

Eligibility: Australia Permanent Residency Requirements

To qualify for an Australian permanent residency, you particularly need to be below 45, have a skilled occupation on the list, score a minimum of 65 points, possess “competent” English, and take health and character tests.

Key Eligibility Criteria:

Age – You need to be below the age of 45 years
Skilled Occupation – Your occupation must be present on the proper skilled occupation list
Skills Assessment – You need a positive skills assessment from a suitable assessing authority to check that your qualifications and work experience are up to Australian Standards.
Points Test – You should score a minimum of 65 points based on factors like age, English language proficiency, work experience, and education. You can calculate your points using the Department of Home Affairs calculator.
English Proficiency – You need to show at least a “competent” level of English language capability, usually by sitting for a test such as IELTS or PTE.
Health and Character – You need to fulfill Australia’s health and character requirements, which require submitting police certificates and taking medical checks.
Nomination – For certain visas (such as subclass 190), you need to be selected by an Australian state or territory.

Australia PR Point Calculator

Australia PR Points Calculator is an online tool that uses a points system to define an applicant’s eligibility for a skilled permanent residence visa. The system, known as SkillSelect, awards points depending on the age of the applicant, qualifications, work experience in and out of Australia, and English language proficiency.

To be eligible to make a submission of an Expression of Interest (EOI) for skilled migration visas like the Subclass 189, 190, or 491, an individual must attain a minimum score of 65 points, while attaining additional points substantially enhances the likelihood of being assessed for an invitation to apply. Additional points can be attained through a specific credential, partner skills, state or regional sponsorship or for studies completed in a regional area.

Application Process

The process to apply for the Australian PR visa consists of checking your eligibility, obtaining a skills assessment and a language proficiency test score, creating an Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect, and receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

Check your eligibility: You should be achieving the basic requirements, such as age (below 45), holding an eligible occupation on the Skilled Occupation List, and being able to score a minimum of 65 points on the points calculator.
Take an English language test: Pass a test such as IELTS or PTE to prepare your English language ability.
Undergo skills assessment: Get your skills, education, and work experience tested by the concerned Australian authority for your profession.
Prepare required documents: Prepare documents like a valid passport, birth certificate, police clearance certificates, and work experience evidence.
Submit Expression of Interest (EOI): Make an EOI on the online SkillSelect system to become part of the migration group.
Get an Invitation to Apply (ITA): If your EOI is selected, you will be called to apply for the visa. For the Subclass 189 visa, this is decided by your points score, while for state-nominated visas, it depends on the state’s selection criteria.
Submit your PR application: Submit your complete visa application and pay fees within 60 days of the request.
Undertake medical and character checks: Go through the medical tests and present police clearance certificates for all countries where you have stayed.
Wait for the visa grant: Wait for the Department of Home Affairs to approve your application. Once approved, you will receive your PR visa grant and will then be free to go to Australia.

Conclusion

A route to a rewarding career, a safe future and a high standard of living is Australia’s Permanent Residency. Understanding the selection criteria, PR points system, and application process will help you in your migration journey preparation and planning. With the proper preparation and documentation, getting an Australian PR can be an easy and simple experience.