Australia PR

Why should I apply for Australian PR?

Applying for Australian Permanent Residency (PR) offers numerous advantages, making it a popular choice for skilled professionals, students, and families worldwide. Here’s why you should consider applying:

1. Live, Work & Study Anywhere in Australia

• You can live and work any state of Australia.
• No restrictions on employment or education.
• Access to job markets across sectors like IT, healthcare, engineering, etc.

2. Pathway to Australian Citizenship

• After holding PR for 4 years (including 1 year as a PR), you can apply for citizenship.
• Citizenship brings additional benefits like an Australian passport and voting rights.

3. Access to Medicare (Public Healthcare)

• You and your dependents get free or subsidized healthcare through Medicare, one of the best public healthcare systems in the world.

4. Education Benefits for Children

• PR holders enjoy lower school fees and access to government school systems.
• Children can also benefit from student loans (HECS-HELP) for higher education.

5. Sponsor Eligible Family Members

• As a PR holder, you can sponsor your spouse, parents, or other eligible family members for PR.

6. Travel Rights

• With a PR visa, you can travel in and out of Australia freely for 5 years.
• After that, you can renew the travel facility or apply for citizenship.

7. Strong Passport Power (After Citizenship)

• Once you become a citizen, the Australian passport allows visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 180 countries.

8. Safe, Stable, and High Quality of Life

• Australia consistently ranks high in global livability, education, and safety indexes.
• Multicultural and inclusive society.

9. Work Rights for Spouse & Dependents

• Your spouse can work full-time, and children can study without any additional student visa.

10. Social Security Benefits (After 2 Years)

• You may qualify for Centrelink support, including unemployment, parental, and sickness benefits after 2 years of PR.

Australia PR process Step by Step

Here’s a clear and step-by-step breakdown of the Australia Permanent Residency (PR) process, especially for skilled professionals applying through popular pathways like Subclass 189, 190, or 491:

Step 1: Check Eligibility (Points Test)

You must score at least 65 points based on:

• Age (max 30 pts)
• English proficiency (IELTS/PTE/TOEFL)
• Education qualifications
• Work experience (in and outside Australia)
• Australian study/work experience (if applicable)
• State sponsorship or partner skills (if applicable)

Step 2: Choose the Right Visa Subclass

• Subclass 189 Skilled Independent – No sponsorship required
• Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated – State/territory sponsorship required
• Subclass 491 - Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) – Sponsored by a state or eligible relative in a regional area

Step 3: Skills Assessment

You must get your occupation assessed by the relevant authority (e.g., ACS for IT, Engineers Australia, VETASSESS).

Documents needed:

• Degree certificates, transcripts
• Employment letters
• Resume
• Passport

Processing Time: 6–12 weeks

Step 4: English Language Test

Accepted tests:

• IELTS (minimum 6 in each band)
• PTE Academic
• TOEFL iBT : Higher scores mean more points (e.g., IELTS 8 = 20 points).

Step 5: Submit Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect

Log in to SkillSelect portal

Fill out details like:

• Skills assessment result
• English test result
• Work experience
• Preferred states (for Subclass 190/491)

Wait for an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

Step 6: State Nomination (only for Subclass 190/491)

• Apply to a state government for nomination.
• Submit state-specific requirements like commitment statements, proof of funds, etc.

Step 7: Receive Invitation to Apply (ITA)

• If selected, you’ll get an invitation from the Australian government to lodge your PR application.

Step 8: Lodge PR Visa Application

Upload documents:

• Medical certificates
• Police clearance certificates
• Identity and relationship proofs
• Financial details (if required)

Pay the visa fee (~AUD 4,640 for primary applicant)

Step 9: Health & Character Checks

• Undergo a medical exam with a panel doctor.
• Obtain police clearance certificates from all countries lived in for 12+ months over the last 10 years.

Step 10: Visa Grant

• If successful, you’ll receive a PR visa grant notice.
• You can now move to Australia as a permanent resident!

Typical Processing Time