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Getting an Australian Permanent Residency

08 Jan, 2025 Move to Australia

Australian permanent residency is the legal entitlement to stay and work in Australia for an indefinite period. An easy explanation of permanent residency would be to think that it’s like being an Australian citizen but without the right to vote and some other restrictions.

An Australian Permanent Residency (PR) visa allows you to live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely. However, the travel facility attached to the PR visa is typically valid for five years from the date of grant. This means you can leave and re-enter Australia as a permanent resident during this period.

After the five-year travel facility expires, your PR status within Australia remains valid, but you will need a Resident Return Visa (RRV) to re-enter Australia if you travel overseas. The RRV allows you to maintain your ability to travel in and out of Australia.

In such cases a resident return visa needs to be applied for prior to travelling. RRVs are issued by the Department of Home Affairs. There are two types of RRVs: Subclass 155 and Subclass 157. Usually most permanent residents will apply for a citizenship within this time.

Benefits of Permanent Residency

Becoming a permanent resident (PR) in Australia comes with numerous benefits. Here are some of the key advantages:

  1. Right to Stay Indefinitely: PR holders can live in Australia indefinitely. The initial visa is valid for five years, but an RRV can be issued post that.
  2. Work Rights: You can work in any job for any employer without restrictions, except for certain government jobs that require citizenship.
  3. Medicare Access: PR holders have access to Australia’s universal healthcare system, Medicare, which provides free or subsidized medical services.
  4. Education: PR holders can access domestic tuition fees for higher education, which are significantly lower than international student fees. Children can attend public schools for free.
  5. Social Security Benefits: After two years as a PR, you may be eligible for social security benefits through Centrelink, including support for sickness, unemployment, and study.
  6. First Home Owner Grant: PR holders can access a $10,000 grant towards purchasing their first home.
  7. Sponsoring Family Members: You can sponsor eligible family members for visas to live in Australia.
  8. Travel: PR holders can travel in and out of Australia freely during the visa’s validity period.
  9. Pathway to Citizenship: After meeting residency requirements, PR holders can apply for Australian citizenship, which comes with additional benefits like voting rights and an Australian passport.
  10. Live and Work in New Zealand: PR holders can live, work, and visit New Zealand without needing a visa

How to Get a Permanent Residence Visa

Australia has more than one option when it comes to getting a PR visa. In most cases in order to migrate to Australia skilled immigrants go through a point based system where they should meet the minimum required score in certain aspect such as education, age, and work experience and language proficiency. In addition applicants also need to satisfy minimum requirements for health and character.

The most common is through the skilled migration program. Other options include, employee sponsored PR visas, some sub-classes of business Visas, and on Humanitarian grounds as a refugee.

Australia offers several pathways to permanent residency (PR), each with specific eligibility requirements:

Refer to the Official Australian Government Website for latest information and to apply online – Permanent resident

  1. Skilled Migration Visas:
    • Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189): For skilled workers not sponsored by an employer, state, or family member. Requires an Expression of Interest (EOI), skills assessment, and meeting age, English language, and health criteria.
    • Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190): For skilled workers nominated by an Australian state or territory. Requires an EOI and state nomination.
    • Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 491): Temporary visa for skilled workers in designated regional areas. Eligible for permanent residency after three years.
  2. Employer-Sponsored Visas:
    • Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (subclass 186): For skilled workers nominated by an Australian employer. Includes Direct Entry, Temporary Residence Transition, and Labour Agreement streams.
    • Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme Visa (subclass 187): For skilled workers sponsored by an employer in regional Australia. Replaced by subclass 491 but still relevant for transitional applicants.
  3. Family-Sponsored Visas:
    • Partner Visa (subclass 820/801): For individuals in a genuine relationship with an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. Processed in two stages: temporary (820) and permanent (801).
    • Parent Visa (subclass 103): For parents of Australian citizens or permanent residents. Includes a contributory version (subclass 143) with faster processing but higher fees.
    • Child Visa (subclass 101): For children of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens.
  4. Business and Investor Visas:
    • Business Innovation and Investment Visa (subclass 188): Provisional visa for business owners and investors. Leads to permanent subclass 888 visa.
    • Investor Visa (subclass 891): For individuals with a provisional investor visa meeting investment criteria.
  5. Humanitarian and Refugee Visas:
    • Refugee Visa (subclass 200): For individuals outside their home country facing persecution, referred by UNHCR or another organization.
    • Protection Visa (subclass 866): For individuals in Australia fearing persecution in their home country.

These pathways cater to various applicants, including skilled workers, family members, business investors, and refugees.