Whether you’re moving for a better job, higher education, or to build a future for your family, getting Australian Permanent Residency (PR) is a big step—and a very possible one if you understand your options. Australia offers several clear and well-organized pathways to PR, depending on your skills, occupation, education, or personal ties.
If you’ve been confused about which visa to apply for, how to qualify, or what the process really looks like, this guide will break it down simply, using clear explanations and practical advice.
Australia welcomes thousands of permanent residents every year. Once you get PR, you can live, work, and study anywhere in Australia, sponsor eligible relatives, and eventually apply for Australian citizenship. Let’s explore the most common PR pathways and what you need to do to apply successfully.
Skilled Migration Visas
Australia’s skilled migration system is one of the most common ways people get permanent residency. If you have work experience, education, and English language skills, this could be your best path. The government uses a points-based system to assess eligibility.
The most popular skilled PR visas are:
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Subclass 189 – Skilled Independent Visa
This visa does not require a job offer or state nomination. You must have a suitable occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). You need to lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect, and if your points are high enough, you may be invited to apply.
Check eligibility and occupation list -
Subclass 190 – Skilled Nominated Visa
This visa requires a state or territory government nomination. Each Australian state has its own list of in-demand occupations. If you’re nominated, you’ll receive extra points toward your application, increasing your chance of selection. -
Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa
This is a temporary visa that can lead to PR. It requires you to live and work in a regional area for at least three years. After meeting residency and income requirements, you can apply for Subclass 191, a permanent visa.
Explore regional visa options
To apply through any skilled visa pathway, you’ll need to:
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Have a nominated occupation on the relevant skilled list.
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Complete a skills assessment through an approved authority.
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Take an English language test (IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL) and meet the minimum score.
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Calculate your points using Australia’s immigration points calculator.
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Submit your EOI through SkillSelect and wait for an invitation to apply.
Employer-Sponsored Visas
If you already have a job offer from an Australian company, or you’re working in Australia temporarily and your employer wants to keep you long-term, you can apply for PR through employer sponsorship.
Key employer-sponsored PR visas:
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Subclass 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS)
This visa allows skilled workers who are nominated by an approved Australian employer to live and work in Australia permanently. It has different streams, including the Direct Entry stream and the Temporary Residence Transition stream (for workers already on a 482 visa). -
Subclass 187 – Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS)
This visa is for skilled workers who want to work in regional Australia. It also requires employer nomination.
To qualify, your employer must be an approved sponsor and offer a position on the eligible occupation list. You must also meet skills, English language, and health requirements.
Employer-sponsored PR is a good option if you have a strong relationship with your company, especially in industries like healthcare, construction, engineering, or education.
Partner and Family Visas – PR Through Relationships
If you have a spouse, fiancé(e), or partner who is an Australian citizen or permanent resident, you can apply for PR through a partner visa. There are also pathways for parents, children, or other eligible family members.
Key family-based visas include:
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Subclass 820/801 – Partner Visa (onshore)
If you’re already in Australia, you apply first for a temporary visa (820), and later you’ll be granted the permanent visa (801) after two years if the relationship is still genuine. -
Subclass 309/100 – Partner Visa (offshore)
Similar to the onshore option, but for applicants living outside Australia at the time of applying. -
Parent visas, like Subclass 143 – Contributory Parent Visa, allow parents of settled Australian citizens or PR holders to apply for PR, but these visas have long wait times and higher application costs.
To apply for a partner or family visa, you must prove your relationship is genuine and ongoing. You’ll provide documents such as shared financial responsibilities, photos, communication records, and character references.
Graduate Visas
If you’ve completed at least two years of study in Australia, you may be eligible for a temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485). This allows you to live and work in Australia for up to 2–4 years, depending on your qualification level and location.
While this visa is not permanent, it gives you valuable Australian work experience, which can improve your eligibility for PR through skilled migration or employer sponsorship later.
Australia also offers extra points for studying in regional areas, completing certain degrees (such as STEM), or having a high level of English. Many international students use the 485 visa as a clear stepping-stone toward permanent residency.
Business and Investment Visas
If you have a successful business background or want to invest in the Australian economy, you may qualify for a PR pathway through business migration.
Key visas include:
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Subclass 188 – Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional)
This temporary visa is for business owners, investors, and entrepreneurs. You must be nominated by a state or territory and meet investment thresholds. -
Subclass 888 – Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent)
This is the permanent stage of the 188 visa and requires you to meet ongoing business or investment activity conditions.
Requirements vary depending on the stream (business innovation, investor, or entrepreneur), but generally include a minimum investment, business turnover, and a clear commitment to Australian business activities.
Humanitarian and Refugee Pathways
Australia offers permanent residency to people who are fleeing war, persecution, or serious human rights violations. These humanitarian visas are available through offshore resettlement programs or onshore protection applications.
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Subclass 200, 201, 203, and 204: Refugee and special humanitarian visas.
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Subclass 866 – Protection Visa: For people already in Australia seeking asylum.
This pathway has strict conditions and a detailed assessment process. If approved, you’ll receive PR and access to settlement support, healthcare, and education.
General Steps to Apply for PR in Australia
No matter which PR pathway you choose, the process generally follows these steps:
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Check eligibility: Make sure you meet visa-specific criteria like skills, occupation, education, English, and age.
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Gather your documents: These include ID, qualifications, work experience, English test results, medical exam, and police clearance.
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Submit Expression of Interest (EOI): If applying under a skilled visa, use SkillSelect.
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Get invited to apply: Once invited, you’ll have 60 days to submit a full PR application.
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Lodge PR application: Upload all documents and pay the visa fees.
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Wait for a decision: Processing time varies—some PR visas take a few months, others more than a year.
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Receive visa grant: Once approved, you can live and work in Australia permanently.
Final Thoughts
Australia provides many flexible and clearly structured pathways to permanent residency. Whether you’re a skilled worker, international graduate, entrepreneur, family member, or sponsored employee, there’s a PR stream that can match your background and goals.
The most important thing is choosing the right visa pathway and understanding the steps involved. Make sure you check official occupation lists, prepare your documents, and meet deadlines. For official details, always refer to the Australian Government’s immigration website.
With proper planning, clear documentation, and the right visa choice, you can turn your goal of living in Australia permanently into a successful and life-changing reality.
