Australia PR Visa

An Australian PR (Permanent Residency) visa lets you live, work, and study in Australia permanently, even though you’re not a citizen yet. It gives you access to things like Medicare (public healthcare), the freedom to move in and out of the country, and a path to citizenship later on.

Why It’s Great:

You can live anywhere in Australia
Bring your family
Access healthcare and social benefits
Apply for citizenship after a few years

How to Apply for an Australian PR Visa (Step by Step)

1. Check If You’re Eligible

To apply for PR, most people go through the General Skilled Migration (GSM) pathway. You’ll need to meet certain criteria like:

Age (under 45)
English language skills
Relevant work experience
A job that’s on Australia’s
Skilled Occupation List

2. Calculate Your PR Points

Australia uses a points system (minimum 65 points). Points are based on:

Age
English ability (IELTS, PTE, etc.)
Education
Work experience
Partner skills
Australian study or job offers (if any)

3.Get your skills assessed
Before applying, you’ll need a skills assessment from an official body that checks your qualifications match Australian standards (e.g., ACS for IT, Engineers Australia for engineers).

4.Submit an EOI (Expression of Interest)
Go to Australia’s SkillSelect portal and submit your EOI online.
It’s basically saying, “Hey, I want to apply for PR!” No fee for this step.

5.Wait for an invitation
If your profile is strong, the government will send you an Invitation to Apply (ITA). The higher your points, the faster you may be invited.

6.Apply for the PR visa
Once invited, you can apply under one of these visa types:

189: No sponsor needed
190: You’re nominated by a state
491: Live and work in a regional area (leads to PR)

You’ll upload your documents and pay the visa fee.

7.Wait for a decision
After applying, it can take a few months for your visa to be processed.

8.Get your PR!
Once approved, you’ll receive your PR grant letter and can:

-Live and work in Australia permanently
-Use public healthcare (Medicare)
-Apply for citizenship later
-Sponsor family members

Documents You’ll Need for Australian PR

Basic Documents

Passport – A clear copy of your valid passport
Passport-size photo – Recent and as per visa photo guidelines

Education & Work

Your degree or diploma certificates
Transcripts/marksheets
Work experience letters from previous employers
Payslips or contracts (to prove your employment)

Skills Assessment

A report from the right authority (like ACS for IT professionals or Engineers Australia for engineers)
This shows your qualifications and work experience are valid for Australia

English Test

Results from an English test like IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL
Make sure it’s recent and meets the minimum required score

Application Details

EOI (Expression of Interest) confirmation from SkillSelect
Visa invitation letter – Once you’re invited to apply

Character & Health Checks

Police clearance certificates from countries you’ve lived in (past 10 years)
Medical exam results from an approved clinic (you’ll be told when to take this)

Partner’s Documents (if applying with your spouse/partner)

Marriage certificate
Your partner’s passport, English test scores, and work/education documents (if claiming partner points)

Other Forms (if asked)

Form 80 or Form 1221 – These are extra forms with personal and travel history info, sometimes requested.

AFTER STUDENT VISA PR

Step 1: Study in Australia

You enter on a Subclass 500 (Student Visa)
Complete a CRICOS-registered course (Bachelor’s, Master’s, Diploma, etc.)

Step 2: Temporary Graduate Visa (Post-Study Work)

After completing your studies:

Apply for a Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)
Duration:
- 2 years for Bachelor’s
- 3 years for Master’s
- 4 years for PhD
- Can go up to 6 years in select regional areas

You can live, work, and gain experience — no sponsorship required.

Step 3: Gain Skilled Work Experience

Work in a job related to your field
Make sure your occupation is on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL)
Prepare for a Skills Assessment through the relevant authority

Step 4: Apply for PR

You can apply through General Skilled Migration (GSM):

Option 1: Subclass 189 – Skilled Independent Visa

No sponsorship needed
Points-based (minimum 65 points)
Based on age, education, English, work experience, etc.

Option 2: Subclass 190 – Skilled Nominated Visa

Nominated by an Australian state
Faster processing, more likely if your occupation is in demand in that state

Option 3: Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa

Live and work in a regional area
Leads to PR after 3 years

Step 5: Permanent Residency

Subclass 189 & 190 are direct PR visas
Subclass 491 leads to PR (Subclass 191) after 3 years in a regional area

Step 6: Citizenship (Optional)

After holding PR for at least 1 year, and living in Australia for 4 years total, you can apply for Australian citizenship.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get PR?

It depends on the visa type and your individual case. On average:
Skilled visas: 6–12 months
Partner visas: 12–24 months
Employer-sponsored: 8–16 months
Faster if your occupation is in high demand.

Can I include my family in the PR application?

Yes! You can include:
Your spouse or de facto partner
Children (biological, step, or adopted)
They get PR status if your application is approved.

Can I apply for PR without a job offer?

Yes — especially through the Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent visa). But having a job offer can strengthen your application or help with state nomination.

Does PR expire?

Your PR status is permanent, but the travel facility (allowing you to leave and re-enter) lasts 5 years. You can renew it or apply for citizenship before it expires.