How to Get PR in Australia - Meaning, Eligibility, Application & Different Pathways

Australia has become a popular destination for leading a high-quality life for several individuals. So, people often wonder how to get PR in Australia for permanent settlement. In this regard, one can only get it if they have stayed in the country for four years. This is why they need an Australian PR Visa. We have discussed it in detail in the following sections.

Keep reading this piece to know about the PR process in Australia, its eligibility and pathways.

According to Australia's PR eligibility criteria, you must fulfil the following requirements:

• Minimum points: You need to have a minimum of 65 points under Point's Grid.
• Language proficiency: Applicants must have a good hold in English.
• Age: You should be younger than 45 years to be eligible for Australian citizenship.
• Skills assessment: The officials will run a skill assessment based on work and education experience.
• Nominated occupation: Make sure your occupation is listed under Australia's Demand List.
• Medical status: Lastly, you must have good health and character status.

Now that you know about the eligibility criteria for PR in Australia, let us proceed with the application process right away.

Here are the steps stating the Australia PR process. Follow it to avoid any future delays:

Step 1: First Check for Your Eligibility

The first step to applying for the PR process in Australia is to check whether you are eligible for it or not. For this, go to the Department of Home Affairs site and check the applicable visa option. Also, learn about the documents, processing time, fees and other details about the application. Finally, remember to choose the most appropriate pathways depending on your education, skill and experience.

Step 2: Take a Skill Assessment Test

Different assessment bodies let you check the standard of your skills. As a result, it acts as proof to show whether the applicants qualify for the particular occupation they want to migrate for.

Step 3: Submission of Expression of Interest

In this step, you have to submit an expression of interest in Australia's SkillSelect system. It is an online system that looks after the visas of skilled workers of Australia. The points given by this system are based on seven parameters. It includes skill, candidate’s age, education, work experience, language, etc. Remember, you will only qualify for the process if you score above 65 points.

Step 4: Wait and Apply

After you have completed all the above processes, you just have to wait for DHA Australia to issue you an ITA. However, if you receive an invitation, make sure to apply and submit the documents before sixty days; otherwise, the offer will expire.

The documents required for PR in Australia are:

• English language proficiency result certificate
• Educational certificates
• Employer referral letter
• Bank statement (for the previous three months)
• Hike or offer letter
• Income tax statement (for the previous three months)
• Salary slip
• A passport that has more than six months of validity
• Statement fund proof (cash, bonds, shares, etc.)
• Medical and police certificate in case DIBP asks for it

You can apply for a PR in Australia via:

1. Business or Investment PR Visa
2. Work Stream Permanent Residency Visa
3. Family Stream Permanent Residency Visa
4. Partner Provisional Visa or Subclass 309 Visa
5. Australia Visa for Dependent Children

1. Business or Investment PR Visa

This option enables people to carry out business purposes in Australia. However, to qualify, applicants need to have provisional visa subclass 188 with a validity of one year and fulfil some financial terms. In addition, it also allows senior executives, foreign entrepreneurs, and investors to come to Australia to carry out new or existing business in the country.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants are below the age of 55 years
• They have a plan ready containing every detail and an intention to invest in Australia
• He or she should have at least 65 points based on education, age, business activities and investment choices

2. Work Stream Permanent Residency Visa

If you are trying to get PR in Australia from India, a workstream visa can be a great way. The categories that fall under this include:

• Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189): This Australian PR visa is valid for 5-year that applicants can convert into permanent citizenship.
• Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190): This type of visa is allotted to skilled labourers who get nominated from an Australian state or territory. However, you will have to provide enough proof to show that you are listed under the Skilled Occupation List.
• Skilled Regional Visa (Subclass 491): The officials introduced this program to meet skill requirements in specific regions of Australia. Make sure you fulfil the skill requirement and get a nomination from either territory or state for qualifying for this visa. This enables you to stay in the country for four years.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants should be younger than 45 years
• They should be nominated from the skilled occupation list
• Applicants should be selected by an Australian territory or state
• They must be proficient in at least Competent English
• Skilled assessment by the relevant authority
• Health and character requirements should be up to the mark
• Applicants must hold the score as mentioned by Visa officials

3. Family Stream Permanent Residency Visa

You can also migrate to Australia under a family stream visa. It will give you preference for being a family, spouse/partner, or dependent child of a permanent resident of Australia. However, other members like old and dependent relatives, caretakers, etc., can also be taken along. In fact, immigration officials have introduced Temporary Parent Visas to help people bring their parents to Australia. However, there are certain conditions like -

• The child must be a permanent citizen of Australia.
• The resident's income must be taxable, or the total income of both partners must come under AUD 83 454 of the particular financial year.
• There is no debt payable to the commonwealth or public health department.
• Appropriate police checks are made.
• The individual's partner must not be a parent sponsor either.
• Have enough income to support the livelihood of your parents.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must be an adoptive parent, biological parent, parent-in-law or step-parent of the permanent resident of Australia.
• Must have proper health insurance to cover them during their stay in Australia.
• Applicants must intend to stay in Australia temporarily only.
• Have enough funds to support their stay in Australia.
• Meet health and character requirements as mentioned by the system.
• Qualify the conditions of the previous Australian Visas.

4. Partner Provisional Visa or Subclass 309 Visa

Another way to apply for the Australian immigration process from India is via a partner provisional visa or subclass 309 visas. Under this category, you can get permanent residency if you are a spouse of an Australian or a qualified New Zealand citizen allowed to stay in the country for a limited period.

Applicants falling under this category can:

• Study in Australia
• Work in Australia
• They can stay in or leave Australia whenever they want
• Can use Medical Health Care Scheme provided by Australia
• Attend up to 510 hours of English Language classes offered by the Adult Migrant English program free of cost

5. Australia Visa for Dependent Children

There are also visa options available for different child types. For example, immigrants can bring their stepchild, biological child, or adopted child to the nation. However, parents must hold a PR visa. The subclasses of visas for children are:

• Child Visa 101
• Child Visa 102
• Child Visa 802
• Child Visa 445

A candidate has to go through different processes to apply for an Australian immigration process. Each step requires a different timeline to complete the process. However, the total time for completing the process usually takes three to five months. Moreover, as for the cost part you may have to make a payment of AUD 4115 if applying as a primary applicant.

The process is simple; just follow the below steps:

Step 1: Visit Australia's official page VEVO.

Step 2: Click on the button mentioning 'check your visa details with VEVO.' An enquiry screen will open up.

Step 3: It will require you to feed in the TRN number or transaction reference number/ visa grant number/ visa evidence number/password and other details in the required field.

Step 4: Next, fill in your date of birth, passport number and country details in the columns.

Step 5: Check all details and read the instructions carefully before ticking the checkbox.

Step 6: After rechecking your details, click on the ‘submit’ button. If you find a mistake, click the 'clear' button to re-feed.

Step 7: Lastly, send your application with the required documents and have a copy saved/emailed or printed along with you.