Australia Permanent Residency

Australia Permanent Residency (PR)

Australia Permanent Residency (PR) allows non-citizens to live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely. A PR visa holder enjoys most of the rights and privileges of a citizen, except for voting in federal elections and obtaining an Australian passport. It is a pathway to Australian citizenship.

DBGS

Popular PR Visa Categories

01

Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189

• For skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer or family member.
• Based on a point-based system.
• No requirement to live in a specific region.

02

Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)

• For skilled workers nominated by an Australian state or territory.
• Requires commitment to live and work in the nominating state.

03

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491)

• For skilled workers nominated by a state or sponsored by family in regional Australia.
• Leads to PR through Subclass 191 after 3 years.

04

Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186)

• For skilled workers nominated by an Australian employer.

Direct entry and temporary residence transition streams are available.

05

Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801 or 309/100

• For spouses or de facto partners of Australian citizens or permanent residents.
• Two-stage process leading to PR.

Key PR Benefits:

• Live, work, and study anywhere in Australia.
• Enrol in Medicare (public health care).
• Sponsor relatives for PR.
• Access to certain social security benefits (after waiting period).
• Pathway to Australian citizenship after meeting residency criteria.

General Eligibility Requirements:
• Be under 45 years of age (for most skilled visas).
• Have a relevant occupation on the skilled occupation list.
• Obtain suitable skills assessment.
• Meet the English language proficiency requirements.
• Score at least 65 points on the PR points test (for skilled visas).
• Meet health and character requirements.

Points Test Factors:

• Age
• English language skills
• Skilled employment experience (in and outside Australia)
• Educational qualifications
• Australian study requirement
• State or territory nomination
• Partner skills and qualifications

Processing Time:

• Varies by visa type, profile, and application backlog.
• Typically ranges from 12 Months to 18 Months

Path to Citizenship:

After holding PR and residing in Australia for at least 4 years (with 1 year as a PR), you may apply for Australian citizenship, subject to passing a citizenship test and meeting other criteria.

Australia PR Document Checklist

Personal Documents

• Passport (valid and scanned copy of bio data page)
• Birth certificate or other proof of age
• Passport-size photographs (recent, meeting visa photo specs)
• National ID (if applicable)

English Language Proficiency

• IELTS / PTE / TOEFL results (test taken within the last 3 years)

Skills Assessment

• Positive skills assessment from a relevant assessing authority (like ACS, Engineers Australia, VETASSESS, etc.)
• Assessment report reference/number

Educational Documents

• Degree/diploma certificates
• Transcripts/mark sheets
• Course completion letter (if required by assessing authority)

Work Experience Documents

• Reference letters from past and current employers
• Payslips, tax records, and employment contracts
• Roles and responsibilities matching the occupation description

Points Claim Supporting Docs

• Partner’s documents (passport, English test, skill assessment if claiming partner points)
• Australian study proof (if claiming extra points)
• Professional year certificate (if applicable)
• NAATI certification (for community language points)

Character and Health Checks

• Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) from each country lived in for 12+ months in the past 10 years
• Medical examination results (done after you receive HAP ID from the Department)

 

How will DBGS Education Overseas assist you with Documentation?

1. PR Points Evaluation

• Share your age, English test score, education, work experience, marital status, partner’s details (if applying with them), and any Australian study/work experience.

2. Skill Assessment Guidance

• I can help you identify your ANZSCO code, assessing body (e.g. ACS, Engineers Australia), and exact documents required.
• I can help you write experience letters and roles/responsibility statements that match ANZSCO descriptions.

3. Document Drafting

• I can generate:
  • Experience letter templates
  • Statutory declarations (if employment proof is lacking)
  • Cover letter for EOI
  • Partner declaration letters

4. Application Process Navigation

• I’ll guide you through:
  • Skills assessment
  • EOI submission on Skill Select
  • State nomination (for 190/491)
  • Visa application and uploading docs on ImmiAccount