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How To Get Permanent Residency (PR) in Australia?

1. What is the Australian Migrating Program?

The Australian Migrating program is for everyone. It does not discriminate on the basis of gender, ethnic origin, religion, or colour.

If you are a non-resident individual who would like an opportunity to reside, study and work in Australia, you’ll be surprised to know that there are many visa options available to apply such as a skilled visa, a sponsored work visa, a business visa, and a student visa.

You can find an appropriate Australian visa that is meeting your needs with the Visa Finder of the Department of Home Affairs.

2. What is a Permanent Resident (PR)?

A permanent resident of Australia has many entitlements and rights of a citizen, but there are a few differences - A citizen can enter and leave Australia anytime, however, if a PR citizen chooses to travel overseas, he/she needs to make sure that they have a permanent visa with a valid travel authority.

Citizens can also vote in Australian Government elections, but PR visa holders cannot. For both citizens and non-citizens, the eligibility for Australian services and benefits are given by the government agency.

3. Migrating to Australia through the SkillSelect Migration Program

There are many international students who want to apply for permanent residency in Australia after they completed their studies. These students choose to migrate to Australia through the SkillSelect migration program.

So, let’s understand what the SkillSelect migration program is and how it can help you to become a permanent resident in Australia.

4. What is SkillSelect?

SkillSelect is an online government system that enables aspiring migrants to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). An EOI is not a visa application. It is proof that you want to be considered for a skilled visa to migrate to Australia.

With the help of SkillSelect, you can either be invited by the Australian government to submit a visa application or you can be nominated for a skilled visa by various Australian employers or state governments. In simple words, SkillSelect simplifies the visa application process and improves skilled migrants employment prospects.

5. What Are The Most Popular Australian PR Visa Options For International Students?

The Work-stream Permanent Residence Visas are the most popular options for international students. This visa category is for people who have the skills that Australia requires or the ones who are seeking sponsorship by an Australian employer to work in Australia. International students can apply for any one of the following permanent visa options under this workstream:

•  Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa: This visa is a point tested visa that does not require any territory or State nomination. If you are an international student who has graduated in Australia and you are not sponsored by any employer or relative, then you can apply for the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)
• Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated Visa: This visa is suitable for skilled workers who have been nominated by a territory or state government agency. To be eligible for this visa, you will need to prove that you have an appropriate skills assessment for the occupation listed in the Skilled Occupation List.
• Subclass 491 Skilled Regional Visa: To be eligible for this visa, you must get a sponsorship, fulfil skill requirements, or receive a nomination from either an Australian region, state, or territory. 

6. The Skilled Independent Visa Points Test

The visa applicants must obtain the point test pass mark to get permanent residency in Australia. The minimum points needed to receive an invitation for the Skilled Independent Visa application is 65 points.

However, the minimum points to receive an invitation depends also on the occupation that you choose. Some professions on the skilled occupation list are more competitive than others. Usually, it is easier to receive an invitation for PR with an occupation that is in very high demand, and not many people have the qualifications and skills needed. 

The Skilled Visa Applicants may score points according to the following criteria:

1. Age (between 18 years to 45 years)
2. English Language Proficiency
   
3. Educational qualification level (for example diploma, bachelor degree, master degree or doctorate).
   
4. Overseas or Australian skilled employment experience in a nominated skilled occupation or closely associated field.
   
5. It is mandatory to complete a two or more years course in Australia.
   
6. Living and studying in regional Australia
   
7. Certification in one of the community languages in Australia.
   
8. Completing a government-authorized Professional Year Program (PYP) in Australia.