Every year, thousands of students migrate to Australia to study, work, and permanently reside in this country. There is a points-based system for PR in this country. These points are decided by several factors. In this blog, we will explain how to get Australian PR and strategies to boost your PR points.
What are the ways of obtaining permanent residency in Australia?
There are three common pathways to achieving a permanent residency status in this country. They are:
1. Work-stream permanent visa
It is the best way to get PR in Australia if you are a skilled worker with the sponsorship of an Australian employer. Three subclasses of visa fall under this category:
- Subclass 189 for invited skilled independent workers to live and work permanently in Australia.
- Subclass 190 for skilled nominated workers. This visa lets nominated skilled workers live and work in Australia as permanent residents.
- Subclass 491, or provisional visa is for skilled regional workers. A visa for skilled people nominated by a state or territory government to live and work in regional Australia.
2. Family-stream permanent visa
This visa is for individuals interested in migrating to Australia with their entire family or a single family member/partner. Subclass 103 applies to parent visas, subclass 101 applies to child visas and subclasses 820 and 801 apply to partner visas.
To be eligible for this visa:
- You should be a child, parent partner or dependent relative to an Australian citizen, permanent resident or an eligible citizen of New Zealand.
- A qualifying relative should sponsor you.
- You should meet all character and health requirements.
- You should not be under any debt of the Public Health or Commonwealth department.
- You should pass all police checks.
- Your income should be enough to support yourself and your family.
3. National Innovation Visa (Subclass 858)
The National Innovation Visa lets you stay permanently in Australia. The cost to apply for this visa starts from AUD 4,840. You can work and study in Australia while travelling in and out for five years. You are permitted to sponsor your relatives to visit you. This visa also allows you to enrol in Australia’s public health care scheme, Medicare. You are also eligible to apply for Australian citizenship.
To gain eligibility and apply for the subclass 858, you must:
- You must receive an invitation to apply for this visa and lodge your application within 60 days of the invitation letter. You can get more information on the expression of interest.
- Be in or out of Australia during your application process and while being granted, but not in immigration clearance.
- be exceptionally recognised with a record of outstanding achievements either in your profession, sport, the arts, or research and academia.
Be nominated by a nominator with a national reputation in your area of expertise. The nominator could either be:
- An Australian permanent resident
- An Australian citizen
- An Australian organisation
- A New Zealand citizen
What is the process for applying for PR in Australia?
Obtaining permanent residence in Australia can be a lengthy and complicated process. Before you jump into applying for permanent citizenship in this country, ensure that you follow a process.
Here is a step-by-step framework of the same:
1. Do your research
Gather all the information about the different types of permanent visa categories and research which category fits the best for you. You can speak to a professional consultant for better clarity.
2. Compile your documents and prepare for English tests
Once you ensure which subclass of visa applies to you, gather all the documents required to apply for that visa. Improve your English proficiency through classes and undertake an IELTS or other applicable English test, not 36 months before you get an invitation to apply for your visa.
3. Meet all character and health requirements
The Australian government has strict rules for character and health requirements for permanent visa applicants. You should not be involved in illegal matters since you will undergo a thorough character assessment. You should also pass a medical examination conducted by a panel doctor.
4. Apply through a points-based system
Submit an EOI (expression of interest) online in the Australian Skill Select System. This system will maintain all your data like work experience, qualification, and language ability and assign you a score based on all these details. Your collective score has to reach a minimum of 60 points to be eligible for a PR visa. The higher the score you obtain, the better your chance to get an invitation to apply for PR.
How can you boost your PR points and improve your chances of getting permanent citizenship in Australia?
Here are some tips to boost your PR points:
Get a good score in IELTS
If you score eight or more in IELTS, you will get 20 PR points. With a score of 7 or more, you will receive 10 points and anything below that will get you zero points.
Get work experience
Even if you get a year of work experience in this country, you can score five extra PR points. The maximum number of points you can get here is 20.
Have proper education qualifications
As soon as you complete 2 years of education from a recognized Australian university, apply for a post-study work visa. If you have completed your degree in a regional area, you can get an additional 5 points.
- Doctorate: 20 points
- Master’s or Bachelor’s degree: fifteen points
- Advanced diploma: 10 points
- Skills Assessment certificate: 10 points
Obtain nomination from the government
Getting a state/territorial government nomination for visa subclass 190 can earn you five points.
Get a Partner’s skills assessment test
If you and your partner are under 45 years applying for the same visa can get you an additional ten points if you both pass the assessment test.
Join a professional year program
By enrolling yourself in a year of professional program to enhance skills in an eligible skilled occupation, you can earn five points.
Apply in the age bracket of 25 and 32
If you apply in this age bracket, you will get the highest PR point applicable (30). If you are above 45 years old, you get zero PR points.
Now that you know how to obtain PR for Australia, it is time to chart your path ahead.
FAQs
1. How to get permanent residency in Australia?
To get permanent residency in this country, follow a thorough step-by-step process mentioned in this blog. It is crucial to meet all the Australia PR requirements and follow all the tips in this blog to improve your PR points.
2. What are the benefits of getting permanent residency in Australia?
By obtaining permanent residency in Australia, you will get access to its high-quality healthcare, countless professional opportunities, and globally popular scenic views. You will also be eligible for Australian Medicare, which includes access to subsidized medical care, free treatment at public hospitals, bulk billing of medicines and cheaper health insurance policies.
3. Do I need to consult an immigration expert or lawyer to assist me in the visa application process?
A consultant or lawyer with expertise in this area can significantly reduce your burden of following the entire lengthy process of obtaining the visa yourself. They can provide you with personalized solutions based on your specific case, which will reduce any chances of rejection.
Though getting permanent residency in this country can seem like a tough job, if you are on top of all the formalities and nitty gritty, you can obtain permanent citizenship in Australia without too many obstacles.