Pathways to Become an Australian Permanent Resident in 2024
So, how to become an Australian permanent resident in 2024? The Australian Government provides various pathways to PR in Australia, including the visa subclasses that offer direct permanent residency and temporary to permanent visa pathways. But, generally, there are three pathways to becoming an Australian Permanent Resident (PR): skilled visa, business visa, and family visa.
Choosing the best pathway to PR is crucial, and there are many factors to consider. In this article, ONEderland Consulting will provide comprehensive guidelines on becoming an Australian permanent resident, ensuring you feel supported in your journey.
Direct Permanent Resident (PR) Pathway to Australia
The direct permanent resident (PR) pathway to Australia is available on skilled and family visas. The Australian visa subclasses that offer you a direct permanent residency pathway in Australia are:
- Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189),
- Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190),
- Offshore Partner Visa (subclass 309/100),
- Onshore Partner Visa (subclass 820/801),
- Offshore Child Visa (subclass 101),
- Onshore Child Visa (subclass 802),
- Contributory Aged Parent Visa (subclass 864),
- Contributory Parent Visa (subclass 143),
- Aged Parent Visa (subclass 804),
- Parent Visa (subclass 103), and
- Special Category Visa (subclass 444).
Pathway to PR Australia as Skilled Workers
If you are a skilled worker, you may be eligible for the direct PR pathway in Australia by applying for the Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189) or Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190). To be eligible for the 189 Visa and 190 Visa, you must meet these general requirements:
- Be under 45 years old,
- Have a nominated occupation listed on the Skilled Occupation List,
- Have work experience relevant to your nominated occupation,
- Meet the minimum English requirement (at least Competent level),
- Have a positive Skills Assessment
Find more about PR Pathway for 189 Visa and 190 Visa here.
Pathway to PR Australia for Family Members
Suppose you are a spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. In that case, you can choose either an Offshore Partner Visa (subclass 309/100) or an Onshore Partner Visa as your pathway to PR in Australia.
Learn more about the Partner Visa to Australian PR pathway here.
If you are a child of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, you may qualify for the direct pathway to PR by applying for an Offshore Child Visa (subclass 101) or Onshore Child Visa (subclass 802). To become an Australian Permanent Resident through the Child Visa pathway, you must:
- Be under 18 years old, or
- Be above 18 years old but under 23 years old and a full-time student, or
- Be above 18 years old but under 23 years old and physically disabled to support yourself, so you’re entirely dependent on your parent,
- Be the biological, step or adoptive child of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen.
Or you are a parent of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. In that case, you may be eligible to become an Australian permanent resident by applying for one of these visa subclasses:
- Contributory Aged Parent Visa (subclass 864),
- Contributory Parent Visa (subclass 143),
- Aged Parent Visa (subclass 804),
- Parent Visa (subclass 103).
Learn more about the PR pathway for Child Visa and Parent Visa here.
Pathway to PR Australia for New Zealand Citizen
If you’re a New Zealand citizen, you can be considered an Australian permanent resident under certain conditions. These include being a resident of Australia, holding a special category visa as an airline crew member, or meeting specific criteria related to your previous visas.
- You, as a New Zealand citizen with a Special Category Visa or Special Purpose Visa, are Australian permanent residents if:
- You are generally resident in Australia.
- You hold a special category visa as an airline crew member or positioning crew member and are ordinarily a resident of Australia.
- You, as a New Zealand citizen who previously held a protected SCV, are Australian Permanent Residents if, just before departing Australia, you:
- Possessed a special category visa (subclass 444).
- Holds a special purpose visa due to your role as an airline crew member or positioning crew member.
- Are not removed or deported from Australia.
- You previously had special category visas with the following conditions are considered Permanent Residents beginning 1 January 2022:
- Holder of a subclass 189 New Zealand stream granted after 31 December 2021 and before 1 July 2023 as a principal visa holder.
- Holder of category 189 New Zealand stream, meet secondary conditions and are a primary visa holder’s family unit member.
Learn more about the Australian PR pathway for New Zealand citizens here.
Temporary to Permanent Visa (PR) Pathway in Australia
There are many PR pathways available in Australia, depending on your circumstances. Here are the most common Temporary to Permanent Visa pathways in Australia:
TSS 482 Visa to Australian Permanent Residency
Whether you hold the Short-term or Medium-term TSS 482 Visa, you may be eligible to become an Australian permanent resident if you have been nominated and worked for your sponsoring employer for at least two years. The available pathway is to apply for the 186 Visa – Temporary Resident Transition stream.
Read more: TSS 482 Visa to Australian PR Pathway
Regional Visas to Australian Permanent Residency
Both the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) and the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa offer a pathway to Australian PR through the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa. You may be eligible for this pathway if you have held a 491 Visa or 494 Visa for at least three years.
Read more: 494 Visa Pathway to PR: What are the available options?
Student Visa to Australian Permanent Residency
The Government also opens an Australian PR pathway for international students. The options vary depending on your circumstances.
Read more: Australian PR for International Students: How to Apply?
485 Visa to Australian Permanent Residency
If you are an international graduate in Australia, the options to become an Australian permanent resident are wide. You can choose the skilled visa or employer-sponsored scheme visa as your pathway to Australian PR.
Read more: Visa Options After 485 Visa – A Must Read Guidelines
Benefits of Becoming an Australian Permanent Resident
Obtaining Australian permanent residency comes with many benefits, including the right to live in Australia indefinitely, work and study without restrictions, and enjoy the country’s high standard of living.
- Living in Australia indefinitely and legally as a permanent resident provides a sense of security and stability, allowing you to enjoy its high standard of living without the fear of having to leave.
- As a permanent resident, you can work and study in Australia without restrictions, empowering you to pursue your career and educational goals.
- Enrolling in Medicare to get health services means you can access subsidized medical services, including doctor’s visits and hospital care.
- Apply for a bank loan to buy a property.
- Sponsor your relative or family to visit Australia or get them a permanent residency.
- If eligible, apply for Australian citizenship.
- Travel to and from Australia as often as you want – as long as your travel facility is valid.
- Attend free English language classes.
- Legal protection means you will have legal protection under Australian law, including the same rights as Australian citizens regarding labour laws and other legal matters.
- Work in New Zealand.
You may also qualify for other Australian government benefits and services. Being an Australian permanent resident gives you similar advantages to being an Australian citizen. Great, isn’t it?
Read more: 10 Reasons to Migrate to Australia Permanently.
Are there any other pathways to getting a permanent residency?
Yes, there are other pathways to getting a permanent residency. One of the recent pathways that the Australian Government created is a permanent residency pathway for retirees. It provides options for the long-term residents who have contributed to and are well-established in the community.
The last available pathway is a permanent residency pathway for the refugees through refugee and humanitarian visas. It only applies to those who left their home country due to persecution or other life-threatening conditions.
Choosing the best way to become an Australian permanent resident is very crucial. At ONEderland Consulting, we will ensure you get the best option that suits your situation and background.
We’re here to help you!
We’re here to guide you through the entire Australian permanent resident application, from understanding your options and preparing your application. You’re not alone in this journey.
Our visa specialists at ONE derland Consulting will help you decide the best option to become an Australian permanent resident. We have a 98% success rate and are one of Australia’s most highly recommended migration agents. Read our 4.9* score customer reviews.
We are complex visa specialists. As registered Australian migration agents with the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA), we are regulated in our professional practice and bound by the profession’s Code of Conduct issued by the MARA.
Our team speaks various languages, such as Mandarin/Chinese, Bahasa Indonesia, Arabic, Japanese, and Thai. Contact us through email at [email protected] or via phone at 1300 827 159. Alternatively, you may book your consultation online, and it is backed by our 100% Money Back Guarantee Program.
