Australia is a country of diverse landscapes, people and cultures. Its high standards of living attract several immigrants. This is why many people from across the world who are looking for better living standards choose Australia. For this, they have to apply to become Permanent Residents (PR) of Australia as acquiring it benefits them in more ways than one.

It is important to note that permanent residents are not Australian citizens. However, if they meet the residency requirements, they can become a permanent Australian citizen. In this post, we’ll take you through the benefits of acquiring PR, and the tips for applying and improving your PR points for Australia.

Three most common ways of becoming a PR in Australia

Here are three of the most common ways to become a PR in Australia:

    1. Work-stream permanent visa  

This visa stream is for workers sponsored by an Australian employer, for which there are different visa categories.

• Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189): This visa allows candidates to study and work anywhere in Australia. You can enroll on the public health care scheme and are offered a travel component for five years after the visa is granted.

• Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190): This visa is valid for applicants with state or territory nominations in Australia. It allows for permanent residency and further application for permanent citizenship. You can also sponsor your family members and other eligible relatives.

• Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491): This visa allows skilled workers to live, study, and work in the regional areas of Australia. You can apply for PR after three years of obtaining this visa. You must be invited to apply for this visa, which offers a wide range of benefits.

    2. Family-stream permanent visa 

If you are granted a family-stream permanent visa, you can bring a family member or partner to join you. It’s important to understand the eligibility criteria if you apply for any of the family-stream permanent visas.

    3. Business or investor-stream permanent visa

The Australian Business Innovation & Investment Stream (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) offers entrepreneurs the opportunity to set up a business in Australia. This visa stream offers a further application for permanent residency to its applicants.

What can a PR offer you in Australia?

Candidates applying for a PR are entitled to several benefits from universal healthcare to high-quality education. Let’s look at the benefits included after obtaining a PR:

• The right to live indefinitely in Australia with permission to renew the 5-year grant period an unlimited number of times.
• You are deemed eligible to apply for permanent citizenship in Australia after residing for four years or more, and one year as a permanent resident.
• Enroll in Medicare to get free treatment at public hospitals, subsidized medical care, and cheaper health insurance.
• Sponsor family members to bring loved ones on certain visas.
• Access to financial support for your education through Higher Education Loans Program (HELP).
• Access social security payments, social welfare, and other aids after two years of permanent residency.
• Your children automatically acquire Australian citizenship at birth if you are a permanent resident or Australian citizen. They get access to the benefits mentioned above.

Applying for Permanent Residency in Australia

Do you want to begin applying for a PR in Australia? It’s time to start researching your requirements and eligibility. This gives you ample time to gather all necessary requirements and prepare for the visa category applicable to you.

You can seek guidance from our Australia Migration at Expert Education. They will assess your current situation and provide you with a viable plan for migrating to Australia. You will also get much-needed guidance throughout the migration process.

Let’s explore the other requirements you need to address:

• You must prove your English Language Proficiency skills by meeting the English criteria. You can begin preparing for this ahead of time as Expert Education offers you the chance to undergo thorough coaching for the PTE test preparation.

• You must meet the Australian government’s character and health requirements. Fulfilling these criteria will ensure that you are mentally and physically fit to work, live and contribute to Australian society.

• You must submit an EOI (Expression of Interest) in the Australian Skill Select System online. This system maintains your profile details, including your name, age, gender, work experience, language ability, and qualifications. The Australian Skill Select System will generate points based on your profile and collective score. Your score must reach a minimum of 60 points to be eligible to apply for a PR visa. If your score is higher, your chances of acquiring an invitation to apply for PR are higher.

Tips to increase your PR points for Australia

Now that you know how to apply for PR, it’s time to increase your chances of scoring high points.

An Australia PR is awarded through the points test, for which there are numerous ways to get additional points. There are the ten areas where you can increase your points:

• Age
• Australian study requirement
• Credentialed community language
• English language skills
• Educational qualifications Partner skills
• Nomination or sponsorship (for Subclass 190 and 491)
• Professional year in Australia
• Skilled employment experience (Australian or overseas employment)
• Specialist education qualifications
• Study in regional Australia

Let’s look at some of the most common areas where it is easier to boost your score.

• English language skills

You may or may not be a native English speaker; regardless, you have to score well in the IELTS exam. It offers a valuable way to achieve additional points to increase your chances of acquiring PR. Here’s a summary of the points you receive based on your score on the IELTS exam.

• Superior English with 8 or more – you will receive 20 points
• Proficient English with 7 or more – you will receive 10 points
• Competent English with 6 or more – you will receive 0 points

• Work experience

One year of work experience can get you five extra points. So, gain valuable work experience within your nominated skilled occupation or in a closely related skilled occupation. Work experience is counted both onshore and offshore. You can get a maximum of 20 points.

• Age

If your age is between 25 to 32 years, you can get the highest score of up to 30 points. Candidates aged 45 years and above do not get any points.

• Educational Qualification

If you have completed a course associated with a given occupation found in the Australian Skilled Occupation List, you have a higher chance of receiving PR. Once you’ve completed two year’s study from a recognized Australian university, college, or vocational school, you are eligible to apply for an Australian post-study work visa.

• State or Territory Government Nomination

You can earn five points if you are nominated by a state or territory government for Visa Subclass 190. International students who have pursued and completed an Australian study requirement of two years can earn an additional five points.

It is crucial that you research the several ways in which you can earn and improve your points for PR. Need help getting PR? Reach out to our Expert Consultants for guidance today.