Australian Permanent Residence
Australian permanent residency is a great way to remain living, working and, or, studying in Australia indefinitely.
Upon approval of your Australian permanent residence you will be able to travel freely for up to 5 years, consider sponsoring eligible relatives for permanent residence, consider becoming an Australian citizen, attend free English language classes provided by the Adult Migrant English Program, enrol in Medicare and travel to/work in New Zealand.
Some of the more common pathways to obtaining Australian permanent residence via the skilled sponsored and family sponsored programs include:
Skilled Migration Permanent Residence
There are two categories with the Skilled Migration program - Employer Sponsorship or General Skilled Migration (GSM) which generally requires applicants to be points tested.
Employer Sponsorship
Australian businesses may be able to support eligible skilled workers to become Australian permanent residents through a number of different pathways:
Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) 186 visa
Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream for 457 visa or TSS 482 visa holders
Direct Entry (DE) stream for any substantive visa, Bridging Visa A, B, or C holder
Labour Agreement (TRT) stream
Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) 187 Visa
(TRT) stream
General Skilled Migration (GSM)
The General Skilled Migration (GSM) program wants to bring in highly skilled individuals who can make significant contributions to Australia’s economy.
Applicants need to nominate an occupation on the relevant skills list set by the Department of Home Affairs (if seeking the 190 visa, the occupation must also be on the nominated state or territory’s list), obtain a positive skills assessment in that occupation, meet the English language requirements and score high enough in the points test to be considered by the Australian government for the relevant GSM visa:
Suitable applicants are not required to be sponsored by a family member, employer, designated region nor state or territory and can apply simply on the basis of their skillset
Skilled Independent 189 visa (NZ stream)**
This stream does not require a points test as it is for New Zealand Special Category 444 visa holders who started living in Australia on or before 19 February 2016 and have been living here for at least 5 years, earning the taxable income requirements. ** 10 December 2022: The Department will not be taking further applications in this stream until further notice. All 189 (NZ stream) visa applications lodged prior to 10 December 2022, will continue to be processed.
Applicants must have the support of their nominated state or territory government
Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) 191 visa
This also does not require a points test because it is the pathway Australian permanent residence for eligible temporary Skilled Work Regional 491 visa and Regional Employer Sponsored 494 visa holders. Applicants will need to have been living and working in the designated regional area for at least 3 years before they can qualify
Global Talent 858 Visa
The Global Talent 858 visa is the Australian government’s incentive to offer Australian permanent residence to those who are the “best and brightest”, in one of two pathways:
Distinguished Talent pathway, and the
Global Talent Visa Program pathway
The process requires the applicant to demonstrate their outstanding achievements, be supported by an Australian permanent resident or citizen who is also recognised in a similar field, lodge a nomination application and a visa application.
The Distinguished Talent pathway is for those who are internationally recognised in an area of profession, research and academia, sports or the arts.
The Global Talent Visa program pathway is a priority for the government and is aimed at those recognised in one of the ten targeted sectors including Resources, AgTech, Energy, Defence, advanced Manufacturing Space, Circular Economy, Digitech, Health Industries, FinTech, Infrastructure and Tourism, Education. Applicants must demonstrate they can earn above the Fair Work High Income Threshold, lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI), nomination application and visa application.
Family Sponsored Permanent Residence
You may qualify for sponsorship by an eligible family member if you are any of the following:
In a de facto relationship, a formally registered relationship, or married to an eligible NZ citizen, Australian permanent resident or citizen:
Partner visa 820/801
Partner visa 309/100
Engaged to an eligible NZ citizen, Australian permanent resident or Australian citizen:
Prospective Marriage visa 300
The parent of an eligible NZ citizen, Australian permanent resident or Australian citizen:
Contributory Parent visa 173 - temporary
Contributory Parent visa 143 - permanent
Non Contributory Parent visa 103 - permanent
Aged Parent visa 804 - permanent
Contributory Aged Parent visa 884 - temporary
Contributory Aged Parent visa 864 - permanent
Child visa
The dependent child of an eligible NZ citizen, Australian permanent resident or Australian citizen
Child visa 101
Child visa 802
Dependent Child visa 445
Carer Visa
The carer visa for your relative who has no reasonable access to care in Australia:
Carer visa 836
Carer visa 116