How to Get Permanent Residency in Australia (2026 Guide)

Australian permanent residency means you hold a visa that lets you stay in Australia without a time limit. PR holders can work for any employer, study, access Medicare, and sponsor relatives for their own visas. After living in Australia on a PR visa for a qualifying period, you can apply for Australian citizenship.

PR is not the same as citizenship. PR holders cannot vote in elections and may lose their status if they spend extended periods overseas without a Resident Return Visa.

There are several ways to get permanent residency in Australia. The right one depends on your skills, work experience, family connections, and circumstances.

1. Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) This is a points-tested visa for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer or state government. You need your occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list and a successful skills assessment. Use our points calculator to check your score.

2. Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) Similar to the 189 but requires nomination by a state or territory government. Each state has its own occupation lists and requirements. This visa adds 5 points to your score.

3. Employer Sponsored Visa (Subclass 186) Your employer nominates you for permanent residency. This usually follows a period of working on a Subclass 482 temporary visa. The employer must be an approved sponsor.

4. Partner Visa (Subclass 801/100) If you are in a genuine relationship with an Australian citizen or permanent resident, you can apply for a partner visa. This is a two-stage process, starting with a temporary visa before progressing to PR.

5. Regional Visas Leading to PR The Subclass 491 visa is a provisional visa for skilled workers willing to live in regional Australia. After three years, you can apply for the Subclass 191 permanent visa.

6. Global Talent Visa (Subclass 858) For highly skilled professionals in target sectors like technology, health, and financial services. See our Global Talent Visa guide for details.

For Subclass 189 and 190 visas, you need to score at least 65 points on the points test. In practice, competitive scores are typically 80-90+ depending on your occupation.

Points are awarded for:

• - Age: Maximum 30 points (25-32 years old)
• - English proficiency: Up to 20 points for superior English
• - Work experience: Up to 20 points (overseas and Australian combined)
• - Education: Up to 20 points for a PhD or relevant qualification
• - State nomination: 5 points (Subclass 190)
• - Partner skills: Up to 10 points if your partner also meets requirements
• - Regional study/work: Up to 10 bonus points

Check your score with our points calculator tool. A migration agent can advise on strategies to improve your points if you fall short.

Processing times vary significantly by visa type:

• - Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent): 6-12 months after invitation
• - Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated): 6-9 months after nomination
• - Subclass 186 (Employer Sponsored): 6-12 months
• - Partner Visa: 15-30 months for temporary stage, then 2+ years for permanent
• - Global Talent (858): 2-6 months

Check current wait times on our processing times tool. Times change frequently based on application volumes and Department of Home Affairs resourcing.

The total cost of getting PR includes several components:

• - Government visa application fee: $4,640 (Subclass 189/190), $4,640 (Subclass 186), $8,850 (Partner Visa)
• - Skills assessment: $300-$1,500 depending on the assessing authority
• - English test: $300-$400 (IELTS, PTE, or equivalent)
• - Health examination: $300-$500 per person
• - Police clearance: $40-$100 per country
• - Migration agent fees: $3,000-$8,000 depending on visa complexity

Use our cost estimator for a personalised breakdown based on your situation. See our full visa fees guide for more detail.

You can apply for PR without a migration agent, but professional help is strongly recommended for most pathways. A registered migration agent can:

• - Assess which visa pathway gives you the best chance
• - Handle skills assessment applications
• - Prepare a strong Expression of Interest (EOI)
• - Manage the full application and respond to requests from the Department
• - Deal with complications like health issues or character concerns

All agents in our directory are MARA-registered, which means they are qualified and regulated by the Australian government. Read our guide on whether you need a migration agent for more detail.

The general process for a skilled PR visa is:

1. Check your occupation is on the skilled occupation list
2. Get a skills assessment from the relevant authority
3. Take an English test (IELTS, PTE Academic, or equivalent)
4. Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect
5. Receive an invitation to apply (based on your points score and occupation)
6. Lodge your visa application within 60 days of invitation
7. Provide supporting documents including health checks and police clearances
8. Wait for a decision from the Department of Home Affairs

For partner and employer-sponsored visas, the process differs. A migration agent can walk you through the specific steps for your situation.