Learn about obtaining an Australia permanent residency visa, including visa types, requirements, application process, costs, and FAQs. Get comprehensive information on pathways to becoming a permanent resident in Australia.
Australia Permanent Residency Permit: Overview, Requirements, Process, and FAQs
Obtaining permanent residency in Australia is possible for those who hold certain visas. Australia provides several immigration programs, including the family stream, work stream, business stream, special eligibility stream, and child stream permanent visas. The first three programs are the most popular, while the last two have fewer applicants.
Foreigners seeking Australian permanent residency must meet specific requirements.
Which Australian Visas Lead to Permanent Residency?
The following visas allow permanent residency in Australia:
- Family Stream Visas
- Partner Visa (Migrant) – Subclass 100
- Partner Visa – Subclass 801
- Parent Visa – Subclass 103
- Contributory Parent Visa – Subclass 143
- Contributory Aged Parent Visas
- Remaining Relative Visa
- Aged Dependent Relative Visa
- Carer Visa
- Child Visa
- Adoption Visa – Subclass 102
- Orphan Relative Visa – Subclasses 117, 837
- Work Stream Visas
- Skilled Regional Visa: Subclasses 887, 189, 191
- Skilled Nominated Visa – Subclass 190
- Regional Sponsored Migrant Scheme Visa – Subclass 187
- Employer Nominated Scheme – Subclass 186
- Business and Investment Visas
- Business Innovation and Investment Visa – Subclass 888
- Business Owner Visa – Subclass 890
- Business Talent Visa – Subclass 132
- Other Visas
- Global Special Humanitarian Visa – Subclass 202
- Protection Visa – Subclass 866
- Refugee Category Visa
- Distinguished Talent Visa – Subclass 124
- Global Talent Visa – Subclass 858
Requirements for Australian Permanent Residency
To apply for any Australian permanent visa, the following documents are generally required:
- A valid passport
- Permanent visa application form
- Authorized recipient form (if applicable)
- Proof of paid base fee
- Recent identity photographs
- National ID
- Police clearance
- Civil documents
- Proof of financial stability
- Health insurance
- A written invitation (if applicable)
- Good conduct requirement
- Signed Values Declaration
Health Requirements for Australian Permanent Visa
Applicants must:
- Be free from any disease or condition that requires significant healthcare services.
- Not have a disease that demands limited healthcare services in Australia, thereby harming the service provision for residents and citizens.
- Be free from diseases that may threaten public health (e.g., measles, tuberculosis, HIV, hepatitis, yellow fever, polio, Ebola).
Applicants must meet health requirements as outlined by the Immigration Office and complete the necessary health examinations. All family members applying must pass these exams. If a medical examination was done within the last 12 months, a repeat examination might not be necessary.
What If I Fail the Health Requirements for Australian Permanent Residency?
If the health requirements are not met, you will not receive a permanent residence visa. You may apply for a health waiver, which could allow you to get the visa if granted, provided you meet the other visa requirements and have strong reasons to believe you meet the health standards.
How to Obtain Permanent Residency in Australia?
The common pathways to obtaining permanent residency in Australia include:
- Family-stream permanent visa
- Work-stream permanent visa
- Business or investor-stream permanent visa
Other visas that can lead to permanent residency include:
- Distinguished Talent visa (subclasses 124, 858)
- Refugee and Humanitarian visas
- Retirement visa pathway
Do I Need a Temporary Visa Before Applying for Permanent Residency?
Typically, you will need a provisional visa in the same category before applying for a permanent visa. In some cases, like within the family stream, you can apply for both the temporary and permanent visas simultaneously, such as with the temporary Partner Visa (subclass 820) and permanent Partner Visa (subclass 801). If your permanent visa application is without issues, you should receive it shortly after the temporary visa. However, the process may take up to two years or longer.
What Is the Cost of Australian Permanent Residency?
Costs vary depending on the type of visa:
- Family Stream Permanent (Partner) Visa Fee – Subclass 801: AUD 7,715
- Business Stream Permanent Visas – Subclasses 888, 893, and 891: AUD 2,450-2,950
- Work-stream permanent visa costs can vary based on personal circumstances and the specific visa type.
How to Apply for an Australian Permanent Visa
- Select the Visa Type: Choose a visa leading to permanent residency, either through ImmiAccount or the corresponding paper application form.
- Check Requirements: Each visa type has different requirements, but all must meet character and health standards.
- Assemble Documents: Gather all necessary documents as listed in the visa application forms, following the Immigration Office’s guidelines.
- Apply for the Visa: Submit your application either online (preferred for faster processing) or by paper.
Australian Immigration Rules for Permanent Residency
To qualify for permanent residency, the following rules apply depending on the migration program:
- Applicants must be under 45 years old (for work-stream).
- English language proficiency certificate is required (for most programs).
- A Master’s or Doctoral degree may be necessary (for research work-based visas).
- Sponsorship is required for sponsor visas.
- Applicants in family stream programs must have a spouse or de facto partner in Australia.
For those unable to apply for work-based programs due to age, the retirement visa pathway is available.
How Long Can a Permanent Resident Stay Outside of Australia?
Permanent residents have a travel facility that allows unrestricted travel in and out of Australia for five years. Once this period ends, the travel facility expires, and leaving Australia without renewal will prevent re-entry.
What Should I Do After My Travel Facility Expires?
After five years of permanent residency, you must switch to a Resident Return Visa (subclasses 155 and 157) to continue traveling. This visa allows travel for another five years, with renewal options based on your circumstances. If you don’t plan to travel, this visa is unnecessary.
How Do I Know When My Travel Facility Expires?
The travel facility expires five years from the date your permanent residency visa is issued. Some specific visa holders will receive a notification 60 days before expiration.
What If My Travel Facility Expires While I’m Outside Australia?
If this happens, you must apply for a resident return visa or Australian citizenship. If neither is possible, you must apply for another permanent visa, such as a former resident visa, family visa, or skilled visa. Re-entry to Australia without a valid visa is not permitted, and applying for a temporary visa to return may negatively impact your permanent residency status.
Do I Need to Renew My Australia Permanent Residency Visa?
The travel facility attached to your permanent visa needs renewal, not the visa itself. This can be done via visa subclasses 155 and 157 (return resident visa), with renewal options based on your residency duration in Australia.
Can Australia Permanent Residency Expire?
Permanent residency itself does not expire, but the travel facility expires five years after the visa issue date.
Can I Lose My Permanent Residency in Australia?
Permanent residency is generally secure, but certain situations may put it at risk. For instance, if you are no longer in the relationship that granted you a family stream permanent visa or if you violate good character requirements, your residency could be revoked. However, these decisions are taken seriously, and strong reasons are needed for cancellation.
What Is the Difference Between Australian Permanent Residency and Citizenship?
Permanent residents cannot:
- Hold an Australian passport
- Vote in Australia
- Apply for student loans
- Serve in the Australian Defence Force
- Work within the Australian Government
- Re-enter Australia if the travel facility expires
However, permanent residents can:
- Work and study indefinitely in Australia
- Access Medicare services
- Buy property with bank loans
- Sponsor family members for permanent residence
- Apply for Australian citizenship
- Take free language classes
- Work in New Zealand
- Travel freely as long as the travel facility is valid
Australia Permanent Residency Statistics
According to a report by the Department of Foreign Affairs, there were 140,366 applicants for permanent migration in 2019/2020.
| Permanent Residency Stream | Number of Applicants |
|---|---|
| Skill and Work Stream | 95,843 |
| Family Stream | 41,61 |
| Special Eligibility Stream | 81 |
| Child Stream | 2,481 |
Of the total applicants, 69.5% applied through the skill and work stream, while 30.4% applied through the family stream. India had the highest number of applicants with 25,698, followed by China with 18,587, and the UK with 10,681.