Depending on your individual circumstances, you can become an Australian permanent resident in a variety of ways. Temporary to permanent pathways most commonly include:
A Medium-Term TSS visa holder who has been working in Australia for three years with the same employer may be eligible for Permanent Residency through the Transitional (TRT) Stream. DAMA visa holders can also apply for permanent residency (including transitional arrangements for those with existing visas).
If you held a 457 visa or had applied for a 457 on or before the 18th April 2017 you still have the opportunity to apply for Permanent Residence under 186 ENS or 187 RSMS, under the two-year pathway (Temporary Residence Transition), regardless of what 457 occupation you work in.
Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa and subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored visa both have a pathway to permanent residency through subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional): Applicants for the permanent visa (from November 2022) must have held a subclass 491 or 494 visa for at least 3 years, have met the conditions of that visa, and have a minimum taxable income.
SkillSelect allows you to express your interest in applying for permanent residency, which could lead to permanent residency via a Skilled visa if you meet the criteria.
To obtain permanent residency on a sponsored visa, using an ENS 186 visa or RSMS 187 visa, you must have an employer who agrees to sponsor your stay in Australia. You may be eligible for the 189 Skilled Independent visa, the 190 Skilled Sponsored visa, or the 489 Skilled Provisional visa if you have enough points.
Currently, the 489 visa is a pathway to permanent residency by allowing you to apply for the permanent Skilled Regional (Residence) visa (subclass 887) if you meet other criteria.
As a permanent resident, the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) allows skilled workers to live and work in Australia. People with an occupation in high demand in Australia’s labour market can apply for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190).
If you arrived in Australia before or after 26 February 2001, you are eligible to apply for Australian citizenship. New Zealand citizens are automatically granted a Special Category visa (SCV) upon arrival in Australia. SCVs are temporary visas that allow the holder to remain and work in Australia. Australian citizenship might be available to you if you were present in Australia on 26 February 2001 as the holder of an SCV.
You may be able to sponsor your family to live in Australia if you are an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or a New Zealand citizen. After meeting certain criteria, they may be granted permanent residency in Australia.
Non-Citizens with permanent visas are called Australian permanent residents (permanent residents). Australia allows permanent residents to live, work, and study without restriction.
While permanent residents have most of the rights and entitlements of citizens, there are some differences:
In order to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident, a permanent resident must have a valid travel authority if they travel internationally.
Australian citizens are eligible to vote in government elections. In most cases, permanent residents cannot vote, but if they were enrolled to vote (as a British subject) before 1984, they may remain eligible.
It is the responsibility of the government agency with policy responsibility for the service or benefit to determine eligibility for Australian government services and benefits.
Find out more about your visa options with a free consultation with our Registered Migration Agents.
