How to get Permanent Residency in Australia

After you have completed your course in Australia, you fantasise about staying and working in the same country. We have noticed a couple of people whose main aim is to settle down in Australia because of its mesmerising and beautiful landscapes. With this urge, you can not randomly begin living in the country. To have a proper and valid stay in Australia even after the completion of your course, you need to apply for a permanent residency Visa, choosing one amongst the best available and meets your requirements. Not only does it open the door for academic pursuits, but with this visa, you can get varied opportunities in the world's most sought-after destination. Hence, by the latest, a plan for permanent residency during the study period is crucial, as it allows students to strategically navigate pathways and visa requirements to study in Australia, increasing their chances of success to stay in their dream destination. 

Peep into this article to get an overview of the importance of obtaining permanent residency in Australia post-studies, the benefits of planning during the student phase, and the primary pathways available for international students to achieve permanent residency status. 

Beginning with we have seen that many of us are confused and end up questioning this-

“Are Permanent Residency Visas different from study visas?”

The answer is very apt and clear to this, Yes, the Permanent Residency visas and study visas, are both different from each other and have their purposes aligned with the needs and expectations of an international student.

1. Permanent Residency Visas: These visas, as the name suggests, are for those individuals who want to get granted the right to reside permanently in Australia. These will allow them to live and be recognised as citizens of Australia, which they currently are not.

They typically offer more extensive rights and benefits to the individuals as compared to temporary visas. Holders of permanent residency visas often have the right to work, access healthcare, and sometimes even vote in the country where they reside.

Apart from all this, the visa requirements to study in Australia and to obtain permanent residency vary widely depending on the country's immigration policies, but they often include factors such as employment sponsorship, family ties, or investment in the country's economy.

2. Study Visas: The other side of permanent residency visas is the Study visas, which are obtained by a student to move out to study in Australia. These are specifically designed for individuals who wish to pursue higher education or any certification in any vocational training in Australia. 

This visa does not give you the right to be known as a citizen of the country, whereas it gives you limited access to perform activities within the duration of your stay. These visas often have restrictions on the type of work students can undertake, as their primary purpose is education

These visas allow students to enrol in educational institutions such as schools, colleges, or universities for a specified period. 

At the last, the basic Australian student visa requirements to obtain this visa typically include proof of enrollment in an educational institution, financial means to support oneself during the study period, and sometimes evidence of proficiency in the language of instruction.

The only similarity they hold is to seek permission to reside in Australia, otherwise, both of them have their respective purposes, eligibility, rights and restrictions.
 

The pathway: Permanent Residency in Australia after study 2024

There are tons of students who are willing to stay in Australia permanently due to its educational arena, work culture, environment and much more to the list. These people see their growth and career being built strong in the country, creating an urge to reside permanently. However, before making any decision, international students need to research and understand the Australian Visa requirements and conditions of each pathway. Besides this, it is crucial to mitigate any changes in immigration policies that may affect their eligibility. 

However, moving forward, here’s an overview of some common pathways:

A) Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)

These visas are applicable for individuals who are not sponsored by an employer, a state, or a family member. 

To be eligible for this visa you need to have:

a) Occupation: Nominate an occupation listed on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
b) Skills Assessment: Obtain a positive skills assessment for the nominated occupation from the relevant assessing authority.
c) Points Test: Score at least 65 points on the points test, which considers factors such as age, English proficiency, education, work experience, and other criteria.

The application process for this involves submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect. Afterwards, receiving an invitation to apply from the Department of Home Affairs. Once invited, applicants must lodge a formal visa application within 60 days.
 

B) Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)

Unlike an Independent visa, this visa is for skilled workers who are nominated by a state or a territory government. 

How it is nominated, is through the way that each state or territory government produces a list of occupations in demand, and an international student who meets the criteria and eligibility gets the opportunity to apply for this visa. 

To be eligible for this visa you need:

a) State Nomination: Applicants must nominate an occupation from the MLTSSL or the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) and be nominated by a state or territory government.
b) Points Test: Like the Subclass 189 visa, applicants must score at least 65 points on the points test.

The process of applying for this visa involves submitting an EOI through SkillSelect and waiting for a nomination from a state or territory government. 

Once nominated, applicants receive an invitation to apply for the visa, which is similar to the Subclass 189 visa, with applicants required to lodge a formal visa application within 60 days of receiving an invitation.
 

C) Employer Sponsored Visa(Subclass 186)

This visa is attained when there is an employer from Australia who wants to employ you for a specific job role in their organisation. 

There are various employer-sponsored visa subclasses, such as the Temporary Skill Shortage (Subclass 482) visa and the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) visa, which can lead to permanent residency under certain conditions.

Talking about the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186), it is for skilled workers nominated by an Australian employer.

Key aspects include:

a) Employer Sponsorship: Employers must nominate the applicant for a position on the MLTSSL or the Regional Occupation List (ROL).
b) Employee Eligibility: Applicants must meet skills, qualifications, and English language requirements specified by the employer.
c) Application Process: The employer lodges a nomination application, and the employee lodges a visa application once the nomination is approved.

Whereas, the temporary skill shortage is designed to address the temporary employment shortage in Australia. Its key aspects include:

a) Employer Sponsorship: To obtain a TSS visa, applicants must have a job offer from an approved Australian employer who is willing to sponsor them.
b) Occupation Lists: The TSS visa program operates under two occupation lists: the Short-Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) and the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
c) Stream Options: The TSS visa offers two streams: the Short-Term stream and the Medium-Term stream. The Short-Term stream is up to durations of up to two years, whereas the Medium-Term stream offers visa durations of up to four years and a pathway to permanent residency after three years.
 

D) Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (Subclass 187)

This is accessible to those who get sponsored by the regional employers, to sponsor skilled workers for permanent residency. 

Key aspects include:

a) Regional Sponsorship: Employers in designated regional areas can nominate skilled workers for positions on the ROL.
b) Applicant Eligibility: Applicants must meet skills, qualifications, and English language requirements specified by the employer.
c) Application Process: Similar to the Subclass 186 visa, the employer lodges a nomination application, and the employee lodges a visa application once the nomination is approved.

E) Regional Skilled Migration Scheme (Subclass 491)

This visa is for skilled workers who are nominated by a state or territory government or sponsored by an eligible relative living in a designated regional area. International students who have studied in a regional area may be eligible to apply for this visa. Like the Skilled Nominated Visa, applicants must meet specific criteria related to occupation, skills, and English proficiency

F) Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485)

This visa is for those international individuals who wish to live, work and stay in Australia temporarily. 

Depending on the stream (Post-Study Work stream or Graduate Work stream), graduates can stay for up to four years. This visa can provide a pathway to gaining skilled work experience in Australia, which may contribute to eligibility for other visas, such as the skilled visas mentioned above.

Key aspects include:

a) Post-Study Work Stream: Allows graduates to work in Australia for up to four years, depending on the highest qualification obtained.
b) Graduate Work Stream: Provides an 18-month visa for graduates with specific qualifications and skills relevant to occupations in demand.
c) Pathway to PR: Depending on the stream, graduates may be eligible to apply for permanent residency through skilled migration pathways, such as the Subclass 189 or Subclass 190 visas.

Eligibility 

Before applying directly for the visa, an international student needs to meet specific Australian student visa requirements that may vary depending on the visa subclass and individual circumstances. Though these keep on updating, therefore an applicant should refer to the most up-to-date information provided by the Department of Home Affairs or consult with a registered migration agent for personalised advice. 

Here are some common eligibility criteria:

a) Completion of Qualifying Study: For an international student, an applicant must have completed a qualification from an Australian educational institution. This could be a degree, diploma, or trade qualification.

b) Duration of Study: The duration of your study in Australia can determine your eligibility for PR. For example, certain skilled migration visas require a minimum study period of two years in Australia.

c) Skills Assessment: Some visa subclasses, such as Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) or Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190), may require a skills assessment to demonstrate that the applicant's qualifications align with an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list.

d) English Language Proficiency: Depending on the visa subclass, applicants may need to demonstrate English language proficiency by achieving a specified score on an English language test such as IELTS or TOEFL. However, it is something which can surely support and uplift your successful acceptance of visa requests.

e) Points Test: For skilled migration visas like Subclass 189 and Subclass 190, applicants are assessed based on a points test. Points are awarded for factors such as age, English language proficiency, qualifications, work experience, and other relevant criteria. Meeting the minimum points requirement is essential for eligibility.

f) Nomination or Sponsorship: Some visa subclasses require nomination by a state or territory government (Subclass 190) or sponsorship by an eligible employer (Employer Nomination Scheme - Subclass 186). Meeting the specific criteria for nomination or sponsorship is necessary for PR eligibility.

g) Character and Health Requirements: The applicants applying for Australian visas, including PR, must meet character and health requirements. This typically involves providing police clearance certificates and undergoing medical examinations.

h) Compliance with Visa Conditions: Applicants must have complied with the conditions of their student visa and any other visas held while in Australia. This includes maintaining satisfactory attendance and academic progress during their studies.
 

How to apply for PR after studying in Australia?

You should familiarise yourself with the visa application process and to successfully get PR in Australia. It will not just help you in applying for your visa confidently but will help you avoid mistakes. 

Application Process

a) Gather all the documents and information

This is the initial and essential step involved while filling the application process of visa in Australia. It basically includes documents such as passports, academic transcripts, skills assessment, English language test results, employment references, and other relevant documentation.

b) Meet your eligibility 

Another step involved in applying for PR, assess whether you meet the eligibility criteria for the PR visa subclass you are interested in. Consider factors such as your qualifications, skills, work experience, English language proficiency, and any other requirements specified for the visa subclass.

c) Choose a suitable visa type

Depending on your circumstances and goals, select the most suitable PR visa subclass. Common options for international students include the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189), Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190), or employer-sponsored visas like the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186).

d) Submit The Application

After gathering all the necessary documents and information and choosing the correct visa type, it’s time for you to submit your PR application. You can apply via mail or online.

e) Pay Visa Application Fee

After submitting your application, you will need to pay the visa application fees. The amount of the application fee will depend on which visa type you have applied for. There are several ways to pay the fees, including mail, online, or through an Australian embassy.

Lodge Visa Application: Once you receive an invitation, you can lodge a formal visa application within the specified timeframe. Complete the application form accurately and attach all required supporting documents.

Wait for Visa Decision: After submitting your application, wait for the Department of Home Affairs to process your visa application. Processing times can vary depending on various factors such as the visa subclass and the volume of applications.

Receive Visa Grant: If your application is successful, you will receive a notification of a visa grant. This will include details about your PR visa, such as the visa subclass, validity period, and conditions.

 

Conclusion

 

At the end of the blog, an international student needs to understand the visa requirements to study in Australia. Obtaining PR in Australia after completing your study requires thorough research and planning. So, with the information on how to get PR in Australia after study, the whole process will be easier for you. It is not easy to get permanent residency in Australia but once you get the life of an individual becomes potentially better. The opportunities and quality of life that permanent residency offers can be transformative, providing stability, security, and a wealth of new possibilities.

Remember, the journey towards permanent residency is a marathon, not a sprint. Stay focused, stay determined, and never underestimate the power of perseverance. With the right mindset, dedication, and support, you can turn your dream of calling Australia home into a reality.

To attain more information and resources, you can visit the website Oz Assignments.

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