With a warm climate, diverse population, healthy economy, and laid-back lifestyle, Australia is a fantastic place to live, work, study, and raise a family.

If the land down under is on your radar, then apply for your permanent resident visa and gain some of the great benefits that securing your PR allows. Applying for your permanent residency visa in Australia means you can:

• Move freely around Australia and live wherever you choose
• Study at university and apply for higher education loans
• Become eligible for welfare benefits after two years
• Apply for government jobs

AM I ELIGIBLE FOR A PERMANENT RESIDENCY VISA?

Depending on your unique circumstances, you can apply for a permanent residency visa under various categories. However, something to bear in mind when you apply for your permanent residency is that each of these categories has its own set of rules. We will look at these different sets of rules later but, for now, let’s look at the general eligibility requirements, which apply to everyone.

AUSTRALIA’S PERMANENT RESIDENCY POINTS SYSTEM

In general, when you are applying for your permanent residency in Australia, a points system determines your eligibility. You must score at least 65 points, although 80 or more is ideal. When you apply for your permanent residency visa the points are calculated as follows:

AGE (MAXIMUM 30 POINTS)

You must be 45 years old or younger when applying for your permanent residency visa in Australia. Here’s an overview of the points breakdown for different ages:

• 18-24 years – 25 points
• 25-32 years – 30 points
• 33-39 years – 25 points
• 40-44 years – 15 points

ENGLISH PROFICIENCY (MAXIMUM 20 POINTS)

To secure a maximum of 20 points for the English proficiency section of applying for your permanent residency visa, you are required to achieve a score of 8 bands in the IELTS exam. Australian immigration authorities also accept other English proficiency examinations, including PTE, TOEFL, and IELTS.

Here’s an overview of the points you can earn for the English proficiency section of applying for your permanent residency:

• Competent English – 0 points
• Proficient English – 10 points
• Superior English – 20 points
WORK EXPERIENCE OUTSIDE OF AUSTRALIA (MAXIMUM 15 POINTS)

If you have eight to ten years of work experience in a country outside Australia, you will score a total of 15 points. Fewer years’ experience awards your fewer points:

• Less than three years – 0 points
• Three to four years – 5 points
• Five to seven years – 10 points
• Eight to ten years – 15 points

WORK EXPERIENCE WITHIN AUSTRALIA (MAXIMUM 20 POINTS)

• Less than 1 year – 0 points
• One to two years – 5 points
• Three to four years – 10 points
• Five to seven years – 15 points
• Eight years or more – 20 points

YOUR EDUCATION (MAXIMUM 20 POINTS)

Your education level can earn you a maximum of 20 points toward your Australian permanent residency visa. Here’s how it works:

• Doctorate degree from an institution in or outside of Australia – 20 points
• Bachelor or Master’s degree from an institution in or outside of Australia – 15 points
• Trade qualification or diploma from an Australian institution – 10 points

YOUR SPOUSE OR DE FACTO PARTNER (MAXIMUM 10 POINTS)

If your spouse or de facto partner is also applying for a permanent residency visa in Australia, their qualifications can bolster your own application. Keep in mind that both you and your partner must meet the age and language requirements for permanent residency visa applications set out above.

Here’s how your spouse impacts your permanent residency visa application:

• They have a PR visa or are an Australian citizen – 10 points
• They are competent in English and have a Positive Skill Assessment – 10 points
• They are competent in English – 5 points

OTHER SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

You can earn extra points for your permanent residency visa application if you meet any of the following criteria:

• You studied in a regional area of Australia – 5 points
• You are accredited in community language (NAATI) – 5 points
• You underwent a professional year in Australia in a skilled program – 5 points
• You have secured state sponsorship (Subclass 190 visa) – 5 points
• You have a specialist educational qualification – 10 points