Australia PR Procedure: Process, Cost, Processing Time & Pathways

It is a common understanding that the process of applying for permanent residency in any country is a complicated process. This stands true for the Australia PR procedure as there are multiple stages, several skill assessment bodies and more.

So, if you are a skilled worker looking to work for a top Australian firm or a student planning to take a next step in your education in an Australian university in 2025, knowing the Australia PR process, along with the cost and eligibility criteria is a must.

In this blog, we will explain the step-by-step Australia PR procedure and other essential details so that you don't waste your time, efforts and money.

Step-by-Step Australia PR Process

With an Australia PR status, one can become a permanent resident of the country and be allowed to remain there indefinitely. Check out the Australia PR procedure in detail below:

Step 1: Determine Eligibility

To start the Australia PR procedure, the first step is to determine your eligibility for Australia PR processing. To be eligible, you must:

• be below 45 years of age when submitting their applications.
• have a validated skills assessment in an appropriate occupation.
• meet the minimum English language proficiency requirements.
• Score at least 65 points on the points test, which includes factors like age, education, work experience, and language proficiency.
• have a minimum of three years of pertinent professional experience.

Learn about the Australia PR Eligibility in detail and check how many points you score on the Australia PR points calculator.

Step 2: Take an English Language Proficiency

Providing English Language proficiency test results is an important criterion for the Australian PR process. So, you can take any of the tests, namely, IELTS exam, TOEFL, PTE exam, etc. to prove your proficiency.

Although this requirement may vary depending on the visa subclass and assessing authority, the following points are the minimum requirements.

Step 3: Skills Assessment

Obtaining a positive skills assessment is essential for your visa application. Each occupation has specific assessing authorities. For instance, Engineers Australia assesses engineers, while the Australian Computer Society assesses IT professionals.

This assessment typically includes:

• Qualification Verification: Verification of the applicant’s educational qualifications to ensure they meet the standards required for the nominated occupation.
• Work Experience Verification: Confirmation of the applicant’s relevant work experience to ensure they have the necessary skills and experience for the nominated occupation.
• Occupation Assessment: Assessment of the applicant’s skills and experience against the requirements specified for their nominated occupation in the relevant skilled occupation list.
• Professional Reference Checks: Contacting referees provided by the applicant to verify their work experience and skills in the nominated occupation.

Step 4: Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)

Once you have a positive skills assessment, submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect. Your EOI includes information about your skills and qualifications. You can be invited to apply for a visa based on your EOI. Remember, the higher score will have a higher chance of getting ITA (Invitation to Apply).

Apply for State Nomination (If Required)

Apply for a state or regional nomination if you're applying for Subclass 190 or Subclass 491. Verify your chosen state's requirements as each one has its own set of requirements. An additional 5–15 points will be added to your EOI score if you are nominated.

Step 5: Receive an Invitation to Apply

If your Expression of Interest (EOI) is successful, you will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for a visa. The selection is based on your points score and occupation.

Step 6: Submit a Visa Application

Upon receiving an ITA, proceed to submit your visa application online. This includes providing documents such as your skills assessment, English test results, and other supporting evidence.

Step 7: Medical and Character Checks

All applicants must undergo medical examinations and provide police clearance certificates to ensure they meet the health and character requirements.

Step 8: Receive Your Visa

Once all checks are complete and your application is approved, you will receive your visa, granting you permanent residency in Australia.

Australia PR Process Costs

Getting Australian permanent residence from India might cost anywhere from AUD 7,000 to AUD 20,000 or more. This is dependent on the number of dependents, the selected visa subclass, and the necessity for expert advice.

The table below presents the costs for the Australia PR procedure include:

You may use your American Express debit and/or credit card, Mastercard, or International Visa to pay costs. It's important to remember that there are no refunds for Australian visa payments. Therefore, speaking with a certified immigration consultant like GetGIS, is advised.

Processing Time for Australia PR Process

The process time can vary due to several factors, like Number of applications received each month or in the seasonal, complexity of cases or incomplete applications, time taken to address queries from immigration officers, demand for the applicant's occupation in Australia, points scored by the applicant in the SkillSelect online system, delays in background verification, etc.

In the table below, have a look at the overall processing time for the Australia PR process.

It also depends on the visa type you have applied for. For example, the processing time for Australia's Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189 visa) can take 8 to 9 months, while the Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190) can take six to eight months to process

Australia PR Visa Options

Australia offers several pathways to obtain a Permanent Residency (PR). Here are the main options:

Benefits and Limitations of Australian Permanent Residents

Since you are planning to apply for the Australia PR procedure, you must be aware of the benefits and limitations of being permanent residents in the country. Check out the table below.