Australia Permanent Residency (PR) Requirements for 2024

Staying updated with the latest Australia Permanent Residency (PR) requirements is essential to ensure a smooth application process. Permanent residents of Australia have the right to live, work, and study in the nation indefinitely. However, candidates with Australian PR do not have Australian citizenship. The Australian government offers a variety of options for foreign nationals to get a Permanent Residency in Australia. In recent years, the Australian PR procedure has become easier for Indians who apply through a Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) or a Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190).

The minimum qualifying score for an Australia PR visa is 65 points. The higher your qualifying score, the better your chances of applying for Australian PR. Scoring 80 to 85 points might qualify you for a quicker PR invitation to apply. You may apply for an Australia PR visa under a variety of categories, each with its own set of qualifying conditions.

However, the general Australian Permanent Residency requirements are as follows:

Age (25-32 years): 30 points
English Proficiency (8 bands): 20 points
Work Experience Outside Australia (8-10 years): 15 points
Work Experience in Australia (8-10 years): 20 points
Education (outside Australia) – Doctorate Degree: 20 points
Niche Skills (e.g., Doctorate or Master's degree by research in Australia): 10 points
Study in a Regional Area: 5 points
Accredited in Community Language: 5 points
Professional Year in a Skilled Program in Australia: 5 points
State Sponsorship (190 Visa): 5 points
Skilled Spouse or De Facto Partner (must meet age, skills, and English requirements): 10 points
Spouse or De Facto Partner with 'Competent English' (no skills or age requirement): 5 points
Applicants without a Spouse or De Facto Partner, or where a Spouse is an Australian Citizen or PR Holder: 10 points
Relative or Regional Sponsorship (491 Visa): 15 points

Continue reading to get a detailed breakdown of the different Australian PR requirements for 2024.

Australia Permanent Residency (PR) Requirements: Age Limit

Navigating the points system for Australian Permanent Residency (PR) can be difficult, especially when you consider how age affects your eligibility and overall score. Understanding the distribution of points across age groups is critical for anyone applying for PR. This section describes the points allocated to different age groups and indicates any notable exceptions that may apply.

Age Limit for Australia PR 2024	Points Awarded	Key Notes and Exceptions
Under 25	0	Age is considered too young for maximum points; focus on other eligibility criteria.
25 to 32	30	Maximum points, the ideal age range for economic contribution.
33 to 39	25	Slightly reduced points reflecting lesser, but significant, economic contribution period.
40 to 44	15	Reduced points due to nearing the upper age limit for primary eligibility.
45 and above	0	Generally ineligible for permanent skill-based visas, with very limited exceptions: High-income earners (specific criteria apply). Employer-sponsored visas under specific conditions (e.g., 186 visa exceptions). TSS visa (subclass 482) with no age limit, a potential pathway to a permanent visa. New Zealand passport holders and partners under certain circumstances. In a relationship with an Australian citizen or PR, may qualify for a Partner/spouse visa

Australia Permanent Residency (PR) Requirements: English Proficiency

To attain an Australian Permanent Residency (PR) it is necessary to hold a strong command of English, which demonstrates your capacity to integrate into and contribute to the Australian society and the workforce. The table below breaks down the needed scores for prominent English language exams such as IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, CAE, and OET to reflect the varying levels of English Proficiency for Australia PR.

Test Type	English Proficiency Level for Australia PR	Listening	Reading	Writing	Speaking
IELTS	Competent	6	6	6	6
	Proficient	7	7	7	7
	Superior	8	8	8	8
PTE	Competent	50	50	50	50
	Proficient	65	65	65	65
	Superior	79	79	79	79
TOEFL iBT	Competent	12	13	21	18
	Proficient	24	24	27	23
	Superior	28	29	30	26
CAE	Competent	169	169	169	169
	Proficient	185	185	185	185
	Superior	200	200	200	200
OET	Competent	B	B	B	B
	Proficient	B	B	B	B
	Superior	A	A	A	A

This table shows the points awarded for different levels of English language competency for Australian PR:

Level of English Proficiency	Points Awarded
Competent English	0
Proficient English	10
Superior English	20

Australia Permanent Residency (PR) Requirements: Work Experience

Work experience plays a crucial role in the assessment for Australian Permanent Residency (PR), with points awarded based on the duration and relevance of your job history in Australia and internationally. Understanding how these points are allocated can have a big impact on your application's success.

Overseas Skilled Employment (Outside Australia):

Less than 3 years: 0 points
At least 3 but less than 5 years: 5 points
At least 5 but less than 8 years: 10 points
At least 8 years: 15 points

Australian Skilled Employment (In Australia):

Less than 1 year: 0 points
At least 1 but less than 3 years: 5 points
At least 3 but less than 5 years: 10 points
At least 5 but less than 8 years: 15 points
At least 8 years: 20 points

Some other pointers to consider for Work Experience Australia PR:

Relevant Employment: You must have worked in your specified or closely comparable occupation within the past ten years.

Employment Status: A minimum of 20 hours per week is necessary.

Visa Compliance: To work in Australia, you must hold a substantive or bridging A/B visa and have met its requirements.

Closely Related Occupations: These are positions within the same ANZSCO Unit Group that are associated with career advancement or recognised by an assessing authority as related.

Point Cap: Employment points are limited to 20, regardless of extra credentials or experience.

Australia Permanent Residency (PR) Requirements: Education

The points system for education is meant to reward greater levels of academic accomplishment, reflecting the Australian government's desire for highly skilled immigrants. Applicants should ensure that their qualifications are recognised by the relevant Australian evaluating agencies. It is advisable to have your qualifications evaluated early in the application process to confirm the Australian equivalency and suitability for your nominated skilled occupation. The table below summarises how points are allocated for various educational credentials.

Education Requirements Australia PR	Points Awarded
Doctorate from an Australian university or recognised international university	20
Bachelor’s or Master's degree from an Australian university or recognised international university	15
Diploma or trade qualification completed in Australia	10
Qualification or award recognised by the relevant assessing authority for your nominated skilled occupation	10
Master by research or Doctorate from an Australian institution in STEM fields	10

Doctorate degrees from Australian or recognised foreign universities earn the most points, demonstrating the value put on advanced research abilities. Bachelor's and master's degrees also earn significant points, highlighting the value of university education in improving your professional profile for PR eligibility.

Practical, vocational, and trade degrees gained from Australia are also appreciated, indicating the demand for competent tradesmen in the Australian labour market.

Moreover, degrees in STEM subjects from Australian colleges are also highly valued, demonstrating Australia's emphasis on innovation and technology.

Australia Permanent Residency (PR) Requirements: Skilled Occupation Lists (SOL)

To qualify for PR in Australia, one of the important steps is to ensure that your profession is on the Skilled Occupation List Australia 2024. This list includes vocations that are in great demand in Australia's labour market, indicating possibilities for qualified overseas workers.

The Skilled Occupation Lists are organised into three primary categories, each customised to the specific requirements and objectives of the Australian workforce:

Medium- and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL): This category includes jobs that Australia will require in the long run. If your occupation is on the MLTSSL, you may be eligible for a variety of visa types that provide greater flexibility in terms of residency and employment privileges.
Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL): If your occupation appears here, it implies a short-term need within specified industries. Visas tied to the STSOL often have more strict criteria and may need to be renewed or reviewed after a shorter term.
The Regional Occupation List (ROL) tackles specific skill gaps in regional Australia. If your skill set is on the ROL, you may be eligible for regional visas, which promote migration to places outside of large metropolitan centres.

These lists must be checked regularly since they are routinely updated to reflect the changing demands of the Australian economy and labour market. Nominating a profession from these categories that matches your skills and expertise is a critical step towards obtaining PR in Australia.

Australia Permanent Residency (PR) Requirements: Spouse Application

To qualify for bonus points based on your spouse's credentials, your spouse must meet the following Spouse Application for Australia PR criteria:

Age Limit: Must be under 45 years old.
English Proficiency: Must be at least proficient in English, as proven by recognised English language examinations.
Occupational Requirements: Their employment occupation code should be on the same list as the principal applicant's, demonstrating relevance and demand in Australia.

Australia Permanent Residency (PR) Requirements: Other Qualifications

Here are some other qualifications for Australia PR that can help you gain points:

Study in a Regional Area: If you complete your education in a specified regional area of Australia, you can gain 5 points. This is meant to facilitate the spread of skills and information to less populous areas.
Community Language Accreditation: Being accredited in a community language with credentials recognised by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) might boost your application score by 5 points. This acknowledges the value of linguistic variety in Australia.
Professional Year: Completing a professional year in a skilled programme in Australia, such as computers, accountancy, or engineering, might get you 5 points.
State Sponsorship (190 Visa): Obtaining sponsorship from an Australian state or territory for a Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) earns you 5 points.

Relative or Regional Sponsorship (491 Visa): If you are sponsored by a relative who lives in a specified regional area or by a state or territory government under a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491), you can receive a significant 15 points.Suggested Reads:

To sum up, to attain a PR in Australia, you must achieve certain conditions that gain points towards your application. Age, English proficiency, job experience, and educational degrees are all key contributors to the overall score. Though you need a minimum of 65 points, getting a higher score greatly increases your chances of acquiring a PR in Australia. From understanding the points system to boosting your score, the expert consultants at AECC will help you in every step of the Australia PR application process!