For skilled migrants, Australia stands out as one of the destinations with the highest demand, with housing, healthcare, a thriving economy, and social settings to cater to their needs. If you are wondering how to get an Australia PR visa, here are step-by-step instructions that explain all the process entails.
1. Familiarize Yourself with the Australian PR Pathways
Check out the PR visa options:
Skilled Migration Visas (Points-Based System)
- Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)—for workers, skilled and unsponsored, by an employer or relative.
- Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)—nominated by an Australian state or territory.
- Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491)—for preferred regional jobs attaining PR (Subclass 191).
Employer-Sponsored Visas
- Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186)—for skilled workers sponsored by an Australian employer.
- Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (Subclass 187)—for regional employer sponsorship (has been moved).
Business & Investment Visas
- Business Innovation and Investment Visa (Subclass 188/888)—for businessmen and investors.
Family & Partner Visas
- Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801, 309/100)—for spouses/de facto partners of Australian citizens/or holders.
- Parent Visa (Subclass 103, 143, 804)—For parents of citizens/or holders.
- Subclass 189, 190, or 491 are the best ways for most skilled workers.
2. Check Eligibility for Australia PR
Occupation in Demand
- Your trade must be on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) or Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL).
- Check the updated 2025 Skilled Occupation List (SOL) on the Australian Home Affairs website.
Skills Assessment
- Obtain a positive skill assessment by the relevant assessing authority (e.g., Engineers Australia, ACS for IT, VETASSESS for Feegix trades).
Points Test (Minimum 65 Points Required)
Australia uses a point system, which is:
| Factor | Points |
| Age (25-32 years) | 30 |
| English Proficiency (IELTS 8+) | 20 |
| Skilled Work Experience (8+ years) | 20 |
| Education (PhD) | 20 |
| Australian Study Requirement | 5 |
| Regional Study/Sponsorship (Subclass 491/190) | 15 |
| Partner Skills | 10 |
| Professional Year (PY) in Australia | 5 |
Use the Australia PR Points Calculator to check your score.
English Language Proficiency
- IELTS: not below 6.0 in each band or PTE/TOEFL/OET.
- Higher scores (e.g., IELTS 8) yield extra points.
Health & Character Requirements
- A medical examination from an approved panel physician.
- Police clearance certificates from all countries lived in for 12+ months.
3. Australia PR Application Process (2025) Step by Step
Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) via Skill Select:
- Creating an Expression of Interest in SkillSelect to enter the migration pool.
- If applying for Subclass 190/491, wait for a state nomination before receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
Receive an ITA:
- If your score and profile are in line with all requirements, you will receive an ITA.
- Subclass 189 invitations are based on points (higher = faster), while Subclass 190/491 invitations solely depend on state nomination.
Submit Visa Application:
- Within 60 days you need to submit your visa application.
- Pay the visa fee (~AUD 4,640 for the main applicant).
Submit Documents & Wait for Processing:
- Upload all necessary documents (skills assessment, IELTS, work experience proofs, etc.).
- Processing occurs between six and twelve months and varies.
Get Your Visa Grant & Move to Australia
- Once approved, you must enter Australia before the initial entry date.
- PR permits you to remain, work, and study indefinitely in Australia.
4. State Nomination (For Subclass 190 & 491 Visas)
Each State in Australia has a designation list, and for every occupation that needs State nomination requirements:
- New South Wales (NSW) – High demand in IT, healthcare, and engineering.
- Victoria (VIC) – Mostly healthcare, STEM, and trade-oriented.
- Queensland (QLD) – Construction, healthcare, hospitality.
- Western Australia (WA) – Mining, engineering, healthcare.
- South Australia (SA) – Regional opportunities in agriculture and healthcare.
Check the requirement criteria on the official statutory website.
5. How to Improve PR Chances for 2025
- Build Points (Higher IELTS, more work experience, regional study).
- Try for State Nomination (Subclass 190/491 has lower competition).
- Work in Australia (An employer sponsorship can aid in this).
- Which is Regional Visas (Subclass 491) – Faster processing and extra points.
6. Australian PR Processing Time & Cost (2025)
| Visa Type | Processing Time | Cost (AUD) |
| Subclass 189 | 6-12 months | $4,640 |
| Subclass 190 | 6-9 months | $4,640 |
| Subclass 491 | 6-12 months | $4,640 |
7. Some Other Benefits of an Australian PR
✔ Live, work, and study anywhere in Australia.
✔ Access to Medicare (free healthcare).
✔ Bring family members to PR status.
✔ Path to Australian citizenship (after 4 years).
✔ Unlimited travel to and from Australia.
Note: By the year 2025, Australia PR applications require strategy, following all eligibility criteria, and maximizing your points for application. This user manual, through the Skilled Migration (189/190/491), employer sponsorship, and family visas, could provide for a smoother process.
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