High demand for skilled workers, a high standard of living, and an easy immigration process make Australia one of the best countries to move to.
But moving to Australia requires much preparation, especially if you plan to get permanent residence there.
Whether you’re planning to move to Australia or already hold an Australian visa, there are multiple options to get permanent residence in the island nation.
Keep reading to learn all the details on the various types of Skilled Permanent Visas in Australia.
What Are The Skilled Permanent Visas In Australia?
There are 22 types of working and skilled visas in Australia. Of all these, only four allow you to work and live permanently in Australia.
The General Skilled Migration (Skillset) visa subclasses cover three of these (Subclass 189, 190, and 887). Subclass 191, the fourth visa type, falls under the working-stream Permanent Residence Visa.
If you’re a skilled worker wishing to work and live in Australia permanently, here’s all you need to know about the best visa options.
1. Skilled Independent Permanent Visa (Subclass 189)
The Skilled Independent Permanent Visa (Subclass 189) is ideal for invited workers with the required skills who want to work and live in Australia permanently.
The best thing about it is that it doesn’t require sponsorship or nomination by a state/territory government or a relative. Plus, the holder can live and work anywhere in Australia.
The Subclass 189 visa also allows the holder additional perks like:
- You get to enrol in Australia’s public health care scheme
- Sponsoring eligible relatives for permanent residence
- If eligible, the option to become an Australian citizen
- Travel in and out of Australia for up to 5 years
It is available under three streams: the points tested stream, the New Zealand stream, and the Hong Kong stream.
Let’s take a look at the requirements for the points-tested stream.
Requirements
- Must have an occupation listed in the relevant skilled occupation list
- Must have a suitable skill assessment for the occupation type
- Must be invited to apply
- Must be under 45 to be invited
- Must score 65 points or above on the points test
- Must be competent or highly competent in English
- All applicants and family members must meet the health and character requirements
- Must inform if married, engaged, or in a de facto relationship
- Arrange to pay back any debt you (or family members) owe to the Australian Government
- Read and sign the Australian Values Statement
- Must not have had a visa cancelled or visa application refused
Under the Hong Kong stream, Hong Kong or British National (Overseas) passport holders who meet specific residence and visa requirements are eligible for this visa. The New Zealand stream is accessible to New Zealand citizens who’ve been long-term residents of Australia and meet particular residence and income requirements.
Application Process
The Subclass 189 visa can be applied in Australia or overseas, but you cannot be in immigration clearance when applying.
Those in Australia must also possess a substantive or a Subclass 010 Bridging A visa, a Subclass 020 Bridging B visa, or a Subclass 030 Bridging C visa.
- Check if your occupation is on the skilled occupation list
- Score 65 points or above on the points test
- Send in your Expression Of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect
- Wait for an invitation to apply
- Organize health exams
- Gather the documents required
- Send your visa application within 60 days of receiving the invitation
- Check if you need to submit more information
- Wait for your visa outcome
2. Skilled Nominated Permanent Visa (Subclass 190)
The Skilled Nominated Permanent Visa (Subclass 190) is the perfect solution for applicants who are nominated by an Australian State/Territory government.
It enables the visa holder to reside, work, and study in Australia as a permanent resident. It also allowed them to enjoy multiple perks, like:
- If eligible, applying to become an Australian citizen
- Sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence
Requirements
- Must be invited to apply
- Must have an occupation that’s on the relevant skilled list
- Satisfy the points test
- Enter Australia before the date mentioned in the grant letter
- Mention any de facto relationship, engagement, or marriage status
- Applicants and family members must meet the health and character requirements
Application Process
To begin your application process for the Subclass 190 visa, follow these steps:
- Confirm whether your occupation is on the skilled occupation list
- Obtain a suitable skills assessment for your occupation type
- Score 65 points or above on the points test
- Confirm that you meet every eligibility criteria
- Submit your expression of interest (EOI) to apply through SkillSelect
- Organize required health exams
- Wait for an invitation to apply (it can take up to 2 years)
- Make changes to your EOI, if any
- Gather the documents required
- Send your visa application within 60 days of receiving the invitation
- Show that you meet the points score on your invitation along with all other criteria
- Wait for a response
If you’re unable to meet the eligibility criteria or the points score, you shouldn’t apply. This should suspend your invitation, but you can update your EOI information and reapply after the 60-day period is over.
Note that the EOI is not a visa application, so it doesn’t make you eligible for a bridging visa. If your current visa is about to expire, you’ll need to apply for another visa. However, you are eligible for a bridging visa once you get an invitation to apply and go on to apply for the Subclass 190 visa.
3. Skilled Regional Permanent Visa (Subclass 887)
The Skilled Regional Permanent Visa (Subclass 887) is one of the few visas that require you to have held eligible visas before and hold an eligible visa while applying.
It lets you stay, work, and study anywhere in Australia permanently. It also enables you to apply for Australian citizenship if you meet the eligibility requirements.
Some other perks of holding the 887 visa are:
- You get to enrol in Australia’s public health care scheme
- You may sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence
- You may travel in and out of Australia for 5 years
Requirements
- Must have held an eligible visa (Subclass 489, 495, 487, 496, or 475 visas) for a total of 2 years before applying
- Must be in Australia or hold eligible visas (Subclass 489, 495, 496, 475, 487 or Bridging visa A/B for Subclass 489, 495, 487) when applying, unless COVID-19 concessions apply
You can still apply if your eligible visa expired during the concession period while you were out of Australia.
- Must have lived in the required region of Australia for 2 years and worked full-time for 12 months
- Must have complied with the conditions of the eligible visas you have held or hold
- Must know functional English
- Must fulfil the health requirements
- Applicant (and other family members who’re not coming to Australia) must fulfil the character requirements
- Must not have had a cancelled visa or a refused visa application
- The applicant or their family members must pay back any debt they owe to the Australian Government
- Read and sign the Australian Values Statement
The COVID-19 concessions are available to eligible prospective applicants of the Skilled Regional Visa (Subclass 887) who meet certain requirements.
Applicants outside Australia during the concession period can apply from outside Australia. They can also gain access to both shorter employment and residence requirements if,
- They show proof of 9 months of full-time work in a specified regional area
- They show proof of 18 months of residence in a specified regional area
Note that these term periods can be shorter, depending on the period specified by the Minister in a legislative instrument.
Those who can fulfil these requirements gain 3 months off their 12-month employment requirement and 6 months off their 2-year residence requirement.
In contrast, prospective applicants for the Subclass 887 visa who are in Australia during the concession period can gain shorter employment requirements if,
- They show proof of a minimum of 9 months of full-time work in a specified region
- They show proof of a minimum of 2 years of residence in a specified region
Those who can fulfil these requirements gain 3 months of their 12-month employment requirement.
Application Process
You can apply for the Subclass 887 visa from within Australia or overseas but not in immigration clearance.
- Check if your passport is up-to-date
- Gather the required documents
- Apply for the visa
- Wait for a notification confirming your application was received
- Check to see if you need to provide any additional information or make a payment
- Wait for the visa outcome
4. Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) (Subclass 191)
The Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa Subclass 191 is a unique option for existing visa holders in Australia. It is only available to workers who hold either a Subclass 494 or 491 visa.
It allows the holder to transition to permanent residency and work or study anywhere in Australia. Unlike the other skilled work visas, the 191 holder isn’t required to limit themselves to region-specific work.
Some of the other perks of the Subclass 191 visa include the following:
- Ability to apply for Australian citizenship, if eligible
- Sponsor eligible family members for permanent residence
- You get to enrol in Australia’s public health care scheme
- Travel in to and out of Australia for up to 5 years
This visa is also available under the Hong Kong stream for eligible Hong Kong or British National (Overseas) passport holders who meet specific visa and residence requirements.
Requirements
- Must already hold a Subclass 491 or 494 visa for at least 3 years
- Must have a taxable income that meets or exceeds the minimum threshold for at least 3 years
- Meet the health and character requirements
- The holder (and other family members who’re not coming to Australia) must meet the character requirements
- Read and sign the Australian Values Statement
- Must pay back any debt you or your family members owe to the Australian Government
- Must not have any prior visa cancellations or application refusals
Application Process
The applicant can be in or outside Australia when applying for the Subclass 191 visa.
- Check if your passport is up-to-date
- Gather the documents required
- Apply for the visa
- Confirm that your application has been received
- Check for any changes that you may need to make
- Wait for the visa outcome
Australian Points-Based Eligibility Calculator
Tips on How to Successfully Apply For Visas
One of the most important components of the visa application is related to the employment contract. This is because the employment contract has to be the document that instigates the visa application. Typically, the employment contract will be accompanied by a formal letter of offer to ensure that there is a foundation for which the invitation to apply for the visa will be met.
Once the threshold has been met for the invitation, the individual will have to show proof of their level of English, age, and country of origin. There will also be an analysis as to whether the occupation is currently on the list of skilled workers that is valid for a skilled worker visa sponsorship. When completing these visa applications, it is wise to let your employer have an agent work with you that they pay directly for. This is a sign of professional courtesy in that they are helping you go through the necessary steps to be successfully approved for a skilled worker visa to benefit their company in Australia. Skilled worker visas can be applied for both within and outside of Australia; however, it is ideal to start the process before departing your home country in the event that there are issues with documents that you need original copies of from your home country’s government offices.