If you wish to make your move to Australia permanent, there are a number of ways to go about it. Securing permanent residency in Australia can be challenging, but it is possible by applying for specific skilled work and family visas. There are three common ways to become an Australian permanent resident: through a family-stream permanent visa, a work-stream permanent visa, or a business or investor-stream permanent visa. Read on for more information about pathways to residency as well as what permanent residency means for expats in Australia.
Entitlements for permanent residents in Australia
Although Australian permanent residents are not the same as Australian citizens, they enjoy many of the same rights and benefits. Once you have lived in Australia on a valid visa for four years, you can apply for citizenship. The Department of Home Affairs website has a to help you determine when you are eligible to apply.
As a permanent resident, your entitlements include:
- Stay in the country indefinitely;
- Study and work;
- Enrol in Medicare;
- Apply for citizenship if eligible;
- Apply for bank loans to buy property;
- Purchase property;
- Sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence;
- Work in New Zealand;
- Travel to and from Australia for as long as your travel facility permits;
- Attend free English language classes.
Eligibility for permanent residency in Australia
As an expat, you can secure a permanent resident visa for Australia through various pathways. However, it is essential to note that if you are already in Australia and your visa has a 'no further stay' condition attached, you are not permitted to remain in the country to apply for permanent residency. The Australian Government has announced that the will again offer 185,000 places during the 2025-2026 period, with the majority of these to be allocated to skilled stream migrants. The three common ways of becoming permanent are by gaining one of the following visa types:
Family-stream permanent resident visa
°Õ³ó±ðÌý is for partners, children, parents, or dependent relatives of an Australian citizen, permanent resident of Australia, or eligible New Zealand citizen. You can check the  to determine which visa suits you best — there are 36 visas in total that might be applicable. The website asks you specific questions about your personal situation, such as whether you are joining a partner, a family member, your child/children, or caring for a sick relative. The visa is also intended for a child to live with their parents. Each visa has different requirements, and the associated costs vary.
Some visa types include:
:
Apply outside Australia: AUD 5,280 (USD 3,439)
For a single older person wishing to permanently reside in Australia, relying on a family member already living in the country for financial support.
:
You must apply in Australia: from AUD 9,365 (USD 6,099) — covers both the temporary and the permanent visa. Allows the de facto partner or spouse of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to live temporarily in Australia. This visa is the first step towards a permanent Partner visa (subclass 801).
Work-stream permanent resident visa
°Õ³ó±ðÌý is for workers with skills that Australia needs. As with the visas for the family stream, you can use the Department of Home Affairs website to answer  to determine the best visa option for you.
The work stream offers permanent resident visa opportunities for independent skilled workers whose occupation is on the , as well as those sponsored by Australian employers, and Australian states and territories.
Some of the jobs on the Skilled Occupation List include:
- Aged or Disabled Carer;
- Agricultural Research Scientist;
- Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Structures);
- Carpenter and Joiner;
- Civil Engineer;
- Diesel Motor Mechanic;
- Early Childhood Teacher;
- Financial Investment Advisor;
- General Practitioner;
- Industrial Spray Painter;
- Midwife;
- Occupational Therapist;
- Pressure Welder;
- Psychiatrist;
- Quantity Surveyor;
- Registered Nurse;
- Scaffolder;
- Software Engineer;
- Special Needs Teacher;
- Telecommunications Technician.
The allows you to live and work permanently in Australia. You don't need a sponsor for this points-tested visa. To apply, you must first verify that your occupation is on the Skilled Occupation List — if you score 65 points, you are eligible. Next, you must submit an Expression of Interest. If you are invited to apply, you will then need to follow the visa application process detailed . This permanent visa costs from AUD 4,910 (USD 3,198), and you must be under 45 to be eligible for an invitation.
Another option for a permanent visa is the . This visa also requires you to check the occupation list and achieve a score of 65 points. However, the subclass 190 visa also requires you to be nominated by an Australian state or territory government agency. To be eligible for nomination, you must submit your Expression of Interest to , where state and territory agencies review applications. Again, you must be under 45 years old to be eligible for this visa, which also costs from AUD 4,910 (USD 3,198).
Important:
Keep an eye on the skills shortage list as the Australian Government typically adds and deletes occupations on an annual basis.
Business or investment-stream permanent resident visa
In 2024, the Australian Government overhauled business and investment visas, replacing them with the , which aims to attract highly skilled and talented expats to help grow the Australian economy. This new visa provides a direct pathway to permanent residency for major investors, global researchers, and high-performing entrepreneurs. The visa costs from AUD 4,985 (USD 3,249), and there is no age limit.
To be invited to apply, you will need to detail your record of 'exceptional and outstanding achievements' in your Expression of Interest. Your application will then be assessed against the NIV's program priorities, which include:
Priority One: Exceptional candidates from any sector who are global experts and recipients of international 'top of field' level awards
Priority Two: Candidates from any sector nominated on the approved Form 1000 by an expert Australian Commonwealth, State, or Territory Government agency.
Priority Three: Candidates with exceptional and outstanding achievements in a Tier One sector — Critical Technologies, Health Industries, Renewables, and low-emission technologies.
Priority Four: Candidates with exceptional and outstanding achievements in a Tier Two sector — Agri-food and AgTech, Defense Capabilities and Space, Education, Financial Services and FinTech, Infrastructure and Transport, and Resources.
Other options
In addition to the visas above, there are some other options for living in Australia permanently.
These include:
: This allows former permanent residents and certain people who served in the Australian Defence Force to live in Australia permanently. It also allows you to enrol in Australia's public healthcare scheme, Medicare. You must be younger than 45 and meet the long residence requirements or the defense service requirements. This visa costs from AUD 4,805 (USD 3,156).
 are issued to individuals who have fled their country due to persecution or war. These can be applied to both within and outside Australia. Those inside Australia can apply for the , the , and the . Those outside Australia can apply for the or the .
Good to know:
The distinguished talent visa for individuals with an internationally recognized record of exceptional and outstanding achievement —  — is now closed and has been replaced by the National Innovation Visa.
And the  is no longer a straightforward process, as the and the are now closed to new applicants. Previously, long-term residents on those visas, who had contributed to and were well-established in their community, could apply for permanent residency. While those visas are a closed pathway, some currently on those visas may still be eligible to seek permanent residency via the or the .
Once you have been granted permanent residence in Australia, you must abide by the country's laws or.
You also need to keep in mind that as a permanent resident, you don't have the automatic right to return to Australia from abroad.. Permanent residents are usually granted unlimited travel in and out of Australia for five years. You will find your travel facility information in your visa grant notification letter or by When your five years are up, you can either apply for a or apply for It's essential to ensure that your passport is still valid and to advise the Department of Home Affairs if you receive a new passport.
If you're earning an income in Australia, you'll need to have a and lodge annual tax returns with the And as a permanent resident, you can also access benefits, so make sure to advise Medicare if your personal details change.
We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.
