Beyond Blue Immigration Services

Australia Immigration

AUSTRALIA PERMANENT RESIDENT VISA

Getting a permanent resident visa in Australia typically involves a few different pathways. The most common ones include:
This visa lets skilled workers, who are nominated by their employer, live and work in Australia permanently.
Basic Eligibility
  • You must have the necessary skills for the job.
  • You must be nominated by an Australian employer.
  • You must meet our health and character requirements.
a) Direct Entry stream (Subclass 186)
This visa lets skilled workers, who are nominated by an employer, live and work in Australia permanently.
You must
  • Be nominated by an Australian employer.
  • Have an occupation that is on the list of eligible skilled occupations.
  • Have at least 3 years relevant work experience, unless you are exempt.
  • Have a positive skills assessment, unless you are exempt.
  • Have at least Competent English.
With this visa, you can
  • Live, work and study in Australia indefinitely.
  • Sponsor eligible family members to come to Australia.
  • Apply for Australian citizenship, if eligible.

b) Labour agreement stream (Subclass 186)

This visa lets skilled workers who are nominated by their employer live and work in Australia permanently. The Labour Agreement stream might be for you if you currently work, or will work, for an employer who is party to a labour agreement.
You must
  • Currently work, or will work, for your nominating employer who is party to a labour agreement.
  • Meet the age, skills and English language requirements of the labour agreement.
With this visa, you can
  • Live, work and study in Australia indefinitely.
  • Sponsor eligible relatives to come to Australia.
  • Apply for Australian citizenship, if eligible.
c) Temporary Residence Transition stream (Subclass 186)
You must
  • Hold a subclass 457, TSS or related Bridging visa A, B or C.
  • Usually, have worked for your employer for at least 2 years full time while holding a subclass 457 or TSS visa.
  • Have been nominated by an Australian employer whose nomination was approved in the 6 months before you apply.
With this visa, you can
  • Live, work and study in Australia indefinitely.
  • Sponsor eligible family members to come to Australia.
  • Apply for Australian citizenship, if eligible.
Points tested stream (Subclass 189)
This visa lets invited workers with skills we need, to live and work permanently anywhere in Australia.
You don’t need a sponsor or nominator.
You must
  • Be under 45 to be invited.
  • Have an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list.
  • Have a suitable skills assessment for the occupation.
  • Be invited to apply for this visa.
  • Satisfy the points test.
With this visa, you can
  • Work and study anywhere in Australia.
  • Sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence.
  • If eligible, become an Australian citizen.
This visa lets nominated skilled workers live and work in Australia as permanent residents.
You must
  • Have an occupation on the relevant skilled list.
  • Have a suitable skills assessment for the occupation.
  • Be invited to apply for this visa.
  • Satisfy the points test.
With this visa, you can
  • Work and study anywhere in Australia.
  • Sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence.
  • If eligible, become an Australian citizen.
This visa allows workers who hold an eligible visa and meet an income requirement to live and work in Australia permanently.
a) Regional provisional stream
This visa allows people who have lived and worked in designated regional areas of Australia on an eligible visa, live and work in Australia permanently. Applicants must have complied with the conditions of their eligible visa.
  • You don’t need a sponsor or nominator.
  • You must have had a taxable income at or above a specific income threshold for at least 3 years while holding your eligible visa​.
You must
  • Hold an eligible visa for at least three years and complied with the conditions of that visa​.
  • Provide notices of assessment issued by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for three income years out of the five years of your eligible visa. There is no minimum income requirement.
With this visa, you can
  • Work and study anywhere in Australia
  • Sponsor eligible family members for permanent residence
  • If eligible, become an Australian citizen.
Scroll to Top