If you’re planning to become a permanent resident in Australia, this Australian permanent residency application checklist might help. However, this is only a general checklist that can guide you through the process. You might need to consult a migration lawyer on this matter.
Please note that the information we provide in this article is current as of the date of publication, and the DHA regularly updates rules and regulations. Kindly ensure that you check the official updates before making any decisions, or speak with an immigration lawyer for the most up-to-date information, as laws and conditions are subject to change.
What Is Permanent Residency?
Permanent residency in Australia is granted to individuals who hold a permanent visa, allowing them to live, work, and study in the country indefinitely. After living in Australia for 4 years, and on a permanent resident (PR) status for at lease one year, the candidate can apply for citizenship based on eligibility.
Some benefits of permanent residency in Australia include:
- Few limitations on employment, with some job opportunities requiring citizenship rather than permanent residence.
- The right to apply for Australian citizenship after fulfilling certain criteria.
- For permanent residents accepted under the humanitarian program and enrolled in a Commonwealth, the right to defer payment of their student contribution under the HECS-HELP scheme.
- The right to sponsor relatives for permanent residency.
Australia’s permanent migration program focuses on attracting workers and temporary migrants to meet the labour market needs of the economy. The application must include all supporting documents, such as personal documents, immigration documents, and work experience documents.
For an organised application, you need to have an Australian Permanent Residency Application Checklist to sort the requirements for your application.
Australian Permanent Residency Application Checklist: General Requirements
The application requirements for Australian permanent residency vary depending on the specific visa category. However, some common requirements include:
- Valid Passport. A valid passport is typically required for the application along with a recent passport sized photograph.
- Permanent Visa Application Form. Applicants need to complete the relevant permanent visa application form.
- Supporting Documents. These may include personal documents, immigration documents, and work experience documents.
- English Language Proficiency. In some cases, applicants are required to provide an English language proficiency certificate.
- Sponsorship or Family Ties. For certain visas, applicants may need to present sponsorship or have a spouse or de facto partner in Australia.
- Health and Character Requirements. Applicants must meet the health and character requirements for the visa application.
- Residence Requirement. To be eligible for Australian citizenship, applicants must satisfy the residence requirement, which includes being a permanent resident at the time of application and at the time of the decision.
Specific requirements may differ based on the visa category and the applicant’s individual circumstances. Additionally, the Australian permanent residency visa has a validity of five years, and after living in Australia on a permanent resident status for four years, an individual can apply for Australian citizenship based on eligibility.
Australian Permanent Residency Application Checklist: Documents
Since the documentary requirements for each type of visa may vary, here is an Australian permanent residency application checklist of the general documents required to submit during your application:
- Your passport
- Birth certificate
- Character documents such as police clearance certificate
- Evidence of your relationship such as your marriage certificate or proof of de facto relationship, if you’re applying for a permanent partner visa
- Health documents such as health examinations, waivers, or undertakings
- Licensing, registration or membership, if you’re a skilled worker
- Skills and qualifications documents, if you’re a skilled worker
- English language documents
- Dependant documents such as identity documents and proof of relationship, if there are dependants applying with you
If you’re applying for a business stream visa:
- A summary of your commitment to your business and investment activity
- Proof of business ownership
- Organisational chart and business activities
- Evidence of employees
- Proof of management of the business such as business contracts, minutes of meetings, etc.
- Net assets
- Turnover documents such as your Australian Business Number (ABN), Business Activity Statements (BAS), financial statements, etc.
Australian Permanent Residency Application Checklist: Eligibility
Here’s an Australian permanent residency application checklist for the eligibility requirements:
- Residence Requirement. Applicants must have lived in Australia as a permanent resident for at least 12 months, with no more than 12 months’ absence from the country, and no more than three months’ absence in the 12 months before applying.
- Good Character. Applicants must be of good character to be eligible for permanent residency and citizenship.
- Visa Category Specific Requirements. Specific visa categories, such as family stream, work stream, business stream, special eligibility stream, and child stream, have their own set of requirements that applicants must meet.
- Age Limit. Some visas have age restrictions, and applicants generally can’t be more than 45 years old at the time of application.
- Employment and Skills. For certain visas, applicants may need to meet specific employment and eligibility criteria, such as the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) for skilled workers.
What Are Your Visa Options?
For creating your own Australian permanent residency application checklist, you must know which particular visa you are applying for. Australia offers several visa options for obtaining permanent residency, including the following popular pathways:
- Family-Stream Permanent Visas. These visas are for individuals sponsored by a family member who is an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
Here are some family-stream permanent visas:
- Partner and Prospective Marriage Visas (subclass 820 and 801)
- Parent Visas
- Child Visas
- Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 491)
- Aged Parent Visa (subclass 804)
- Carer visas (subclass 116 and 836)
- Work-Stream Permanent Visas. This category includes visas for skilled workers, employers, and regional areas. It encompasses various visa subclasses such as Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186), Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 187), and Skilled Regional (subclass 887) visas
Some work-stream permanent visas are:
- Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186)
- Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa (subclass 187)
- Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)
- Business or Investor-Stream Permanent Visas. These visas are designed for individuals who want to invest or start a business in Australia:
- Other options. Other visa pathways for permanent residency are: Retirement visa pathway, Former Resident visa, Global Talent visa, Refugee and humanitarian visas.
Talk to a Migration Expert from JB Solicitors
Migration can be a lot of work because of the application documents and other requirements that the Department of Home Affairs might ask you. Moreover, it can be more stressful if you don’t have the right guidance during the process.
To ease your burden, seeking the guidance of a migration lawyer from JB Solicitors might help. It’s peace of mind knowing you have a professional by your side, maximising your chances of success and minimising the risk of costly mistake on:
- Skilled independent visa or work visa grant matters
- Student visa matters
Contact us today for more information about the Australian permanent residency application checklist.
