Permanent residence route guide

Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)

A permanent skilled visa without state or employer sponsorship. You must meet the eligible occupation rules, hold a valid skills assessment, be under 45 when invited and have at least Competent English. The statutory SkillSelect threshold is 65 points, but invitations are competitive and the June 2026 round ranged from 65 to 100 points by occupation; an EOI does not guarantee an invitation.

Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)

A permanent skilled visa available after nomination by an Australian state or territory, which adds five points to the federal points test. The federal minimum remains 65 points, but each jurisdiction sets its own selection rules for occupations, residence, work, income or commitment; there is no reliable national 190 invitation cut-off.

Partner visa (subclasses 820/801 and 309/100)

A route for the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. The temporary and permanent stages are normally lodged together, with the permanent stage generally assessed after two years from the initial application. Long-term relationships, family violence and the sponsor's death can change the usual sequence. A de facto relationship normally needs 12 months of continuity unless an exception or registered relationship applies.

Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186)

An employer-nominated permanent visa. Direct Entry normally requires a CSOL occupation, a valid skills assessment and at least three years of relevant experience. The Temporary Residence Transition stream is generally for 457/482 holders with at least two years of qualifying sponsored full-time work in the three years before application. The usual rules include being under 45, Competent English and the market salary and 2026–27 CSIT of AUD 79,423; exemptions and labour agreements differ.

Parent and Contributory Parent permanent visas (subclasses 103/143; aged equivalents)

A route sponsored by a settled Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen child, with the non-waivable balance-of-family test. The ordinary subclass 103 has lower fees but an extremely long queue; contributory subclass 143 costs more and may have a shorter, though still multi-year, queue. Permanent parent visas usually require an Assurance of Support, while onshore aged-parent streams have separate age and lodgement-position rules.

National Innovation visa (subclass 858)

An invitation-only permanent visa for globally recognised researchers, entrepreneurs, innovative investors, athletes and creatives with sustained and outstanding achievement. It is not a passive investment visa obtained by investing a fixed amount. Applicants first submit an EOI based on achievement, receive an invitation from the Department of Home Affairs and obtain Form 1000 nomination from an eligible Australian individual or organisation with a national reputation in the field.

482 SID to employer-nominated permanent residence

Holding a subclass 482 does not automatically grant PR. A common transition is the subclass 186 Temporary Residence Transition stream; subclass 186 Direct Entry may also be available when its separate skills assessment and experience requirements are met. The employer must be willing and able to nominate a new permanent position.

Timing：Check the official residence-period rule.

491/494 to subclass 191 regional permanent residence

Eligible holders of regional provisional visas such as 491 or 494 may apply for the subclass 191 Regional Provisional stream after holding the visa for at least three years, substantially complying with its conditions and providing three eligible income-year ATO assessments. Current official rules do not specify a minimum income amount.

Timing：Check the official residence-period rule.

Partner temporary stage to subclasses 801/100 permanent stage

After subclass 820 or 309 is granted, the combined application normally proceeds to the 801 or 100 permanent stage. The permanent stage is generally assessed from two years after the original combined application, and the relationship must remain genuine and continuing. Long-term relationships, family violence and sponsor death can change the usual process.

Timing：Check the official residence-period rule.

Permanent resident return travel facility (subclasses 155/157)

Australian PR permits indefinite residence in Australia, but the travel facility on a permanent visa expires. A person who is not yet a citizen and wants to return from overseas as a PR after that facility expires will generally need a subclass 155 or 157 Resident Return visa. An RRV preserves travel rights; it does not grant a new PR status.

Timing：Check the official residence-period rule.