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How do I get PR in Australia?
One question, answered properly. Compare every permanent residency pathway, calculate your points, and see which routes are realistic for you - not just which ones exist on paper.
Takes about three minutes. No sign-up needed, and your answers stay in your browser unless you choose to email yourself the results.
The honest version
Most sites in this space are trying to sell you something. This one starts by telling you what will not work.
65 points is not the target
It is the entry ticket to the pool. Recent subclass 189 invitation rounds have skewed heavily toward much higher scorers. Plenty of people wait two years at 65 and get nothing.
Provisional is not permanent
The 491, 494, 482 and 485 are not permanent residency. Each has its own conversion requirements you need to plan for from day one, not from year three.
The rules move constantly
Occupation lists, income thresholds and state nomination criteria change every year and sometimes mid-year. Every page here carries a review date and links to the source.
Every pathway to permanent residency
Nine routes, including the provisional visas that convert to PR.
Skilled Independent visa
Subclass 189
Permanent residency with no sponsor, decided purely on your points score.
PermanentSkilled Nominated visa
Subclass 190
Permanent residency with a state or territory backing your application. Adds 5 points.
Leads to PRSkilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa
Subclass 491
Five-year provisional visa worth 15 points, converting to PR via the subclass 191.
PermanentPermanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa
Subclass 191
The permanent visa that 491 and 494 holders convert to after three regional years.
PermanentEmployer Nomination Scheme visa
Subclass 186
Direct permanent residency through an Australian employer. No points test.
Leads to PRSkills in Demand visa
Subclass 482
The employer-sponsored temporary visa that feeds the 186 permanent pathway.
PermanentPartner visa
Subclass 820/801 and 309/100
Permanent residency through an Australian partner. No points, no occupation list.
PermanentNational Innovation visa
Subclass 858
Direct permanent residency for internationally recognised, exceptional talent.
Leads to PRTemporary Graduate visa
Subclass 485
The post-study visa that buys you time to build a real PR case.
Start here
How permanent residency in Australia actually works
There is no single "PR visa". There are several routes, and the one that fits you depends far more on your circumstances than on your ambition.
7 min readThe points test, explained honestly
What each category is really worth, where the cap bites, and which points are realistically within your control.
6 min readFrom student visa to PR: the realistic sequence
The graduate route works, but only if you start the PR work in your first year of study, not after your 485 is granted.
5 min readThe regional pathway: 15 points and what it costs you
Regional does not mean remote. For a lot of applicants it is the difference between waiting forever and being invited.
Ready to see your options?
Twelve questions. A points score under each nomination scenario, your realistic pathways ranked, and a ranked list of what would move the needle.
Find my pathway →