Have you ever thought of becoming an Australian Permanent Resident? People can become a permanent resident of Australia in different ways. Three common ways of becoming a permanent resident are through gaining:
A Family-Stream Permanent Visa
These are for:
- partners, children, parents or dependent relatives of an Australian citizen, permanent resident of Australia or Eligible New Zealand citizen
- children being adopted or in the process of being adopted outside of Australia
- carers who need to move to Australia to provide long-term care for an approved relative
A Work-Stream Permanent Visa
These are for workers who have an Australian employer sponsoring them to work in Australia, or have skills that Australia values.
A Business or Investor-Stream Permanent Visa
- Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa (subclass 888)
- State or Territory Sponsored Investor (subclass 893)
- Investor Visa (subclass 891)
- Business Talent (Permanent) visa (subclass 132)
- Business owner visa (subclass 890)
- State or Territory Sponsored Business Owner visa (subclass 892)
or There are Other Options Such as:
- Retirement visa pathway: The Australian Government has recently created a pathway to permanent residency for eligible retirees. This pathway provides options to long-term residents who have contributed to, and are well-established in the community. The government has built the pathway by setting aside a portion of places from the permanent migration scheme for parents.
- Former Resident visa: This permanent visa allows former permanent residents and certain people who served in the Australian Defense Force to live in Australia. This is called the subclass 151 Former Resident Visa.
- Distinguished Talent visas Top of Form: These visas are for people with an internationally-recognized record of exceptional and outstanding achievement.
- Distinguished Talent visa (subclass 124)
- Distinguished Talent visa (subclass 858)
- Refugee and humanitarian visas: These visas are for people who left their home country due to persecution.
An Australian permanent resident and an Australian citizen are not the same. Of course, as a permanent resident of Australia you will have entitlements, and generally you can:
- remain in Australia indefinitely
- work and study in Australia
- enroll in Australia’s national health scheme, Medicare
- apply for bank loans to buy property
- sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence
- apply for Australian citizenship, if eligible
- travel to and from Australia for as long as your travel facility permits
- attend free English language classes provided by the Adult Migrant English Program
- work in New Zealand
However, unlike Australian citizens, a permanent resident cannot:
- have an Australian passport
- vote in Australian Government elections unless you enrolled (as a British subject) before 26 January 1984
- access student loans
- join the Australian Defense Force
- obtain ongoing work in the Australian Government
- return to Australia from overseas without a valid travel facility (you do not have automatic right of entry to Australia).
You may also qualify for other government benefits and services, but if you currently not living in Australia and you hold a permanent visa you may not be eligible. It is good to discuss your options with a professional migration agent, and we can help you there!
Our Registered Migration Agents at Migration Centre of Australia have been in the migration industry for many years and have helped thousands of clients onshore and offshore. We are trained professionals in Australian Migration Law and we are trusted providers in the industry for our services. If you want to know more about becoming an Australian permanent resident or you want to discuss your visa options for permanent residency, contact us today on (02) 4626 1002 or send us an email at info@migrationcentreofaustralia.com.au and one of my registered migration agents will be ready to help you.
