Australian Permanent Residency under Skilled Worker Program
- November 17, 2017
- Posted by: visasabroad
- Category: Australia Visa
Australia is one of the famous and beautiful countries for aspiring immigrants. Offering numerous opportunities for skilled workers in various occupations, Australia welcomes skilled professionals to migrate to the country under its Skilled Worker Program.
Eligible candidates can easily migrate to Australia by applying for an Australian permanent residency under the skilled worker program.
General eligibility criteria to apply for Australian Permanent Residency
Prospective candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria –
- Find your occupation in the occupation list
Initially, you need to check your occupation in the occupations list. Once you find your occupation or related occupation duties, you must note down the occupation’s ANZSCO code. This ANZSCO code will help in determining your occupation and job duties that you are skilled in.
- Meet the required educational requirements for the respective ANZSCO code
Each occupation NOC code comes with an educational qualification requirement. You must make sure that the education you pursued meets the requirements. Your university of graduation is also taken into consideration. The Australian Government recognised universities from around the world.
- Minimum Work Experience for respective ANZSCO code
Each occupation NOC code also requires candidates to possess relevant work experience in the occupation. For example, a candidate applying for an engineering job must have previous work experience in a similar role and have performed comparable job duties.
- Candidates should meet a minimum immigration points system
The Australian immigration authority awards points to candidates based on their age, education, work experience, language proficiency and certain human factors.
Different Visa Categories under the Skilled Worker Permanent Residency Program
The Australian permanent residency visa is bifurcated into the following three different categories:
The Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) is for candidates who are not sponsored by an Australian employer, family members, or nominated by a state or territory government. With the Skilled Worker Visa (Subclass 189), you can live and work anywhere in Australia as a permanent resident.
The skilled nominated visa (subclass 190) is for candidates nominated by the Government of a state or territory to live and work in the Australian state or territory permanently.
The Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489) is for candidates nominated by a region of an Australian state. The candidate applying for the Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489) can stay in the area for up to four years. The candidate cannot live permanently in Australia, but can find a way to apply for permanent residency.
Steps to Apply for an Australian Permanent Residency Visa under the Skilled Worker Program
The following are the steps that you must follow to apply for Australian Permanent Residency under the skilled worker program successfully.
Skill Assessment
Since there are people with different skill sets, Australia has different professional skill assessment bodies for various skill qualities.
The following are the assessing bodies for different professionals –
• Engineers – Engineers Australia
• Banking and finance – VETASSESS
• IT professionals – Australian Computer Society (ACS)
• CA professionals – Certified Practising Accountants (CPA)
The table below shows how these assessment bodies function:
| Assessing Body | Introduction | Document Requirement | Candidates Assessed | Processing Time | Fee |
| VETASSESS | VETASSESS is an Australian skill assessment body that assesses your skills for migration, education and sponsored employment purposes. Expanded, VETASSESS stands for Vocational Education and Training Assessment. | Here is the breakdown of the full-skills assessment by Vetassess:
| Candidates whose occupation falls under the General Occupations List
| 10-12 Weeks | A competency demonstration report + Skills assessment will cost approximately AUD 1,193.50, inclusive of taxes. |
| Australian Computer Society (ACS) | The general skills assessment fee for ACS assessment is AUD 500 | Closely related educational qualification, work experience, passport, transcript of marks, employment references, RPL, statutory declarations and affidavits | IT and Computer professionals can get their skills assessed by ACS | 6-8 Weeks | Candidates having relevant education and work experience in Engineering can get their skills and qualifications assessed by Engineers Australia. |
| Engineers Australia (EA) | Engineers Australia is the designated immigration assessing body for immigration occupations as listed by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DHA). Engineers Australia assesses applications of Engineers in various working sectors. | Passport, birth certificate, passport size photographs, qualification documents, transcript of marks, English test scores and CV | VETASSESS is an Australian skill assessment body that assesses your skills for migration, education and sponsored employment purposes. Expanded, VETASSESS stands for Vocational Education and Training Assessment. | 2-3 Weeks | CPA assess candidates having expertise in the accounting profession |
| The Australia Institute of Management assesses senior-level managers | Certified Practising Accountants (CPA) | Academic documents, transcript of marks, English test scores, syllabus, A letter of Authority signed and testimonials | The application assessment fee for the year 2017 is $180 | About 1 month | Engineers Australia is the designated immigration assessing body for immigration occupations as listed by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP). Engineers Australia assesses applications of Engineers in various working sectors. |
| Australia Institute of Management (AIM) | $550 | The Certified Practising Accountants (CPA) assessment body assesses candidates who have expertise working in a professional accounting role. The CPA Australia assesses a candidate’s employment history to determine whether the work experience obtained is relevant to the occupation selected in the ANZSCO occupation list. | Employment details, previous employment, previous business position, academic transcripts, letters of appointment, payslips, promotions | Approximately 8 Weeks | AUD $550 |
English Language Proficiency
Candidates will need to prove their language ability and proficiency by facing an English language test. The acceptable test for English language proficiency is the IELTS test, the Occupational English Test (OET), the Pearson Academic Test of English (PTE), the TOEFL or the Cambridge Test of English.
| Test | Validity | Fees | When to Apply | Test Dates | Result | Types of Test | Qualifying Marks | Modules Tested |
| IELTS | 2 Years | AUD 330 | 15 days before facing the test | Every Week | Within two weeks after the exam date | Available after ten days of the exam | 6.5 Bands | Reading, Writing, Speaking & Listening |
| TOEFL | 2 Years | USD 300 | 7 Days before Registration Closes | Every Week | Computer-Based Test | Internet-Based Test | 73-Bachelor’s, 79- Master’s | Reading, Writing, Speaking & Listening |
| PTE | 2 Years | AUD 330 | Within a Week | Metros-6 days/month, Other Cities-4 days/month | Paper-Based Test | Within five working days of the test, a soft copy within 48 hours | 51 | Reading, Writing, Speaking & Listening |
| OET | 2 Years | AUD 587- to sit all four sub-tests | Anytime before registration closes | Seven Times in a Year (Jan, Mar, May, June, Aug, Oct, and Nov) | Within 16 business days after the exam date | Within 4 to 6 weeks (Paper-based), and 2 to 3 weeks (Computer-based) | Within five working days of the test, a soft copy will be available within 48 hours. | Reading, Writing, Speaking & Listening |
| Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) | Doesn’t have an expiration date | AUD 330 | A month before facing the exam | Every Month | Within 4 to 6 weeks (Paper-based), and within 2 to 3 weeks (Computer-based) | Computer or Paper-Based | 180-210 | Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking |
Candidates must score a minimum required score to be eligible for immigration as a permanent resident. Scoring higher in any of these tests will earn you extra points that will add up to the points you score on the points test system.
Points systems scores that you can secure for the specific score brackets in these tests are as follows:
| IELTS | TOEFL |
PTE A | OET | CAE | ||
| Paper Based | Computer Based | Internet Based | ||||
| 7.5 | 627 | 263 | 107 | 73 – 79 | A-B | 191 |
| 7 | 600 | 250 | 100 | 65 – 72 | B | 185 |
| 6.5 | 577 | 233 | 90 | 59 – 64 | C | 176 |
| 6 | 550 | 213 | 79 | 51 – 58 | C | 169 |
| 5.5 | 525 | 197 | 71 | 43 – 50 | D | 162 |
| 5 | 500 | 173 | 61 | 35 – 42 | D | 154 |
Creation of Expression of Interest (EOI)
After finding your occupation NOC and scoring the required score for your language proficiency, you can go forward to creating your Expression of Interest (EOI). You can create and submit your EOI in the online SkillSelect system.
Once you have decided which visa to apply for and have gathered all the required information, you are ready to create your EOI. You do not have to pay any fee for either making or submitting your EOI in SkillSelect.
Upon creating your EOI, you can see how many points you secure, but you will not know where you rank. Your ranking keeps changing as people enter and leave SkillSelect. Your EOI, once created, will be valid for two years.
EOIs that are incomplete will also be stored in SkillSelect but will not be eligible to receive an invitation. You can make changes and updates to your EOI provided you have not received an invitation. In case you have received an Invitation to apply, you cannot make any changes to your EOI until your EOI expires. You can receive a maximum of two invitations during your EOI period.
Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
You will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) if you score the minimum required points through SkillSelect. Several factors are considered before awarding a candidate points.
These points are based on your age, educational qualification, work experience, language proficiency score and fundamental human factors. EOI profiles that have been lying in the SkillSelect for a long time will also be given priority. Selecting a candidate and inviting them to apply also depends on their profile and the demand in the country.
Final Visa Submission
The final process of visa submission requires candidates to upload documents such as personal, educational, employment, police clearance, medical clearance, and statutory declarations. After this, you pay your visa fee online. The cost varies depending on the number of family members accompanying you, who would include your spouse and any children.
Documents Review by the Australian High Commission
After you submit your documents, the Australian High Commission will begin evaluating them. The High Commission will ask you to provide additional documents if any documents are missing or if there is a need for further information to support your case.
If all the documents and information you provided are up to the mark, you can expect a grant letter that indicates that you have received your Australian permanent residency status.
Received Grant Letter
You will receive an electronic confirmation on your registered email address stating that your Australian permanent residency status has been granted. To activate your Australian permanent residency status, you will need to visit Australia before your medical clearance validity expires.
Your medical clearance report is valid for one year. Suppose everything goes well and you receive your Australian permanent residency grant within 6 months. In that case, you will still have eight months in your hands to visit Australia and validate your Australian permanent residency status.
Validity of Your Australian Permanent Residency Visa
Your Australian permanent residency status will be activated the day you land in Australia and will be valid for up to 5 years, starting from the day you arrive. If you wish to renew your permanent residency status for more 5 years, you must live in Australia for minimum 2 years.
Change Your Permanent Residency Status to Citizenship
To change your Australian permanent residency status to Citizenship, you must reside in Australia for a specific period and meet fundamental human rights. It is your choice whether you want to apply for Citizenship.
On becoming an Australian citizen, you will not need the Australian permanent residency status. However, suppose you wish to stay in Australia for an extended period and do not intend to apply for Citizenship. In that case, you can always choose to extend your Australian permanent residency status.
Benefits of Australian Permanent Residency
Having an Australian permanent residency status grants you many benefits, as given below:
- As an Australian permanent resident, you can live in Australia indefinitely. You can fly to and from Australia any number of times and would not have to face any restrictions. Initially, you can stay in Australia for 5 years and later extend your permanent resident status.
- As a permanent resident, you can enjoy the freedom to pursue any course at a very nominal fee that Australian citizens pay for. Permanent residents can also avail of an educational loan, for which they are also eligible.
- It is easier to find a job and work in Australia once you are an Australian permanent resident. You can choose to work in any job stream, but you cannot join a government or defence job.
- A permanent resident can receive social security benefits, but will have to complete two years of stay in Australia. The social security benefits include healthcare benefits, unemployment benefits and childcare benefits.
- Permanent residents can also sponsor their family members if the members meet the eligibility criteria.
- A permanent resident also has the right to travel to New Zealand and apply for a New Zealand visa.
Social Rights for Australian Permanent Residency Holders:
The social rights of an Australian permanent resident include the following benefits:
- Healthcare Benefit: As an Australian permanent resident, you get to avail of the healthcare benefit called Medicare. With Medicare, you can avail free treatments in listed Australian healthcare units and can avail subsidies on medicines. Here is the detailed information about Healthcare benefits in Australia.
- Unemployment Benefit: Candidates who become permanent residents of Australia can also avail themselves of the unemployment benefit after spending some time working in the country. For more information about unemployment benefits, please visit this link.
- Childcare Benefit: If you are a parent and have a child/children below the age of 13, you are also eligible to avail the childcare benefit. You can find more information about childcare benefits in Australia here.
Australian Permanent Residents’ Income, Expenditure and Savings:
You can choose any occupation of your choice and work anywhere in Australia. You are eligible for unemployment benefits as well, in case you lose your job.
- Salary: As an Australian permanent resident, you can earn anywhere from AUD$8,000 to AUD$12,000 as your monthly salary.
- Tax: An Australian permanent resident or citizen earning approximately AUD$8,000 to AUD$12,000 would pay anywhere from AUD$2,000 to AUD$3,500 to the Australian Government. These standards are in effect for the fiscal year 2017-2018.
- Savings: Candidates earning approximately AUD$8,000 to AUD$12,000 can save between AUD$2,000 and AUD$4,000 per month.
Australian Citizenship Benefits:
You can further reduce this cost by seeking out more cost-effective options and staying within your budget. Moreover, this cost can be reduced if you choose to live in a less expensive city.
An Australian permanent resident can apply for Citizenship after they have completed 3 years of stay in Australia. After becoming an Australian citizen, the candidate is also eligible to live and work in New Zealand.
The permanent resident, now a citizen, can cast votes, join the Australian defence, apply for government jobs and take political stands. Due to Australia’s better mutual relationships with different countries, Australian citizens can travel to many countries easily without the need for a tourist visa.
Also Read: 10 Key Points for Australian Migrants, Like Job Hunt, Cost of Living and Taxation
How to Prepare Before Moving to Australia
Here is the checklist that you should consider before moving to Australia:
- Documents: The documents that you are required to carry with you are:
- Birth certificates and passports of all family members
- Adoption certificate, if applicable
- Marriage certificate, divorce or annulment certificate, if applicable
- Immunisation certificate for all children (Very important)
- Medical records, including X-rays, dental, etc.
- Copies of all educational certificates
- A letter of reference from your previous employer
- A professional portfolio or samples of your work
- A valid driver’s license and an international driver’s license. This will allow you to drive immediately in Australia for up to 3 to 6 months before obtaining an Australian driving license.
- Car insurance papers
- Travel insurance papers
- Certificates of valuation and authenticity for jewellery and other valuables
- Enough funds
- Documents relating to foreign income, properties or other investments
- Personal and Household Items: As a permanent resident, you can carry specific personal and household items to Australia. These items include:
- Furniture
- Silverware/Cutlery
- Homeware/crockery
- Linen
- Jewelry
- Antiques
- Books
- Clothing, but not furs
- Musical instruments
- Stamps and coin collections
- Paintings/sculptures
- Power tools
- Sports equipment
- Transfer Your Investments: If you have any cash or investments, you must transfer them all. Before leaving the country, you should close all your bank accounts to avoid bank fees.
- Valuables: You can carry certain valuable items with you to Australia. These items include:
- Watches
- Jewellery
- Antiques
- Works of art
- Cash
- Medical Records: You must arrange copies of medical records for all your family members. The documents must include:
- Medical records, including X-rays
- Dental records
- Immunisation records for children and adults
- Optical prescriptions
- Other medical prescriptions
- Work Documents: All documents relating to your professional experience must be included as well.
- Shipping Your Goods: Shipping your goods to Australia can be expensive. So, you can leave the items that are not necessarily required.
