How to Live in Australia Permanently: Your Guide to Skilled Migration
Whether you recently started studying in Australia or you’re reaching the end of your course, you may have decided that you’d like to start your career and live in Australia long term.
Australia’s skilled migration program covers over 700 jobs and offers a variety of visa categories so you can build your career and even become eligible for permanent residency.
So, if you’re hoping to stay in Australia permanently, here’s what you need to know about your options.
Postgraduate visa options
For international students who have completed their degree in Australia, the most common option is the Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa.
If you’re unfamiliar with this visa, you may have a few key questions. What is the 485 visa? Can I work full-time on a 485 visa? How can a 485 visa lead me toward permanent migration?
The Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa allows international students to live, work and begin further study after finishing a degree, diploma or trade qualification. You can work full-time on the 485 visa and stay for up to four years (five years for students from Hong Kong). If you studied at a regional institution, you may even be eligible to apply for a second Temporary Graduate visa, giving you more time to live in Australia.
There have also been some changes in requirements for the 485 visa, specifically the Graduate Work stream. From 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023, your occupation does not need to be on the skilled occupation list and you do not need a skills assessment to apply. More details can be found here.
The Temporary Graduate visa is an excellent first step on the path to permanent residency. For many graduates, the next step is applying for a visa under Australia’s skilled migration program.
Australia’s skilled migration program
For skilled migrants, there is a range of visas that can offer permanent residency. To be eligible for general skilled migration, your occupation needs to be on one of three skilled migration lists, which include:
MLTSSL - Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List
STSOL - Short-term Skilled Occupation List
ROL - Regional occupation List
Some of the most popular visas under Australia’s skilled migration program are as follows:
The Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa - This visa lets skilled workers who are nominated by an employer live and work in Australia permanently. To be eligible, you must have an occupation on the SOL, have at least three years of work experience and have a positive skills assessment.
The Skilled Independent (subclass 189) visa - With this visa, you can live and work anywhere in Australia permanently. The visa requires you to have a suitable skills assessment and satisfy the points test.
The Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa - With this visa, you can live and work anywhere in Australia permanently. It requires that you be nominated for the visa by a state or territory government agency, have a suitable skills assessment and satisfy the points test.
Skilled migration in regional Australia
The Australian government has created many regional migration incentives to encourage people to live and work in regional Australia. As a result, migrating to Australia permanently may be easier if you settle in one of these designated ‘regional’ areas.
By living and working in regional Australia, you may be eligible to apply for any of the following visas*:
The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visa - This visa is for skilled migrants who have been nominated to apply by a state or territory government agency or an eligible relative to live and work in regional Australia. In addition to nomination, you must also satisfy a points test and remain in the regional area for at least three years. On this visa, you can stay in Australia for up to five years.
The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (subclass 494) visa - This visa is designed to help regional employers manage labour shortages by sponsoring skilled migrant workers. To apply, you must be nominated by an approved work sponsor, have a suitable skills assessment and meet English proficiency requirements. On this visa, you can stay in Australia for up to five years.
The Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) (subclass 191) visa - This visa is for skilled migrants who already have an eligible visa and meet an income threshold to live and work permanently in Australia. You must have lived in a regional area and met the income requirement for at least three years.
*While some of these visas do not offer a permanent stay, they may allow you to extend your stay in Australia long enough to become eligible to apply for a permanent visa.
Most areas of Australia outside the major cities are designated regional. Note that most major cities are not considered regional – but Adelaide, Perth, Canberra and Hobart are some examples of beautiful ‘regional’ cities. For this reason, it can be easier to gain permanent residency in states like South Australia, Western Australia, the ACT and Tasmania.
If any of these destinations appeal to you, skilled migration in regional Australia could be a great option.
To learn more about Australia’s Skilled Migration Program for 2022/23, be sure to join our free webinar! Register here.
Author: Sarah Pearce
