Australia’s skilled immigration framework is designed to attract professionals whose occupations are in demand in the Australian labour market. If you match certain eligibility criteria, your occupation is on the accepted list, and you score enough points, you may qualify for Australia PR (Permanent Residency).
To apply for a skilled migration permanent residency (PR) visa in Australia, you must satisfy a set of eligibility criteria. These vary slightly depending on the visa subclass (189, 190, 491, etc.), but the common requirements include:
Occupation on the Skilled Occupation List
Your job/role must be recognized and listed under one of Australia’s approved Skilled Occupation Lists (this ensures your skills are relevant to Australia’s labour demands).
Skills Assessment
You must get your qualifications and work experience assessed by a relevant assessing authority (for your occupation). A positive skills assessment is mandatory.
English Language Proficiency
You must prove your English ability via tests like IELTS, PTE, or equivalent, meeting the minimum band/score requirements.
Age Limit
Often, you must be below a certain age (for many skilled visas, under 45 years at the time of invitation). Some exemptions or variations may apply.
Work Experience
You’ll need relevant post-qualification work experience in your nominated occupation (usually 2–5 years, depending on the job and subclass).
Health & Character
You undergo medical examinations and police clearance checks to satisfy Australian health and character standards.
Points Test
For the points-tested visas (189, 190, 491), you must accumulate at least 65 points (or more, depending on invitation rounds). You gain points for age, English, education, work experience, state nomination, partner skills, etc.
Expression of Interest (EOI) & Invitation
You submit an EOI via SkillSelect. If you meet criteria and score high, you may be invited to apply.
Depending on whether you’re nominated by a state or applying un-nominated, your path may differ (e.g. subclass 190 vs subclass 189).
A key part of the skilled PR process is the points test. Each applicant is awarded points under various categories; you need to hit the minimum threshold (and often more, based on competition).
Here’s a simplified breakdown of how points are typically awarded (indicative, subject to changes):
| Criteria | Maximum Points | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 30 points | Younger age gets more points |
| English language ability | 20 points (Superior) | Higher test bands = more points |
| Educational qualifications | e.g. 20 points for doctorate etc. | Recognized qualifications count more |
| Work experience (in Australia / overseas) | up to ~15 points or more | More years = more points |
| Specialist education / credentialed community language / professional year etc. | variable | Bonus points |
| State / Territory nomination (for subclass 190 / 491) | +5 or +10 | Extra points if nominated |
| Partner skills / English / accreditation | some points | If your partner also meets criteria |
You can find official calculators or estimation tools on migration agency websites or on Australian migration portals.
To successfully be invited, most candidates end up needing well above 65 points because spots are competitive.
The Skilled Occupation List (SOL) (or related occupation lists) are updated periodically by the Australian government. Only occupations included in these lists are eligible for nomination under skilled migration visas.
The list uses ANZSCO (Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations) codes (6-digit).
It’s not just your job title that matters, but whether your skills and duties match the ANZSCO description.
The occupation list may include roles in fields like engineering, IT, health, accounting, teaching, trades, etc.
You need to check whether your occupation is on the current list before proceeding with skills assessment.
Keep in mind: the state you apply under might have additional or restricted lists (state nomination lists) that differ from the national list.
To support your PR application, you will need a well-documented submission. The documents typically include:
Identity Documents
Passport(s)
Birth certificate
Marriage certificate / divorce / name change (if applicable)
Educational Qualifications
Degree / diploma certificates
Transcripts / mark sheets
Work Experience Evidence
Reference letters from employers (with dates, designation, duties)
Payslips / tax documents / contracts
Skills Assessment Documents
The documents prescribed by your assessing authority (e.g. VETASSESS, Engineers Australia, etc.)
Evidence of professional membership, if needed
English Test Score
IELTS / PTE / TOEFL scorecards
Certificate showing results and validity
Health / Medical Reports
As per Australian immigration health check requirements
Character / Police Clearance Certificates
From every country you have lived in (for specified durations)
Passport Photos / Identity Photos
As per Australian requirements
Declaration / Statements
Statutory declarations (if needed)
English translation and certification (if documents are in a language other than English)
Other Supporting Documents
Marriage / partner documents (if applicable)
Dependent documents (birth certificates, guardianship, etc.)
It’s crucial your application is “decision ready” (i.e. all documents submitted) to avoid delays.
What is the cost you’ll incur (government + other charges) when an applicant from India applies for Australia PR via skilled migration?
Here’s a breakdown based on recent data:
| Item | Approx Cost / Range* | Notes / Source |
|---|---|---|
| Visa Application Charge (main applicant) | AUD 4,765 (or similar) | Effective from 1 July 2024 |
| Dependent / additional adult applicant fee | AUD 2,385 | |
| Dependent child (< 18) fee | AUD 1,195 | |
| Skills Assessment Fee | AUD 500 – ~3,000+ | Depends on occupation and assessing body |
| English Test (IELTS/PTE etc) | INR ~18,000 (approx) | Varies by test and country |
| Medical / Health Examinations | INR ~6,000 (approx) | Varies by country/clinic |
| Police Clearance / Certificate | Varies by country / state | Could be INR ~1,000 or more |
| Translation / Certification | Varies | If any documents need translation into English |
| Migration Agent / Consultant fees | Varies widely | If you use paid services |
| State Nomination Fees (if applicable) | Varies by State / Territory | Some states charge, others don’t |
The cost in Indian Rupees depends on current AUD ↔ INR exchange rates and other bank/transfer charges.
In total, many sources estimate that for an Indian applicant, including all additional costs, you might spend between AUD 7,000 to 10,000+ (or equivalent in INR) depending on how many dependents you have and how much you pay for consulting services.
So, while the official visa fee may be around AUD ~4,700–4,800 for the main applicant, you must budget significantly more for the entire process.
Processing times for Australia PR via skilled visas vary depending on visa subclass, applicant’s situation, completeness of application, and departmental workloads. Here’s what current data suggests:
For the Skilled Independent visa (Subclass 189), many applications take 24 months (75% of cases) or more. Some may go up to 35 months.
For Skilled Nominated visa (Subclass 190), many are processed in around 9 to 19 months depending on state and completeness.
The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 491) (though provisional) also follows similar timelines toward permanent pathways.
The Department of Home Affairs publishes indicative visa processing times which change monthly.
For “decision-ready” applications (i.e. all documents complete, no further clarifications required), the processing tends to be faster.
Important caveats:
The “processing time” refers to the time from when you lodge the full visa application (after invitation) until a decision is made.
If the department requests further documentation or you delay, that will extend the timeline.
Complex cases, health/character issues, or high volume may also delay processing.
Also, some visa streams (or new pathways, like the new “Skills in Demand Visa”) aim for faster decision timelines in certain categories.
Here’s a sample roadmap you can follow to pursue Australia PR via the skilled occupation route:
Check if your occupation is on the current Skilled Occupation List.
Get your skills assessed by the relevant body (submit necessary documents, pay fees).
Take the English test and get required score.
Calculate your points using a reliable points calculator (age, education, experience, etc.).
Submit EOI (Expression of Interest) via SkillSelect.
Wait for an invitation to apply (if your score is competitive).
Once invited, prepare full visa application with all required documents (health, police checks, identity, etc.).
Lodge your visa application within the allowed timeframe.
Await decision (processing can take many months).
If granted, you and your eligible dependents obtain permanent residency rights and may later apply for citizenship (if desired).
Ensure your documentation is complete and accurate to avoid delays. Also, monitor changes in immigration policy—Australia frequently updates occupation lists, points rules, and visa pathways.
1. What is the minimum score needed for Australia PR?
You need at least 65 points under the points test to be eligible for many skilled PR visas. However, to receive an invitation, you often need significantly higher, depending on competition and demand.
2. Can I apply for Australia PR from India (outside Australia)?
Yes, you can apply from India or any country once you receive an invitation and meet all requirements.
3. How long are English scores / skills assessments valid?
Typically, the English test score and skills assessment must be current at the time of invitation and visa lodgement. The validity period varies by test/assessing body.
4. Does state nomination guarantee a visa?
No—it adds extra points and increases your chance of invitation, but the visa is granted only if all criteria (health, character, points, etc.) are met.
5. Can changes in the occupation list affect my application mid-process?
Once you receive an invitation and lodge your application under a particular occupation, changes to the list generally do not affect your current application. But they could affect new applications.
6. When should I hire a migration agent?
You may choose to consult or engage a registered migration agent if your case is complex. But many applicants successfully self-manage their application through careful research and planning.
