Applying for Australian Permanent Residency involves several stages, each with its own requirements, timelines, and possible consequences if not done correctly. This guide explains what happens at each stage and what you need to do.
Check your eligibility first – use our Australia PR Points Calculator
There are 8 main steps in the Australia PR visa application process, starting from the initial assessment and ending with the final visa grant. Here is a quick summary before we look at each step in detail:
Each Steps Australia PR Visa must be done in the right order. If you skip a step or do things out of sequence, like submitting your skills assessment after your EOI, it can lead to delays or even rejection. This is why working with experienced Australian PR visa consultants in Hyderabad can make a big difference to your results.
Why Hyderabad professionals choose NC Visas for Australia immigration
Timeline: 1–3 Days
First, find out where you stand. Start the Australia PR visa process by honestly and carefully checking your profile against the Australian points test.
Our consultants do this assessment during a free 30-minute consultation at our Somajiguda office or over the phone. We use the latest SkillSelect invitation round data to give you a realistic picture of the Steps Australia PR Visa, not just a theoretical points score.
Book your free assessment – NC Visas Hyderabad
Key Point: You need at least 65 points to submit an EOI. However, for Subclass 189 in competitive fields like IT, the real invitation cutoff is usually 85 to 95 or more. It’s important to know your actual competitive score, not just the minimum needed.
Timeline: 4–8 Weeks (preparation + sitting)
A valid English language test result is required for all Australian PR visa subclasses. You must take the test and get your results before you can submit your EOI. Many applicants underestimate how much time and planning this step requires.
| Superior | 8.0+ (all bands) | 79+ (each band) | 20 points |
| Proficient | 7.0+ (all bands) | 65+ (each band) | 10 points |
| Competent | 6.0+ (all bands) | 50+ (each band) | 0 bonus points |
| Below Competent | Below 6.0 | Below 50 | Not eligible |
Always aim for Superior English (IELTS 8.0 / PTE 79+). Superior English gives you 10 more points than Proficient, which is equal to 3 or 4 extra years of overseas work experience. Many IT professionals focus only on their overall score, but you need to make sure every band in every section meets the required level.
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Timeline: 6–16 Weeks (varies by authority)
This is the most complex step in the Australia PR visa process. An approved Australian authority for your occupation must formally assess your qualifications and work experience. You must get a positive skills assessment, as it is mandatory. You cannot submit an EOI without it.
| IT (Software Engineers, Developers, Testers) | ACS — Australian Computer Society | 8–12 weeks |
| Engineers (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical) | Engineers Australia (EA) | 12–16 weeks |
| Nurses / Midwives | ANMAC | 6–10 weeks |
| Accountants / Auditors | CPA Australia / CAANZ / IPA | 8–12 weeks |
| Medical Practitioners | AMC — Australian Medical Council | Variable |
| Chefs / Trades | TRA — Trades Recognition Australia | 10–16 weeks |
| Teachers | AITSL | 8–12 weeks |
Our consultants specialize in ACS, Engineers Australia, and ANMAC applications for Indian professionals. We prepare employment reference letter templates, check your documents against authority requirements, and confirm your ANZSCO code before submitting your application.
Timeline: Same day (once you have your skills assessment and English test)
The Expression of Interest is not a visa application. You officially show your interest in migrating to Australia by submitting it through SkillSelect, the Australian Government’s online system. You can complete this step fully online from your home.
NC Visas reviews current and past invitation data for your occupation. We then help you choose the best approach: nominate only 189, add 190, select specific states, or wait to gain more points. This strategy can help reduce your ITA waiting time.
Timeline: 3 months to 2+ years (depends on points score and occupation)
After you submit your EOI in SkillSelect, you wait for an Invitation to Apply. The DHA holds invitation rounds, usually once a month, and invites the highest-ranked EOIs first.
| 90+ points | Often invited within 1–3 months |
| 85–89 points | 3–9 months typically |
| 80–84 points | 9–18 months or longer |
| 75–79 points | May not receive 189 invitation; 190/491 more practical |
| 65–74 points | Subclass 491 is the primary realistic pathway |
Do not wait until you get your ITA to start preparing documents. Begin collecting reference letters, transcripts, and arranging medicals as soon as your EOI is submitted.
Timeline: 7–21 Days to prepare and lodge
This Steps Australia PR Visa needs the most documents. Once you get your ITA, you have 60 days to submit your application. NC Visas helps clients submit their visa applications within this time, handling all documents, forms, and communication with Home Affairs.
Identity & Personal Documents:
Employment & Work Experience:
Qualifications & Skills:
English Language:
Health & Character:
Partner & Children (if included):
| Primary Applicant | AUD 4,765 | ₹ 2,60,000 |
| Secondary Adult | AUD 2,385 | ₹ 1,30,000 |
| Dependent Child | AUD 1,195 | ₹ 65,000 |
Current visa application charges — DHA
Timeline: 2–4 Weeks
These two clearances are required for every applicant and dependent included in your Australia PR application. You should start them as soon as possible after lodging your visa application. Ideally, your Health Assessment Identifier (HAP ID) should be booked the day after you submit your application.
Find a NADIS-approved panel physician in India
Apply for Indian Police Clearance Certificate — Passport Seva
Timeline: 3–12 Months (after lodgement)
After you submit your complete application, a Department of Home Affairs case officer is assigned to your case. Processing time depends on how complete your application is, your visa subclass, and DHA’s current workload.
| Subclass 189 | Within 6 months | Within 9 months |
| Subclass 190 | Within 7 months | Within 10 months |
| Subclass 491 | Within 7 months | Within 10 months |
Check current DHA processing times
| Profile assessment & planning | 1–3 days |
| English language test prep & sitting | 4–8 weeks |
| Skills assessment | 6–16 weeks |
| EOI submission to ITA (waiting period) | 3 months to 2+ years |
| Visa application preparation | 1–3 weeks |
| Health & police clearance | 2–4 weeks |
| Visa processing & grant | 3–12 months |
| Total (best case) | 12–18 months |
| Total (typical for most applicants) | 18–30 months |
The waiting time for an ITA is the biggest variable. Applicants with 90 or more points may finish the whole process in under 18 months. Those with 75 to 80 points may wait much longer for their ITA, which can push the total timeline beyond 2 to 3 years.
1. What is the Australia PR visa, and who is eligible to apply?
The Australia PR visa lets you live, work, and study in Australia for as long as you want. Indian professionals who have the right skills, qualifications, and English ability can apply.
2. How many steps are involved in the Australian PR process?
The process has eight main steps: profile assessment, English test, skills assessment, submitting your EOI, getting an ITA, applying for the visa, health and police checks, and finally, receiving your visa.
3. What is the minimum points requirement for submitting an EOI?
You need at least 65 points to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). However, higher scores, such as 85 to 95 or more, give you a much better chance, especially if you work in IT.
4. Which English language tests are accepted for the Australian PR?
You can take IELTS Academic, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, OET if you work in healthcare, or Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) to meet the English requirement.
5. How many points can I get for English proficiency?
You can get up to 20 points for English: Superior (IELTS 8.0+ or PTE 79+) gives 20 points, Proficient (IELTS 7.0+ or PTE 65+) gives 10, and Competent (IELTS 6.0+ or PTE 50+) gives no extra points.
6. What is a skills assessment, and why is it mandatory?
A skills assessment checks your qualifications and work experience for your job, and is done by an Australian authority. You must complete this before you submit your EOI.
7. Which authorities conduct skills assessments for major occupations?
8. What documents are needed for a skills assessment?
You will need your academic transcripts, degree certificates, detailed job reference letters, payslips, Form 16 or tax returns, and the assessment application.
9. How long does the skills assessment process take?
The time it takes can vary, but it usually takes between 6 and 16 weeks, depending on your job and the assessing authority.
10. What is an Expression of Interest (EOI) and how do I submit it?
An EOI is a formal way to show you want to migrate. You submit it online through SkillSelect after you have your English test results and a positive skills assessment.
11. How long is my EOI valid?
Your EOI stays in the SkillSelect pool for two years. You can update it at any time before you get an invitation.
12. What is an Invitation to Apply (ITA)?
An ITA is an official invitation from the Australian government to submit your full PR visa application after your EOI is chosen.
13. How long does it take to receive an ITA?
The wait can be from one to three months if you have a high point score, or more than two years if your score is lower or your job is very popular. (e.g., occupations).
14. What documents are required when lodging the formal?
You will need identity documents like your passport and birth certificate, qualification certificates, job references, your skills assessment result, English test results, health and police clearances, and documents for your partner or children if they are included. ments if included.
15. What are the visa application fees for Australia PR?
For 2024 to 2025, the fees are: AUD 4,765 (about ₹2,60,000) for the main applicant, AUD 2,385 (about ₹1,30,000) for each adult family member, and AUD 1,195 (about ₹65,000) for each child.
16. What health and character checks are required?
You need to get medical exams from NADIS-approved clinics and police clearance certificates from India and any other country where you lived for more than 12 months after you turned 16.
17. How long does the entire PR process take from India?
In the best case, the process takes 12 to 18 months. Usually, it takes 18 to 30 months, mostly depending on how long you wait for an ITA after submitting your EOI.
18. Can I include my spouse and children in my PR application?
Yes, you can include your spouse or partner and dependent children in your application. Your spouse’s skills and English scores can also help you earn more points.
19. What are the most common mistakes to avoid in the PR process?
Common mistakes include claiming too many points, submitting your EOI before your skills assessment, using unclear reference letters, missing ITA deadlines, and letting your test results expire.
20. How can NC Visas help Hyderabad applicants with the PR process?
NC Visas helps you at every step, from free profile assessments and preparing your documents to guiding you through the skills assessment, planning your EOI, submitting your application, and supporting you until you get your visa.
NC Visas guides Hyderabad applicants through every single Steps Australia PR Visa from your first eligibility check to your visa grant letter. Our consultants have managed hundreds of Australian skilled migration applications for professionals from Hyderabad’s IT corridor, healthcare sector, and engineering industry.
