How to Get Permanent Residency in Australia in 2026: Every PR Pathway Explained

Most people get Australian permanent residency (PR) through one of three doors: a points-tested skilled visa (subclass 189, 190 or 491 leading to 191), employer sponsorship (subclass 186, often after a 482 visa), or a family visa such as the partner visa. As of October 2026, the 2026–27 Migration Program has 185,000 places, and the mix has shifted sharply towards employer-sponsored and onshore applicants.

Key points

• The 2026–27 Permanent Migration Program is 185,000 places, unchanged in total, with 129,590 places reserved for people already in Australia.
• Employer-sponsored places rose to 58,040 (about 32% more), Skilled Independent (189) places rose to 21,090 (about 25% more) and Regional (491) places fell to 14,110 (about 57% fewer).
• Points-tested visas need at least 65 points and an age under 45 at invitation.
• Most visa fees rose about 25% on 1 July 2026. The 189 now costs AUD 6,135 for the main applicant.
• A redesigned points test has been announced but is not yet law.

How the 2026–27 Migration Program shapes your chances

Each year the government sets planning levels for every permanent visa category. These numbers do not guarantee anyone a visa, but they tell you where the places are. The 2026–27 levels were announced in the Budget on 12 May 2026 and are published on the Home Affairs planning levels page.

Category	2025–26	2026–27	Change
Skilled Independent (189)	16,900	21,090	Up about 25%
Employer-Sponsored (186 and others)	44,000	58,040	Up about 32%
State/Territory Nominated (190)	33,000	35,500	Up about 8%
Regional (mainly 491)	33,000	14,110	Down about 57%
Talent and Innovation (858 and others)	5,300	3,500	Down
Partner (demand-driven, indicative)	40,500	41,500	Up
Parent	8,500	7,060	Down
Total program	185,000	185,000	Unchanged

Home Affairs says the program will prioritise onshore migrants, with 129,590 places going to people already living in Australia. If you are offshore, competition for the remaining places is likely to be tighter, especially in the regional category.

Pathway 1: Points-tested skilled visas (189, 190, 491)

These visas are for people with an occupation on the relevant skilled list, a positive skills assessment and enough points. You start by lodging an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect, then wait for an invitation.

The basic rules for all three:

• At least 65 points on the points test. The invitation may set a higher score.
• Under 45 years old at the time of invitation.
• At least Competent English.
• A suitable skills assessment for your nominated occupation.

	189 Skilled Independent	190 Skilled Nominated	491 Skilled Work Regional
Visa type	Permanent	Permanent	Provisional (5 years)
Sponsor needed	No	State or territory nomination	State/territory nomination or eligible relative in a designated regional area
Extra points	None	+5	+15
Base fee (from 1 July 2026)	AUD 6,135	AUD 6,140	AUD 6,140
Route to PR	Is PR	Is PR	Subclass 191 after 3 years

The 189 is the most flexible because you can live anywhere and need no sponsor, but it is also the most competitive. In the 4 June 2026 round, 10,000 invitations were issued with minimum scores ranging from 65 for some trades to 100 for one medical specialty. Our guide to SkillSelect invitation rounds explains the cut-offs in detail.

The 190 adds 5 points and requires a state or territory to nominate you. Each state sets its own occupation lists and criteria, and occupation ceilings do not apply to state-nominated invitations.

The 491 adds 15 points but requires you to live, work and study in a designated regional area. After holding it for 3 years you may apply for the permanent Skilled Regional visa (subclass 191), which has an income requirement. With regional places cut to 14,110 in 2026–27, expect fewer 491 nominations this year.

For a side-by-side breakdown, read 189 vs 190 vs 491. To estimate your score, see our Australia points test guide.

Pathway 2: Employer sponsorship (482 to 186, or direct 186)

Employer-sponsored places are the big winner in 2026–27. The main permanent visa is the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186), which has three streams:

1. Temporary Residence Transition (TRT): for people already working for their sponsor on a 457 or 482 visa. Home Affairs requires a total of 2 years of eligible sponsored employment in the 3 years before you apply, and at least Competent English with no exemption (TRT stream page).
2. Direct Entry: for people nominated directly for PR, usually with a skills assessment and work experience.
3. Labour Agreement: for employers with a labour agreement with the government.

Applicants must usually be under 45 when they apply, though some academics, scientists, medical practitioners and high-income TRT applicants are exempt. Nominations must meet the Core Skills Income Threshold of AUD 79,423 for nominations lodged from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027. The 186 base fee is AUD 6,140 from 1 July 2026.

Many people reach the 186 through the temporary Skills in Demand visa. Our Skills in Demand (482) guide covers the Core Skills and Specialist Skills streams and salary thresholds.

Pathway 3: Partner and family visas

If your partner is an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, a partner visa is often the most direct route. It is a two-stage visa: a temporary visa first (820 onshore or 309 offshore), then the permanent visa (801 or 100). From 1 July 2026 the combined fee for most applicants is AUD 11,710. Partner places are demand-driven, with an indicative 41,500 places in 2026–27.

Parent visas also lead to PR, but places were cut to 7,060 and the non-contributory queue is very long.

Pathway 4: Talent and Innovation

The National Innovation visa (subclass 858) is for people with an internationally recognised record of exceptional achievement. Places fell to 3,500 in 2026–27, and Home Affairs says the focus is on applicants with that kind of record. This is a niche route, not a general option.

How processing order affects your wait

Since 19 September 2026, skilled permanent and provisional visas (including 186, 189, 190, 191 and 491) are processed under Ministerial Direction 122. According to the skilled visa processing priorities page, the order is:

1. Applications in construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing and resources, or in Australia’s law enforcement and defence interests.
2. Applications where the applicant was in Australia when they lodged.
3. Offshore applications where the primary applicant applies alone (no family on the application).
4. All other applications.

If you are offshore with family members and not in a priority sector, you are at the back of the queue.

What is announced but not yet law

On 17 September 2026, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the points test had been “redone” with Treasury. Under the new design, selected skills could get an uplift, so that people skilled in the housing trades would score the same points as for a university qualification (National Press Club speech). As of 11 October 2026, no start date or legal instrument has been published. The current points table still applies. Track changes on our updates page.

From PR to citizenship

Once you hold PR, the general residence requirement for citizenship by conferral is 4 years of lawful residence in Australia immediately before applying, including 12 months as a permanent resident. Absences must total no more than 12 months in those 4 years, and no more than 90 days in the last 12 months. Check the current citizenship fee on the Home Affairs citizenship pages before you apply.

What to do next

1. Check whether your occupation is on the relevant skilled occupation list and which body assesses it.
2. Work out your points honestly using the official points table, and see which of 189, 190 or 491 fits.
3. If you have an employer, ask whether they will sponsor you for a 482 or directly for a 186.
4. Read your state or territory’s nomination criteria if you are considering a 190 or 491.
5. Get advice from a registered migration agent or lawyer if your case has complications such as past refusals, health issues or age close to 45.

See all our Australia guides on the Australia hub.