Moving to Australia permanently

Points test pass mark

65 points

Core Skills Income Threshold

AUD 79,423 (from 1 Jul 2026)

Student visa fee (most)

AUD 2,500

Temporary Graduate (485) fee

AUD 5,750

Partner visa fee

AUD 11,710

Citizenship residence

4 years, incl. 12 months as PR

Working holiday age limit

18–30 (18–35 for some countries)

Common routes to settling in Australia permanently

Most people don't get permanent residence on day one. These are the routes people most often follow, from first visa to citizenship.

Study, work, then permanent residence

Younger applicants who want an Australian qualification and local work experience before applying for a skilled visa.

1
Student visa (500)

Enrol full-time with a registered provider, meet the Genuine Student requirement and show funds; since 2 October 2026 most applicants must apply from outside Australia and cannot bring family.
2
Temporary Graduate visa (485)

Apply in Australia within 6 months of finishing your course, usually aged 35 or under, for 18 months to 3 years of open work rights.
3
Skilled visa (189, 190 or 491)

Get a positive skills assessment, lodge an Expression of Interest in SkillSelect with at least 65 points, and wait for an invitation or state nomination.
4
Citizenship

Apply after 4 years' lawful residence in Australia, including 1 year as a permanent resident, and pass the citizenship test.

Minimum time to citizenship: At least 4 years: 4 years' lawful residence in Australia, including 1 year as a permanent resident.

Skilled worker straight to permanent residence

Qualified, experienced professionals under 45 whose occupation is on a skilled list and who can score well on the points test.

1
Skills assessment and English test

Get your occupation assessed by the relevant assessing authority and take an approved English test to maximise points.
2
Expression of Interest

Lodge an EOI in SkillSelect with at least 65 points; for the 190, also apply for state or territory nomination.
3
Permanent visa (189 or 190)

Once invited, apply within the deadline while under 45; you arrive as a permanent resident.
4
Citizenship

Apply after 4 years living in Australia, with no more than 12 months away in total and 90 days in the last year.

Minimum time to citizenship: At least 4 years: 4 years' lawful residence in Australia, including 1 year as a permanent resident.

Employer-sponsored route

Workers with a job offer from an Australian employer willing to sponsor them, including people over 45 for the temporary stage.

1
Skills in Demand visa (482)

Your employer nominates you at or above the Core Skills Income Threshold (AUD 79,423) and market rate; you need at least 1 year of relevant work experience.
2
Work for your sponsor

Build the required period of sponsored employment with your employer on the 482.
3
Employer Nomination Scheme (186)

Your employer nominates you for the Temporary Residence Transition stream; you usually need to be under 45 and have Competent English.
4
Citizenship

Apply after 4 years' lawful residence in Australia, including 1 year as a permanent resident.

Minimum time to citizenship: At least 4 years: 4 years' lawful residence in Australia, including 1 year as a permanent resident.

Regional skilled route

Skilled applicants who are happy to live and work outside the major cities in exchange for extra points and state support.

1
Nomination or family sponsorship

Get nominated by a state or territory, or sponsored by an eligible relative in a designated regional area, which adds 15 points.
2
Skilled Work Regional visa (491)

Hold this 5-year provisional visa and live, work and study only in designated regional areas.
3
Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (191)

Apply after holding the 491 for at least 3 years and meeting the taxable income requirement.
4
Citizenship

Apply once you have 4 years' lawful residence, including 1 year as a permanent resident.

Minimum time to citizenship: At least 4 years: 3 years on the 491 before the 191, then at least 1 year as a permanent resident within 4 years' lawful residence.

Partner route

People in a genuine married or de facto relationship with an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen.

1
Temporary partner visa (820 or 309)

Your partner sponsors you and you apply once for both stages (AUD 11,710 for most applicants), in Australia (820) or outside (309).
2
Permanent partner visa (801 or 100)

The permanent stage is assessed later, once you show the relationship is continuing; you keep work and study rights and Medicare meanwhile.
3
Citizenship

Apply after 4 years' lawful residence in Australia, including 1 year as a permanent resident, and pass the citizenship test.

Minimum time to citizenship: At least 4 years: 4 years' lawful residence in Australia, including 1 year as a permanent resident.

Every pathway, by stage

The individual visas and statuses, grouped by where you are in the journey.

Visit

Visitor visa (subclass 600)

For tourism, visiting family or business visits, usually for up to 3, 6 or 12 months. A No Further Stay condition on future visitor visas was announced in September 2026 but is not yet in force.

Study

Student visa (subclass 500)

For full-time study at a registered provider, with a Genuine Student requirement, proof of funds and health cover. Since 2 October 2026 most applicants must apply from outside Australia and cannot bring family.

Work

Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485)

Lets recent graduates of Australian courses live and work in Australia for 18 months to 3 years, depending on qualification. Applicants must usually be 35 or under and apply in Australia.

Working Holiday visa (subclass 417)

A 12-month work and travel visa for young people from partner countries. Specified regional work can unlock a second and third year.

Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462)

Similar to the 417 but with country caps and education and English requirements. China, India and Vietnam apply through a pre-application ballot.

Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)

Employer-sponsored temporary visa of up to 4 years, with Core Skills, Specialist Skills and Labour Agreement streams. Pay must meet the market rate and the relevant income threshold.

Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491)

A 5-year provisional, points-tested visa for people nominated by a state or territory or sponsored by an eligible relative. Holders must live and work in regional Australia.

Family

Partner visa, onshore (subclass 820/801)

For partners of Australian citizens, permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens who apply in Australia. A temporary visa is granted first, followed by permanent residence.

Partner visa, offshore (subclass 309/100)

The two-stage partner visa for applicants outside Australia. One fee covers both the provisional and permanent stages.

Parent visas

Non-contributory, contributory and temporary sponsored parent options. Contributory visas cost far more but are processed much faster than the non-contributory queue.

Permanent residence

Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)

Permanent, points-tested visa with no sponsor. Applicants lodge an Expression of Interest in SkillSelect and need an invitation, at least 65 points and to be under 45.

Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)

Permanent, points-tested visa for people nominated by a state or territory government, which adds 5 points. Each state sets its own criteria and occupation lists.

Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186)

Permanent visa for workers nominated by an Australian employer, through the Temporary Residence Transition, Direct Entry or Labour Agreement streams.

Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191)

The permanent pathway for 491 and 494 holders who have lived and worked in regional Australia for at least 3 years and meet the income requirement.

National Innovation visa (subclass 858)

Permanent visa for people with an internationally recognised record of exceptional achievement. It replaced the Global Talent visa in December 2024.

Citizenship

Australian citizenship by conferral

Permanent residents can apply after 4 years of lawful residence, including 12 months as a permanent resident. Most applicants aged 18 to 59 must pass the citizenship test.

Humanitarian

Protection visa (subclass 866)

Permanent visa for people in Australia who engage Australia's protection obligations under the Refugee Convention or complementary protection.

Refugee and Humanitarian Program

Offshore resettlement for refugees and others in humanitarian need, including the Refugee (subclass 200) and Global Special Humanitarian (subclass 202) visas.