PR in Australia: Process, Eligibility, Cost and Visa Types for Indian Applicants

What Is PR in Australia

PR in Australia is permanent residency that lets you live, work and study anywhere in the country, access Medicare, sponsor family and apply for citizenship after four years. It is mostly earned through skilled migration.

Australia has 185,000 permanent migration places for 2026-27, focused on skilled workers in healthcare, IT, engineering and construction. A wider view of moving abroad is in this study abroad guide for Indian students.

What Australia PR gives you and what it does not:

• Gives: the right to live and work anywhere, Medicare access and a citizenship path.
• Does not: grant automatic citizenship or guarantee a job on arrival.

Note: Before anything else, confirm your occupation is on the skilled occupation list and get a positive skills assessment. Without these two, no skilled PR pathway is open to you, whatever your points score, so start with these checks.

Australia PR Visa Types

The main Australia PR visa types are the subclass 189, 190 and 491 skilled visas, plus the subclass 191 regional and the subclass 186 employer-sponsored routes. Each suits a different profile.

The 189 needs no sponsor, while the 190 and 491 add points through nomination. The options are below.

Note: Subclass 189 needs no sponsor but is the most competitive. Subclass 190 adds 5 points for a state commitment, and Subclass 491 adds 15 points for regional living, making both easier routes for many Indian applicants whose points fall just short.

Australia PR Eligibility and Points

To be eligible for Australia PR you must be under 45, score at least 65 points, hold a positive skills assessment, meet English requirements and have an occupation on the skilled list. Points decide your invitation.

Points are awarded for age, English, work experience, education and nomination. The core eligibility criteria are:

• Age, under 45 at the time of invitation, with the most points between 25 and 32.
• Points, 65 minimum, though 85 or above is competitive in 2026.
• Skills assessment, a positive result from the relevant assessing authority.
• English, at least Competent English, such as IELTS 6 in each band, with more points for higher scores.
• Occupation, listed on the relevant skilled occupation list.

If your points are below the competitive range, then consider state nomination. That means an extra 5 points on the 190 or 15 points on the 491.

Australia PR Process for Indian Applicants

The Australia PR process runs from checking your occupation and skills assessment through the English test, an EOI on SkillSelect, an invitation, then lodging your visa. The order matters at each stage.

State nomination is a separate step for the 190 and 491, so plan for it early. The details on study gaps, which affect some profiles, are in this guide on how much gap is accepted for Australia. The steps are:

1. Confirm your occupation is on the relevant skilled occupation list.
2. Get a skills assessment from the relevant authority, which takes 4 to 12 weeks.
3. Take an English test, such as IELTS, PTE or OET, aiming for a high score.
4. Submit an Expression of Interest on SkillSelect, choosing subclass 189, 190 or 491.
5. Apply for state nomination separately for the 190 or 491.
6. Receive your Invitation to Apply when your EOI is selected from the pool.
7. Lodge your visa application within 60 days through ImmiAccount, with all documents.
8. Await the visa grant, usually 6 to 12 months after lodging.

If you receive an invitation, then you have 60 days to lodge. That means keeping your documents, police clearance and medicals ready in advance.

Australia PR Cost

The Australia PR cost for a single skilled applicant runs from about AUD 7,000 to 10,000, with the visa application fee alone around AUD 4,900. Family members add to the total. Beyond the visa fee, budget for the skills assessment, English test, medicals and police clearance. The wider budgeting picture is in this guide on the average cost of studying abroad. 

Currency conversions use AUD 1 = INR 65 as of July 1, 2026, and move with the exchange rate.

PR in Australia is a clear, points-based journey for Indian applicants, built around the subclass 189, 190 and 491 skilled visas. Confirm your occupation and skills assessment first, maximise your points through English and state nomination, then budget AUD 7,000 to 10,000 for the full process. Remember that fees are reviewed each July and that a strong, complete application moves fastest. With careful planning and a competitive score, permanent residency and, later, Australian citizenship become a realistic goal.