Getting a Permanent Residence Grant in Australia is an easy process as compared to other countries like the USA. Australia is a country with an excellent immigration system. All you need for getting a PR, i.e.a permanent residence grant, is the right information along with knowing where to look. To know further about how to apply for a PR grant in Australia, read on...
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Australia, India was the largest source of permanent migrants to Australia with Victoria as the state with the largest Indian population. Australia has become a hotspot for Indians over the past few years. Australia offers a lot of things that lure the immigrants towards them. For example, quality of life, career opportunities, world class education and a rich cosmopolitan culture.
One other thing that attracts Indian immigrants to Australia is their impeccable immigration system. Most of the Indians who want to immigrate to Australia wish to attain a permanent residence or PR grant. The amount of information available on this very topic is pretty scanty, because of which aspirants are unable to find out the Australia PR requirements. Here we have researched and collected all the information you need to know to apply for a PR grant in Australia.
The process of getting permanent residence in Australia can be broadly divided into 6 steps:
We will deal with each step one by one and try to explain the process as clearly as possible.
There are two methods of checking eligibility. Occupation Check and Points Check.
Once you have checked the eligibility, you can move forward to further criteria.
The Government of Australia accepts 5 tests to assess your command over the English language. They are -
The score you get on any of these tests will be crucial to the selection of your application.
This is one of the most important criteria of your eligibility.
Every occupation has a designated Skill Assessment Authority linked to it.
The skill assessment of a particular skill can only be conducted by their respective authority.
Skill Assessment Authority is an organisation that is responsible for comparing skills, education and work experience of a Visa applicant to the Australian standards.
When you go through the list of eligible skilled occupations you will know the assessing authority you need to contact to have your skills assessed.
It is always advisable to organise your skill assessment well ahead of your visa application.
Each authority has its own assessment procedures, timeframes and charges.
The assessment of your qualifications and experience by the assessing authority can take some time.
For assessment you need to provide the documents your assessment agency asks for along with the fees required.
When you apply for the visa, provide a scanned certified copy of the suitable skills assessment with your visa application.
If you don't get a positive assessment result you cannot apply for a skilled migration visa.
Expression of interest or EOI, as its name suggests is a method of expressing your interest in applying for a skilled visa to immigrate to Australia. You can use SkillSelect to create your Expression of Interest.
The steps involved are:
Based on the score you get in your EOI and the in-demand jobs, you will get your invite.
There is no timeline specified for receiving this invite. In the meantime, if you want to make any changes to your EOI, you can use the skill identification number to log in and do so
This step starts after receiving the invite. The invitee is given 2 months’ time to make payment and submit the required documents.
The payment changes with a change in the type of applicant.
There are three categories of the documents that you are required to submit:
After doing this, a case officer will be assigned to you, and post his assignment, you will be asked to go for medical examination
After you submit the application it might take several months for a decision.
The time it takes to process your application may differ depending on the visa subclass that you have applied for.
If all your documents are verified and turn out to be correct, you would be given a PR grant or visa grant notification letter with all the conditions regarding your visa.
These conditions will also include the timeline within which you will have to reach Australia for the first time.
Australia now has the facility of electronic visa, so passport stamping is not required.
Your name will be checked in their records and you will be allowed to go through.
We wish you luck in the process of attaining a permanent residence grant and hope that you live the Australian Dream.
Written by: Vatsal Shandilya
National Law Institute University, Bhopal (3rd Year)
