Australia PR Requirements 2026: Complete Eligibility Guide for Indian Applicants
Thinking about settling in Australia permanently? Before you start your paperwork, you need to know exactly what the Australian government expects from skilled migrants. This guide breaks down the Australia PR requirements in plain language, using the latest rules from the Department of Home Affairs, so you can check your eligibility in minutes.
- Be under 45 years old at the time of invitation.
- Score at least Competent English (IELTS 6 each band or equivalent).
- Your job must appear on Australia's skilled occupation list (MLTSSL, STSOL, or ROL).
- Get a positive skills assessment from the authority for your occupation.
- Score a minimum of 65 points on the points test (real invitations usually need 80–95+).
- Pass health and character checks.
- Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect and wait for an invitation.
- Apply under Subclass 189, 190, or 491 depending on your profile.
- The government has confirmed changes to the points test in the 2026–27 Budget, though the exact new rules are not yet finalised — so it's smart to apply while the current system is still active.
What Is Australia Permanent Residency (PR)?
Australia Permanent Residency lets a non-citizen live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely. Once you hold a PR visa, you can:
- Access Medicare, Australia's public healthcare system
- Work for any employer or run your own business
- Sponsor eligible family members for their own visas
- Apply for Australian citizenship after meeting the residency period
- Enrol in government-subsidised education and services
PR holders can also travel in and out of Australia freely during the visa's travel facility period, which is usually five years from grant.
Australia PR Eligibility Criteria for Indian Applicants
Most Indian applicants apply through the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program, which is assessed by the Department of Home Affairs against the following criteria.
1. Age Requirement
You must be under 45 years of age at the time you receive your invitation to apply. Applicants aged 25–32 receive the maximum age points, so this age band is generally the most competitive for skilled migration.
2. English Language Proficiency
You need to demonstrate your English ability through an approved test such as IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, or the Occupational English Test. At minimum, you need "Competent English" — a score of 6.0 in each IELTS band or its equivalent. Higher results (Proficient or Superior English) earn extra points on the points test.
3. Occupation on the Skilled Occupation List
Your nominated job must appear on one of Australia's official skilled occupation lists:
- MLTSSL (Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List) — required for Subclass 189, and also accepted for 190 and 491
- STSOL (Short-term Skilled Occupation List) — eligible for Subclass 190 and 491 only
- ROL (Regional Occupation List) — eligible for Subclass 491 only
In-demand occupations include software engineers, accountants, civil engineers, registered nurses, electricians, teachers, and chefs, among many others. Occupation lists are reviewed periodically, so always confirm your ANZSCO code and current list placement before applying. For example, our guides on IT professionals in demand in Australia and teachers migrating to Australia cover occupation-specific pathways in more detail.
4. Skills Assessment
You must get your qualifications and work experience verified by the assessing authority relevant to your occupation. Common assessing bodies include:
- Engineers Australia — for engineering occupations
- ACS (Australian Computer Society) — for IT professionals
- VETASSESS — for a wide range of general and managerial occupations
- ANMAC — for nurses and midwives
- TRA (Trades Recognition Australia) — for trade occupations like bakers and chefs
5. Points Test — Minimum 65 Points
You must score at least 65 points to be eligible to submit an EOI, though invitations in practice usually go to applicants scoring much higher. Points are awarded across these factors:
| Factor | Maximum Points |
|---|---|
| Age (25–32 years scores highest) | 30 |
| English language ability | 20 |
| Skilled employment experience | 20 |
| Educational qualifications | 20 |
| Australian study requirement | 5 |
| Specialist education qualification | 10 |
| Partner skills / single applicant | 10 |
| State/territory nomination (Subclass 190) | 5 |
| Regional nomination or sponsorship (Subclass 491) | 15 |
| Professional Year in Australia | 5 |
| Credentialled community language | 5 |
Recent SkillSelect invitation rounds show that Subclass 189 typically requires 85–95+ points for competitive occupations like accounting and IT, while Subclass 190 and 491 applicants are often invited between 65 and 85 points, since state or regional nomination adds valuable extra points.Use Australia PR Point calculator.
6. Health and Character Requirements
Every applicant must:
- Undergo a medical examination with an approved panel doctor
- Provide police clearance certificates from every country lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years
- Meet the character requirements set out under Australian migration law
Visa Subclasses Under the Skilled Migration Program
Once you meet the eligibility criteria, you'll apply under one of three points-tested visa subclasses:
- Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent visa) — No sponsor or nomination needed. Requires your occupation to be on the MLTSSL. Grants PR with no location restriction.
- Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated visa) — Requires nomination by an Australian state or territory. Adds 5 points and may require you to live in the nominating state for a set period.
- Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional visa — Requires state/territory nomination or sponsorship by an eligible relative in a regional area. Adds 15 points; this is a provisional visa with a pathway to PR (Subclass 191) after meeting income and residence conditions.
How to Submit Your Expression of Interest (EOI)
Eligible applicants must lodge an EOI through SkillSelect, the Australian government's online skilled migration portal. Your EOI should include:
- Personal and contact details
- Education and qualification history
- Work experience details
- English test results
- Skills assessment outcome
SkillSelect ranks all EOIs by points score. If you score high enough in an invitation round for your occupation, you'll receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) and generally have 60 days to lodge your full visa application.
Step-by-Step Australia PR Application Process
- Confirm your occupation is on a current skilled occupation list
- Take an approved English language test
- Get your qualifications and experience assessed by the relevant authority
- Calculate your points and submit your EOI via SkillSelect
- Wait for an Invitation to Apply
- Lodge your visa application with supporting documents
- Complete health examinations and police clearance checks
- Receive your visa grant and plan your move to Australia
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum points required for Australia PR?
You need at least 65 points to submit an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect. However, most successful applicants under Subclass 189 score 80 points or higher due to competition.
Is 65 points enough to get PR in Australia?
65 points is the legal minimum to lodge an EOI, but it rarely results in an invitation for popular occupations under Subclass 189. Pairing your profile with a state nomination (Subclass 190) or regional nomination (Subclass 491) can make a 65-70 point score competitive.
What is the age limit for Australia PR?
You must be under 45 years old at the time of invitation for points-tested skilled visas. The 25–32 age bracket earns the maximum age points.
Which English test is best for Australia PR?
IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, and the Occupational English Test are all accepted. PTE Academic is popular among Indian applicants for its faster results and computer-based format.
Are the Australia PR points test rules changing in 2026?
The government has confirmed in the 2026–27 Federal Budget that it plans to update the points test to prioritise younger, more skilled applicants, but the detailed changes have not been legislated yet. Applicants are advised to apply under the current system while it remains in effect.
Can I apply for Australia PR without a job offer?
Yes. Subclass 189 does not require a job offer, employer sponsorship, or state nomination — only a qualifying occupation, points score, and skills assessment.
Understanding the Australia PR requirements is the first step toward a smooth migration journey. Age, English proficiency, a listed occupation, and a strong points score are the pillars of eligibility — whether you're an IT Professional, engineer, teacher , nurse, or skilled tradesperson. Related reading: Australia PR for management consultants and Australia PR for midwives.
Start early, get your documents in order, and work with a registered Australia immigration consultant in Delhi to avoid costly mistakes in your application.
