Getting Australian Permanent Residency (PR)
Guide for subclass 491 , subclass 190 and subclass 189 skilled visas by SSA Migration Consultancy
Base Requirements
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Under 45 years of ageYou should be less than 45 years of age to be eligible for the subclass 491, 190 and 189 visas. Please note that you may still be eligible for other types of visas if you are over 45 years of age.
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Competent EnglishCompetent English means a score of at least 6 for each of the 4 components for IELTS, or a score of at least 50 for each of the 4 components of PTE.Read more here →
You do not need a English test if you are a citizen of and hold a valid passport issued by the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand or the Republic of Ireland, with your application. -
Occupation on Skilled Occupation List (SOL)You need to ensure that your nominated occupation is listed on the SOL.Check if your occupation is on SOL →
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Minimum 65 PointsSubclass 491, 190 and 189 visas are points based. The minimum requirement to apply is 65 points. If you choose subclass 190 or 491 - you automatically get 5 extra points for state nomination under subclass 190 and 15 extra points for state nomination under subclass 491.Use points calculator to check your points →
Please note that these visas are competitive, so having a higher points score can improve your chances of securing a visa.
Steps for candidates meeting base requirements
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1English Language TestingCompetent English (as mentioned in base requirements above) is the minimum requirement to be eligible for subclass 491, 190 and 189 visas. However, these visas are points based. You get 0 points added to your total points score for Competent English. With a higher score in the English Language Test (PTE or IELTS), you can get 10 extra points for a Proficient result and 20 extra points for a Superior result.Know more about Proficient and Superior English →
Moreover, you may also need a specific score in either PTE or IELTS to meet the requirements of the Skill Assessment Authority for your occupation (next step). -
2Get a Skill AssessmentThe most important step in your skilled visa application is getting a skill assessment for your chosen occupation and any relevant work experience.Find out your skill assessment body →
The skill assessment authority and its requirements will depend on your nominated occupation and its best to understand the latest requirements as listed on the skill assessment authority's website. -
3Find out which visa you can apply forAssuming you have your English test results ready and your skill assessment has been approved, you can move on the next step - working out which visa (491, 190 or 189) you can/should apply for.Check recent grants for your occupation and visa subclass →
🚨 Not all occupations are eligible for subclass 491, 190 and 189 visas. There are 2 key criteria:- Check whether your occupation is eligible for a particular visa. You can check the table here to work out which visa options are available to you.
- Check whether you have enough points to be competitive for the visa subclass you have chosen for your nominated occupation. You can check our database for recent visa grants for your chosen occupation and visa subclass, and work out if you have enough points to be able to submit a competitive application.
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4Get your documents readyAssuming you meet the requirements of your chosen visa subclass, the next step is to get your documentation ready to start the visa process.
The nature and scope of required documentation varies based on your chosen occupation, visa subclass and specifics related to your case. Key documentation includes:- English Test Results
- Skill Assessment Approval
- Proof of Educational Attainment
- Proof of Work Experience (if applicable)
- Proof of Identification and Residence
- Proof of Relationship (if applicable)
- National and International Police Checks
- Medical Clearance
- Other documents (depends on specifics of case)
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5Expression of Interest (EOI)Once your documentation is ready, your next step is to submit an EOI in the SkillSelect system.Know more about invitation rounds →
Skillselect ranks each EOI based on multiple criteria (total points, priority or non-priority occupation, offshore or onshore etc.), and regularly sends out Invitation to Apply (ITA) visa to successful candidates. If you receive an ITA, it means your EOI has been selected and you can proceed to lodge your visa. For subclass 491 and 190 applicants, there is an extra step as described next. -
6Apply for State Nomination (Subclass 190 and 491 only)If you are planning to apply for subclass 491 or subclass 190 visa, you will need to be sponsored by an Australian state (or an eligible relative living in a designated regional area for subclass 491). The process and requirements for each state can be complex and change frequently. States also maintain their own occupation lists, so even if your occupation is listed on the SOL, it may or may not be listed on the state's SOL.As an example, read about the Western Australia State Nomination Program →
You need to have a valid EOI in the SkillSelect system before applying for state nomination. If your state nomination application is successful, the sponsoring state will nominate you in SkillSelect and you will automatically receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) -
7Lodge your visaOnce you have received an Invitation to Apply (ITA), you can proceed to lodge your visa. Once visa is lodged, the time it takes for a visa grant varies based on chosen occupation, subclass, applicant location (offshore/onshore) and some other factors.Check Processing Times →
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