Whether you are already living in Australia on a student/work visa or still overseas planning your move to Australia, securing Permanent Residency is the key to long-term stability and career growth.
However, obtaining PR is not an automatic and simple process. It requires proper planning that aligns with the right eligibility profile, competitive points score, and a clear understanding of occupations that are in demand in 2026.
So, in this blog, let’s break down the Australia PR eligibility criteria, step-by-step visa process, and the most in-demand jobs that help you in planning your pathway strategically.
But before we discuss the entire process of how to get a PR in Australia, first, let’s understand why Australia is becoming a highly preferred global migration destination.
Why Australia is the Top Choice for PR in 2026?
- Ranked among the 10 happiest countries in the world
- Strong annual migration intake with clear skilled pathways
- Higher political stability and structured settlement programs compared to countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, the United Arab Emirates, and Singapore
- Strong demand for skilled professionals across healthcare, IT, engineering, construction, and trades
- High standard of living with globally ranked healthcare and education systems
Most In-Demand Jobs in Australia 2026
Australia’s skilled migration pathways give preference to those occupations that experience labour shortages locally. Here is a list of some occupations that are currently in high demand and offer a significant annual salary.
- Healthcare: Registered Nurses, Medical Practitioners, Aged Care Professionals
- Information Technology: Software Engineers, Data Scientists, Cybersecurity Specialists
- Engineering: Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Mining Engineers
- Trades: Electricians, Plumbers, Carpenters
- Education: Early Childhood and Secondary Teachers
- Accounting & Finance: Accountants, Auditors, Tax Specialists
Focusing on these occupations can speed up your PR application and maximise points under SkillSelect.
Australia PR Eligibility
To qualify for Australian Permanent Residency under skilled migration, you must meet the following requirements:
- Age: Must be under 45 years at the time of invitation (for most skilled visas).
- English Proficiency: At least competent English demonstrated via IELTS, PTE, OET, or an approved equivalent test.
- Eligible Occupation: Your nominated occupation must appear on the relevant Skilled Occupation List.
- Skills Assessment: A positive assessment from the designated assessing authority is mandatory.
- Points Requirement: Minimum 65 points under the points-tested system (higher scores improve selection chances).
- Health & Character: Medical examination and police clearance certificates required.
- Expression of Interest (EOI): Must be submitted through SkillSelect to receive an Invitation to Apply.
- Nomination/Sponsorship: Required for certain visa subclasses (e.g., state or employer nomination).
- Financial Evidence: Generally, it is not mandatory for Subclass 189 and 190, while certain states may require settlement funds.
Australia PR Points System Explained
The minimum point required for GSM is 65, but applicants are advised to get as many points as possible to make the application competitive. The higher your score, the better your chances of receiving an invitation.
Here is the point breakdown:
| Category | Criteria | Points |
| Age | 25–32 years (highest bracket) | 30 |
| Other age brackets | 0–25 | |
| English Proficiency | Competent English | 0 |
| Proficient English | 10 | |
| Superior English (IELTS 8 equivalent) | 20 | |
| Skilled Employment – Australia | Less than 1 year | 0 |
| 1–2 years | 5 | |
| 3–4 years | 10 | |
| 5–7 years | 15 | |
| 8 or more | 20 | |
| Skilled Employment – Overseas | 3 to 4 years | 5 |
| 5 to 7 years | 10 | |
| 8–10 years (maximum) | 15 | |
| Education Qualification | Doctorate (AU or recognised overseas) | 20 |
| Bachelor’s / Master’s degree | 15 | |
| Diploma / Trade (completed in AU) | 10 | |
| Other recognised qualification | 10 | |
| STEM Research Qualification (AU) | Master’s/Doctorate by research | 10 |
| Regional Study (Australia) | Completed eligible regional study | 5 |
| Community Language Accreditation | NAATI accreditation | 5 |
| Professional Year (Australia) | Completed PY program | 5 |
| State Nomination (Subclass 190) | State sponsorship | 5 |
| Regional/Relative Sponsorship (Subclass 491) | Eligible regional nomination | 15 |
| Partner Factors | Skilled spouse/partner | 10 |
| Spouse with competent English | 5 | |
| Single / Spouse is Australian citizen/PR | 10 |
Available Pathways to Australia PR
| Stream | Visa Subclass | Requirement |
| Skilled Migration | 189 | Points-tested; no sponsorship required |
| 190 | State/territory nomination required | |
| 491 | Regional visa leading to PR (191) | |
| Employer-Sponsored | 186 | Employer nomination required |
| Family & Partner | 820/801, 309/100 | Partner of citizen/PR holder |
| Parent Visas | For eligible parents; longer process |
Calculate your PR points here: https://www.growmore.one/points-calculator/
Step-by-Step Australia PR Visa Process
- Check Eligibility & Points: Ensure your occupation is in demand and calculate your points.
- Skills Assessment: Credentials must be assessed by the relevant authority.
- English Proficiency Test: IELTS, PTE, or any alternative English test’s result is mandatory.
- Submit EOI (Expression of Interest): Done via SkillSelect.
- Receive ITA: Get an invitation to apply if your profile is competitive.
- Submit PR Application: All documentation must be submitted within the deadline.
- Visa Decision & Settlement: Once approved, prepare for relocation.
How Growmore Immigration Strengthens Your PR Strategy
Australia PR is not about submitting documents randomly. It is about strategy, timing, occupation positioning, and points optimisation.
Growmore Immigration provides:
- Detailed eligibility and points assessment
- Occupation and visa subclass strategy planning
- Skills assessment guidance
- EOI optimisation to improve invitation chances
- Complete PR application preparation
- State nomination advisory
- Ongoing support until the visa is granted
So, if your goal is to get a PR in Australia in 2026, then one of the most important steps is a professional evaluation of your profile.
For that, contact Growmore Immigration today or book a consultation now and get a clear, personalised assessment of your eligibility, points position, and the most strategic pathway to secure Australia PR in 2026.
Email: info@growmore.one | WhatsApp: +61 434 202 021 | Phone: +61 3 8764 3334
FAQs
Yes, both onshore and offshore candidates can apply for an Australian PR. Offshore applicants must ensure that their occupation is on the Skilled Occupation List, complete skills assessment and English testing before submitting an EOI.
The most popular and common options for skilled migration visas include Subclass 189 (independent), Subclass 190 (state-nominated), and Subclass 491 (regional). However, the best option depends on your occupation, points score, and state eligibility. To know about your suitable option, you can consult with the best registered migration agent in Australia.
It is not limited to IELTS. You can take any approved English test, such as IELTS, PTE, CELPIP, LANGUAGECERT, MET or any equivalent. Higher English scores can significantly increase your PR points and improve your chances of receiving an invitation.
Processing time for the Australia PR process varies based on which visa subclass you have applied for, the demand for your selected occupation, and documentation accuracy. Delays commonly occur due to incorrect skills assessments or incomplete applications.
The following professions are currently in high demand: healthcare professionals, teachers, accountants, software engineers, civil engineers, electricians, and registered nurses.