Australia is one of the preferred choices by immigrants and citizens in Canada who are willing to migrate abroad. Along with other reasons mentioned, Canadians often prefer to migrate and settle in Australia because of the warm climate and relaxed lifestyle that Australia offers. The Australia PR visa allows you to live, work, and stay in Australia for an indefinite time and offers a world of benefits. The Australian PR Visa is also one of the easiest pathways to get Australian citizenship upon eligibility.
Australia offers various visa options to get permanent residence in Australia. Immigrants and citizens in Canada can apply for any of the following visas to be eligible for Australia PR from Canada.
Here are the popular visa options to apply for Australia PR from Canada:
The Australian PR Process generally has three stages detailed in the list below:
A Skills Assessment is an essential step for Australian PR applicants. It verifies the applicant's qualifications and matches them with Australian standards to understand the candidate's eligibility. A positive skills assessment is a key requirement for candidates seeking Australia PR via the work visa pathway. All applicants for Australian work visas and PR must submit their documents per the checklist to the government assessing body.
Once you have completed the document submission stage, the Australia Department of Home Affairs (DHA) will conduct thorough research to verify your profile with the data you provided. After the verification is successful, you will receive a visa grant from the relevant authorities. In case the department needs any additional documents, you might need to submit them within the mentioned timeframe.
Upon receiving approval for Australia PR, you must move to Australia within the entry date mentioned on the visa grant letter. Depending on the specific visa pathway chosen for Australia PR, you will obtain permanent residence within 3-5 years of legal stay as a temporary resident.
Australia follows a points-based system to determine the eligibility of candidates. The points-based system allots scores based on certain categories including age, language proficiency, work experience within and outside Australia, niche skills, state sponsorship, spousal factors and family in Australia. The minimum score required to apply for Australia PR is 65 points under the Australia PR points calculator.
The table below provides details about the maximum points you can score under each factor of the Australia PR points calculator:
Category |
Maximum Points |
Age (25-32 years) |
30 points |
English proficiency (8 bands) |
20 points |
Work Experience outside Australia (8-10 years) |
15 points |
Work Experience in Australia (8-10 years) |
20 points |
Education (outside Australia) – Doctorate degree |
20 points |
Niche skills such as Doctorate or master’s degree by research in Australia |
10 points |
Study in a regional area |
5 points |
Accredited in community language |
5 points |
Professional year in a skilled program in Australia |
5 points |
State sponsorship (190 visas) |
5 points |
Skilled spouse or de facto partner (Age, Skills & English language requirements to be met) |
10 points |
Spouse or de facto partner with ‘competent English’ (No need to meet Skills requirement or age factor) |
5 points |
Applicants without a spouse or de facto partner or where a spouse is an Australian citizen or PR holder |
10 points |
Relative or regional sponsorship (491 visa) |
15 points |
Age: Candidates aged between 25-32 years can score the highest under this factor. The maximum age limit to apply for Australia PR is 45 years.
Language Proficiency: Australia PR visa applicants with an IELTS score of 8 bands or equivalent can get the maximum points under this factor. The commonly accepted English language proficiency tests include PTE, TOEFL iBT, OET, and Cambridge C1 Advanced.
Educational Qualifications: Candidates with higher academic qualifications, like a doctorate or post-doctorate degree, can score the maximum in this section. International students who have completed their higher studies in Australia are eligible to get additional points.
Professional work experience: The points-based system for Australia PR allots points for candidates having professional work experience acquired both inside and outside Australia. The number of years of professional expertise determines the score for each candidate under this factor. Candidates having skilled employment in Australia with 8 to 10 years of experience can get additional points under this factor.
Niche skills or job role under Skilled Occupations List (SOL): Candidates having their job roles listed under the Skilled Occupation List or having niche skills in job roles which are in demand are eligible to get additional points under the Australia PR Points Calculator.
Spousal points: If you are applying with your spouse or de facto partner who meets the requirements for Australia PR, you can get additional points under the Skill Select Expression of Interest.
Family members already living in Australia: Candidates with family members already living in Australia as PRs can also get additional points under the Skill Select Expression of Interest.
The table below demonstrates other factors which fetch you extra points under the PR Points Calculator:
Factors |
Maximum Points |
Study in a regional area |
5 points |
Accredited in community language |
5 points |
Professional year in a skilled program in Australia |
5 points |
State sponsorship (190 visas) |
5 points |
Relative or regional sponsorship (491 visa) |
15 Points |
You would be eligible to apply for Australia PR if you:
The following are the documents required to apply for an Australia PR visa:
The steps to apply for Australia PR from Canada are listed below:
Step 1: Check your eligibility for Australia
Step 2: Prepare for the Skills Assessment test
Step 3: Take language proficiency tests
Step 4: Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)
Step 5: Wait for an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
Step 6: Receive your PR visa
Note: Once you receive your PR visa, you must apply for a PR Card for travel and other purposes.
In Australia, acquiring a PR card is a separate process after receiving your PR visa. This card confirms your permanent residency status and is needed for travel and other purposes.
You can apply for an Australia PR card online or by mailing a request to the Australian Department of Home Affairs. The PR card has to be renewed in every 5 years from the date of grant to maintain your status as a permanent resident in Australia.
The processing cost of an Australia PR visa application is around AUD 4770. This includes additional cost for dependents and it is non-refundable.
The processing time for an Australia PR visa usually ranges between 6.5 to 8 months. However, each stage in the Australian PR process has a different timeframe. The table below provides details about the same:
Stages of Australia PR Visa Process |
Processing Time |
Skill Assessment |
45-90 days |
Visa Approval |
3-12 months |
Preparation for Departure |
2-3 weeks |
The following are the factors affecting the Australia PR processing time:
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