Do you want it all? A high standard of living with great growth opportunities? If so, then living in Australia must be one of your primary choices. It is a multicultural country that has long been seeking professional immigrants to fill gaps in diverse fields. With a cap of 160,000 permanent residency (PR) visas per year, Australia welcomes skilled workers, their families, and even foreign investors looking to start businesses.
That’s the main reason that, over the past few years, Australia has become the number one choice for international students aiming for permanent residency. With some of the world’s best universities, excellent education infrastructure, and great post-work opportunities, this country is a hotspot for foreign students who are seeking to make Australia their permanent home.
If it’s also your dream, then you need to know about the PR points in Australia for international students. Australia has set a PR point system for those aiming to secure permanent residency here, and to qualify, you’ll need a minimum of 65 points.
Read ahead to learn what factors affect this system and how you can earn the maximum points to qualify for PR in Australia!
What is the Pathway to Get PR in Australia for International Students?
If you’re an international student in Australia, your path to securing PR starts with a post-study work visa or graduate temporary visa. After completing your studies, you’ll need to apply for any of these visas. Then, you’ll need to get employed and gain relevant work experience in any of the high-demand occupation lists in Australia in 2024, including:
- Healthcare
- Information Technology
- Engineering
- Trades and Construction
- Education and Teaching
After living and working in Australia for more than four years, you’ll be eligible to apply for PR through skilled migration. For this, you can either apply for:
- Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent visa)
- Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated visa)
To be qualified for PR through skilled migration, you’ll also need to obtain a skill assessment from the appropriate assessing authority for your specified employment. And for this, you’ll need to attain the maximum score in Australia’s PR point system.
This PR system is designed to ensure a fair and transparent process for obtaining permanent residency for all applicants. Let’s explore this point-based system in more detail!
Before you apply for a PR visa in Australia, you must:
- Have a score of 65 or more for the Australian PR point-based system
- Receive an invitation to apply
- Your job should be included on the Australian Skilled Occupation List: MLTSSL.
- Have a proper skills assessment for your job.
Factors Affecting the PR Points in Australia for International Students
Here are the most important contributing factors that impact the Australian PR points calculator:
1. Age
One of the major factors that greatly impact the PR points system in Australia for international students is their age. If you are between 25 to 32 years old, you will be able to earn 30 points. On the flip side, if your age is more than 45 years, you’ll get no points.
| Age (Years) | PR Points |
| 18 – 24 | 25 |
| 25 – 32 | 30 |
| 33 – 39 | 25 |
| 40 – 44 | 15 |
| 45 – 49 | 0 |
2. English Language Ability
Another important aspect of Australia’s PR point calculator is having good scores in English proficiency tests such as IELTS, TOEFL iBT, CAE, OET, or PTE. Your proficiency level in English will be classified as superior, proficient, or competent, and points are allocated accordingly. No points are awarded for skill levels below proficient.
Note: Individuals who belong to English-speaking countries or those with a tertiary degree from a university where English is the primary language are not required to undertake any of the English proficiency tests.
| Language Skills | PR Points |
| Superior (IELTS Band 8) | 20 |
| Proficient (IELTS Band 7) | 10 |
| Competent (IELTS Band 6) | 0 |
3. Skilled Employment Experience
Skilled employment experience also plays an important part in the Australian PR points calculator, with applicants receiving maximum points for having extensive work experience. If a candidate has 8 years of work experience in the last 10 years during his stay in Australia, he will be qualified to attain 15 points. Also, keep in mind that if you have fewer years of experience, you will get low points.
| No. of Years of Experience | PR Points |
| 8+ years | 15 |
| 5 to 7 years | 10 |
| 3 to 4 years | 5 |
4. Education
Your educational qualifications are also a major contributor to the PR points Australia offers international students. If you have an Australian educational background, you’ll have an advantage and will earn bonus points. In simple terms, the higher your qualification level is, the higher your points will be.
| Educational Qualifications | PR Points |
|---|---|
| Doctorate Degree | 20 |
| Master’s or Bachelor’s Degree | 15 |
| Australian Diploma or trade qualification | 10 |
| Skills Assessment Certificate | 10 |
5. Spouse/Partner Skills and Qualifications
Your spouse can be a valuable asset in your journey to permanent residency in Australia. If your spouse or partner is included on the visa application but is not an Australian resident or citizen, their skills can count towards the points total.
In order to gain additional points, your spouse/partner must meet the Australian General Skilled Migration basic requirements for educational qualifications, age, nominated occupation, and English language proficiency.
| Spouse/Partner Skills and Qualifications | PR Points |
| Spouse/partner meets basic requirements | 5 |
6. Sponsorship/Nomination
Sponsorship can also add points to your PR points calculator in Australia and strengthen your application. If your family member has sponsored you in Australia, it will add your points. In some instances, the state can also sponsor a candidate based on their profession.
| Nomination/Sponsorship | PR Points |
| Nomination by a Family Member | 10 |
| Sponsorship by the State | 5 |
These are also the major factors that greatly impact the status of PR applications in Australia. So make sure that you score maximum points in order to improve your chances of securing permanent residency in this incredibly enchanting country.
How Can StudyWise Help You?
We know that understanding the PR points in Australia for international students can be a bit perplexing. But worry not! StudyWise is here to make things easier for you.
Contact us today, and our proficient student counselors and visa experts will explain the Australian PR point-based system so you can better understand it!
In addition, we can help you get admission to your dream university in your chosen destination around the globe. So, without any further ado, come to us and find all the solutions you need to study abroad.
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Suggested Reads:
- Is Australia Really Going to End Visa Hopping?
- Everything You Need to Know About the ELICOS Course in Australia
FAQs:
How many points do I need to get PR in Australia?
According to the Australian PR points system, at least 65 points are required to be eligible for an Australian PR visa category, including 190 Australia visa, visa subclass 189, or 491 subclass.
How can I increase my possibility of getting PR in Australia?
Here are a few steps that can help you increase your chances of securing PR in Australia:
- Apply for a post-study work visa and stay in Australia after your education.
- Improve your English language skills.
- Consider the age factor.
- Get employed and work in any profession that is listed in the Australian Skilled Occupation
- Complete a Professional Year.
How many years are required to get PR in Australia?
If you want to become a permanent resident of Australia, you must have been lawfully living in Australia for at least 4 years before applying for Australian citizenship.