Immigration to Australia has a rich history, beginning with the arrival of Indigenous Australians over 50,000 years ago via islands of Maritime Southeast Asia and New Guinea. European settlement started in 1788 with a British penal colony in New South Wales.
For much of the 20th century, the White Australia policy restricted non-European immigration, but post-World War II, the policy relaxed and was abolished in 1973. Since then, Australia has embraced multiculturalism and seen significant immigration from across the world, especially from Asia in the 21st century.
In recent years, Australia’s immigration policies have focused on skilled migration and family reunification. The country is known for being receptive to immigration among western nations and is a signatory to the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. However, its policy of mandatory detention for unauthorized arrivals by boat has been controversial.
The COVID-19 pandemic saw a temporary halt to immigration in 2019–20, leading to a population decrease for the first time since World War I. Nonetheless, the following period of 2021–22 showed a strong recovery in migrant arrivals. Currently, immigration in Australia is experiencing significant growth as more foreign workers are trooping into the country each year..
In the 2022-23 financial year, Australia saw a net annual gain of 518,000 people due to overseas migration, marking the largest net overseas migration estimate since records began.
The majority of this increase was attributed to temporary visa holders, with 554,000 people arriving on such visas. This surge in migration numbers comes after the Australian borders were reopened to most travelers from 21 February 2022, following the lifting of COVID-19 travel restrictions that began in March 2020.
The Australian Government has also released a new Migration Strategy on 11 December 2023, outlining a vision for the country’s migration system. This strategy includes a policy roadmap with 8 key actions and over 25 new policy commitments and areas for future reform.
Australian Permanent Residency
Australian permanent residency refers to the status of a non-citizen who holds a permanent visa, allowing them to live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely. Permanent residents enjoy many rights and privileges, such as access to free or subsidized legal and health services, and education. They can travel in and out of Australia freely for the duration of their visa’s travel facility, usually five years, after which they can apply for a Resident Return Visa to re-enter. Permanent residents can also apply for Australian citizenship after meeting residency requirements.
The difference between Australian permanent residency and citizenship involves various rights and privileges. Permanent residents can live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely. They also have access to Medicare and can sponsor relatives for visas. Additionally, Australian PR holders can travel to and from Australia for 5 years, after which they need to renew their travel facility. However, despite all the wonderful benefits, permanent residents cannot vote, run for election, hold an Australian passport, or access certain government jobs and benefits.
On the other hand, Australian citizens have the right to vote, run for election, and apply for an Australian passport. They can work in federal government jobs and receive consular support when overseas. Citizens are eligible for student loans and government benefits like Jobkeeper and Jobseeker. They can stay overseas indefinitely without affecting their status. Children born to citizens are automatically eligible for Australian citizenship.
In summary, citizenship grants full rights of participation in the nation’s civic life, including voting and holding a passport, while permanent residency allows one to live and work in the country with some limitations.
How to Apply for Australian PR
To apply for Australian permanent residency (PR), you should follow these general steps:
- Assess Eligibility: Determine which visa category suits your situation (e.g., family, work, business, retirement, etc.) and ensure you meet the eligibility criteria.
- Gather Documents: Collect necessary documents, such as identity proofs, work experience certificates, educational qualifications, language proficiency tests, and any other documents relevant to your visa category.
- Visa Application: Create an account on the official Immigration and citizenship website and submit your visa application online. You’ll need to fill out the relevant forms and attach the required documents.
- Pay Fees: Pay the application fee, which varies depending on the visa type and other factors.
- Wait for Decision: After submitting your application, you will have to wait for it to be processed. The processing time can vary greatly depending on the visa type and individual circumstances.
- Visa Outcome: If your application is successful, you will receive your visa and can start planning your move to Australia. If unsuccessful, you will be informed of the reason and may have the option to appeal the decision or apply for a different visa.
It’s important to note that the specific requirements and process can vary depending on the visa type and individual circumstances.
Australian Permanent Residency Visa Pathways
There are several pathways to Australian permanent residency, each catering to different needs and circumstances. Here’s a brief overview:
1- Family-Stream Permanent Visa
The Family-Stream Permanent Visa in Australia is designed for individuals who have family members that are Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens. It’s for partners, children, parents, or dependent relatives of eligible sponsors and also includes visas for children being adopted outside Australia and carers who need to move to Australia to provide long-term care for an approved relative.
The application process involves checking eligibility, gathering necessary documents, and applying through the official Immigration and citizenship website. Some applications can be lodged online, while others must be submitted using paper forms. For your application to be successful you must ensure all information provided is correct to avoid delays. Keep your contact details updated and complete any requests for biometric data promptly.
2- Work-Stream Permanent Visa
The Work-Stream Permanent Visa in Australia is designed for workers who are sponsored by an Australian employer or have skills that are valued in Australia. Here are some key visa categories within this stream:
- Regional Visas: skilled migrants to live and work in regional Australia, like the Regional Sponsor Migration Scheme (subclass 187) and the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa (subclass 191).
- Skilled Migration Visas: For skilled workers to live and work anywhere in Australia, including the Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186), Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189), Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190), and Skilled Regional visa (subclass 887).
- Business Investment Visas: For entrepreneurs, investors, and business owners to continue activity in Australia, like the Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa (subclass 888) and the Business Talent (Permanent) visa (subclass 132).
- Global Talent Visas: For individuals with an internationally recognized record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in an eligible field, such as the Global Talent visa (subclass 858).
3- Business or Investor-Stream Permanent Visa
The Business or Investor-Stream Permanent Visa in Australia is designed for entrepreneurs and business owners who wish to continue their business activities in Australia. The main visa in this category is the Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa – subclass 888. This visa is for individuals who already hold a provisional Business Innovation and Investment visa (subclass 188) and have met the requirements of that visa, including maintaining investment or business activity in Australia.
The subclass 888 visa includes several streams such as the Business Innovation stream, Entrepreneur stream, Investor stream, and Significant Investor stream. Each stream has specific requirements related to business turnover, investment amounts, and residency periods.
To be eligible, applicants must submit their interest through the Department of Home Affairs and, if nominated by a state or territory government, can then apply for the visa. It involves providing evidence of business and investment activity, meeting health and character requirements, and paying the applicable visa application charges.
Successful applicants can manage their business and investments in Australia, sponsor eligible relatives for permanent residence, and apply for Australian citizenship if they meet the residency requirements.
4- Retirement Visa Pathway
The Retirement Visa Pathway in Australia provides options for long-term residents who have contributed to the community and are well established. This pathway was introduced on 17 November 2018 and is available to those who held a Retirement visa (subclass 410) or Investment Retirement (subclass 405) visa on 8 May 2018.
To qualify for this visa, applicants must have held a Retirement visa (subclass 410) or Investment Retirement (subclass 405) visa on 8 May 2018, not have held any substantive visa apart from these between 8 May 2018 and the day you apply, and be in Australia when you apply.
Eligible retirees can apply for a Parent visa (subclass 103) or Contributory Parent visa (subclass 143). While most requirements for a parent visa must be met, the sponsorship, balance of family test, or Assurance of Support requirements are waived. Applicants must also maintain adequate health insurance while waiting for a decision and are not eligible for Medicare. Your visa status remains temporary until the decision is made, which may impact tax, property purchase eligibility, and access to social services.
Conclusion
In conclusion, obtaining Australian permanent residency (PR) is a significant step that offers numerous benefits, such as access to a prosperous job market, high standard of living, and the ability to live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely.
While the process can be complex and requires meeting specific criteria, the rewards of becoming a permanent resident are considerable, including the pathway it provides to Australian citizenship. It’s an uphill task but a worthwhile effort if you plan to stay in Australia for the long term.
Always ensure to stay updated with the latest information and seek professional advice if necessary.
