Perth isn’t just a popular destination for tourists but also immigrants. With many job opportunities and beautiful landscapes, Perth is quickly becoming one of the top places for many to settle down. 

But to be able to stay in Perth indefinitely, you’ll need either Australian citizenship or an Australian permanent residency visa. 

For those thinking of getting permanent residency, here’s a comprehensive guide to help you secure one!

Is PR easy in Perth?

Getting PR in Perth isn’t necessarily easy. That said, it is relatively easier to get a PR visa in Australia if you compare it with other countries. 

Why is getting PR in Perth and the rest of Australia easier than in other countries?

Australia’s immigration intake for 2022 to 2023 has been increased to 195,000 places by the Albanese administration, which helped make getting a PR in Australia easier than before.

This is a significant increase from the pre-Covid permanent migration figure of 160,000 set by the previous Morrison Government.

Australia lost around 600,000 temporary visa holders during the COVID-19 pandemic. The increase in migration intake is the government’s efforts to avoid the same skills shortage and decrease the country’s reliance on temporary workers. 

Benefits of Permanent Residency in Perth

You have the right to live, work, and travel anywhere in Australia indefinitely

Once you’re a PR holder in Australia, you can live anywhere in the country, even if you applied in Perth. With this, of course, comes the ability to look for jobs in any of the provinces in Australia.

Just make sure not to live outside of the country for over 6 months straight.

You can apply for Australian citizenship if eligible

PR will also help you get Australian citizenship, which comes with more benefits, like the right to vote, carry an Australian passport, and access certain government services reserved for citizens.

You can study in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) 

Students who are permanent residents in Perth are eligible for a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP). The CSP is a place where the government subsidises your course fees, and you only have to pay a Student Contribution Amount.

The CSP can cover up to 7 years of full-time or equivalent study.

You have access to Medicare

Once you become a permanent resident, you are eligible to enrol in Medicare, Australia’s national healthcare program. This will grant you access to a variety of health services at no cost or a reduced rate.

You can sponsor PR for eligible relatives

If you want to bring your parents or any eligible relative to Australia, you can sponsor them if you’re a permanent resident. There are a range of Visas that you can use to bring them here, including Subclass 600, Subclass 491, and Parent Visa.

You’re eligible to apply for bank loans to buy property

Another benefit to gain from being a permanent resident in Australia is being eligible for the First Home Owners Grant scheme if you’re buying a new house. You won’t need to suffer from the Foreign Investment Review Board restrictions like temporary residents.

You can attend free English language classes 

The Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) offers free English language classes to permanent residents who want to improve their English skills. Those with children under school age will also be provided with free childcare while attending classes.

You can travel to New Zealand and apply for a visa there

Australian permanent residents can live, travel, and work in New Zealand. They can also buy a house in the said country while working there.

Additionally, Australian permanent residents are exempt from paying the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) when travelling to New Zealand.

Limitations of Permanent Residency in Perth

You can’t have an Australian passport

Australian passports are only issued to Australian citizens. That’s why, even if you become a permanent resident in Perth, you’ll still only be able to use your passport issued by the country where you’re a citizen.

You are not allowed to vote in Australian Government elections 

Only Australian citizens can vote during government elections in the country. You can only vote as a permanent resident if you enrolled to vote (as a British subject) before 26 January 1984.

You can’t access HECS-HELP loans

Permanent residents are generally not eligible to access HECS-HELP, a loan you can use to pay your student contribution amount. The only way for a permanent resident to access HECS-HELP is if they are a New Zealand citizen.

Typically, only Australian citizens, permanent humanitarian visa holders, and Pacific engagement visa holders can get HECS-HELP loans.

You can’t join the Australian Defence Force

Permanent residency grants you the chance to work anywhere in Australia, in any industry, except for one: the Australian Defence Force. 

Only permanent residents who can prove they applied for citizenship or are unable to apply for citizenship can join the Australian Defence Force. However, even for those residents, their chances of acceptance are meagre.

You can’t return to Australia from overseas without a valid travel facility

Your permanent visa only grants you an indefinite stay in Australia, not an automatic right of entry to Australia. This means you can’t re-enter the country from overseas if you don’t have a valid travel facility.

You typically have a valid travel facility issued on your first permanent visa, which allows for multiple entries and exits from the country for the first 5 years. After that, you’ll need to be granted either a Resident Return visa or Australian citizenship.

What are the pathways to becoming a permanent resident of Perth?

Three common ways of becoming a permanent resident of Perth are gaining a family-stream permanent visa, a work-stream permanent visa, or a business or investor-stream permanent visa.

Family-Stream Permanent Residence Visas

The family-stream permanent residence visas are for family members of Australian citizens, permanent residents of Australia or Eligible New Zealand citizens seeking permanent residence in Perth or Australia.

Children adopted or being adopted outside of the country and carers needed for long-term care can also qualify for these visas.

Several visa options are available for those taking this pathway, each with its own set of criteria. In most cases, financial eligibility will also be considered for the relatives of the applicant applying for permanent residency.

Work-Stream Permanent Residence Visas

Work-stream permanent residence visas are for those with sought-after skills. They can be sponsored by an Australian employer or have high qualifications for in-demand jobs in Australia. 

Here are the general criteria you have to meet to be eligible for a work-stream permanent residence visa:

• You should not be older than 45 years old.
• You should be nominated by an Australian territory or state
• You should pass a skill assessment by the relevant authority
• You should have a good command of the English language.
• Your occupation is included on the Skilled Occupation Lists.
• You must have good physical health and character status.

Business or Investment-Stream Permanent Residence Visas

If you’re interested in conducting business in Australia, you might be eligible for a business or investment-based permanent residence visa.

However, you would typically need to hold a provisional visa subclass 188 valid for at least a year to qualify for this. You most likely will also need to meet specific financial requirements.

Eligibility Criteria for Permanent Residency in Perth

To be eligible for Australian permanent residency, you need to score at least 65 points under the Point’s Grid System. 

If you’re not sure if you met the score requirement, you can use the points calculator provided by the Department of Home Affairs on their website. 

Requirements for Permanent Residency in Perth

These are generally the documents you’ll need to prepare to apply for PR in Perth:

• English language proficiency result certificate
• Educational certificates
• Referral letter from employer
• An employment confirmation or offer letter
• Bank statements for the past three months
• Income tax statements for the past three months
• Salary slip
• Passport that will remain valid for at least six months
• Proof of available funds
• Medical and police certificate (if requested by the Department of Home Affairs)

Do I need a lawyer for a permanent residency application in Perth?

You don’t really need a lawyer to apply for PR in Perth, but having one will help you. The application process involves multiple steps and documents that can be overwhelming for some, so having a lawyer can help streamline the process.

Your lawyer will need to fill out Form 956 and submit it on your behalf. You can also appoint them as your authorised recipient for any written communication connected to your application on this form.

If you’re not sure where to hire a lawyer for your application, check the Law Council of Australia’s website. Alternatively, you can also just hire a registered migration agent instead of a lawyer.

How to Apply for Permanent Residency in Perth

Step 1: Choose the right pathway for you

As we mentioned earlier, there are various pathways to applying for permanent residence in Australia. First, choose which pathway (family stream, work stream, or business or investment stream) is best for you.

The whole application process will depend on the pathway and visa you choose.

Step 2: Check if you meet the eligibility requirements

After choosing your preferred visa, you have to check if you’re eligible for an Australian PR. This can include minimum points in the point grid system, occupation, age, family relationship, and more.

We already provided the general eligibility criteria for work-stream visas in this article, so you can just check that if you’re applying through them. If not, you can check the immigration website for the eligibility criteria for your visa.

Step 3: Take an English proficiency test

To prove your English proficiency, you have to take IELTS, PTE, or any other English ability tests accepted by the Australian immigration authorities and obtain a minimum score.

To see if you met the required score, just check on this link.

Step 4: Get a skill assessment if applicable

If you’re applying for a PR through a work-stream visa, you’ll need to get a skill assessment from the Skills Assessment Authority. The assessment will be based on your qualifications and work experience.

Step 4: Submit an Expression of Interest if applicable

For those applying for Skilled Independent Visa Subclass 189, Skilled Nominated Visa 190, and Skilled Regional Subclass 491, you will need to submit an Expression of Interest through the SkillSelect website. 

The website will ask for your skills, qualifications, and other relevant information.

Step 5: Receive your Invitation to Apply if applicable

After submitting your EOI, wait for your Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Australia PR to arrive.

Step 6: Submit your PR application

Once you receive your invitation, you can submit your PR application to the Department of Home Affairs. Make sure to submit all your documents within 60 days of receiving your invitation.

The typical documents you have to prepare are also provided above, but be sure to check your visa’s specific requirements, as they may require special documents.

Step 7: Receive your PR Visa

After submitting your application, wait for the decision. This can take months, so be a bit patient.

If the department deems you eligible for PR, you’ll finally be able to receive your permanent residency visa and enjoy all of its benefits.

How much does it cost to apply for permanent residency in Perth?

The cost of applying for permanent residency in Perth can range from $2,000 to over $4000, depending on your pathway and specific visa. 

For a more accurate estimate, the Department of Home Affairs has a visa pricing estimator on their website that you can use. 

How long does it take to get PR in Perth?

According to the Department of Home Affairs, the average processing time for permanent residency applications in Perth is around 11 to 12 months. This isn’t absolute, though, as several factors can affect this timeline.

Some factors that may make the processing time for your PR longer include your application profile, completeness of your document submissions, additional inquiries made by the immigration department, and available spots in your visa category.