Australia is one among the top destination for migrants from all over the world. The country offers a strong appeal for skilled professionals and families, with its high standard of living, excellent education system, world-class healthcare and stable economy. Also, permanent residency in Australia is a stepping stone towards citizenship and long-term security.
In 2025, it was much important to understand the latest PR Criteria for Australia. The Australian government has recently updated the immigration policies. These policy changes places great emphasis on regional migration, critical skill shortages and English language proficiency. Aspiring migrants should stay informed about these evolving requirements as it will be the key for an application to be successful.
Visa agents at Croyez Immigration are committed to guiding applicants through each step of the Australia PR application process. This blog offers a detailed and comprehensive overview of the current Australia PR criteria and the various visa pathways to explore in 2025.
Overview of Australia PR and Key Visa Options
Australian Permanent Residency grants individuals the opportunity to live, work and study in Australia indefinitely. PR holders mostly enjoy almost all the rights, benefits and privileges of citizens. This includes access to education, healthcare and social security benefits. Once the PR holders fulfill certain requirements, they become eligible to apply for citizenship. Some of the pathways to get PR are given below.
Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)
This skilled independent visa is for skilled workers. These workers do not require any nomination by a state, territory or an employer.
Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)
Under this visa, skilled workers should be nominated by a state or territory government.
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491)
The skilled work regional vis targets skilled workers who are willing to live and work in designated regional areas.
Some of the other PR options include Employer-sponsored visas such as the Employer Nomination Scheme and family or business-related visas. The visa option depends on the circumstances of each individual.
General PR Eligibility Criteria
To qualify under the skilled migration program in 2025 for an Australian PR, applicants should meet several requirements. Some of the basic criterias are listed below.
Age
The applicant should be under the age of 45 at the time of receiving an ITA for the visa.
Occupation
An occupation that is nominated by the applicant should appear on the Skilled Occupation List of Australia. This list will be regularly updatedto match the labour market demands.
Skills Assessment
The applicant should obtain a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for the occupation. Some of these occupation include Engineers Australia, ACS for IT professionals.
English Language Proficiency
A minimum proficiency in English is required. This should be demonstrated by an IELTS score of 6.0 in each band or equivalent. Some occupations are now demanding higer scores due to the 2025 updates.
Health and Character Requirements
All the applicants should undergo a medical examination. They should also provide a police clearance certificates to prove they meet all the health and character standards of Australia.
The Points-Based System for Skilled Migration
Australia uses a point-based system which will help in assessing applicants for most skilled visas. This includes Subclass 189, 190 and 491. A minimum of 65 points is required to be eligible to receive an ITA. Here is a simple breakdown of how points are awarded.
Age (Up to 30 points)
- Age 25-32 : 30 points
- Age 33-39 : 25 points
- Age 40-44 : 15 points
English Proficiency (Up to 20 points)
- 10 points is awarded for proficient English with IELTS 7
- 20 points is awarded for Superior English with IELTS 8
Work Experience (Up to 20 points)
- For skilled work experience in Australia or overseas, upto 20points is awarded. Applicants with experience 8-10 years will score the highest.
Educational Qualifications (Up to 20 points)
- For PhD, up to 20 points is awarded
- For a bachelor degree, upto 15 points is awarded.
- For diploma and trade qualifications, 10 points is awarded.
Other Factors
- For community language skills, 5 points are awarded.
- For Australian study requirement, 5 points are awarded.
- For partner skills, 5 points are awarded.
- 10-15 bonus points is awarded for state or regional nominations.
As of the update in 2025, applicants who complete a professional year program or choose regional study options are awarded additional bonus points. This can be decisivein receiving an invitation.
Specific Criteria for Popular PR Visas
Here is a closer look at the criteria for each of the important PR visa subclasses.
Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)
- A nomination or sponsorship is not required.
- The applicant should submit an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect and be invite to apply based on the points secured.
- This visa class is highly competitive. This requires more than 80 points to receive an invitation in fields that are in high demand.
Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)
- This visa class requires a nomination by a state or territory government
- Also this adds additional points to the total score.
- Each state has its own list of occupations that are in high-demand and nomination criteria.
- Applicants should commit to living and working in the nominating state for at least 2years.
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491)
- This requires a sponsorship by a regional area or eligible relative living in regional Australia.
- Adds 15points to your application.
- Applicants must live, work and study in the designated regional area for at least 3years.
- Once all the conditions are fulfilled, applicants can apply for the subclass 191 which grants them PR.
Additional Requirements and Documentation
Expression of Interest (EOI)
Submitting a complete and accurate EOI through SkillSelect is important. The EOI of the applicant should reflect the actual skills, experience and qualifications.
Supporting Documentation
The following documents should be prepared for the application.
- Passport and identity documents.
- Academic certificates and transcripts
- Work experience letters
- English test results such as IELTS
- Health insurance and medical reports
- Police clearance certificates from all countries lived in for 12+ months.
Visa Costs (As of 2025)
- The cost for primary applicant is AUD 4,770.
- For Spouse or partner, it is AUD 2,400
- For children, it is AUD 1,200-2,000 depending on age and number of children.
Processing Times
On an average, PR visas takes 6 to 12 months to process. Delays can occur due to the incomplete documentation or high application volume.
Recent Changes to PR Criteria in 2025
The Australian government has introduced several important updates to the PR process in 2025.
Updated Skilled Occupation List (SOL)
This reflects new demands in sectors like the construction, healthcare, engineering and IT.
Increased Focus on Regional Migration
Applicants of subclass 491 will now receive greater priority and support. This will include relocation incentives and extra points.
Stricter English Requirements
Legal professionals, education and healthcare providers should now meet higher English standards. This will be IELTS 7 or 8 depending on the role.
Tips to Meet PR Criteria
Aim for Higher English Scores
An IELTS score of 7.0 or above can significantly increase your chances as this will boost the points.
Gain Relevant Work Experience
Applicants should ensure the job duties align with those listed under the nominated occupations ANZSCO code.
Consider State or Regional Nomination
These state and regional nominations add valuable points and increase the possibilities of receiving an invitation, especially in competitive occupations.
Prepare Complete Documentation
One of the common reason for the application refusal or delay are incomplete or inaccurate documents. Double-check everything before submitting.
Seek Professional Guidance
Get professional guidance from a certified migration expert to assess your profile and provide customized recommendations.
Conclusion
Applying for Australian PR in 2025 requires strategic planning, proper documentation and up-to-date knowledge of immigration policies. Some of the key criteria include age under 45, relevant skills on the SOL. English proficiency, positive skills assessment and meeting the points threshold are also included.
It is important to align the profile with the latest immigration requirements as there is an increasing emphasis on regional migration and evolving occupation lists. Our expert immigration consultants at Croyez Immigration are here to help applicants get through these complexities and make the dream of settling in Australia a reality. Begin your journey with Croyez and make your Australian PR just a step away.
