Australia PR from India
Australia permanent residence lets you live and work anywhere in the country indefinitely, use Medicare, sponsor family, and apply for citizenship after four years. Skilled workers in India get it through three points-tested visas: the 189, the 190 and the 491. All three start the same way, with a skills assessment and an Expression of Interest.
The five things you must have
Age under 45
on the day you are invited.
An occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list.
A positive skills assessment
from the assessing authority for that occupation.
Competent English.
In IELTS, 6.0 in each band.
At least 65 points
on the points test.
Miss any one and you cannot apply, however strong the rest of your profile is.
The three visas compared
| 189 Skilled Independent | 190 Skilled Nominated | 491 Skilled Work Regional | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nomination | None | State or territory | State or territory, or an eligible relative in a regional area |
| Extra points | 0 | 5 | 15 |
| Status | Permanent | Permanent | Provisional for 5 years, then permanent through the 191 |
| Where you can live | Anywhere | The nominating state, for the first 2 years | A designated regional area, for at least 3 years |
| Places in 2026-27 | 21,090 | 35,500 | Part of the regional allocation, reduced this year |
| Main charge from 1 July 2026 | AUD $6,135 | About AUD $6,140 | About AUD $6,140 |
Most applicants lodge one Expression of Interest for the 189 and separate ones for the states they are targeting.
The process, step by step
Find your occupation and its code.
Australia classifies jobs under ANZSCO. The list your occupation sits on decides which visas are open to you.
Skills assessment.
Each occupation has an assessing authority. It checks your qualifications and, for most occupations, your work experience. Allow two to four months.
English test.
Aim higher than the minimum. Proficient English adds 10 points and superior adds 20.
Expression of Interest.
You enter your details in SkillSelect and receive a points score. It costs nothing and stays valid for two years.
State nomination, if you are using the 190 or 491.
Each state has its own occupation list, criteria and application.
Invitation.
You have 60 days to lodge the visa application.
Visa application.
Documents, health examinations, police certificates and the visa charge.
Grant.
For the 189 and 190 you must make your first entry by the date on the grant letter.
Who assesses your skills
| Occupation group | Assessing authority |
|---|---|
| IT professionals | Australian Computer Society (ACS) |
| Engineers | Engineers Australia |
| Accountants and auditors | CPA Australia, CA ANZ or IPA |
| Nurses and midwives | ANMAC |
| Teachers | AITSL |
| Trades | Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) |
| Managers, marketing, HR and many other professions | VETASSESS |
| Doctors | Medical Board of Australia, through AHPRA |
The assessing authority decides how many years of your experience count as skilled. ACS, for example, usually deducts some years before it starts counting, depending on how closely your degree matches your occupation. The years it recognises are the years you can claim points for.
What it costs
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Visa charge, main applicant | AUD $6,135 for the 189 from 1 July 2026 |
| Partner and each child | Additional charges apply, also raised on 1 July 2026 |
| Second instalment | Payable for any adult family member without functional English |
| Skills assessment | Set by each authority |
| English test | Paid to the provider |
| State nomination fee | Charged by some states |
| Health examinations and police certificates | Paid in India |
Australia does not ask you to show a fixed amount of settlement funds for the 189. Some states ask for evidence of funds as part of nomination.
What PR gives you
- The right to live, work and study anywhere in Australia
- Medicare, the public health system
- Free public schooling for children
- The right to sponsor eligible relatives
- A path to citizenship after four years of residence, including one as a permanent resident
Your visa lets you travel in and out for five years. After that you need a Resident Return Visa, which requires having lived in Australia for two of the previous five years.
Questions people ask us most
Which is easier, the 189 or the 190?
For most professions the 190, because it adds 5 points and you compete only within one state’s list. For trades and some health occupations the 189 has been reachable at 65 to 75 points.
Can I apply for Australia PR after 45?
Not through the points-tested visas. Employer-sponsored routes have limited exceptions.
How long does Australia PR take?
Allow 10 to 18 months in total: three to five months for assessment and tests, a wait for an invitation that depends on your occupation and points, then visa processing.
Can I include my family?
Yes. Your partner and dependent children are included and receive the same visa.
Do I need to show funds?
Not for the 189. Check the requirements of any state you apply to.
Start with your points and your occupation
We will confirm your occupation code, the right assessing authority, your points, and the visas and states worth applying for.
In this section
Explore this section
Australia PR for Indian Nurses
How Indian nurses get Australia PR: nursing on the skilled list, health occupations invited at around 75 points, ANMAC assessment.
Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme
Australia PR through your employer: the subclass 186 Direct Entry and Temporary Residence Transition streams, salary threshold, age and English rules.
Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa
The subclass 494 regional employer-sponsored visa: five years in regional Australia with a sponsor, then PR through the 191.