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Permanent Residency
Four out of five Indian students come to study in Australia because they want Permanent Residency. They are often told by local agents how easy it is to get a PR and work in Australia. Well unfortunately it is not that easy. A `PR` allows you to stay in the country and work as long as you wish, it is a first step to possible citizenship. To get a PR via studying in Australia you must apply for a skilled migration visa after your course has finished. As the financial crisis caused a rise in unemployment, the Australian Government made it more difficult for people to get a skilled migrant visa. But to protect the education industry, a possible PR will always remain a major factor in the choice for studying in Australia, the possibility of achieving PR will not be easily abolished.
The process of getting such a visa seems complicated and bureaucratic but trust me, it is not as bad as it seems. The system is based on the following points list:
  • Skilled – Independent Visa (subclass 175): 120 points required
  • Skilled - Sponsored Visa (subclass 176): 100 points required
  • Skilled - Regional Sponsored Visa (subclass 475): 100 points required
  • Skilled - Regional Sponsored Visa (subclass 487): 100 points required
  • Skilled - Independent Visa (subclass 885): 120 points required
  • Skilled - Sponsored Visa (subclass 886): 100 points required

More information about the different kind of skilled migrant Visas check this link:

So how do you score points? Well by ticking the checklist beneath. Rules change almost every day and the list beneath does not guarantee you a PR but it will provide you with a good indication about your chances of receiving a PR in Australia:
 

1.Age

You must be under 45 when you apply. Points for Age:
Age at time of application:
18-29 Years  30 Points
30-34              25 Points
35-39              20 Points
40-44              15 Points
 

2. English language

You should have sufficient ability in the English language to work in Australia (at least at a vocational level);
 
English Language Ability  
Points
Profcient English - person has a score of 7 or more in the English Language Testing System (IELTS) in each of the four test components or have scored a B level or greater in an Occupational English Test (OET) exam, where you sat an OET exam as part of a skills assessment.
25
Competent English - this requires that you hold a passport from the UK, Canada, New Zealand, USA or Republic of Ireland, or have a score of 6 or more on all 4 components of the IELTS Test.
15
Vocational English - this only applies if applicant has a trade occupation and does not hold a passport from a native English speaking country (listed above). It requires a score of 5 or more on all 4 components of the IELTS Test.
15
 

3.Qualifications

You must have post-secondary qualifications and your skills must be assessed by the relevant assessing authority. This link will help you find out how to get an assessment of occupational qualifications, skills or experience that you have gained overseas. You can also find state-specific licensing and registration requirements to practice your occupation in Australia. 
 

4. Nominated occupation

Some skilled occupations are more in demand in Australia then others. Before you apply it is smart to check the Skilled Occupations List to see if your occupation provides you with the maximum amount of points needed. You must have a nominated occupation from the SOL to qualify for skilled migration. A student can study for an occupation on the list on a student visa and apply for a skilled migrant visa after the curse has been completed. Find out if your occupation qualifies by checking this link 
 
Skill
Points
For occupations where training is specific to the occupation and the occupation is in demand
60
For more general occupations less in demand
50
For other general skilled occupations
40
 

5. Points for Specific Work, recent work experience

The period of work experience required will vary depending on the number of points you may be granted for your nominated occupation;
Points for specific work:
 
Work experience
Points
Work experience closely related to nominated 60 point occupation for three of the last four years
10
Work experience in any occupation on the skilled occupation list for three of the last four years
5
 

Points for Occupation in Demand/Job Offer

The Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL) is more specific than the Skilled Occupations List (SOL). If your occupation appears on the MODL and you have a job offer, you are eligible for extra points. Check out the MODL list here.
 
Occupation
Points
Work experience closely related to the MODL listed nominated occupation for one of the last four years and an offer of relevant full-time employment
20
Work experience closely related to the MODL listed nominated occupation for one of the last four years.
15
 

Points for Australian Work

Work experience
Points
Australian work experience closely related to nominated 60 point occupation for one of the last four years.
10
Professional year closely related to the nominated occupation for one of the last four years.
10
 

6. Australian Qualification: no work experience required

For International students it is important to know the Australian qualification exemption - you do not need to meet the work experience requirement if you have completed an Australian qualification less than 6 months before lodging your visa application. It means that you should lodge your application soon after you’ve finished your study. To wait for your application to be processed, you will usually be able to receive a bridging visa after your student visa expires. Your student visa expires once you complete your study. There are a few options to extend your visa:
  • Continue your studies. You must apply for a new visa and it depends on what level of study you are taking.
  • Apply for a visitor visa. If you just want to stay in Australia to attend your graduation ceremony or to travel within the country, extending your stay with a visitor visa is the easiest way.
  • Apply for a work visa: If you have studied in Australia for at least two years, you are allowed to apply for Graduate Skilled Visa (subclass 485) that will allow overseas students to stay in Australia for 18 months without working restrictions. There are no point requirements to apply for this visa and if you hold this visa you can apply for permanent residence at any time if you can pass the General Skilled Migration points test. 

Points for Australian Qualifications

Qualification
Points
Doctorate (min. two years)               
25
Masters/Honours with undergraduate degree (min. three years)           15
 
15
Degree/diploma/trade qualification (min. two years)
5
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Points for Regional Study

Criteria
Points
Two years study requirement while living and studying in regional Austalia
 
5
 
 

Points for Partner Skills

You may receive these points only if your spouse satisfies the following criteria:
Criteria
Points
Age requirement;
English Language Ability;
Qualification;
Nominated Occupation;
Recent Work Experience and has a skills assessment by relevant assessing body
 
5
 

Points for Nomination by state or territory government:

Criteria
Points
Nominated by state or territory government
10
 

Points for Designated Area Sponsorship

Criteria
Points
Sponsored by Australian relative living in a designated area (only available to provisional visa applicants)
25
 

Points for Designated Language

Criteria
Points
Professional level language skills in a designated language
5
 
To gain points for abilities in any of the following Australian designated languages, you must have either: A professional level of language skills (written or oral) as evidenced by a qualification (of equivalent standard to an Australian degree) gained from a university where instruction was in one of the listed languages below; or By accreditation with the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) at the professional level (Translator/Interpreter Level).
 
Australian Designated Languages
Afrikaans; Estonian; Korean; Serbian;Albanian; Fijian; Lao;Sinhalese; Arabic/Lebanese;Filipino (Tagalog); Latvian; Slovak; Armenian; Finnish; Lithuanian; Solvene; Bangla (Bengali); French; Macedonian; Swedish; Bosnian; German; Malay; Spanish; Bulgarian; Greek; Maltese; Tamil; Burmese; Hebrew; Norwegian; Thai;Chinese (Cantonese); Hindi; Persian; Turkish; Chinese (Madarin); Hungarian; Polish; Ukranian; Croatian; Indonesian; Portugese; Urdu; Czech; Italian; Punjabi; Vietnamese;Danish;Japanese; Romanian; Yiddish;Dutch; Khmer; Russian. Proof of language ability must be shown.
 

7. Skills assessment

Before you apply, you must have your skills assessed by the Australian assessing authority designated to assess your nominated occupation. More info can be found on the SOL list http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/1121i.pdf
 

8. Health assessment

Yyou should be of reasonably good health and all applicants must have their health assessed by a panel doctor and undergo a medical examination.
 

9. Character assessment

You should be of good character.

 

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