How to get permanent residency in Australia: the main pathways compared
Employer nomination, points-tested skilled, partner, regional or talent. What each PR door actually requires, and how people really combine them.
Reviewed MARN 0317382Jul 2026 published8 min read
Nearly everyone who becomes an Australian permanent resident comes through one of five doors: employer nomination (186), the points-tested skilled program (189/190), the regional pathway (491 then 191), a partner visa, or a talent pathway. Most people don't leap straight to PR; they arrive on a temporary visa such as a 482, 485 or student visa and convert. The right door depends on your occupation, age, relationship and employer, and picking it early saves years.
The five doors
| Pathway | The core requirement | Charge (2026–27) |
|---|---|---|
| Employer nomination (186) | An employer nominates you; commonly after two years on a Skills in Demand (482) visa | $6,140 |
| Skilled Independent (189) | A competitive points score, no sponsor needed | $6,135 |
| Skilled Nominated (190) | A state or territory nominates you, +5 points | $6,140 |
| Regional (491 → 191) | Three years living and working regionally on a 491 | $6,140 |
| Partner (820/801, 309/100) | A genuine relationship with an Australian, evidenced properly | $11,710 |
A sixth door, the National Innovation visa (858), exists for people with exceptional records in research, business, technology, sport or the arts. It's invitation-based and rare, but it's permanent residence in one step.
How people actually sequence it
The most common real-world routes we see after 24 years of files: student visa → 485 graduate visa → employer sponsorship on a 482 → 186 PR. Or: working holiday → 482 → 186. Or: offshore professional → points-tested 189/190 directly. The pattern to notice is that temporary visas are stepping stones, and the choices you make on them (occupation, employer, location, English scores) decide which PR doors stay open.
Choosing your door
- Have a willing employer? The 482 → 186 route is the most predictable, and the two-year clock can now accumulate across more than one approved sponsor.
- Strong points profile? Under 33, superior English and years of skilled experience can make the 189/190 faster than waiting on an employer.
- Open to regional Australia? The 491's extra 15 points gets marginal scores invited, at the cost of three regional years before the 191.
- Partner of an Australian? The partner pathway ignores occupation and age entirely; the evidence file is everything.
General information only, current at 18 July 2026. Not immigration assistance or advice for your circumstances. Visacorp Pty Ltd — MARN 0317382 · 1799004 · 0104178.
Common questions
What is the fastest way to get PR in Australia?
There's no universal answer. For people with a strong points score, a direct 189/190 can be quickest. For most workers, employer nomination through the 482 to 186 route is the most predictable. Partner visas run on relationship evidence, not queues you can shortcut.
Can I apply for PR directly from overseas?
Yes, the points-tested 189 and 190, the 186 Direct Entry stream and partner visas can all be applied for offshore. Most people, though, arrive on a temporary visa first and convert onshore.
How much does permanent residency cost?
Government charges from 1 July 2026: $6,135–$6,140 for skilled and employer pathways, $11,710 for partner visas, per application and non-refundable. Add skills assessments, English tests, health and police checks.
Does time on a student or graduate visa count toward PR?
Not directly, but it counts where it matters: Australian study and regional study earn points, Australian work experience earns points, and time employed with a sponsor can qualify you for the 186.
Unsure where your situation fits?
Twenty minutes with a registered agent is the fastest way to a straight answer.