How To Increase Points For Australian PR: A Complete Guide

Are you an International student studying in Australia keen on getting a Permanent Residency (PR) after completing your education? Well, this post will guide you through how to obtain a PR in the Kangaroo land. 

Every year, various international students like move overseas for their higher education studies and most dream of settling abroad.

One of the standard methods to stay in Australia for students is applying for Permanent Residency through a Skilled Independent Visa.

For this, The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) runs an efficient application system worldwide known as the SkillSelect Programme or the General Skilled Migration (GSM). 

This programme runs entirely based on the nation's particular labour market requirements. Now, let us see the minimum GSM requirements for international students. In this blog, you will learn how to increase your points for Australian PR and much more.

General Skilled Migration (GSM) Requirements

To attain PR for Australia, you must meet the Australian Study Requirement. You need to fulfil at least two years of study, which implies that you must complete a course for two years in Australia. 

Distance and online education doesn't count towards this. You have to study an on-campus course. 

Your age must be between 18 to 49 years. You need to have an IELTS score of not less than six or a similar score in TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or PTE (Pearson Test of English Academic).

Also, you have to nominate an occupation on Australia's Skilled Occupation List (SOL). Applicants selected by an Australian territory or state government must nominate and hold a profession from the CSOL (Consolidated Sponsored Occupations List). 

Check out the list to review approved skill accessors' details and see whether your area of study appears. 

Besides, you need to hold a positive Skill Assessment for your field of work. While studying in Australia doesn't always guarantee PR, there are many other ways to boost your chances of getting it. Check out our list:

Tip 1: Get A Higher Qualification

Develop your skills and knowledge by getting a higher qualification, such as a Master's or a doctoral degree. 

Although a diploma can fetch you ten points on the GSM point system, a Master's or a doctoral degree can earn you up to fifteen and twenty points, respectively.

Tip 2: Reside In Australia

After completing your education in Australia, apply for the Visa Subclass 485, also known as the Temporary Graduate Visa. 

There are two streams under this Visa, the post-study work stream and the graduate work stream. 

The post-study work stream allows you to work in Australia for 2 to 4 years. In contrast, the graduate work stream enables you to do a job for a maximum of 18 months.

You can polish your English language and get valuable work experience during this time. 

Work experience will help you get extra points on the GSM point grid.

Tip 3: Polish Your English Language Skills

Polishing your English language skills will help you gain points and slightly improve your chances of getting PR. 

If you get a competent score of 6 on IELTS, you will not earn any points for your language ability.

But with a proficient score of 7 or equivalent in IELTS, you will receive 10 points, and a superior score of 8 will get you 20 points. 

Tip 4: Pursue Your Education In A Regional Area

Students who completed the Australian Study Requirement of 2 years in a regional area are qualified to obtain an additional 5 points. 

Tip 5: Get Valuable Work Experience

Getting skilled employment in Australia or overseas can help you obtain more points. 

To claim points for your valuable work experience, you must have worked at least twenty hours each week in your nominated profession. This also applies to closely related work. 

Besides your studies, consider getting some valuable work experience or applying for the Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa. It gives you that you get the opportunity to gain meaningful employment experience. You can earn up to five extra points for as little as one year of work experience in Australia.

Tip 6: Consider Your Age

Your age significantly affects your points. For instance, those between the ages of 25 and 32 get the highest score of up to 30 points. Whereas people aged between 45 - 49 will be eligible for no points. 

Tip 7: Complete A Professional Year Programme (PYP)

PYP is a professional development program that combines education and work experience. 

Those who complete this programme receive not only Australian work experience but also get an additional five points. 

PYP runs for twelve months and is currently obtainable for subjects like engineering, computer science, and accounting. 

To earn additional points, it is necessary that the course undertaken is in your nominated occupation or closely associated area. 

Tip 8: Keep Yourself Updated

Immigration rules constantly change in Australia. Here are a few resources you can check to keep yourself updated with the recent changes:

• SkillSelect: The number of points required and invitations issued for each SkillSelect round may vary immensely. This means that the waiting period and points you need may differ from the year before.

• State Nomination: State sponsorship opportunities may emerge at any moment and always fill up fast. 

• Occupations Lists:  Important changes were made to the skilled migration occupation list this year. These adjustments will likely occur more often in the future. So you must keep a check on it. 

• Employer Sponsorship: Employer-sponsored visas also receive significant changes every year. Therefore, it is crucial to keep an eye on it. Under this visa category, you must work in Australia for three years to further apply for permanent residency.

Keeping yourself updated with immigration changes is vital to give yourself the best possible chance of applying for Australian permanent residency.

Tip 9: What Are The Benefits of Having Australian PR?

Once you attain the Australian permanent residency visa, you can work, live, and study in Australia for five years without any restrictions. With a strong economy, laid-back lifestyle, and high standard of living, many immigrants around the globe wish to move to Australia. 

Here are some more advantages of obtaining an Australian PR visa:

• A PR visa holder can pursue higher education in Australia. You can apply for educational loans if you require funds because of additional expenses.

• PR visa holders can sponsor the PR application for their relatives only if the applicant fulfils specific support and residence assurance prerequisites.

• The PR visa allows applicants to stay in Australia for an unlimited period. Once you have the PR, you can travel to and from the country anytime without any restrictions.

• The children of PR visa holders receive Australian citizenship if born in Australia.

• The Australian government has a special agreement with the government of New Zealand that allows Australian PR holders to apply for an NZ visa and travel to New Zealand.

• PR visa holders need to hold on to their PR status for a minimum of two years to avail the benefits of social security. Some benefits covered by Australia's Social Security Departments include childcare benefits, sickness allowance, unemployment benefits, age pension, family tax benefits, and more.

• Australian visa holders can apply for government positions or other professions like migration agents.

• Last but not least, the family members of a PR holder will get permission to move in with them.

11. Conclusion

International students must remember that the above information is the most critical factor in applying for a Permanent Residency in Australia. 

The process of getting PR in Australia is tricky but attainable.

Useful Link to Explore:

• English Language Requirements for Australia
• Top 10 Reasons to do an Internship in Australia
• A Complete Guide to Study in Australia
• The Ultimate Guide to Australian Visas
• Australian Cities Ranked Best In The World
• The Ultimate Guide to Australian Visas
• Australian Qualification Framework (AQF)
• Student Visa - A Complete Guide
• Migrating to Australia