19 Pathways to Australian Permanent Residence

There is not just one path to permanent residence (PR) — and that is what confuses many people when they first start looking into Australian migration. AustraliaHub organises the PR pathways by purpose group, so you can see the big picture before going deep into any specific path. This article is the starting point: each path below has its own pathway article explaining the steps in detail.

A note from the outset: the subclass numbers (189, 190, 482, 820 and so on) are just technical names. A better way to read them is to ask “which group do I belong to” — skills, family, talent, humanitarian, or special categories — and only then choose a path within that group.

Skills and work group

This is the largest and most widely used group. The common thread: it is based on skills, work experience and (for many paths) employer sponsorship or state nomination.

Visa 189 — Skilled Independent: direct PR based on a skills points score, with no need for a sponsor. The most independent path, but competitive on points.
Visa 190 — Skilled Nominated: direct PR on condition of being nominated by a state or territory. In return, you usually commit to living and working in that state.
Visa 491 then 191 (regional skilled): a two-step path — the regional provisional visa 491 first, then a move to PR 191 after meeting the regional residence and income requirements.
Visa 186 — Direct Entry (employer-sponsored, lodged straight to PR): PR through employer sponsorship, without going through a provisional visa first, but with stricter skills and experience requirements.
Visa 482 then 186 (temporary work then PR): work for a sponsoring employer on a 482 visa for a period, then move to PR 186 under the Temporary Residence Transition stream.
Visa 494 then 191 (employer-sponsored, regional): similar to 482 then 186 but in a regional area — work on a 494 visa, then become eligible for PR 191.
Study to 485 to skilled: a longer pathway for international students — graduate, use the 485 visa to stay and work, build up experience, then aim for a skilled PR path.

Talent and innovation group

For a small number of cases with outstanding achievements or contributions.

Visa 858 — National Innovation: PR for someone with internationally recognised exceptional achievement, or an expected contribution to Australia in their field. The requirements are very high and need appropriate nomination/endorsement.

Family and partner group

Based on a family relationship with an eligible Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen.

Visa 820/801 — Partner (partner in Australia): a two-step path for someone in Australia — the provisional visa 820 first, then PR 801 after the relationship is maintained and demonstrated.
Visa 300 (Prospective Marriage) then Partner: for those not yet married — come to Australia on a 300 visa, marry, then move to the Partner pathway to reach PR.
Visa 143 — Contributory Parent: PR for parents, with a higher fee but usually a shorter processing time than the ordinary parent stream.
Visa 103 — Parent (ordinary stream): PR for parents at a lower cost, in return for a very long queue.
Child and adoption / orphan relative: PR pathways for dependent children, adopted children, or orphan relatives of someone in Australia.
Carer and remaining relative: PR for someone caring for a relative in Australia who needs medical support, or for someone whose only remaining relatives are outside the country.

Humanitarian group

For people who need protection, under the humanitarian and refugee framework.

Offshore humanitarian stream: a humanitarian resettlement program for people outside Australia, under their own nominations and criteria.
Visa 866 — Protection (onshore): PR for someone in Australia recognised as needing protection under Australia’s international obligations.

Special categories group

Paths tied to a specific program or status.

Visa 192 — Pacific Engagement: PR under the Pacific engagement program, through a dedicated selection mechanism for citizens of eligible countries.
New Zealand citizens: a PR pathway specifically for New Zealand citizens living in Australia, under set residence conditions.
Visa 151 — Former Resident: PR for someone who previously lived in Australia as a permanent resident and has close ties to Australia.

Which path should you choose?

There is no single path that is “best” for everyone — only the path that suits your circumstances. A framework to help you orient (not personal advice):

Do you have a family relationship with someone in Australia? If you have a partner, parent, or child who is an Australian citizen or permanent resident, the family and partner group may be a natural starting point.
Do you have skills and work experience in an occupation Australia needs? If so, the skills and work group is the place to look first — then branch further: with or without an employer sponsor, willing or not to live in a regional area.
Are you studying or planning to study? The study to 485 to skilled pathway is a long one that many people take.
Do you need protection? The humanitarian group has its own framework.

An important note: the specific conditions of each path — the floor and cut-off scores for skilled applications, age limits, English score levels, processing times, years of experience, income thresholds, queue lengths — all change with the timing and with each round or program. Don’t make a decision based on a figure you heard; always check the current conditions on SkillSelect and Home Affairs for your specific path.

When to ask an RMA

This map helps you orient; it does not replace personal advice. You should consider consulting a Registered Migration Agent (RMA) registered with OMARA when: your circumstances could fit several groups at once and you need to compare the trade-offs; you have a sensitive element (visa history, health, character, a previously refused application); or you need a timing strategy (for example relating to age or the expiry of a current visa). An RMA can assess your actual case — something an overview article cannot do.

Official sources

Visa Finder — Home Affairs: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-finder

This map is a starting point, not a destination. Begin with the group that suits your circumstances, open the corresponding pathway article, then cross-check every specific condition against the official source before you act.