No prior knowledge needed
Understand Australian Migration in 3 Minutes
No background knowledge required. First get clear on "how Australian migration works", then use the tools to plan your own path step by step.
First, the key thing: what is "migration / PR"?
"Migrating to Australia" usually means getting PR (permanent residency) — you can live and work in Australia long term, access public healthcare, send your children to public schools, and after living there for a set number of years you can apply for citizenship. There are several routes to PR (the 6 below), and different people take different ones. Your job is to find the one that fits you best.
What are the routes to PR? (6 main paths)
Study to PR
Best for: Students / recent graduates
Study in Australia → graduate and get the 485 work visa → build points/experience → apply for skilled permanent residency. The most mainstream route for young people.
Plan a timeline →Skilled migration 189/190/491
Best for: People with qualifications + a matching occupation
Skills assessment + English + 65 points → submit EOI → get invited → receive permanent residency. 189 independent, 190 state-nominated (+5), 491 regional (+15).
Calculate points first →Employer sponsorship 482→186
Best for: Those with an Australian employer willing to sponsor
Employer nomination → 482 work visa → work 2–3 years → transition to 186 permanent residency. No points needed.
See 482 →Partner / family reunion
Best for: Those whose partner is an Australian citizen/PR
Marry or be in a de facto relationship with an Australian citizen or permanent resident → partner visa → permanent residency.
See partner visa →Parent migration
Best for: Those whose children are settled in Australia
Children who are Australian citizens/PRs can sponsor their parents (paid streams are faster, queued streams slow).
See parent visa →Investment / distinguished talent
Best for: High net worth / top of their field
Business investment streams are mostly tightened; distinguished talent goes via the 858 National Innovation Visa (NIV).
See NIV →Not sure where to start? Follow these 3 steps
Find out which visa suits me
Answer a few questions and get a visa recommendation tailored to you.
Visa matching wizard →Check whether my score is enough
Skilled migration uses an EOI score, starting at 65 points, with popular occupations needing 90+.
Points calculator →Plan my timeline
When to start studying, when to graduate, when to find work, which year you get PR — all on one line.
Migration pathway planner →Don't panic at these terms (plain-language explanations)
PR / permanent residency
Permanent residency. You can live and work in Australia long term, access healthcare, and send your children to public schools; after a set period of residence you can apply for citizenship.
EOI
Expression of Interest. You submit your personal details in the SkillSelect system, the system ranks you by points, and the Department of Home Affairs invites the highest scorers.
Points
Skilled migration scores you on age, English, qualifications, work experience, and more, with a minimum of 65 points; the higher your score, the easier it is to be invited.
Skills assessment
A dedicated authority (e.g. ACS for IT, EA for engineering) confirms your qualifications and experience are equivalent to Australian standards — a prerequisite for skilled migration.
Occupation list
Only occupations on the list can use skilled migration (MLTSSL/CSOL etc.). Accounting, IT, nursing, engineering, and trades are among the more common ones.
Sponsorship
190 is sponsored by a state government (+5 points), 491 by a state or a regional relative (+15 points), and employer streams are sponsored by a company.
485
Graduate temporary work visa. You can apply within 6 months of graduating in Australia, giving you 2–3 years to work and build points there.
More terms in the migration glossary