Australia immigration and citizenship

Australia is one of the top choices for foreign nationals wanting to settle abroad. The country has a robust economy, leading to multiple job opportunities with competitive salaries. Australia is known for its multicultural society and ease of life. The breathtaking landscapes and serene beaches make it a popular tourist destination. The ‘Land Down Under’ has been ranked as the 8th happiest country in the world.
 

Australia PR or permanent residency is granted to candidates who have fulfilled the residency eligibility conditions, among others. As an Australian PR, you can live in Australia indefinitely, avail yourself of social welfare benefits, and sponsor eligible family members for immigration. However, PR in Australia is not the same as Australian citizenship.
 

You can apply for Australian citizenship after holding an Australian PR visa for at least five years.
 

Australian PR and citizenship are two different residency statuses. The primary differences between the two are given below.

Factors	Australia PR	Australian Citizenship
Validity	Australia PR is valid for 5 years and can be extended multiple times.	Australian citizenship is valid for a lifetime.
Voting Rights	Australian permanent residents cannot participate in elections.	Australian citizens have the right and duty to vote in elections.
Australian Passport	Australian PRs are not eligible to apply for an Australian Passport	Australian citizens are entitled to an Australian passport.

 

*Want guidance to apply for Australia immigration? Let Y-Axis support you with the process.

 

Pathways to migrate to Australia

Foreign nationals must fulfill the residency and work requirements to apply for PR in Australia. Some popular Australian immigration pathways to meet these conditions are given below.

• Subclass 189 visa
• Subclass 190
• Business Innovation Stream
• Investor stream
• Subclass 891 visa
• Graduate work visa
• Professional Year Program (PYP)
• GTI (Global Talent Independent Program)
• Australia parent visa
   

To be eligible for Australia immigration, you must obtain 65 points or more in the points-based system.
 

*Want to check if you are eligible for Australia immigration? Avail Y-Axis Australia Immigration Points Calculator for FREE and instant results.
 

Benefits of Australian citizenship

Some of the benefits of Australian citizenship are given below.
 

• Live in Australia indefinitely.
• Freedom of travel in and out of Australia.
• Avail higher education.
• Avail social security benefits.
• Sponsor eligible family members.
• Travel to New Zealand.
• Participate in Australian federal elections.
• Work in any sector of Australia.
   

*Want to apply for Australia work visa? Let Y-Axis guide you with the process.  
 

Eligibility criteria for Australian citizenship

The eligibility criteria for Australia PR are given below. You must:

• Be a lawful permanent resident in Australia
• Live in Australia for at least four years
• Be of good character
• Have adequate knowledge of Australia
• Participate in Australian society
• Make a pledge of commitment to Australia
   

Also read…

Australia plans to welcome 185,000 PRs in 2025. Apply now!
 

Requirements to apply for Australian citizenship

The documents required to apply for an Australian PR visa are given below. You must provide:
 

• Proof of having a valid Australia PR
• Birth certificate
• A valid passport
• Required number of passport-sized photographs
• An identity declaration must be signed by a citizen of Australia with the correct authority.
   

Also read…

Australia to Increase Skilled Visa Income Thresholds from July 1, 2025
 

Steps to convert Australia PR to citizenship

The detailed procedure to convert Australia PR to citizenship is given below.
 

Step 1: Check if you are eligible for Australian citizenship.

Step 2: Arrange the required documents to apply for citizenship.

Step 3: Submit the duly filled form for the Australian citizenship application.

Step 4: Wait for the final decision on your application.

Step 5: Receive your Australian citizenship certificate.
 

*Looking for guidance for Australia immigration? Sign up with Y-Axis, the world's number 1 overseas immigration company, for end-to-end support with every step of the process.