Top 20 Benefits of Australian Permanent Residency (PR): Explained

Australia consistently ranks among the most liveable countries worldwide for its exceptional human development index and superior quality of life.

The country has fascinating landscapes, financial opportunities, a universal healthcare system, and global education standards that attract migrants and skilled workers.
 

If you aspire to gain permanent residency in Australia, this blog is for you. Explore a range of advantages and rights you and your family can enjoy after obtaining a PR visa in Australia.

Here are the top 20 benefits of becoming a permanent resident in Australia:

1. Right To Stay In Australia For An Indefinite Period

Though the Australian PR visa is granted for only five years, you can renew it for the next five years each time it lapses. So, having a permanent resident visa allows you to stay indefinitely in the country. 

2. You Can Exit And Re-Enter The Country Multiple Times

Permanent Residents can easily leave and re-enter the country any number of times. Also, you don't need to apply for a new visa each time you travel abroad, provided that you use your visa correctly.

Even if you remain away from the country due to business or vacation, you don't need to worry about an expired or lost visa for your return to Australia.
 

3. Pathway To Australian Citizenship

If you have gained permanent residence after 1st July 2007, you may qualify to apply for Australian Citizenship.

It gives you various benefits, including the right to vote, access to an Australian passport, visa-free travel and re-entry, employment in government and defence services, and more.

However, to apply for Citizenship, you must have lived lawfully in Australia for at least four years, with at least 12 months as a PR.

4. Sponsor Your Family To Keep Them Closer

Australian Permanent residents can bring their parents or eligible relatives, including their sister, brother, and in-laws, to Australia if they meet the residence and insurance requirements.
 

Migration Agents and attorneys can help you better understand appropriate visa options, such as Partner visas (spouse), Parent and Child visas, etc.

5. Your Family Can Stay Permanently In Australia Even After Your Death

If a Permanent Resident visa holder dies, your partner/spouse will obtain a Residence Certificate (RC) that allows them to remain in Australia indefinitely.

Their dependent children will also receive an RC if they were found to be legally dependent at the time of their parent's demise.

6. Eligible To Get A Bank Loan

Earlier, a student could obtain a bank loan, but now it is improbable to get a loan from an Australian bank if you are not a permanent resident.

Your PR status qualifies you for a wide range of bank loans, including personal flexible (unsecured) loans, home mortgages, business loans, secured car loans, and more.

7. A Big Boost To Your Credit Rating

Another significant Australia PR benefit is that gaining a PR visa in Australia instantly improves your credit rating and credit score.

It is because your permanent residency status shows your financial stability and capability to repay debts on time. Due to this, lenders perceive you as a reliable borrower and get more confidence when deciding to lend you money.

It significantly improves your chances of obtaining approval for various loan products, including personal loans, home loans, car loans, and credit cards, plus getting better interest rates.

Therefore, gaining a permanent residency status in Australia helps you build a longer credit history and improve your creditworthiness and financial status.

8. Social Security Benefits

You are eligible for "Centrelink" benefits after remaining in Australia for two years as a permanent resident.

It is a scheme from the Australian Department of Social Security that provides social security payments and other assistance related to study, unemployment, and sickness.

• PR visa holders can take advantage of the benefits while unemployed and searching for a job or performing approved activities for the job hunt. 

• The benefits are also payable when you get ill or injured and cannot complete your daily work or study. 

• Considering Australia's expensive daycare and childcare costs, Centrelink's Child Care Rebate program helps you manage childcare payments and assist with these costs. 

• Young people aged 21 years and searching for work can get income assistance payment under the Youth Allowance for job seekers scheme.

Moreover, Centrelink benefits for permanent residents are not just limited to just PR holders but can also extend to their family members.

9. Access Student Subsidy While Studying

Being a Permanent Resident in Australia, you get access to a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) if you fulfil the academic entry requirements specified by your course provider.

Under the scheme, the government pays part of your school fees (as a subsidy), and you don't need to repay it. Most CSPs are available only for undergraduate courses, and only a few providers offer CSPs at the Master's level.

10. Automatic Citizenship For Children Born In Australia

Children born in Australia automatically acquire Australian Citizenship if at least one parent holds an Australian PR visa at birth.

The rule applies even when a permanent resident parent separates from the non-resident parent before the child's birth.

11. Access Medicare Services

Australia is known to have the best medical systems around the globe. A permanent residency in Australia also entitles free or low-cost health care services.

It is one of the highly-sought after government benefits for permanent residents where you get access to a government-run universal health care system, 'Medicare.'

Funded by taxpayers, Medicare provides economical and accessible healthcare services to all permanent residents. Some of the benefits of the Australian Medicare system are as follows:

• Free medical treatment in government hospitals, 

• No-fee healthcare services by public bulk billing GPs, 

• Subsidies for certain prescription medications and medical procedures and services. 

In a few cases, you can enrol in this national health scheme upon applying for a permanent visa, not approval. Check out more about it here.

12. Excellent Education System

Australia is known for its internationally recognized education system. You are eligible for free access to primary and secondary government schooling if you hold a permanent residency in the country.

13. Purchase Second-Hand Residential Property

As per the new permanent resident in Australia rules, only Australian permanent residents can buy second-hand residential properties in most cities.

This policy aims to protect the local economy from foreign investors who invest in the entire neighbourhood and drive residents to the suburbs.

It presents a remarkable opportunity for permanent residents to invest in the property sector and build equity for their future. However, as each state has rules and regulations concerning real-estate purchases, it is best to seek professional advice before planning an investment.

14. Eligibility To Obtain A First Home Owners Grant

The government provides financial assistance as a "First Home Owners Grant" to help eligible Permanent Residents buy a property in Australia.

Under the scheme, you receive a one-off grant worth A$10,000 to buy your first unit, apartment, townhouse, or property valued at $750,000 or less.

As each state has different grant qualifiers, click here to check your state-level eligibility requirements and grant amount to take advantage of this initial payment benefit for PRs in Australia.

15. Freedom To Work

A work permit is the next key benefit you get the Australian PR visa.

You get full working rights to work for any employer in any occupation/industry except the public services sector or armed forces, which are reserved only for Australian citizens. You can participate in trade unions and claim worker's compensation.

16. Attend Free English Language Classes

As a Permanent resident, you can attend free English language classes conducted by the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) to enhance your English language skills and confidently settle into Australia.

When attending an AMEP class, fee-free childcare is also available for children under school. Currently, the government offers the AMEP program at around 300 locations in key cities and regional and remote areas in Australia.

Interested PRs can check their eligibility for the AMEP program here.

17. Easier To Travel Abroad

Ease of travel is another perk that comes with being a permanent resident in Australia. You can travel to several nations without restrictions.

18. Work In New Zealand

Australian permanent residents can visit, work, and live in New Zealand indefinitely without applying for a New Zealand visa and paying for the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy.

Furthermore, you can also buy a residential property in New Zealand while you work in New Zealand. However, to be able to use this right, you must request an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) before travelling to New Zealand.

19. Higher Chances Of Getting A Job

Employers are less likely to hire people with temporary visas, particularly in high-paying or white-collar jobs.

On the contrary, if you have a PR visa, relevant degree, and work experience, you have greater possibilities of landing a lucrative career in Australia.

20. Discounted Tuition Fee When Applying For Further Studies

As the government treats permanent residents as domestic students, they enrol in a course at 1/3rd of the price overseas students have to pay. Furthermore, they get access to more courses than overseas students.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What Happens When You Get Permanent Residency in Australia?

Do you want to know what benefits Australian permanent residents get? Here are some of the rights and benefits you are eligible for with an Australian PR visa: 

• Remain in Australia permanently.

• Apply for Australian Citizenship after spending at least four years and at least one year as a PR of Australia.

• Sponsor eligible members of your family to come to Australia and apply for a PR. 

• Your children born in Australia automatically acquire Citizenship of Australia. 

• The freedom to study, work and start your business anywhere in the country.

• Access free English classes managed by the Adult Migrant English Program

• Obtain social security benefits in education, health, and unemployment after staying for two years in Australia.

• Apply for bank loans to buy a real-estate in Australia.

• Access Medicare services, including free treatment in public hospitals, low-priced medicines, etc.

• Travel and work in New Zealand without a visa.

• Eligible to obtain a first homeowner's grant

• Access Commonwealth Supported Place on meeting course entry requirements.

Can Australian Permanent Residents Get Centrelink?

Yes. After two years as a permanent resident in Australia, you can get social welfare assistance from Centrelink.

As part of the program, permanent residents get support in areas of study, sickness, and unemployment. The benefits can extend up to your family.

What Are The Unemployment Benefits for Permanent Residents in Australia?

The government provides various types of allowance to PRs to support them financially during their employment. Some of these include:

Job Seeker Payment

This allowance aims to help jobless youths in Australia who may have lost their job due to cost-cutting, demotivated due to educational setbacks, or unable to do their usual study or work due to illness or an injury.

The amount payable under the program depends on your situation and financial needs. You must be between 22 years and your pension age and fulfil a certain waiting period to obtain this income support payment.

Youth Allowance

The Youth Allowance monetary aid is for individuals up to 24 years and studying, taking an apprenticeship in Australia, or up to 21 years and seeking a full-time job in Australia.

Unemployed individuals who wish to claim under the scheme must show their intention to claim at a Centrelink customer service centre and have the necessary identity and income-proof documents to support the application.

Parenting Payment

This allowance is granted to a single person caring for a child below eight years. If the primary caretaker has a partner, the child below six years old is entitled to the assistance.

To be eligible to get the parenting payment, your (primary caretaker) assets and income should be less than a specific amount.

To access the parenting amount, you should intend to claim to Centrelink. In the event of unemployment, you must provide an employment separation certificate to support your unemployment claim.

Through these schemes, most single persons can get up to $538.80 per fortnightly; however, the exact amount the government grants you depends on your employment status, individual circumstances, and savings.

What is The Difference Between The Benefits For Australian Citizens and Permanent Residents?

Refer to the below comparison of permanent residents vs. citizens in Australia:

What Happens After Five Years of PR in Australia?

Permanent residency in Australia allows you to live permanently and travel freely for five years. You can renew the initial 5-year grant period for an indefinite period.

So, even when the grant period on your visa expires while you are overseas, you can apply for a Resident Return Visa (RRV) to continue travelling. Obtaining an RRV will renew your permanent residency and facilitate your return to Australia.

Thus, once you have obtained a PR status, you can indefinitely enjoy your permanent residency in Australia without worrying about leaving the country due to an expired PR visa.

Is Australian PR Valid Forever?

A permanent resident visa comes with a 5-year travel facility during which you can leave and re-enter Australia as often as you want as long as your visa is valid.

After this initial grant period/ travel facility lapses, you must apply for a Resident Return visa (RRV) to renew your PR status and enjoy its benefits.

If you are not eligible for an RRV, you must reapply for a PR visa, such as a Former Resident visa, a skilled visa, or a family visa, to re-enter Australia.

What are The Financial Benefits of Australian Citizenship?

Under the government-run Higher Education Loans Program (HELP) program, Australian citizens can receive student loans to pursue tertiary education in Australia. So they don't have to bother about the financial load of up-front payment of tuition fees.

The government provides income continent loans that enable students to 'borrow' the tuition costs to attend a public university program now and repay it later once the borrowed amount reaches the compulsory payback limit of $46,620.

Furthermore, timely access to and repaying student loans enables citizens to build a good credit history and improve their credit scores.

Besides student loans, Australian citizens benefit from another government scheme offering financial assistance during illness and unemployment.

• Centrelink

• Medicare

• Common Supported Places

• Free schooling

• Unemployment assistance through Job Seeker Payment and Youth Allowance

• Quick approval of bank loans at lower interest rates

Can Australian Permanent Residents Get an Australian Passport?

No. Australian Permanent Residents are not eligible to get an Australian passport. Their PR status gets automatically linked to their existing passport.

What is The Age Limit for Permanent Residency in Australia?

You should be 45 years or younger to be eligible to get a permanent residency visa in Australia.

Can I Lose my Australian permanent Residency?

You may lose Australian permanent residency on significant grounds that include:

• Violation of your visa requirements

• Violation of the rules and regulations of the Australian government.

• Violation of government law and business ethics when running a business. 

• Criminal acts that violate legal norms.

• Immigration using fraudulent means.

• Submission of false information and documents when applying for a PR visa.

• Display of poor character that does not comply with the public interest.

• A judicial sentence of above 12 months

How Long Can a Permanent Resident Stay Outside Australia?

An Australian PR visa comes with an initial travel facility of 5 years that qualifies you for movement throughout the nation for this duration.

With the visa's expiry, the visa's travel facility expires. It means you can stay in the nation for as long as you want but can't leave the country.

If you leave the country within the visa duration, and your visa expires while abroad, you must apply for an RRV to re-enter the country. However, you can only obtain an RRV if you stay in the country for the entire two years in Australia before the expiry of your PR visa.

Conclusion

These are only a few of the significant benefits you will enjoy in achieving the status of Australian Permanent Resident.

Though it is not easy to obtain this status and may take several years, keeping these long-term benefits of an Australian visa in mind is an opportunity worth going that extra mile.

Useful Links to Explore:

• English Language Requirements for Australia
• Cultural differences you may experience in Australia
• How to find Part-Time work as a Student in Australia
• Seven Tips for Students on a Budget in Australia
• How to get a Scholarship to Study in Australia
• Driving in Australia as an International Student
• How to change your Course or Institute in Australia
• The Benefits of a Professional Year Program (PYP)
• A Complete Guide to Study in Australia
• Types of Education in Australia 
• What to Study in Australia?