Permanent Residency (PR) is the goal for most Nepalis who come to Australia to work or study. It gives you the right to live and work here indefinitely, access Medicare, sponsor family members, and eventually apply for citizenship. The pathway isn't always quick — but it is predictable if you understand the system. This guide explains the main routes, the points test, and what you should be doing right now.
What PR actually gives you
- →Live and work anywhere in Australia indefinitely — no visa conditions on your employer or location.
- →Access Medicare — the public health system, including bulk billing GPs and public hospitals.
- →Sponsor eligible family members for Partner, Child, or Parent visas.
- →Re-enter Australia freely for the first 5 years (then apply for a Resident Return Visa).
- →Apply for Australian citizenship after 4 years of living in Australia (including at least 1 year as a PR).
- →Access to some government benefits and Centrelink payments after a 4-year waiting period.
The main PR pathways for Nepalis
- →Subclass 189 — Skilled Independent visa. No employer or state needed. Based purely on your points score. The most competitive pathway — typically requires 85–95+ points.
- →Subclass 190 — Skilled Nominated visa. A state or territory nominates you, which adds 5 points to your score. More accessible than the 189 — typically competitive at 75–85 points depending on state and occupation.
- →Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa. A state nominates you for a regional area, adding 15 points. Leads to PR after 3 years via the subclass 191 visa. Competitive at 65–80 points.
- →Subclass 482 / 186 — Employer Sponsored. Your employer sponsors you for a Temporary Skill Shortage visa (482), then nominates you for PR (186) after 2–3 years. Does not require a points test.
- →Partner visa (Subclass 820/801) — if you have an Australian citizen or PR partner. No points test. Processing times: 12–36+ months.
- →Graduate / Student to skilled — complete an Australian degree, work in your field, build points, then lodge EOI. This is how most Nepali students transition to PR.
How the points test works
The points test is used for the 189, 190, and 491 pathways. You need a minimum of 65 points to lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) — but 65 points almost never gets an invitation. Here's how points are allocated:
- →Age: 25–32 years = 30 points (highest bracket). 18–24 and 33–39 = 25 points. 40–44 = 15 points. 45+ = 0 points.
- →English: Competent (IELTS 6 in each band) = 0. Proficient (IELTS 7 each) = 10 points. Superior (IELTS 8 each) = 20 points.
- →Overseas skilled work experience: 3–4 years = 5 pts. 5–7 years = 10 pts. 8+ years = 15 pts.
- →Australian skilled work experience: 1–2 years = 5 pts. 3–4 years = 10 pts. 5–7 years = 15 pts. 8+ years = 20 pts.
- →Qualification: PhD from an Australian institution = 20 pts. Bachelor or Masters = 15 pts. Diploma or trade qualification = 10 pts.
- →Australian study: 1–2 years in Australia = 5 pts. Regional Australian study (outside major cities) = additional 5 pts.
- →State or territory nomination: +5 pts (190), +15 pts (491).
- →NAATI accredited community language: +5 pts (Nepali counts — this is highly achievable for native speakers).
- →Professional Year (for certain professions like IT, engineering, accounting) = +5 pts.
- →Partner with skills or single/separated: +5 pts.
Tip: NAATI Nepali language certification adds 5 points and is one of the most achievable boosts for Nepalis. The test is offered online through NAATI. If you're close to a competitive score, this is the fastest way to close the gap.
The Skilled Occupation List — does your job qualify?
Only occupations on the Australian Skilled Occupation List (SOL) are eligible for skilled migration. Your occupation must be listed, and your skills must be formally assessed by the relevant assessing body. Common occupations that many Nepalis hold and that appear on the list include:
- →Registered Nurse (ANZSCO 254111) — assessed by AHPRA. One of the most common PR pathways for Nepali health workers.
- →Software/ICT professionals — Software Engineer, Developer, ICT Business Analyst (assessed by ACS). Very common among Nepali graduates.
- →Accountant / Management Accountant — assessed by CPA Australia, CAANZ, or IPA.
- →Civil Engineer / Structural Engineer — assessed by Engineers Australia.
- →Electrician / Plumber (trade) — assessed by Trades Recognition Australia (TRA).
- →Chef (restaurant or catering) — assessed by TRA. Check specific ANZSCO code — not all chef codes are on all lists.
- →Physiotherapist / Occupational Therapist — assessed by AHPRA.
- →Social Worker — assessed by AASW.
- →Early Childhood Educator — assessed by ACECQA.
Important: Check immi.homeaffairs.gov.au for the current Skilled Occupation List. The list changes — an occupation may be added or removed. Always verify before starting a skills assessment.
Skills assessment — do this first
Before lodging an EOI, you must get your skills formally assessed by the relevant Australian authority. This involves submitting your qualifications, employment references, and sometimes passing a technical assessment. The process takes 2–6 months depending on the assessing body. Most assessments cost between $500 and $1,500. Your Nepali degree is generally accepted, but the assessing body will check whether it meets Australian standards.
Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect
Once you have a positive skills assessment and at least 65 points, you lodge an EOI through SkillSelect — the Department of Home Affairs' online system. The EOI is not a visa application — it's an invitation queue. The department conducts invitation rounds (usually monthly) and invites the highest-scoring candidates to apply for a visa. Your EOI stays in the pool for 2 years. If you're not invited, you can update your EOI (for example, after gaining more work experience or improving your English score) to increase your points.
Tip: Lodge your EOI as soon as you have 65 points and a valid skills assessment — even if your score isn't competitive yet. Your EOI creation date is a tiebreaker between candidates with equal points, so an earlier EOI can give you an advantage.
State nomination (subclass 190) — the most practical route
For most Nepalis, the 190 state nomination visa is the most realistic PR pathway. Each Australian state and territory runs its own nomination program with different occupation lists and requirements. Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, and the NT are often more accessible than NSW and Victoria. To be nominated, you typically need:
- →Your occupation on the state's nomination list for the current year (lists open and close regularly).
- →Often a connection to the state — studying there, working there, or committing to live there for 2 years after PR.
- →Meet the state's minimum points requirement (often 65–75 points before the +5 nomination bonus).
- →Sufficient English level — usually Proficient (IELTS 7 each band) for most states.
- →Submit a state nomination application through the state's own portal (separate from SkillSelect).
How long does the whole process take?
- →Skills assessment: 2–6 months (longer for some assessing bodies — Engineers Australia can take 3–4 months).
- →Waiting in SkillSelect for an invitation: 1 month to 2+ years depending on occupation and score.
- →Visa processing after receiving an invitation: 6–15 months for 189/190. Lodge a complete application to avoid delays.
- →Total from skills assessment to PR grant: typically 2–4 years for skilled pathways.
- →Subclass 491 (regional provisional): grant in 6–12 months after invitation, then 3 years living and working in a regional area before applying for the subclass 191 PR.
What does it cost?
- →Skills assessment: $500–$1,500 depending on the assessing body.
- →Visa application fee (189, 190, 491): approximately AUD $4,770 for the primary applicant (2026 rate). Each additional adult applicant adds approximately $2,385.
- →State nomination application: free in most states; $300–$500 in some.
- →Migration agent fees (recommended): $3,000–$8,000 for full service, depending on complexity.
- →English test (IELTS/PTE): approximately $400–$500 per sitting.
- →Medical examination: approximately $300–$500 per person.
- →Police clearance certificates (from Australia and Nepal): approximately $50–$150 each.
Tip: Visa fees are paid when you lodge your application, not when you receive the invitation. Budget for the full family unit cost upfront. Visa fees are non-refundable if the application is refused.
Using a MARA-registered migration agent
PR applications are complex, and mistakes can result in visa refusals or bridging visa complications that affect your timeline significantly. A MARA-registered migration agent (Migration Agents Registration Authority) is legally authorised to give immigration advice in Australia. They can assess your situation, identify your strongest pathway, handle your state nomination application, and lodge your visa correctly. Only use MARA-registered agents — verify registration at mara.gov.au. The Hamro Find services directory lists Nepali-speaking MARA agents.
Find a MARA-registered Nepali migration agent near you on Hamro Find.
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