AUSTRALIA

EDUCATION - Benefits Of Studying In Australia

Australia offers excellent opportunities for students from across the world to do various undergraduate and graduate courses like MBA in Marketing, Human Resource or Finance and Bachelors degree in I.T. , Management, Science, Hospitality, Travel & Tourism and Trade diploma in different streams. While studying in Australia, the govt. offers various benefits for students on completion of the course in the form of granting permission to work for certain time duration. Eligible dependent family members can accompany the applicant to Australia and are permitted to work also.

Some of the benefits and prerequisites are mentioned below to help the student take an informed decision before applying to various universities and colleges. This information will help the students to do comparison with other available options with us to study in New Zealand, United Kingdom, USA, Canada or Ireland.

1. When the course of study in Australia is ongoing, the student is allowed to work up to 20 hours per week while the course is in session and unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks

2. The accompanying family members like spouse can work up to 20 hours per week also. If the student is doing a postgraduate course, such as a Masters degree, the spouse can work unlimited hours on commencement of the course.

Australia Student Visa (SubClass 500)

Australia is one of the most preferred overseas study option by international students from all parts of the world, and is one of the best options for students who have long term plans to settle permanently and make Australia their home of Permanent Residence. The government of Australia offers many benefits for students who complete their Masters degree or Trade Diplomas in Hospitality and many other courses. Australian govt. offers a pathway to study, work and live in Australia after the completion of studies by the students from Nigeria and other countries.

Known around the world for its top universities and quality study experience, Australia is where you need to study for great career opportunities. Home to leading universities, it offers a relaxed, affordable study experience and strong career opportunities in some of the world’s most livable cities, including Sydney and Melbourne.

Australia offers a diverse range of study options for international students, institutions offer courses spanning diverse study areas, including business, technology, arts, sciences, etc., as well as professional qualifications. Whether you are looking to take up an undergraduate degree with a dual specialization or a double Masters, Australia has everything you need.

In fact, Aussie universities rank 3rd for the highest number of international students. Many students study in Australia for its unparalleled quality of education, high standard of living, post-study work opportunities, promising career prospects and other factors.

Requirements For Australia Study Visa

When applying for your student visa for Australia, you will generally need:

Proof of enrolment (your electronic confirmation of enrolment)
A valid passport
Your visa application fee
Your Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) statement
Academic and work experience documents
Evidence of your English proficiency skills (such as IELTS test scores)
Evidence of financial ability (tuition fees, living expenses, expenses for dependents, return airfare)
Details of your health insurance policy (Overseas Student Health Cover)
Statement of purpose
Passport-sized photographs

If you are under 18 years of age, you will also need to provide additional documents such as parental consent.

Applying for your visa online

You will need to create an account using Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP)’s online application system – ImmiAccount - to complete and submit your student visa application. You can also track the status of your visa through ImmiAccount once you have submitted it. You should submit your application no later than six weeks before your course starts, and no earlier than 12 weeks. You can also check here:

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500

Education System in Australia

Everything you need to know about the Australian education system

When you choose to study in Australia, you can be assured of unparalleled quality of education, internationally-recognized qualification and immense employment prospects. Universities in Australia are renowned for their research and training methodologies, and this makes it a popular destination among Nigerian students.

The academic excellence, campus life and qualified instructors are other key reasons behind Australian universities being ranked in the QS World Ranking and Times Higher Education Rankings consistently. It has well-structured curriculum that focuses on varied skills such as critical thinking, creativity, communication, literacy, analytical thinking ability, ethical understanding and more.

Plus, Australia offers a variety of courses – you can choose from 22,000 types of courses available in over 1,100 institutions; and hosts the five best student cities in the world including Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane.

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF)

The unique factor of the Australian education system is its implementation of Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), the national policy established in 1995 that specifies the standards of qualifications for the tertiary education sector (higher education, vocational education and training) in addition to the school leaving certificate, called the Senior Secondary Certificate of Education. With AQF, your degree is recognized and authorized by the government.

Under the AQF, there are 10 levels that interconnects various schools, colleges, universities and educational institutions in one single national system. This allows flexibility, choice and better career planning for students to move from one study level to another as long as their student visa requirements are fulfilled.

Study levels in Australia

The education system in Australia is three-tiered with primary, secondary and tertiary levels of education. Here’s an overview of the different levels and qualifications available as per the AQF.

Levels and qualifications as per Australian Qualification Framework (AQF)

Level 1 = Certificate I

Level 2 = Certificate II

Level 3 = Certificate III

Level 4 = Certificate IV

Level 5 = Diploma

Level 6 = Advanced Diploma, , Associate Degree

Level 7 = Bachelor Degree

Level 8 = Bachelor Honors Degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma

Level 9 = Master’s Degree

Level 10 = Doctoral Degree

Source: https://www.aqf.edu.au/aqf-levels

The highest level of education in Australia is the university level. You can choose from 43 universities, 40 out of which are government funded, two are international universities and one is a private university. You may opt for bachelor degrees or postgraduate courses which can comprise certificate, postgraduate diploma, master and doctoral programs.

Students can also enroll for vocational courses that work as a gateway to university education or industry for work. These courses focus on practical skills and industry training and are offered by government-funded institutions (including TAFE - Technical and Further Education) and private establishments.

Higher education
Provided at university level, higher education comprises bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees. The skills and knowledge acquired at these levels makes a student ready to work in the industry eventually.

Fee structure
The average tuition fees at one of Australia’s tertiary institutions ranges between AUD$20,000 and AUD$30,000 a year.

Financial aid
International students can apply to several government, public as well as institution specific scholarships. Application requirements and guidelines are available on the official website of your institution or respective funding organization. Students are recommended to check the same before applying.

Pedagogy in Australian classrooms
The Australian education emphasizes on practical knowledge, hands-on experience and getting you job-ready. Universities in Australia provide a research-based learning approach wherein you’ll be implementing all the concepts and ideas you gather in the classroom.

VET (Vocational and Technical Schools)
Australian education system allows its students to enroll for vocational courses that lets them skip university education and apply directly to jobs. These courses primarily focus on practical learning and industry skills unlike the regular courses that rely heavily on theoretical and in-depth knowledge. A lot of schools provide courses in technical and further education (TAFE) and vocational education and training (VET). Keep in mind that courses mostly provide certifications, diploma or advanced diploma. Some of the popular industries that VET students can look at include manufacturing, hospitality, sports, tourism, business and marketing.

Pathway programs – Your bridge to higher education in Australia
International students may require additional support and assistance to get accustomed to the education system and teaching approach of Australia. Henceforth, a lot of pathway programs to higher education that comprise of foundation courses and English language programs are available.

Academic intakes
Unlike a single intake in the Nigerian universities, Australian colleges and universities offer two major intakes. Intakes may also be referred to as a semester in some universities. The two intakes available in Australia are:

Semester 1: Starts late February/early March to late May/early June
Semester 2: Starts late July/early August through to November

The Australian high school system commences in late January or early February whereas the vocational courses and university programs begin around February. While the school system has three to four terms, universities have two semesters. Students can enjoy a 2-4 week break between the two semesters, the summer one being the longer one.

English language training
Since Australia is an English-speaking country and all your instructions in the classroom takes place in English, it is essential to be proficient in this language. In case you have limited proficiency, you may be advised to enroll in an English language before you start your program. You can choose from over 100 private English language centers in the country.

Postgraduate study
Both universities and private colleges offer postgraduate courses in Australia. A master’s degree has three formats – Master’s degree (coursework), Master’s degree (research) and Master’s degree (extended). Similarly, on doctorate level, there are two formats- Research doctorate (PhD) and Professional doctorate. Admission criteria at post graduate level is quite competitive including high levels of English language proficiency, and remarkable academic qualifications. You should also know that some courses like architecture and medicine are only offered by universities.

External link below

SCHOOL SEARCH

TOURISM

Visit Australia on a Visitor visa (subclass 600 visa)

The Australian tourist visa or Visitor visa (subclass 600 visa) is for individuals who wish to visit Australia for holiday, to see family and friends or to conduct a short business trip. This visa is valid for up to 3, 6 or 12 months.

There are three types of Australian visitor visas.

Your country of origin will determine which visa you can apply for. These include:

Visitor visa (subclass 600 visa)
Electronic Travel Authority visa (subclass 601 visa)
Visitor (subclass 651 visa)

The subclass 600 visa is for individuals who want to visit Australia as a tourist or for business.

As a subclass 601 visa holder, you can visit Australia on multiple occasions for tourist or business purposes. It allows you to visit Australia as often as you wish and stay up to three months at a time within a period of one year. Only individuals from certain countries may apply.

The subclass 651 visa allows you to visit Australia for three months at a time within a 12-month period for tourist or business purposes only. This visa is only eligible for individual from certain countries.

A Visitor visa provides more than just an opportunity to head Down Under as a tourist. Visiting and holidaying in the country before you make the big move will give you a taste of the land Down Under and the region you’d like to stay in.

Australia is a vast country with a culture that is as broad and diverse as its landscape. Famed for its sunny and temperate climate, natural wonders, wide open spaces, exceptional beaches and friendly locals - it’s easy to see why so many people who visit Australia end up staying for good.

Apply for an Australian Visitor visa

To be eligible for this visa you must:

Be able to show that you are travelling to, or remaining in Australia as a genuine visitor
Have your own health insurance
Declare any criminal convictions and have no outstanding debts to the Australian Government

IMMIGRATION

Let us help you immigrate to Australia

Australian employer sponsored visas

An employer sponsored visa is a great way to make a permanent move to Australia. To be eligible you will need to find an Australian-based employer to sponsor you.

Temporary Skilled Shortage visa (subclass 482 visa)

In April 2018, the Temporary Work (Skilled) visa (subclass 457 visa) was replaced with the Temporary Skilled Shortage (TSS) visa.

The TSS visa has a short-term stream and a medium-term stream. The stream you apply for is dependent on which list your occupation is on. Applicants with occupations on the Short-term Skilled Occupations List (STSOL) are eligible for a visa of up to two years on the short-term stream. Applicants who apply for jobs on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) are eligible for a visa of up to four years on the medium-term stream, and may apply for permanent residency after three years.

Standard business sponsorship (SBS)

Businesses who wish to employ workers from another country first need to obtain an SBS to sponsor overseas workers on the TSS visa streams. As each application is assessed by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection, Australian companies who wish to sponsor international applicants need to show that they are legally trading in Australia and have processes in place to train local employees.

Overseas businesses with plans to expand their business in Australia, or with contracts to fulfil in the country, are also able to apply for an overseas business SBS. If granted, these foreign companies can make use of the TSS visa. The companies must declare that they have been unable to find a suitable local worker from the Australian work force.

Employer Nomination Scheme visa

Employers must select the role that needs to be filled from the defined list of skilled occupations. All nominated roles need to meet certain minimum criteria relating to salary and skill level.

Once a role is selected, immigration authorities will evaluate the nomination and determine whether it meets their criteria. As nominations are thoroughly examined, it is important that applications are well-prepared and correctly completed.

These applicants usually hold positions that appear on Australia’s Skilled Occupation List.

The Subclass 186 visa has three visa streams:

1. The Temporary Residence Transition stream

This is for applicants who are currently in Australia on a medium-term stream TSS visa (or a 457 visa) and have worked for their employer for at least two years. The employer must sponsor the applicant’s permanent residence visa application.

2. The Direct Entry stream

Applicants who are outside of Australia and who have never, or have only briefly, worked in Australia will take this route. A positive skills assessment is necessary to obtain this visa.

3. The Agreement stream

This stream is for applicants who are sponsored by an employer through either a labor or regional migration agreement. As the 186 visa is a permanent residence visa, it is the end goal of many TSS visa holders.

Additional criteria for the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186 visa)

When applying for this visa, you will be assessed on a number of different factors, including age, English language ability, training, health, character and what the market salary rates are.

We have dealt with a wide variety of employee nominated visas and can assess your eligibility to determine if you qualify for the Employer Nominated Scheme. If you do not qualify we can advise you on what you need to do in order to qualify.

Is an employer-sponsored visa not the right fit for you? Read on to learn more about other visa routes such as Skilled Migration visas, Australian Partner visas and Australian Parent visas.

Live and work in Australia on a skilled visa

There are a variety of visas for skilled migrants available for those wanting to make a permanent move to Australia. These visas are points-based and depend a range of factors that vary depending on what kind of job you apply for, where in Australia you intend to move to and your own personal skills and circumstances.

How the points-based system works

The Australian government operates a general skilled migration program. It is essentially a points-based system where points are awarded to applicants based on age, qualification, experience and English language skills.

Your occupation is the basis for your eligibility, so those holding occupations in demand will have the greatest visa options. Australian immigration officials frequently update both the national and regional skills list which determine which occupations are most needed.

Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189 visa)

The Skilled Independent visa is a permanent resident visa. It is the most desirable visa as it gives the holder the freedom and flexibility to live and work anywhere in Australia.

Successful applicants must be under 45 years of age, score at least 65 points on the immigration points test and have an occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).

Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190 visa)

The Skilled Nominated visa is a permanent resident visa, only granted to applicants who are nominated by a state or territory government.

The state governments have assessed their own labor market needs and formed lists of occupations in demand. In addition to receiving state nomination, the successful applicant must be under 45 years of age, score at least 65 points and have an occupation on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL). State nomination adds an additional five points to an applicant’s score, which could make the difference in meeting the 65-point threshold.

Skilled Recognized Graduate visa (subclass 476 visa)

This visa is specifically aimed at engineering graduates, under the age of 31, who wish to gain up to 18 months of skilled work experience in Australia.

You will need to have completed an engineering degree at a recognized institution within the last two years. This can be either a university or a technikon. You will also need to have had a major sequence of study, or a specialization in:

Civil engineering
Structural engineering
Chemical engineering
Environmental engineering
Electrical and electronics engineering
Mechanical, production and plant engineering
Mining and material engineering

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491 visa)

The Skilled Work Regional visa will allow you to live and work in specified regional areas in Australia for up to five years. To qualify, you’ll need to either be sponsored by an eligible relative or be nominated to apply by a state or territory government agency.

You must score 65 points or more and be under the age of 45 when you apply, and your occupation must be on the list of eligible occupations. After three years of living in Australia on the Skilled Work Regional visa, you’ll be able to apply for a permanent residence visa.

The designated regional areas are:

South Australia
Tasmania
Western Australia
Australian Capital Territory
Victoria (except the Melbourne metropolitan)
Queensland (except the greater Brisbane area)
Northern Territory
New South Wales (except Sydney)

Australian partner visa applications

If you are in a relationship with an Australian citizen, a permanent resident of Australia or an eligible New Zealand citizen, you might qualify for an Australian Partner visa. These are extremely popular visas.

Types of Australian Partner visas

The Australian Partner visa category is divided into various subclasses. Their classification is dependent on whether the visa is temporary or permanent as well as where the application is made.

The Department of Immigration and Border Protection assesses applications under a “combined application”. This means that your application will be assessed against the criteria for both temporary and permanent partner visas. You will be issued with the appropriate visa, depending on which criteria you meet.

Temporary Partner visa

The temporary Partner visa is valid for two years. During this period your relationship will be assessed to ensure that you intend to stay with your partner. If your relationship passes the test, you will be granted a permanent Australian Partner visa.

Permanent Partner visa

The Permanent Partner visa is valid for five years. Once you have held this visa for four years, you will be eligible to apply for citizenship.

All Australian Partner visa applications are assessed on the following:

The financial aspects of the relationship, which includes how financial responsibilities are shared or pooled
The nature of the household, which includes how household tasks are divided and shared
Social aspects of the relationship, which includes how you are perceived as a couple in public
Nature of the persons’ commitment to each other, which includes the willingness to move to another country

Bringing your partner to Australia

There are four routes to bringing your partner to Australia:

1. Partner (Provisional) visa (subclass 309 visa) and Partner (Migrant) visa (subclass 100 visa)

Must be applied for outside of Australia

2. Partner visa (subclasses 820 visa and 801 visa)

Can be applied for within Australia

3. Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300 visa)

For couples engaged to be married

4. New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship (Temporary) visa (subclass 461 visa)

For those with New Zealander partners

Partner (Provisional) visa (subclass 309 visa) and Partner (Migrant) visa (subclass 100 visa)

Any person submitting an application for a visa falling under either subclass 309 visa or 100 visa must do so outside of Australia. You may not enter the country while your application is being assessed.

Partner visa (subclasses 820 visa and 801 visa)

As subclasses 820 visa and 801 visa cover permanent partner visas, you may apply from within Australia.

To apply, you must hold a valid Australian visa (excluding a Bridging, Criminal Justice or Enforcement visa) or be eligible for a waiver. In addition to this, these applicants must not hold a visa with condition 8503, which prevents you from making a further application in Australia.

You may apply for this visa if you possess a Bridging visa, which allows you to live and work in the UK while your partner visa is processed. Applications for the partner visa can take a year or more to process.

Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300 visa)

The purpose of this permit is to allow the unmarried partners of Australian citizens to travel to Australia to get married and is granted for nine months. As this is a temporary visa, you must be outside of Australia when you apply for the visa as well as when it is granted.

The Prospective Marriage visa has unrestricted work rights. The holder is required to marry their partner and apply for the Australian Partner visa before the visa expires.

This visa is often referred to as the fiancé visa and is used by unmarried individuals who cannot show that they have cohabited for 12 months.

New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship (Temporary) visa (subclass 461 visa)

This visa allows a non-New Zealand family member of a New Zealand citizen, who is living in Australia, to live and work in Australia for up to five years.

This is a five-year provisional visa that will not lead to permanent residency in Australia but can be renewed onshore as required.

This visa allows the holder to:

Work and study in Australia
Live in and travel to and from Australia for five years from the date the visa is granted

Reunite your family with an Australian Parent visa

Parents of Australian citizens or permanent residents can apply to migrate to Australia. You must have lived in Australia for at least two years prior to your parents’ immigration to be an eligible sponsor.

Contributory Parent visa (subclass 143 visa)

To be eligible for this visa, applicants must:

Be the parent of a child (natural, adopted or stepchild) who is a settled Australian citizen, settled permanent resident or settled eligible New Zealand citizen
Have at least half of their children permanently residing in Australia
Have more children living permanently in Australia than any other country
Can be applied for within Australia

This visa allows the applicant, together with their accompanying spouse and dependent family members, to:

Work and study in Australia
Live as permanent residents in Australia indefinitely
Sponsor additional applicants for permanent residency in Australia
Apply for Australian citizenship, subject to the residency eligibility criteria
Receive subsidized healthcare through Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
Travel to and from Australia for five years, from the date the visa is granted

Assurance of support

The applicant will need an assurance of support. This person, usually their child, must be prepared to provide financial assistance to the visa applicant, spouse and dependent family members. This ensures that they do not need to rely on government support for 10 years.

In addition to this, the assurer must reimburse any recoverable social security payments made to the applicant or their accompanying spouse and dependent family members in the first 10 years of residency in Australia.

Finally, the assurer needs to lodge a bond of AU $10,000 for one applicant, and AU $4,000 for each additional adult family member. This amount may be returned after the 10-year period.

The Contributory Parent Migrant visa is similar to the Non-Contributory Parent visa. The main difference is the reduced waiting period due to the larger contributory grant fee. With this payment, the visa is processed within 15-18 months from application, rather than 12-18 years for the Non-Contributory Parent visa.

Contributory Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 173 visa)

To be eligible for this, applicants must:

Currently live outside of Australia
Be the parent of a child (natural, adopted or step child) who is a settled Australian citizen, settled permanent resident or settled eligible New Zealand citizen
Be able to pay the high contributory amounts, which are split into two separate payments under the 173 visa and 143 visa applications

This visa is temporary and cannot be extended. After arriving in Australia, holders of this visa have two years in which to apply for a Contributory Parent visa (subclass 143 visa). This will give the applicant permanent resident status in Australia. Applicants must apply for their permanent visa before their temporary visa expire

This visa allows the applicant, together with their accompanying spouse and dependent family members, to:

Work and study in Australia
Live as temporary residents in Australia for two years
Have access to Medicare, Australia's medical expenses and hospital care assistance scheme

The applicant will need a sponsor to give written confirmation that they will provide support, accommodation and financial assistance to the applicant and any accompanying spouse and dependent family members during their first two years in Australia.

Parent visa (subclass 103 visa)

To be eligible for this visa, the applicant must:

Be the parent of a child – naturally or by law - who is a settled Australian citizen, settled permanent resident or settled eligible New Zealand citizen
Have at least half of their children permanently residing in Australia
Have more children living permanently in Australia than any other country

This visa allows the applicant, their accompanying spouse and any dependent family members to:

Live as permanent residents in Australia
Work and study in Australia
Receive subsidized healthcare through Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
Access certain social security payments
Apply for Australian citizenship, once residency eligibility criteria are met
Sponsor other applicants for permanent residence

Applicants for this visa currently have to wait over 20 years before it is granted, as the government limits the number of places available each year of the program. To manage demand fairly, applicants who meet the core criteria for this visa are placed in a global queue.

Due to the long waiting period, applicants may choose to apply for a Contributory Parent visa instead (see above). This visa requires that applicants, or their sponsor, pay a much higher visa application fee and Assurance of Support bond. This contributes to government revenue and helps to offset some costs placed on the community by parent migration.

Move your business and family to Australia:

The Business Innovation visa

Do you own and run a successful business and wish to relocate to Australia? Then the Business Innovation visa (subclass 188 visa) might just be the solution you’ve been waiting for. This visa is available to anyone under the age of 55 looking to start or buy into a business in Australia. It’s valid for four years and three months, and allows you and your family members to live, study and work in Australia, and eventually be eligible for permanent residence.

The perfect Australian visa for those over 45

The cut-off age for most Australian visas is 45, making it difficult to move there if you’re in your early forties. The Business Innovation visa gives those over the age of 45 a route to Australia if they have experience in owning and running a successful business. The good news is that many business owners have the abilities and experience needed to qualify for this visa, but very few are aware of its existence.

Do you qualify? The minimum requirements for the Business Innovation visa are easy to understand.

You must:

Be under the age of 55 years*
Score at least 65 points on the immigration points test
For two out of the four fiscal years immediately before applying, have had ownership of an established business or businesses that has/have at least AUD500,000 turnover in each of those years
Either by yourself, or your business partner, or you and your partner combined, must have total net business and personal assets of AUD800,000 that can be used to establish a business in Australia

*A state or territory can choose to waive this requirement if your proposed business will be of exceptional economic benefit to the nominating state or territory

The Australian immigration points test

You must score at least 65 points to be eligible for the Business Innovation visa. The table below sets out the categories and points available in each category. Please note: You should always consult with a MARA-registered Australian immigration advisor before you apply for this visa. Do not assume that because you have the right amount of points that you will qualify. The visa application process is complex and without professional representation, it is difficult to successfully navigate the regulations.

Estimate your point score

A route to permanent residency in Australia

Your Business Innovation visa, subclass 188 visa, will be valid for four years and three months from the date it is granted. However, your aim should be to qualify for the Business Innovation visa, subclass 888 visa, which is a permanent residence visa. The transition between the 188 visa to the 888 visa can be made after living in Australia for two years and requires you and your business in Australia to meet certain benchmarks, set out in the table below.

Check that you satisfy the requirements

Business criteria (two out of three must be satisfied)1. Applicant (and partner) have held at least AUD200,000 net main business assets for the last 12 months
2. Applicant’s main business has had at least two full-time Australian employees for the last 12 months
3. Applicant (and partner) have held at least AUD600,000 net business and personal assets for the last 12 months Business turnover Applicant and partner’s main business generated turnover of at least AUD300,000 for the last 12 months Time spent in Australia Applicant must have spent one out of the two years preceding the application living in Australia Time of ownership of main business Applicant must have maintained ownership of the main business for a period of at least two years

Obtain permanent residency in Australia

Australian permanent residents are residents of Australia who hold a permanent residency visa but are not citizens of Australia. A holder of a permanent residency visa may remain in Australia indefinitely.

How to stay indefinitely in Australia

A five-year initial visa, which corresponds to the underlying migration program, is granted alongside the permanent residency. Until the initial visa expires, the visa holder may leave and re-enter Australia freely. A notable feature of the permanent residency visa is that, even after the initial visa expires, the holder is entitled to stay in Australia indefinitely without breaching immigration regulations.

Permanent residency may be revoked at the discretion of the responsible Minister, for example in cases of criminal misconduct.

The benefits of permanent residency

Permanent residents enjoy many of the rights and privileges of citizens, including access to free or subsidized legal and health services.

They do not have the right to vote in federal or state/territory elections, unless they were registered to vote prior to 1984, but may vote in some local government elections.

Permanent residents are not entitled to an Australian passport.

Most permanent residents are eligible to become citizens after a waiting period. When the waiting period is complete, the process of taking the citizenship test and attending the ceremony will add an additional three to twelve months.

*** Part or all of the above information is available on the Government of Australia Immigration and Citizenship website; the copyright owner. ***

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/home