Australian permanent resident

Australian permanent residents are residents of Australia who hold permanent residency visas but are not citizens of the Commonwealth of Australia.

Holders of permanent residency visas may remain in Australia indefinitely. These visas last up to five years from the date of grant. Until the permanent resident 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.

After the initial visa has expired, if the holder wishes to continue to travel to and from Australia as a permanent resident, he/she must obtain a Resident Return Visa (RRV). [1] However those who live for too long outside Australia may lose their permanent resident status.

Permanent residency visas may be revoked at the discretion of the Minister for Immigration. However this does not normally happen other than in cases of criminal misconduct.

At present, there are two programs to grant permanent residency. "Migration Program" is mainly for skilled migrants, and has made available 120,000 visas for year 2004-2005. "Humanitarian Program" is mainly for refugees seeking permanent residency, and has made available 13,000 visas for year 2004-2005. [2]

Most permanent residents are eligible to become citizens. See Australian nationality law

Permanent residents enjoy many of the rights and privileges of citizens, including access to free or subsidised legal and health services and education. They do not have the right to vote in federal elections, but some states allow permanent residents from Commonwealth of Nations countries to vote in State and local government elections. Some citizens of Commonwealth of Nations countries who were enrolled to vote on 25 January 1984 are entitled to retain voting rights.

Citizens of New Zealand are allowed to enter and remain in Australia indefinitely under the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement, being granted a Special Category Visa on arrival, but must obtain a proper permanent residency permit if they wish to enjoy the privileges of permanent residents.

Benefits of permanent resident status include:

• unrestricted rights to live and study in Australia
• few limitations on employment in Australia (involving only national security and the federal public service)
• the right to apply for Australian citizenship after fulfilling normal residence requirements
• domestic fees for education, although access to some fee discount/deferral schemes is restricted to Australian citizens
• the right to sponsor relatives for permanent residence, subject to fulfilling residence criteria and assurance of support requirements
• children born inside Australia will be Australian citizens by birth
• the right to enter some professions in Australia (such as migration agent and government positions)
• the right to travel to New Zealand without having to apply for a New Zealand visa

See also

• Permanent residency
• Australian nationality law

External links

• Return Documents for Australian Permanent Residents (pdf)