Australia PR Pathways in 2026 Compared by Profile, Cost and Available Places
Updated 28 October 2026.
Quick answer: which PR pathway fits you?
Australia has no single PR visa. The right pathway depends on your occupation, points, employer, family and where you live. In short: the Skilled Independent (subclass 189) needs no sponsor but you must be invited.
The Skilled Nominated (190) needs state or territory nomination. The Skilled Work Regional (491) is a 5-year provisional visa that can lead to PR (subclass 191). The Employer Nomination Scheme (186) needs an employer to nominate you. A partner visa is based on a genuine relationship with an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
Key takeaways for 2026-27
The 2026-27 Permanent Migration Program is set at 185,000 places: 132,240 Skilled (about 71%) and 52,460 Family, with 300 Special Eligibility, per Home Affairs.
129,590 places are for people already living in Australia, so onshore applicants are prioritised overall.
Employer-Sponsored planning level rises to 58,040 (from 44,000). Regional falls to 14,110 (from 33,000). Skilled Independent rises to 21,090 (from 16,900).
The base application charge for a main applicant is AUD 6,135 for the 189 and AUD 6,140 for the 190, 491, 186 and 494. A partner visa is AUD 11,710.
Processing priority for most skilled and employer visas follows Ministerial Direction 122. The priority dates change, so check the visa page before you lodge.
Planning levels are targets set by the Government, not guaranteed places or invitations. Your outcome depends on your own circumstances.
Australia PR pathways compared (2026)
Use this table to shortlist options. Fees are the Home Affairs base application charge for the main applicant, checked on 28 October 2026. Additional applicants and other charges (skills assessment, English test, medicals, state fees) cost extra.
Subclass | Best suited to | Base fee (main applicant) | Sponsor or nominator | Result |
Skilled workers who are invited through SkillSelect, under 45 | AUD 6,135 | None | Permanent | |
Skilled workers with a state or territory nomination | AUD 6,140 | State or territory | Permanent | |
Skilled workers willing to live and work in a designated regional area | AUD 6,140 | State or territory, or eligible relative | Provisional, 5 years | |
Eligible 491 and similar holders after 3 years | AUD 630 | None | Permanent | |
Workers an employer will nominate (Direct Entry, Labour Agreement, Temporary Residence Transition) | AUD 6,140 | Employer | Permanent | |
Workers nominated by an approved employer in a designated regional area, under 45 | AUD 6,140 | Employer | Provisional, 5 years | |
Partner (309/100 offshore, 820/801 onshore) | Partners of Australian citizens, permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens | AUD 11,710 | Your partner | Temporary then permanent |
Additional applicants aged 18 or over on the 189, 190, 491, 186 and 494 are AUD 3,070 each; applicants under 18 are AUD 1,535 (AUD 1,540 on the 189).
Not sure where to start? Our guide on how to become a permanent resident in Australia covers the basics, and this page compares the pathways side by side.
Skilled pathways: 189, 190, 491 and 191
Subclass 189 Skilled Independent
The 189 is points-tested and needs no sponsor or nominator. You must submit an Expression of Interest in SkillSelect and receive an invitation, and you must be under 45 when invited. It gives permanent residence from grant. Because invitations depend on points, occupation and the priority queue, a competitive score does not guarantee an invitation.
Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated
The 190 needs an occupation on the relevant skilled list, a suitable skills assessment, a state or territory nomination, an invitation and a passing points score. Each state sets its own criteria, which can include living or working in that state. It is a permanent visa.
Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional
The 491 is a 5-year provisional visa for people nominated by a state or territory, or sponsored by an eligible relative, to live and work in a designated regional area. It needs a skills assessment, an invitation and a passing points score.
You can apply for permanent residence after 3 years if you meet the requirements. Home Affairs has cut the 2026-27 Regional planning level to 14,110 places from 33,000, so check current availability with the nominating state.
Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional)
The 191 is the permanent step for eligible regional visa holders. You must have held an eligible visa for at least 3 years, complied with its conditions, and met the taxable income requirement for at least 3 years. No sponsor is needed. Read our guide to the core skills income threshold for how income tests are applied.
The points test
Skilled visas 189, 190 and 491 use a points test covering factors such as age, English, skilled employment and qualifications. Home Affairs states the pass mark as 65 points in its 2024 points test review paper, and the points below come from its official points tables.
They can change, especially with the reform announced below, so confirm them on the official points calculator. You can also estimate your score with our skilled migration points calculator.
Points test factor | Points |
Age 18 to under 25 | 25 |
Age 25 to under 33 | 30 |
Age 33 to under 40 | 25 |
Age 40 to under 45 | 15 |
English: Competent / Proficient / Superior | 0 / 10 / 20 |
Overseas skilled employment: 3 to under 5 years / 5 to under 8 / 8 or more | 5 / 10 / 15 |
Australian skilled employment: 1 to under 3 years / 3 to under 5 / 5 to under 8 / 8 or more | 5 / 10 / 15 / 20 |
Education: Doctorate / Bachelor or higher / Australian diploma or trade / other recognised qualification | 20 / 15 / 10 / 10 |
Specialist education qualification (Australian research masters or doctorate in specified STEM or ICT fields) | 10 |
Australian study requirement | 5 |
Professional Year in Australia | 5 |
Credentialled community language | 5 |
Study in regional Australia | 5 |
Partner: skilled (10), competent English only (5), or single / partner is a citizen or permanent resident (10) | 10 / 5 / 10 |
Nomination: subclass 190 | 5 |
Nomination or eligible relative sponsorship: subclass 491 | 15 |
Source: Home Affairs points tables for the Skilled Nominated 190 and Skilled Work Regional 491, read on 28 to 29 October 2026. Points for employment are capped at 20 in total, and you receive points for your highest qualification only. Rules apply to each claim, such as employment in the 10 years before invitation, so read the full table.
The 2026-27 Federal Budget confirmed the Government plans to reform the Points Test to favour younger, more highly educated and higher-skilled migrants. As at 13 May 2026, no detail, dates or transitional arrangements had been announced. See our update on the Points Test changes in the 2026 Federal Budget and check for newer announcements before you lodge.
Employer-sponsored pathways: 186 and 494
Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme
The 186 is a permanent visa with three streams: Direct Entry, Labour Agreement and Temporary Residence Transition (TRT). Your employer must nominate you. For the TRT stream you generally need to hold a 457, 482 or eligible bridging visa and have usually worked full-time for the sponsoring employer for 2 years. Direct Entry applicants need at least Competent English. Salary thresholds are indexed each 1 July, so confirm the current amounts with Home Affairs.
Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional
The 494 is a 5-year provisional visa for workers nominated by an approved employer in a designated regional area. You must be under 45 and meet at least Competent English. You can apply for permanent residence after 3 years if you meet the requirements.
Why employer pathways matter in 2026-27
The Employer-Sponsored planning level has increased to 58,040 places from 44,000, the largest rise of any skilled category. That makes it worth exploring if you already work for an Australian employer or have a genuine job offer.
Other pathways to permanent residence
Partner visas
Partner visas are based on a genuine and continuing relationship with an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. The base charge is AUD 11,710 for the 309/100 (offshore) and 820/801 (onshore). Partner and Child places are demand-driven, with 2026-27 indicative levels of 41,500 and 3,500.
Parent and other family visas
The Parent visa (subclass 103) has a base charge of AUD 6,600. Parent planning levels are 7,060 for 2026-27 (8,500 in 2025-26), and Other Family is 400. Waiting times for these categories can be long, so check Home Affairs for current information.
Graduate or temporary visa to PR
Many people reach PR in steps: study or work on a temporary visa, then move to a skilled or employer-sponsored visa. Each step has its own eligibility rules and timing, so plan the sequence with a registered migration agent before you lodge anything.
Closed or changed pathways
Home Affairs notes that the Business Innovation and Investment visas and Global Talent are closed to new applications in its planning-level information. The National Innovation visa is the talent and innovation route. Talent and Innovation planning is 3,500 places in 2026-27 (5,300 in 2025-26).
How to choose the right PR pathway
Decision guide
If this describes you | Start by looking at |
Skilled occupation, strong points, no sponsor | 189, then 190 and 491 |
Skilled occupation, willing to move to a state that nominates it | 190 or 491 |
Already working for an Australian employer who will sponsor you | 186 (or 494 in a regional area) |
Holding a 491 or 494 for nearly 3 years | 191 or the 186/494 PR step |
Partner is an Australian citizen or permanent resident | Partner visa (309/100 or 820/801) |
Close family member is a permanent resident or citizen | Parent or other family visas |
Common scenarios
Offshore skilled worker with good points: compare the 189, 190 and 491 together. The 2026-27 program favours people already in Australia, so expect onshore applicants to be prioritised.
Temporary worker with an employer ready to sponsor: the 186 TRT stream may suit you after the usual period of sponsored employment. Check the current salary threshold first.
Regional move: the 491 and 494 lead to PR after 3 years, but the 2026-27 Regional planning level is lower than last year.
Costs to budget for
The base charge is only part of the bill. Add additional applicant charges, skills assessment, English test, health checks, police certificates, state fees and agent fees where relevant. For example, a main applicant plus an adult partner on the 190 pays AUD 6,140 plus AUD 3,070 in Home Affairs base charges alone.
Common mistakes and myths
Myth: a high points score guarantees an invitation. Reality: invitations depend on occupation, planning levels and priority settings.
Myth: the 491 is a permanent visa. Reality: it is provisional for 5 years; PR comes through the 191 if you qualify.
Myth: planning levels are guaranteed places. Reality: they are Government targets and outcomes vary.
Mistake: relying on old fee tables. Charges changed on 1 July 2026, so use the official figures.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest way to get PR in Australia in 2026?
There is no universally easiest pathway. It depends on your occupation, points, employer and family. People with a sponsoring employer often look at the 186, partners of citizens or residents use partner visas, and skilled workers compare the 189, 190 and 491. A registered agent can assess your options.
How much does an Australian PR visa cost in 2026?
On 28 October 2026, the Home Affairs base application charge for a main applicant was AUD 6,135 for the 189, AUD 6,140 for the 190, 491, 186 and 494, and AUD 11,710 for partner visas. Additional applicants and third-party costs are extra, so check the official fee page before lodging.
Can I apply for PR without a sponsor?
Yes, through the Skilled Independent 189 if you are invited through SkillSelect and meet the requirements. The 190 and 491 need state or territory nomination (or an eligible relative for the 491), and the 186 and 494 need an employer.
Is the 491 visa a permanent visa?
No. The 491 is a provisional visa valid for 5 years. You may apply for permanent residence through the 191 after 3 years if you meet the income and compliance requirements. Check the current criteria with Home Affairs before relying on this pathway.
How many PR places are available in 2026-27?
The 2026-27 Permanent Migration Program is 185,000 places, including 132,240 Skilled and 52,460 Family places, with 300 Special Eligibility. These are planning levels, not guaranteed outcomes.
Talk to a registered migration agent at RACC
Choosing a PR pathway is a decision with real cost and timing consequences. RACC Migration & Education Services is a registered migration agency based in Australia. Our MARA-registered agents (MARN 1572961 and MARN 1172003) can assess your profile, compare the pathways above and prepare your application. Book a consultation to discuss your situation.
Disclaimer
This article is general information, not migration advice. Visa rules, fees, planning levels and priority settings change often. Confirm everything with the Department of Home Affairs or a registered migration agent before acting.
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