Last updated: 30 March 2026

Australia PR Process from India: Step-by-Step Application

Applying for Australian permanent residency from India is a structured process with specific requirements at each stage. Indian applicants make up one of the largest cohorts applying through Australia’s skilled migration system, and there are procedures and document requirements specific to India that differ from what applies in other countries. This guide walks through every step — from the first document checks to final visa grant — with India-specific guidance on institutions, formats, and approximate costs.

For a broader overview, see the Australia PR from India overview. For the full document checklist, see documents required for Australia PR from India.

Stage 1: Check Your Eligibility

Before preparing any documents, confirm that the fundamental eligibility criteria are met. For the main skilled migration visas, you need:

Age: Under 45 years at the time of invitation to apply.

English language proficiency: A score meeting the minimum threshold for the visa type. IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, and OET are all accepted. For a Competent English result (the minimum for most visas), you need IELTS 6.0 in each band or equivalent.

Nominated occupation: Your occupation must appear on the relevant federal skilled occupation list (MLTSSL for the 189, or the state’s list for 190 and 491).

Skills assessment: A positive assessment from the recognised assessing authority for your occupation.

Points score: A minimum of 65 points calculated using the federal points test. Most applicants need higher scores in practice — competitive rounds often clear at 80 or above.

Use the federal government’s Points Calculator (available on the Home Affairs website) to estimate your score before proceeding.

Stage 2: Prepare Your English Test

Indian applicants most commonly sit IELTS or PTE Academic. Both are widely available across major Indian cities including Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune, and Kolkata.

IELTS Academic — administered by IDP and British Council. Fee approximately ₹17,000–₹19,000. Results available within 13 days online.

PTE Academic — administered by Pearson. Fee approximately ₹16,000–₹18,000. Results available within 5 business days. Many Indian applicants find PTE faster and more predictable.

For the points test, a Superior English score (IELTS 8.0 in each band or PTE 79+) adds an additional 20 points over a Competent score. If your current test score gives you Proficient English (IELTS 7.0 / PTE 65+), investing in preparation to reach Superior can shift your competitive position significantly.

Stage 3: Skills Assessment — India-Specific Guidance

Your skills assessment must be completed before you can lodge an Expression of Interest in SkillSelect. The assessing body depends on your occupation.

For IT professionals — ACS (Australian Computer Society)

The ACS skills assessment for ICT workers is the standard pathway for software engineers, systems analysts, IT managers, and most computing-related occupations. ACS accepts qualifications from Indian universities. You will need:

• Original academic transcripts and degree certificates
• Employment reference letters on company letterhead with employer contact details
• A statutory declaration or employment certificate from current employer
• Position description for each role claimed

ACS accepts online applications. The process typically takes 8–12 weeks from India. The fee is approximately AUD 530.

For engineers — Engineers Australia (EA)

EA assesses engineers across all disciplines. Indian engineering degrees (B.Tech, B.E.) from accredited institutions are generally assessed at the Professional Engineer level. EA requires a competency demonstration through a technical report or Competency Demonstration Report (CDR).

The CDR is a formal document that many Indian applicants engage professional writers for, though you must write it yourself — plagiarism is a common and serious issue that can result in a cancelled assessment.

For nurses — ANMAC

ANMAC assesses internationally qualified nurses. Indian nurses with a BSc or GNM qualification can apply, but ANMAC has specific English requirements (OET B in all components or IELTS 7.0 in all bands) and bridging programs may be required depending on your qualification level.

For accountants — CPA Australia, CAANZ, or CIMA

The recognised pathway depends on your Indian qualification and professional membership (ICAI membership is recognised). Each assessing body has distinct requirements for Indian CAs and commerce graduates.

Stage 4: Submit Your Expression of Interest in SkillSelect

Once your skills assessment is returned as positive and you have a valid English test score, you can submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect on the Home Affairs website. This is an online form that records your claimed points and eligibility for skilled migration.

Key points when lodging your EOI from India:

• Select every visa subclass you are eligible for (189, 190, 491) — a single EOI can be active for multiple visa types
• Enter your occupation using the correct ANZSCO code (your skills assessment letter will specify this)
• Claim all eligible points — age, English, qualifications, experience, partner skills, state nominations, NAATI
• Your EOI is valid for 24 months and can be updated at any time before you receive an invitation

Your EOI is ranked in SkillSelect against other candidates in the same occupation. The government issues invitations based on SkillSelect score in periodic rounds. Higher scores receive invitations first.

Stage 5: Apply for State Nomination (190 or 491)

While your EOI is active, apply for state nomination to add 5 or 15 points to your score and access the 190 or 491 visa pathways. From India, the states most accessible to offshore applicants are South Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory, and Western Australia.

Each state has its own portal and requirements. You typically need to:

• Register on the state’s online portal
• Submit supporting documents (skills assessment, English test, qualifications, employment evidence)
• Write a statement of intent explaining why you want to settle in that state
• Some states require evidence of connection to the state (job offer, graduate registration, or prior visit)

Once nominated, the state notifies SkillSelect and your score is updated. Home Affairs then issues an invitation to apply in the next appropriate round.

Stage 6: Receive Your Invitation and Lodge Your Visa Application

When Home Affairs issues an invitation to apply, you have 60 days to lodge the full visa application online. This is a critical window — missing it means your EOI returns to the pool and you must wait for a new invitation.

Prepare all supporting documents before your EOI score becomes competitive so you can lodge immediately on receiving an invitation. Documents required include:

• Certified copies of all qualifications and academic transcripts
• Employment references from all positions claimed
• Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) from India
• Medicals (completed through an approved panel physician in India)
• Birth certificate and marriage certificate (if applicable)
• Evidence of English proficiency
• Skills assessment letter

All foreign-language documents must be translated into English by a NAATI-accredited translator or a professional translator.

Stage 7: Police Clearance Certificate from India

Indian applicants must obtain a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) from the Passport Seva portal (passportindia.gov.in). The PCC is applied for online and collected from your nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Regional Passport Office (RPO).

Allow 4–6 weeks for the PCC. The certificate must be current — Home Affairs typically expects it to be issued within 12 months of the visa application date.

If you have lived in any country other than India for 12 months or more since turning 16, you will also need a police clearance from that country.

Stage 8: Education Document Verification

For visa lodgement, your educational qualifications need to be verifiable. Indian documents should be:

• Original or certified true copies of degree certificates and mark sheets
• Certified by the issuing institution (university or board) or a JP/authorised certifier
• Some assessing bodies and Home Affairs may request apostille-certified documents for use internationally

India joined the Hague Apostille Convention and apostilles for educational documents are available through the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) India. The apostille process involves submitting original documents through the MEA’s e-Sanad platform or via a registered agent.

For employment documents, company letterheads, HR contact information, and professional references are generally sufficient for Home Affairs — apostille is not typically required for employment records.

Stage 9: Medicals at an Approved Panel Physician in India

Your visa medical examination must be completed by an approved panel physician (AP) in India. The list of approved APs is available on the Home Affairs website and includes clinics in all major Indian cities.

The medical typically includes a physical examination, chest X-ray, and blood tests. Results are uploaded directly to Home Affairs by the clinic — you do not need to submit them yourself. Allow 1–3 business days for results to be uploaded.

Medical examinations are valid for 12 months.

Stage 10: Biometrics via VFS Global

After lodging your visa application online, Home Affairs will request biometrics. This is completed at a VFS Global centre in India. VFS has centres in Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and other major cities.

You book a biometrics appointment through the VFS website. The appointment typically takes 30–45 minutes. Biometric data collected includes fingerprints and a digital photograph.

Costs and Timeline Summary

Approximate costs from India (AUD and INR equivalents):

Approximate timeline from India:

What to Do Now

If you are at the start of this process, the most useful first step is calculating your points score using the Home Affairs points calculator. That result tells you whether you are currently competitive or whether specific steps — improving English, waiting for more experience, or targeting state nomination — are your priority.

If your score is already above 75–80, proceed to skills assessment and EOI preparation. If it is below 75, identify which points category is most achievable to improve and work on that first before investing in the full application process.