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Difference Between an Australian Permanent Resident and an Australian Citizen – Migrate to Sunny Australia
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Difference Between an Australian Permanent Resident and an Australian Citizen

September 17, 2020

The main difference between an Australian Permanent Resident and an Australian Citizen lies in the rights and benefits that one enjoys.

Being an Australian Citizen, essentially gives one more rights and benefits as compared to residing in Australia as a Permanent Resident.

Firstly we have discussed below some of the steps to becoming an Australian Permanent Resident and an Australian Citizen followed by the benefits and rights associated with becoming either. 

How to become an Australian Permanent Resident?

There are many ways of becoming an Australian Permanent Resident, some of the most common ways are mentioned below:

Skilled Migration Visa Program:



This is one of the most common pathway of becoming an Australian Permanent Resident. Applicants who have the skills which are in demand in Australia can apply for the following skilled permanent visas :

–      Skilled Nominated (State Sponsored) 190  

–      Skilled Independent 189 

–      Skilled Regional Permanent Residence – 191

Holders of Skilled Work Regional Visa – 491 and Employer Sponsored Regional Visa – 494 can apply for Skilled
Regional Permanent Residence – 191 after having lived and worked in Australia for a period of 3 years.            

–      Regional Employer Sponsored 187 (If an applicant holds a 482 or 457 work visa then they may be eligible to apply for this Permanent Residence Visa)

 –      Employer Sponsored 186 (If an applicant holds a 482 or 457 work visa then they may be eligible to apply for this Permanent Residence Visa)

Family Visas:

Applicants who are spouses or de facto partners of Australian Permanent Residents or Australian Citizens are also eligible to apply for Permanent Residency through partner visa pathway 820/801 (onshore partner visa) and 309/100 (offshore partner visa).

Business Migrants:

Business migrants are valued in Australia as they create employment for Australians and make substantial financial investments in the Australian economy. As such, several pathways exist for business migrants to
attain direct permanent residency or visas which provide pathways to permanent residency.

How to become an Australian Citizen?


There are a number of ways by which people become Australian Citizens. 
Some of the most common ones are listed below:

Australian Citizenship by Conferral:

This pathway essentially exists for migrants who must have resided in Australia for at least 4 years, out of which at least 1 year should have been as a permanent residence visa holder.

Migrants who go through this pathway are also required to undertake a Citizenship Test and Interview which ascertains their identity and knowledge about Australia.

Australian Citizenship by Birth:

Being born to an Australian Citizen or to an Australian Permanent Resident (if birth occurs onshore in Australia) entitles one to attain Australian Citizenship.

Australian Citizenship by Descent: 

This pathway of becoming an Australian Citizen exists for those who are born outside of Australia and can claim descent from their parent who at the time of their birth was also an Australian citizen.

Australian Citizenship by Adoption:

Children who are 15 years of age or younger and are adopted by Australian nationals are eligible to apply for Australian Citizenship through this pathway.

Let us now examine the rights and benefits that are in place for Australian Citizens and Australian Permanent Residents. 

Rights and Benefits

Australian Permanent Resident

Australian Citizen

Voting in Election and Referendum

Not eligible

Yes

Running in Election

Not eligible

Yes

Australian Consular Support (When Overseas)

Not eligible

Yes

Applying for Work in Public Service or in Australian
Defence Force

Not eligible

Yes

Study Loan

Not eligible

Yes
Australian Citizens can apply for government study loans which are capped at a very low interest rate

Domestic Student Fee for studies

Yes

Yes

Australian Passport

Must become Australian Citizen and then apply for
Australian Passport

Yes                                                  Australian passport is ranked amongst 10 most powerful    passports in the world with visa free or visa on arrival access to 183 countries.

Citizenship Eligibility for children

Yes                                 (If child is born in Australia, if child is born offshore
then they are initially eligible for permanent residency)

Yes

Travel

Must renew travel rights every 5 years in order to travel
to Australia

Yes                                                Australian Citizens can travel in and out of Australia without any hassle and get access to faster immigration clearance at Australian international airports.            Australian citizens can also stay outside Australia indefinitely.

Residency for New Zealand

Yes

Yes

Deportation

Permanent Residence visas can be cancelled when                              – Any crime has been committed that results in a sentence of 12 months or more of imprisonment         
– Providing fraudulent     information which       eventually lead to   grant of Permanent Residency                      -Convicted of committing crimes of sexual nature that involve a child

Australian Citizens cannot be deported

What should applicants do?

Becoming an Australian Citizen is the final step in settlement journey of a migrant in Australia. To be an Australian citizen is a privilege and it gives a sense of belonging to a great and progressive nation. 
Australian citizenship regulations are reviewed from time to time by the Australian government and can be changed when any new legislation gets passed. 

The process of attaining Australian Permanent Residency and Australian Citizenship can be quite complicated and we recommend getting advice or seeking services of professional registered migration agent for lodgement and processing of the relevant applications.

How can we assist you?

We have assisted many applicants to attain Australian Permanent Residency and Australian Citizenship and will be able to assist you through all the stages of lodging a successful application. Contact us or book a consultation today with our Registered Migration Consultant Sunny Soni

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