Permanent Residency
The number of people who can gain permanent residence in Australia each year is determined by the Government of the day. This number is re-assessed each year according to what the Government believes meets Australia’s need at any point in time and the state of the economy. The overall quota is divided among the various visa categories, although not equally.
The major benefits of obtaining permanent residency are gaining permission to remain in Australian indefinitely, qualification for citizenship, access to the national health scheme, Medicare, and access to education (up to the end of secondary school) on the same fee structure as Australian nationals (some variations between States).
Permanent resident applicants must undergo stringent medical screening to ensure that the Australian community is protected from major health concerns, that the Australian taxpayer incurs no undue costs and that there is no prejudice of access to scarce medical resources.
It is important to be aware that it is not possible to waive the entitlement to Medicare. Offers to waive the entitlement are frequently made in situations where there is a known medical condition/disability suffered by a member of a family who want to gain permanent residency. The rule is ‘one fails (medical screening) all fail’.
