Australia: residency, citizenship, tax and living

Since Australia closed its residency programs for investors and entrepreneurs, skilled migration and family reunification remain the two viable ways to get residency in the country. For skilled migration, the Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189), Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190) and Employer Nominated Scheme Visa (subclass 186) are typically used to gain residency.

No. In July, 2024, Australia closed the Business Innovation and Investment Program for new applicants for the Business Innovation, Investor, Significant Investor, and Entrepreneur visas. The country chose to focus on skilled migration and family reunification programs, but it kept the Business Innovation and Investment permanent visa program open for existing visa holders.

You can get Australian citizenship after four years of lawful residence. You must have been a permanent resident for at least 12 months at the time of application, and your total absence from the country in the four years cannot exceed 12 months, and no more than three months in the 12 months preceding your citizenship application.

Australia uses four tests to determine your tax residency status: the resides, domicile, 183-day, and Commonwealth superannuation tests. These test look at factors such as physical presence and purpose for being in the country, family, economic, and business ties, as well as other factors, to determine whether you’re a tax resident.