As an Australian permanent resident, you do not have an automatic right to return to Australia from overseas. Your right of re-entry to Australia will depend on the validity of your travel facility on your permanent visa.

Upon obtaining permanent residency, you are granted a visa with a five-year travel facility. This initial visa grants you the flexibility to enter and exit Australia as frequently as you wish during this five-year duration. However, if you have not become an Australian citizen within this five-year period and intend to travel overseas, you must apply for a Resident Return Visa to extend your travel privileges.

Please note that you can lose your permanent residency status, and you may be refused entry into Australia should you travel without a valid visa to return.

Eligibility for the Resident Return Visa includes meeting one of the following criteria:

You have spent at least 2 years in Australia during the last 5 years while holding a permanent visa.

OR

You have not been absent from Australia for a continuous period of 5 years since the grant of your most recent permanent visa. 

You must demonstrate substantial ties of benefit to Australia.