If you are an Australian citizen then you have an automatic right of entry to Australia, but in case you are a non-citizen traveling abroad and would like to return to Australia you have to have a visa to re-enter the country. Normally, permanent residents can take advantage of their permanent resident visa to travel abroad and come back to Australia for up to five years from the date the visa was issued. But after five years, permanent residents must go for a Five Year Resident Return visa in order to re-enter the country.

This VISA has two categories:

Resident Return Visa (155,157)

Resident Return visas subclass 155 are usually valid for 5 years but for that, you meet the two-year residence requirements or you should hold substantial business, cultural, employment, or any other kind of personal ties with Australia.

In another case, if you have a strong need to travel internationally you may qualify for a Resident Return visa that is valid for only 3 months i.e., subclass 157. Suppose your family member is severely ill.

There is good news in case your passport expires your visa does not become invalid. You may reissue and stamp it in your new passport by paying the additional processing fees