Student Visa to PR Pathway Australia: Your Complete Roadmap (2026)

Here's the general journey most students follow:

Year 1–3: Study on a Subclass 500 Student Visa Year 3–5: Work on a Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa Year 4–6: Apply for permanent residency through skilled migration, employer sponsorship, or state nomination

The total journey typically takes 4–7 years from starting your studies to receiving PR. Planning your course and occupation choice early can significantly shorten this timeline.

Your choice of study is the most important decision for your PR pathway. Not all qualifications lead to eligible occupations.

Key considerations:

• - Check the Skilled Occupation Lists before enrolling — your target occupation must be on the MLTSSL (for Subclass 189) or at least on the STSOL/ROL (for state nomination or employer sponsorship)
• - Popular PR-friendly fields: Engineering, IT, nursing, teaching, accounting, social work, construction management, and trades (electrician, plumber, chef)
• - Study at least 2 years (92 weeks) to qualify for the Subclass 485 Post-Study Work stream
• - Study at CRICOS-registered institutions — all recognised Australian education providers
• - Consider regional study — studying in regional Australia gives bonus points and access to longer graduate visas

### Courses with Strong PR Outcomes - Nursing (Bachelor or Master): High demand, on all occupation lists, competitive processing - Engineering (Bachelor + Master): Strong demand, especially civil, mechanical, electrical - Information Technology: Software engineers, developers, cyber security analysts - Teaching (Early Childhood/Secondary): Critical shortage, state nomination opportunities - Trades (Certificate III/IV + practical): Electricians, plumbers, chefs — regional demand is enormous

After completing your studies, the Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa lets you stay and work in Australia. There are two streams:

Post-Study Work Stream - Available to graduates with a Bachelor's degree or higher from an Australian institution - Duration: 2 years (Bachelor), 3 years (Master), 4 years (Doctorate) - Extended by 1–2 years if you studied or live in regional Australia - No occupation list requirement

Graduate Work Stream - For graduates whose qualification relates to an occupation on the MLTSSL - Duration: 18 months - Requires a skills assessment

Key requirements: - Applied within 6 months of completing your course - Completed at least 2 academic years of study in Australia - IELTS 6.0 overall (no band below 5.0) or equivalent - Under 50 years of age - Visa application charge: approximately $1,895

Important 2025–2026 changes: The government has tightened 485 visa eligibility. Some graduates of certain courses may no longer qualify for the Post-Study Work stream. Check the latest requirements on the Department of Home Affairs website.

While on your 485 visa, focus on building your case for permanent residency:

Maximise Your Points - Age: 25–32 years old = maximum 30 points - English: Score IELTS 8.0+ (or PTE 79+) for 20 points; IELTS 7.0+ for 10 points - Australian study: 2+ years = 5 points - Regional study/living: 5 points - Australian work experience: 1 year = 5 points; 3 years = 10 points - Qualification: Bachelor = 15 points; Master = 15 points; Doctorate = 20 points - Professional Year program (for accounting, IT, engineering): 5 points - NAATI credentialled community language: 5 points - Partner skills or single applicant: 10 points

You generally need 65 points minimum to be eligible, but competitive invitation scores are typically 80–90+ points for popular occupations.

Get Your Skills Assessment Each occupation has a designated assessing authority (e.g., Engineers Australia, ACS for IT, ANMAC for nursing). Complete this as early as possible — it can take 2–4 months.

Subclass 189 — [Skilled Independent](/visa/skilled-independent-visa) Visa - Points-tested, no sponsorship needed - Occupation must be on the MLTSSL - Highly competitive — invitation scores often 85–95 points - Processing time: 6–12 months

Subclass 190 — Skilled Nominated Visa - State government nominates you (adds 5 points) - Each state has its own occupation lists and requirements - Often more accessible than 189 for occupations in demand in specific states - Processing time: 6–12 months

Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) - State or family member nominates you for regional Australia (adds 15 points) - Must live and work in regional Australia for 3 years, then apply for 191 PR - Lower points threshold — often 65–75 points is sufficient

Subclass 186 — Employer Nomination Scheme - Employer sponsors you directly for PR - Transition stream: after 2+ years on a 482 visa with the same employer - Direct entry stream: with a skills assessment and 3 years of experience - No points test required

Subclass 494 → 191 — [Employer Sponsored](/visa/employer-sponsored-visa) Regional - Employer in regional Australia sponsors you - After 3 years, transition to permanent 191 visa

1. Start planning in your first year of study — don't wait until graduation
2. Invest in English — the difference between IELTS 6.0 and 8.0 is 20 points
3. Work in your skilled occupation during and after study to build Australian experience
4. Consider regional Australia — less competition, more nomination opportunities, and bonus points
5. Get professional advice early — a migration agent can assess your situation and recommend the optimal pathway. Expect to pay $500–$1,500 for a detailed pathway consultation
6. Keep your documents current — skills assessments, English tests, and police checks all expire
7. Apply for state nomination broadly — don't limit yourself to one state