Australia has long been recognized as a leading destination for international students seeking high-quality education and excellent infrastructure. With its renowned institutions and diverse range of courses, the country offers numerous opportunities for students to pursue their studies and eventually obtain permanent residency (PR). In this blog, we will explore the various courses and pathways available for international students to secure PR in Australia.
Studying in Australia and Applying for PR
One of the most straightforward routes to obtaining permanent residency in Australia is through education. International students who complete their studies in Australia have the option to apply for PR following their graduation. By taking advantage of the post-study work visa, also known as the Graduate Temporary visa (Subclass 485) students can extend their stay in Australia and gain invaluable work experience.
After gaining work experience for 2 to 3 years through a Temporary Graduate visa you will be eligible to apply for skilled visas or other visa options such as Employer Sponsored (Subclass 186) or Regional Sponsored (Subclass 187) visas. This process will lead you to convert from subclass 484 to PR.
Understanding Permanent Residency Eligibility
Let’s first understand the PR eligibility criteria.
Australia is home to some of the world’s best universities that offer a plethora of courses and specialisations. The country is a coveted study abroad destination because it not only provides exceptionally good education but also provides PR opportunities. To apply for PR aspirant students should fulfil the criteria listed below:
- Must be under 45
- Have proof of English language proficiency such as PTE, IELTS and TOEFL or any other test equivalent to them.
- Your profession must be on the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) or the Regional Occupation List (ROL)
- Must meet all the health and character requirements by the Australian Government
- Get your skill evaluated according to your educational and work experience by providing the required documents
- Must have a score of 65 under the Point-based system to be eligible for PR in Australia
The Subclass 485 Visa: Two Streams
The subclass 485 visa offers two distinct streams: the Graduate Work stream and the Post-Study Work stream. Each stream caters to different categories of students based on their educational qualifications and career goals.
- Graduate Work Stream: This stream is for international students who completed two years of education in Australia with skills and qualifications that are relevant to specific occupations that are needed in Australia. The visa duration is usually 18 months but the Australian Government has increased the duration of study to 24 months for visas granted from 1 December 2021.
- Post-Study Work Stream: The Post-Study Work stream is available to international students who have completed a degree at an Australian educational institution. Unlike the Graduate Work stream, students applying under this stream are not required to choose an occupation from the Skilled Occupation List (SOL). The duration of this visa has been increased by two years. The extension will apply from 1 July 2023.
Know more about Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) here.
Top Universities in Australia
Australia has multiple universities ranking at the top in the latest QS World Ranking. There are five universities in the Top 50 and 5 universities in the Top 150. These universities are renowned around the world for their first-class education, accommodation facilities and employment rates.
| Australian Universities | QS World Ranking 2023 |
| Australian National University (ANU) | 30 |
| The University of Melbourne | 33 |
| The University of Sydney | 41 |
| The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney) | 45 |
| The University of Queensland | 50 |
| Monash University | 57 |
| The University of Western Australia | 90 |
| The University of Adelaide | 109 |
| University of Technology Sydney | 137 |
| University of Wollongong | 185 |
Best PR Courses for International Students in Australia
Below you will find a list of courses that are considered best for PR in Australia along with occupations relevant to the courses listed in the Skilled Occupation List.
Engineering
Average Salary: AU$95,000 to AU$115,000 annually
Engineering is the go-to course for international students as the country offers exceptional educational and PR career opportunities. The demand for engineers in Australia has grown by 80% over the past two years (2021 and 2022) according to the Australian Engineering Employment Vacancies Report. Job vacancies for engineers have grown by 22% in 2022. This shows that engineering is one of the popular professions in Australia and can lead to PR if the applicant is an engineering graduate.
| ANZSCO Code | Occupations |
| 312999 | Building and Engineering Technicians |
| 312211 | Civil Engineering Draftsperson |
| 312212 | Civil Engineering Technician |
| 312311 | Electrical Engineering Draftsperson |
| 312312 | Electrical Engineering Technician |
| 312411 | Electronic Engineering Draftsperson |
| 312412 | Electronic Engineering Technician |
| 133211 | Engineering Manager |
| 323411 | Engineering Patternmaker |
| 233999 | Engineering Professional |
| 233914 | Engineering Technologist |
| 312511 | Mechanical Engineering Draftsperson |
| 312512 | Mechanical Engineering Technician |
The following list is a compilation of engineering jobs in Australia that falls under the identified occupations from the Priority list.
Computer and Information Technology
Average Salary: AU$95,168 annually
Computer and Information Technology is another course that is best for international students who want to apply for PR in the future. The course offers lucrative employment in the industry and several opportunities to study at reputed global universities in Australia. As per Digital Pulse from Deloitte, Australia needs at least 60,000 additional IT workers annually to meet the current demand, however, only 7000 students are graduating with an IT qualification each year. This skilled worker shortage is expected to continue for at least the next five years.
| ANZSCO Code | Occupations |
| 261311 | Analyst Programmer |
| 263111 | Computer Network and Systems Engineer |
| 262111 | Database Administrator |
| 261312 | Developer Programmer |
| 261111 | ICT Business Analyst |
| 135199 | ICT Managers |
| 135112 | ICT Project Manager |
| 263211 | ICT Quality Assurance Engineer |
| 262112 | ICT Security Specialist |
| 263299 | ICT Support and Test Engineers |
| 263212 | ICT Support Engineer |
| 263213 | ICT Systems Test Engineer |
| 223211 | ICT Trainer |
| 261211 | Multimedia Specialist |
| 263112 | Network Administrator |
| 263113 | Network Analyst |
| 261399 | Software and Applications Programmers |
| 261313 | Software Engineer |
| 261314 | Software Tester |
| 262113 | Systems Administrator |
| 261112 | System Analyst |
| 313113 | Web Administrator |
| 261212 | Web Developer |
The following list is a compilation of jobs related to Computer and Information Technology in Australia that falls under the identified occupations from the Priority list.
Accounting
Average Salary: AU$65,000 to AU$85,000 annually
Another popular option for international students is Accounting. It is one of the fields that has grown exponentially across the country and offers numerous opportunities for growth and development. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) predicted that the country will require approximately 338,362 accountants by 2026.
| ANZSCO Code | Occupations |
| 221111 | Accountant (General) |
| 221212 | Corporate Treasurer |
| 221213 | External Auditor |
| 132211 | Finance Manager |
| 225211 | ICT Account Manager |
| 221112 | Management Accountant |
| 221113 | Taxation Accountant |
The following list is a compilation of jobs related to Accounting in Australia that falls under the identified occupations from the Priority list.
Education and Training
Average Salary: AU$85,000 to AU$105,000 annually
There is a huge demand for qualified teachers across Australia and according to Australian government statistics, the Education sector will see a rise in employment by 13.4% over the next five years. This demand for employment increases the possibility of attaining a PR.
| ANZSCO Code | Occupations |
| 241111 | Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teacher |
| 241311 | Middle School Teacher |
| 241213 | Primary School Teacher |
| 241411 | Secondary School Teacher |
| 241599 | Special Education Teachers |
| 241511 | Special Needs Teachers |
| 241512 | Teacher of the Hearing Impaired |
| 241513 | Teacher of the Sight Impaired |
The following list is a compilation of jobs related to education and training in Australia that falls under the identified occupations from the Priority list.
Nursing and Midwifery
Average Salary: AU$87,823 annually
Nursing and midwifery courses are highly in demand around the world and Australia is no exception. Workforce planning projections for the nursing workforce show that in the medium to long term, Australia’s demand for nurses will significantly exceed supply, with a projected shortfall of approximately 85.000 nurses by 2025 and 123.000 nurses by 2030. This means that international students enrolled in nursing programs have a higher chance of turning their dream to live and work in Australia into reality.
| ANZSCO Code | Occupations |
| 411411 | Enrolled Nurse |
| 411412 | Mothercraft Nurse |
| 254211 | Nurse Educator |
| 254311 | Nurse Manager |
| 254411 | Nurse Practitioner |
| 254212 | Nurse Researcher |
| 254412 | Registered Nurse (Aged Care) |
| 254413 | Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health) |
| 254414 | Registered Nurse (Community Health) |
| 254415 | Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency) |
| 254416 | Registered Nurse (Developmental Disability) |
| 254417 | Registered Nurse (Disability and Rehabilitation) |
| 254421 | Registered Nurse (Medical Practice) |
| 254418 | Registered Nurse (Medical) |
| 254422 | Registered Nurse (Mental Health) |
| 254425 | Registered Nurse (Paediatrics) |
| 254424 | Registered Nurse (Surgical) |
| 254499 | Registered Nurses |
| 361311 | Veterinary Nurse |
The following list is a compilation of nursing jobs in Australia that falls under the identified occupations from the Priority list.
Medical Courses
Average Salary: AU$90,000 to AU$110,000 annually
The demand for medical practitioners in Australia is exceptionally high and can increase the possibilities of attaining a PR for students who are enrolled in medical courses. According to the Care Workforce Labour Market Study (commissioned by the Australian Government) predicted in 2021 that Australia will need more than 200,000 full-time care-workers by 2050 Australia.
| ANZSCO Code | Occupations |
| 253211 | Anaesthetist |
| 253311 | Specialist Physician (General Medicine) |
| 253511 | Surgeon (General) |
| 253312 | Cardiologist |
| 253512 | Cardiothoracic Surgeon |
| 253911 | Dermatologist |
| 253917 | Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologists |
| 253912 | Emergency Medicine Specialist |
| 253315 | Endocrinologist |
| 253317 | Intensive Care Specialist |
| 253111 | General Practitioner |
The following list is a compilation of medicine jobs in Australia that falls under the identified occupations from the Priority list.
Conclusion
Securing permanent residency in Australia is an aspiration for many international students. By completing their education in Australia in the courses we have mentioned above, students can increase their chances of obtaining PR. Whether through engineering, medicine, education or nursing, there are multiple avenues to explore. It is crucial for students to research and understand the specific requirements and criteria for each course and seek professional guidance if needed. With determination, hard work, and the right approach, international students can turn their dreams of PR in Australia into a reality.
