485 Visa PR Guide · Australia 2025–2026

Trade vs Teaching:
Your Roadmap to Australian PR

Carpentry & Tiling or Graduate Diploma of Secondary Teaching — a complete breakdown of skills assessments, visa pathways, salary data, and which route gives you the best shot at permanent residency.

Updated April 2026 Subclass 189, 190 & 491 485 Visa Holders Melbourne, Australia

At a glance: the numbers that matter

65 pts

Invitation threshold for trade PR (Nov 2024)

4,000+

Teacher shortage in STEM & special education (2025)

18 mo

485 duration for VET/trade graduates (2025 rules)

12 mo

Min. JRP work required for trade skills assessment

$80–95k

Avg. carpenter salary (SEEK 2025)

$100–105k

Avg. secondary teacher salary (SEEK 2026)

5,000+

Teachers apply via AITSL annually, 70–80% success

3 yrs

Regional 491 residency required before 191 PR

Head-to-head comparison

Both pathways are on Australia's Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), making them eligible for Subclass 189, 190, and 491. Here's how they stack up.

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Trade: Carpentry / Tiling

Certificate III + JRP → TRA skills assessment

Recommended for faster PR

Pros

65-point invitations — lowest threshold
All states prioritise construction trades
High job availability nationwide
Business ownership potential
Physical, outdoors-based work
No age ceiling for most trades

Cons

485 only 18 months (VET stream)
JRP takes full 12 months on top
Physical demands can be tough
Employer verification required
Course costs: ~$15–20k AUD

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Grad. Diploma — Sec. Teaching

1-year GDipEd → AITSL skills assessment

Pros

Higher long-term salary ceiling
Stable govt employment
STEM teachers highly sought
Regional schools fast-track nominations
4-year 485 for degree holders
Professional career progression

Cons

Points competition is higher
Needs prior bachelor's + GDipEd
State registration is mandatory
IELTS 7R/W + 8S/L required
Course costs: ~$20–35k AUD
Slower invitation rate in some states

Salary comparison (2025–2026)

Salaries matter for visa income thresholds and long-term financial planning. Teaching offers a higher ceiling; trades can catch up or exceed through self-employment.

Secondary teacher (graduate)$79k–$92k

Secondary teacher (experienced, 8+ yrs)$110k–$125k

Carpenter (entry, post-JRP)$60k–$75k

Carpenter (experienced, Melbourne)$85k–$126k

Tiler (mid-career)$56k–$94k

Carpenter / builder (self-employed)$120k–$200k+

Skills assessment deep-dive

For Carpentry (ANZSCO 331212) and Wall & Floor Tiling (ANZSCO 333111), the assessing body is Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) via the Job Ready Program (JRP).

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Who is eligible? You must be the primary holder of a Student Visa (Subclass 500), have completed a CRICOS-registered Certificate III in your trade (minimum 92 weeks), and hold or have applied for a Subclass 485 visa to begin the JRP.

JRP — 4 Stages

JRP Registration & Eligibility (JRPRE)

Submit identity documents, qualifications, and CRICOS study evidence. TRA verifies your eligibility and approves you to begin employment tracking.

Job Ready Employment (JRE)

Work for a minimum of 52 weeks full-time (1,725+ hours) in a directly related occupation. Log hours, submit payslips, and get your employer to verify your work.

Must be paid employment

Job Ready Assessment (JRA) — Workplace Visit

After 6+ months of work, TRA arranges an on-site workplace assessment. An assessor observes you performing day-to-day tasks and speaks with your employer.

Most applicants pass this stage

Full Skills Assessment Outcome Letter

After 12 months total, TRA issues a positive skills assessment letter — the key document for lodging your EOI in SkillSelect.

Required for skilled visas

Requirement	Detail	Status
Qualification	Cert III in Carpentry / Tiling (CRICOS registered)	Mandatory
Study Duration	Minimum 92 CRICOS weeks (approx. 2 years)	Mandatory
Work Experience	Minimum 1,725 hours (12 months full-time)	Mandatory
Visa Status	Student Visa primary holder; 485 active/applied	Mandatory
English	No specific IELTS for JRP; required for visa later	Visa Dependent

For Secondary School Teacher (ANZSCO 241411), the assessing body is AITSL (Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership).

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AITSL assesses two criteria only. Both must be met for a positive outcome. Teaching experience is not required for the assessment itself — only qualifications and English.

Criterion	Requirement	Notes
1: Qualifications	Minimum 4 years full-time higher ed including at least 1 year of Initial Teacher Education (ITE) — comparable to AQF Level 7.	Must meet AQF L7+
2: English	IELTS Academic: min. 7.0 for R/W; min. 8.0 for S/L. OR 4 full years of higher education in an approved English country.	IELTS valid 24 mo
Teaching Reg.	Mandatory to work in schools. Register with state authority (e.g. VIT in Victoria) post-assessment.	Post-assessment
Practicum	Evidence of supervised teaching placement required as part of ITE. Documentation is essential.	Essential

Visa pathways: 189, 190 & 491

Both occupations sit on the MLTSSL, unlocking all three skilled migration streams.

189

Skilled Independent

Key facts

No state/employer sponsorship needed
Points-only selection — competitive
Grants direct PR on grant
Trades invited at ~65 pts (Nov 2024)
Teachers typically need 75–85 pts

190

Skilled Nominated (State)

Key facts

State nominates you (+5 pts)
Direct PR on grant
Must commit to state for 2 years
Onshore 485 holders have advantage
States prioritise STEM teachers

491

Skilled Work Regional

Key facts

State/family nomination (+15 pts)
5-year provisional visa
Must live/work regional ≥3 years
Then apply for 191 for PR
Fastest track for trades regionally

PR pathway timelines

Enrol in Certificate III (Carpentry or Tiling)

Study at a CRICOS-registered RTO for a minimum of 92 weeks. Work up to 48 hrs/fortnight during study.

Duration: ~2 years

Apply for Subclass 485 (Vocational Stream)

Apply within 6 months of graduating. Duration is 18 months under 2025 rules for VET graduates.

485 Duration: 18 months

JRP Registration & Employment

Action: Register immediately

Full Skills Assessment (12-month mark)

After 12 months (1,725+ hours) and an on-site visit, TRA issues your skills assessment. Lodge EOI.

Key milestone

Complete Graduate Diploma of Education

Requires prior bachelor's. 1 year full-time. Includes supervised teaching practicum.

Duration: 1 year (+ degree)

Apply for Subclass 485 (Higher Ed Stream)

Degree + GDipEd qualifies for 2–4 years depending on study location.

485 Duration: 2–4 years

AITSL Assessment & Registration

Apply to AITSL (allow 3-6 months). Then apply for state teacher registration (e.g., VIT, NESA) to work.

Requires IELTS 7/8

Work & Lodge EOI

Work to build points. Lodge SkillSelect EOI. State 190 prioritises STEM; 491 offers regional boost.

Total timeline: 3–5 years

The verdict: which pathway wins?

For fastest PR on a 485 visa: Trades is recommended

Carpentry and tiling are invited at the lowest points score (65), are prioritised by states, and offer a structured 12-month JRP pipeline. If time on your 485 is tight, trades give the most certainty.

Choose trades if you…

Want the fastest PR path; prefer physical work; prioritize PR speed over immediate high income.

Choose teaching if you…

Have a degree; want a longer 485 stay; can achieve IELTS 8.0; value stable career progression.

Important note on the 485 deadline

If your 485 visa is expiring before you receive an invitation, proactively apply for a Subclass 482 employer-sponsored visa 8–10 months before expiry to keep you legal and working.