PR Courses in Australia 2025: Top Courses, Eligibility & Pathways

Australia remains one of the top choices for international students, especially from India, thanks to its world-class education, vibrant multicultural environment, and clear pathways to Permanent Residency (PR).  

For students aiming to study, work, and eventually settle, PR courses in Australia offer a strategic route to gain in-demand skills, professional experience, and long-term migration benefits. 

This comprehensive guide walks you through the best PR courses, eligibility criteria, tuition fees, scholarships, and PR pathways, helping Indian students plan their academic and career journey effectively while maximising opportunities for permanent settlement in Australia. 

Also Read: How to Get Australian Citizenship - Eligibility, Process, Requirements & Cost 

Best PR Courses in Australia in 2025 

Australia offers PR-eligible courses in high-demand sectors, which not only help students gain employment but also improve PR eligibility. Choosing the right course aligned with the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) is crucial for migration success. 

Field	Popular PR Courses	Top Universities
Nursing & Healthcare	BSc Nursing, Midwifery, Mental Health Nursing, Aged Care	University of Sydney, Monash University, Deakin University, Griffith University
IT & Computer Science	Cybersecurity, Data Science, Cloud Computing, Artificial Intelligence	UNSW Sydney, University of Melbourne, ANU, RMIT University
Engineering	Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Software & Mining Engineering	University of Queensland, UNSW Sydney, Curtin University, University of Western Australia
Trade & Vocational	Automotive, Carpentry, Plumbing, Commercial Cookery	TAFE NSW, Victoria University, Holmesglen Institute, TAFE Queensland
Social Work	Bachelor/Master of Social Work	University of Melbourne, Flinders University, Griffith University, Australian Catholic University
Accounting & Commerce	Accounting, Finance, Business Analytics	UNSW Sydney, Macquarie University, UTS, University of Melbourne
Medical & Allied Health	Medicine, Dentistry, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy	University of Adelaide, University of Western Australia, La Trobe University, James Cook University

Indian students can prioritize courses based on career goals, migration potential, and job opportunities in Australia. PR courses in healthcare, IT, and engineering remain the most popular due to strong employability and skilled migration points. 

Check out everything about the Australian Student Visa to begin your journey to study in Australia. 

Eligibility Criteria for PR Courses in Australia 

Eligibility depends on academic qualifications, English proficiency, and visa compliance. Meeting these criteria ensures successful admission and enhances your PR prospects post-graduation. 

Academic Requirements 

Program Level	Minimum Score	Examples
Diploma / Certificate	50%-55% in Class 12	Commercial Cookery, Carpentry, Plumbing
Bachelor’s	60%-65% in Class 12	Nursing, IT, Social Work, Accounting
Master’s	55%-60% in Bachelor’s	Data Science, Engineering, Public Health, Finance

Academic scores vary by program level, with higher requirements for competitive courses like medicine or dentistry. Meeting these minimum scores is necessary for admission and ensures eligibility for skilled migration points in Australia. 

Also check out: PTE exam for Australia Visa   

English Language Proficiency 

Test	Minimum Score	Suitable For
IELTS	6.0–7.5 bands	Most PR courses
PTE Academic	50–65	Faster results for Indian students
TOEFL iBT	79–94	Accepted by universities and TAFE

English proficiency is mandatory for all international students. Higher scores not only ensure admission but can also provide extra points in the General Skilled Migration (GSM) system, improving PR eligibility. 

Visa Compliance & GTE 

Students must hold a valid Student Visa (Subclass 500), demonstrate genuine study intent (GTE), show financial capacity, obtain OSHC, and maintain course progress. Compliance is essential to prevent visa issues and to secure post-study work rights. 

Meeting visa requirements ensures uninterrupted study and enables students to work part-time, gain experience, and apply for PR after graduation. It also strengthens your credibility for the PR process. 

Also read: Australia Study Visa Requirements 

Cost of PR Courses in Australia 2025 

Financial planning is critical for PR courses as tuition fees, living costs, and additional expenses vary across programs and universities. Understanding the cost breakdown allows students to budget efficiently and apply for scholarships to reduce financial burden. 

Tuition Fees 

Program Level	Annual Fees (AUD)	Approx. INR
Diploma / Certificate	10,000–18,000	₹5.5–9.9L
Bachelor’s	20,000–35,000	₹11–19.3L
Master’s	22,000–40,000	₹12.1–22L

Diploma courses are the most affordable, while master’s programs in IT, healthcare, and finance are costlier. Students must consider tuition plus living expenses when planning their budgets. Scholarships can offset these costs significantly. 

Scholarships for PR Courses 

Popular scholarships include: 

• Australia Awards Scholarships (AAS): Full tuition + living + OSHC 
• Destination Australia Scholarship: Up to AUD 15,000 for regional study 
• University Merit Scholarships: Sydney, Monash, Deakin 

Scholarships not only reduce tuition fees but can also cover living and health costs. Indian students can explore both government-funded and university-specific scholarships to make PR courses financially feasible. 

Also Read: Cost of Living in Australia 2025: Rent, Food & Transport 

PR Pathways After PR Courses 

Completing a PR-eligible course opens multiple visa options for international students. Selecting the right course and gaining local experience maximizes PR points and eases the transition from study to permanent residency. 

Visa Type	Eligibility	PR Benefits & Duration
Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate)	Completed PR course	2–4 years post-study work
Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent)	65+ PR points, skills assessment	Direct PR, no sponsorship needed
Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated)	State nomination, in-demand skills	PR through state sponsorship
Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional)	Study/work in regional Australia	Extra 15 points; pathway to Subclass 191 PR

Each visa pathway offers different advantages depending on occupation, location, and points. Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) provides post-study work experience, which is essential to qualify for permanent PR visas. 

Check out: Scholarship for Indian Students in Australia 2025: Types, Benefits & Eligibility 

Step-by-Step Path to PR on a Student Visa 

1. Choose a PR-Eligible Course: Ensure your course is CRICOS-registered and listed on the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). This ensures your qualification is recognized for skilled migration and PR eligibility in Australia. 
2. Complete Studies Successfully: Maintaining strong academic performance throughout your program is essential. Universities monitor course progression, and good grades may strengthen your skills assessment for migration purposes. 
3. Apply for Subclass 485 Visa: After graduation, you can apply for the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485). This allows 2–4 years of post-study work depending on your qualification, giving you the chance to gain Australian work experience. 
4. Gain Relevant Work Experience: Working in your nominated occupation or related field is crucial. Jobs in high-demand sectors or regional areas not only improve your career prospects but also earn additional PR points, increasing your chance of receiving a permanent residency invitation. 
5. Submit Expression of Interest (EOI): Use the SkillSelect portal to submit your EOI, showcasing your skills, work experience, and English proficiency. A higher EOI ranking improves your likelihood of being invited to apply for PR. 
6. Apply for Permanent Residency: Once eligible, you can apply for PR through visas like Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent), 190 (State Nominated), or 491 (Skilled Work Regional), depending on your points, work experience, and location. 

Following these steps provides a clear roadmap from student visa to permanent residency. Choosing the right course, performing well academically, gaining work experience in high-demand occupations, and strategically using regional opportunities can maximise your PR points, ensuring a smoother and faster transition to permanent residency in Australia. 

Conclusion 

Choosing PR-eligible courses in Australia in 2025 offers Indian students a clear, strategic pathway toward building a long-term future in the country. Fields such as nursing, IT, engineering, accounting, and social work are currently recognized among the Best Courses for PR in Australia due to strong demand, higher employability, and consistent inclusion on Australia’s skilled occupation lists. 

By selecting CRICOS-registered programs, maintaining strong academic and English proficiency, taking advantage of regional study benefits, and gaining relevant work experience through post-study visas, students can substantially enhance their PR points. Scholarships and smart financial planning can further minimize overall study costs and ease the transition. 

Ultimately, studying PR-oriented courses in Australia is not just an academic decision, it is a professional and migration investment. It opens the door to global career opportunities, hands-on industry exposure, and the possibility of securing Permanent Residency and building a stable life in one of the world’s most welcoming countries for skilled talent. 

Have doubts? Book a free 1:1 counselling session with upGrad experts today!