PR courses in Australia for 2026 are closely tied to occupations facing long-term skill shortages, making them a smart choice for students planning permanent residency. The strongest PR pathways are built around high-demand fields like Nursing, Engineering (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical), Information Technology and Cybersecurity, Social Work, Early Childhood Education, and skilled trades such as Carpentry, Automotive, and Cookery.
These courses typically run for two years or more and are often offered in regional Australia, which improves migration points. What this really means is simple: the right course choice can directly strengthen your Australia PR prospects.
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.
High-Demand PR Courses by Field:
Field
Popular PR Courses
Leading Institutions
Nursing & Healthcare
Nursing, Midwifery, Mental Health, Aged Care
University of Sydney, Monash, Deakin, Griffith
IT & Computer Science
Cybersecurity, Data Science, AI, Cloud Computing
UNSW Sydney, University of Melbourne, ANU, RMIT
Engineering
Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Software, Mining
University of Queensland, UNSW, Curtin, UWA
Trades & Vocational
Carpentry, Automotive, Plumbing, Cookery
TAFE NSW, TAFE Queensland, Holmesglen, Victoria University
Eligibility depends on academic qualifications, English proficiency, and visa compliance. Meeting these criteria ensures successful admission and enhances your PR prospects post-graduation.
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.
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.
3. 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.
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.
PR Pathways After Completing PR Courses in Australia
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.
Step-by-Step Path to Australian PR on a Student Visa
Securing Australian PR through a student visa requires careful planning from day one. Your course choice, study location, work experience, and visa transitions all play a role in determining your migration outcome. By aligning your education with Australia’s skilled occupation needs and following the correct post-study steps, you can steadily build eligibility for permanent residency rather than leaving it to chance.
1. Choose a PR-Eligible Course: Select a CRICOS-registered program aligned with Australia’s skilled occupation lists, such as the MLTSSL. This ensures your qualification is recognised for skilled migration and PR pathways.
2. Complete Your Studies Successfully: Maintain satisfactory academic progress and meet all visa conditions. Consistent performance supports smoother skills assessments later.
3. Apply for the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485): After graduation, apply for the Subclass 485 visa, which allows 2–4 years of post-study work depending on your qualification and field.
4. Gain Relevant Skilled Work Experience: Work in your nominated occupation or a closely related role. Experience in high-demand sectors or regional Australia can increase your PR points.
5. Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI): Lodge your EOI through SkillSelect, detailing your qualifications, work experience, and English proficiency to improve your invitation chances.
6. Apply for Permanent Residency: Once invited, apply for PR under Subclass 189, 190, or 491, based on your points score, state nomination, and work location.
Conclusion
Choosing PR-eligible courses in Australia in 2026 gives Indian students a practical pathway to long-term settlement. High-demand fields like nursing, IT, engineering, accounting, and social work continue to rank among the best courses for PR in Australia due to strong job prospects and ongoing inclusion in skilled occupation lists.
By enrolling in CRICOS-registered programs, meeting English and academic requirements, opting for regional study where possible, and using post-study work visas to gain experience, students can significantly improve their PR outcomes. At its core, this choice is more than education. It’s a long-term career and migration strategy.
Getting PR in two years is challenging but possible with the right strategy. You must complete a two-year CRICOS-registered course, preferably in a high-demand field. Studying in regional Australia helps earn extra points. After graduation, use a post-study work visa to gain relevant skilled experience and complete a skills assessment. Strong English scores, relevant work experience, and occupation list alignment are key.
Do trade courses lead to PR?
Yes. Trade programs like automotive, commercial cookery, plumbing, and carpentry fall under PR list courses in Australia. These fields face skilled labor shortages, making graduates highly employable and eligible for PR through skilled migration and regional pathways.
Does studying in regional areas improve PR chances?
Yes. Regional study gives additional PR points, wider visa options, and sometimes longer post-study work rights. Students in regional campuses also have higher chances of state nomination, which increases the overall probability of receiving a PR invite.
How much do PR courses cost in 2026?
Tuition fees are typically AUD 10,000–40,000 per year depending on course level and university. Students must also consider visa fees, living costs, OSHC, and travel. Scholarships and regional grants help reduce financial pressure.
What is the minimum IELTS/PTE score required for PR courses?
Most PR courses require IELTS 6.0–6.5 or PTE 50–58. Higher English scores can earn additional PR points and improve employability, which strengthens skilled migration eligibility after graduation.
Are scholarships available for PR courses?
Yes. Scholarships like Australia Awards, Destination Australia, and university merit scholarships are available for PR-eligible courses. These may cover full or partial tuition and sometimes include living expenses, reducing overall study costs.
Can I switch courses without affecting PR?
Yes, switching is allowed as long as the new program is CRICOS-registered and listed under PR courses in Australia on MLTSSL or SOL. Choosing a high-demand occupation can even improve PR score.
What role does work experience play in PR eligibility?
Australian work experience boosts PR points and increases competitiveness during skills assessment. Completing relevant employment in regional areas can add extra points and improve the chances of receiving an invitation.
Do PR courses in healthcare improve migration chances?
Absolutely. Nursing, midwifery, mental health, and community care are high-demand healthcare PR courses in Australia. Graduates benefit from strong job placement rates and priority consideration in skilled migration.
Is accounting still a PR-eligible course in 2026?
Yes. Accounting remains on the PR list pathways, with roles such as taxation accountant, finance analyst, and auditor in demand. Work experience and high English proficiency significantly increase PR outcomes in this field.
How many PR points are required for skilled migration?
You need at least 65 points for eligibility. However, competitive occupations often require 75+ points. Points come from age, English score, qualifications, regional study, and work experience.
Can studying lead to Australian citizenship?
Yes. After gaining PR and living in Australia for four years, including at least 12 months as a permanent resident, students may apply for citizenship, provided they meet language and character requirements.
Are regional universities better for PR?
Yes. Regional universities offer extra PR points, extended post-study work rights, and easier state nomination pathways. Lower competition and higher demand for skilled workers improve PR prospects.
What is the duration of the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)?
Subclass 485 provides 2–4 years of full-time work rights depending on the qualification level. Students use this period to gain skilled work experience and strengthen their PR application.
Can family members accompany me while studying PR courses?
Yes. Dependents can join on student or partner visas. Spouses may receive limited work rights, enabling families to live together during the student’s PR journey.
Which PR courses give the fastest PR in Australia?
Healthcare, IT, engineering, and accounting are the most in-demand PR courses in Australia. These occupations frequently receive invitations for PR pathways, especially when combined with skilled work experience and a good points score under GSM.
Which course is best for PR in Australia?
The best courses for PR in Australia are those linked to long-term skill shortages. Nursing, IT (especially cybersecurity and data science), engineering (civil, mechanical, electrical), social work, early childhood education, and skilled trades like carpentry and cookery offer the strongest PR potential. These courses align with Australia’s skilled occupation lists and have high employability.
Sr. Content Writer & Study Abroad Expert |110 articles published
Kanika has 5+ years of experience as a writer and content developer. She has written for a wide range of industry verticals, including hospitality, restaurants, non-profits, finance, IT, HR, technolog...
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