Permanent residency is the goal for many international students. But the path from student visa to PR requires planning that starts before you even enrol.

The Australian Government allocated 185,000 permanent migration places for 2025-26, with 132,200 of those (around 71%) going to the skilled stream. International graduates who plan strategically can secure their spot in this intake. Those who don't often find themselves running out of visa options.

This guide maps the complete journey from study to permanent residency, including the stages involved, points strategies, and realistic timelines.

Stage 1: Strategic Course Selection

Your PR pathway begins with choosing the right course. Not all qualifications lead to permanent residency, so this decision matters more than most students realise.

Occupation Lists and Course Alignment

Check if your intended occupation appears on Australia's Skilled Occupation Lists before enrolling. The Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) covers occupations eligible for the 189 Skilled Independent visa. The Combined List covers occupations for state-nominated visas.

Healthcare, IT, engineering, teaching, and trades consistently appear on these lists. Accounting was once a popular choice but now requires extremely high points to receive invitations.

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Regional Study Advantage

Studying in a designated regional area adds 5 points to your PR application. Cities like Perth, Adelaide, and Gold Coast count as regional for immigration purposes. This bonus can make the difference between receiving an invitation or waiting indefinitely.

Stage 2: The Graduate Visa Bridge

Your student visa expires after course completion. The 485 Temporary Graduate Visa bridges this gap, giving you time to work and build points.

Using Your 485 Wisely

The 485 visa provides full work rights for 2 to 3 years depending on your qualification. Use this time to gain Australian work experience in your skilled occupation. One year adds 5 points. Three years adds 10 points.

Don't waste these years in unrelated jobs. Every month of relevant experience strengthens your PR application. Understanding work hour rules during your student visa also helps you gain early experience.

Skills Assessment

Most PR pathways require a positive skills assessment from the relevant authority for your occupation. Engineers need assessment from Engineers Australia. IT professionals go through ACS. Trades workers use TRA.

Start this process early. Some assessments take months, and requirements can change.

Stage 3: Skilled Migration Options

Once you've built enough points, you can apply for permanent residency through one of several skilled visas.

The Three Main Pathways

The 189 Skilled Independent visa is the most competitive option. It requires no sponsorship and lets you live anywhere in Australia. But realistically, you need 90+ points to receive invitations for most occupations.

The 190 Skilled Nominated visa requires state nomination, which adds 5 points. Each state has different requirements and occupation lists. This pathway is more accessible than the 189 for many graduates.

The 491 Regional visa is a provisional visa that adds 15 points through state nomination. After living and working in regional Australia for 3 years, you can apply for the permanent 191 visa.

Points Maximisation Strategy

The minimum threshold is 65 points, but that's rarely enough. Most successful applicants have 85 to 95 points. Here's how to build your score.

High-Value Point Categories

Age gives maximum points (30) if you're between 25 and 32. English proficiency at superior level (IELTS 8 or PTE 79 in each band) adds 20 points. Check our PTE score requirements guide for exact benchmarks.

Australian study requirement adds 5 points automatically. NAATI CCL accreditation adds another 5 points if you have language skills in demand. A Professional Year program (available for IT, accounting, and engineering) adds 5 more.

The Points Reality

Calculate your current score using a PR points calculator. If you're under 85 points, identify which categories you can improve before submitting your Expression of Interest.

Realistic Timeline

The complete pathway typically takes 4 to 6 years from starting your course to receiving PR.

Year 1-2 involves study and English test preparation. Year 3 covers course completion and 485 visa applications. Year 4-5 focuses on work experience, skills assessment, and EOI submission. Year 6 is invitation and PR application processing.

Planning backwards from your target PR date helps you hit each milestone on time.

Conclusion

The student to PR pathway rewards those who plan ahead. Course selection, English scores, occupation choice, and work experience all connect. Miss one piece, and the entire timeline shifts.

At Desire Immigration, we help students map their complete journey from enrolment to permanent residency. Our registered migration agent Mrs. Manisha Bhutani (MARN 2217756) can assess your eligibility and create a realistic strategy. We also offer PTE and NAATI coaching to help you maximise your English points.

Book a consultation to start planning your pathway.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get PR from a student visa?

The typical timeline is 4 to 6 years. This includes 2 to 3 years of study, 2 to 3 years on a graduate visa building experience, and 6 to 12 months for PR application processing.

What is the minimum points needed for Australian PR?

The technical minimum is 65 points to submit an EOI. However, most occupations require 85 to 95 points to receive invitations. Healthcare occupations may receive invitations at lower points.

Can I apply for PR directly after graduation?

Rarely. Most graduates need time on a 485 visa to gain work experience and improve their points score. Direct PR applications are possible only if you already meet all requirements, which is uncommon for recent graduates.

Which courses have the best PR prospects?

Healthcare (nursing, aged care), trades (carpentry, electrical, plumbing), IT (software engineering, cybersecurity), and engineering consistently appear on occupation lists. Always verify current lists before enrolling.

Does regional study improve my PR chances?

Yes. Regional study adds 5 points to your application. It can also make you eligible for regional visas (491) which provide an additional 15 points through state nomination.