How to get Australia PR through student visa?

Getting permanent residency (PR) in Australia through a student visa is a step-by-step process. A student visa itself does not lead directly to PR, but it gives you a pathway if you plan correctly. The common route looks like this:

1. Study in Australia – Enroll in a course that is aligned with occupations on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL), such as engineering, IT, healthcare, or trades.

2. Apply for a Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) – After completing your studies, you can apply for this visa. It allows you to live and work in Australia for 2–4 years (depending on your qualification level and location of study).

3. Gain Skilled Work Experience – Use the time on your 485 visa to get relevant work experience in your nominated field. This strengthens your eligibility for skilled migration.

4. Check Points for Skilled Migration – PR visas like the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) or Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) work on a points-based system. Points are awarded for age, qualifications, English proficiency, work experience, and Australian study.

5. Apply for State Nomination (if needed) – Some states offer sponsorship (Subclass 190 or 491 visas) for graduates who study and work in areas where there is high demand.

6. Apply for PR – Once you meet the requirements and receive an invitation, you can lodge your PR application under the skilled migration program.

Other possible PR pathways after student visa:

• Employer-Sponsored Visa (if an Australian employer sponsors you).

• Partner Visa (if married to or in a de facto relationship with an Australian citizen/PR holder).

So, while a student visa itself does not grant permanent residency, it is often the first step toward PR by giving you Australian qualifications and local work experience.