How to Get PR in Australia After Study in 2025?

Securing permanent residency (PR) in Australia after completing your studies is a dream for many international students. With its strong economy, high quality of life, and diverse job opportunities, Australia offers multiple pathways to transition from a student visa to PR. Understanding the right visa options and eligibility criteria is crucial to making this journey smooth.

From gaining relevant work experience to meeting skill assessment requirements, there are strategic steps to enhance your chances of obtaining PR. Choosing the right visa can be a key starting point. Let’s explore how to get PR in Australia after study and make your dream a reality.

Australia Permanent Resident

An Australian permanent resident is a non-citizen who holds a permanent visa, allowing them to live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely. Australia PR holders can access benefits like Medicare and Social Security but do not have voting rights. After meeting residency requirements, they may apply for Australian citizenship.

Highlights of a Permanent Residency Visa

A few of the important highlights of being an Australian PR holder include the following

• Live in Australia without any time restrictions.
• Enjoy the freedom to work and study in the country.
• Gain access to Australia’s public health system, Medicare.
• Secure bank loans for property purchases.
• Sponsor qualified family members for permanent residency.
• Become eligible to apply for Australian citizenship.
• Travel in and out of Australia as long as your travel facility is valid.

Here are the top 10 benefits of Australia PR!

How to Get PR in Australia After Study?

For international students to avail of a PR in Australia after their master’s or completing their study program, they need to apply for the visa through SkillSelect, managed by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection. It is an online portal for candidates to submit an Expression of Interest.

The portal provides access to different PR visas, both on a permanent and provisional basis. The portal functions as an automated system, wherein it rolls out ITAs to top-ranking applicants twice monthly. The criteria for application include:

1. Age (16 – 49)
2. Personal information of the candidate
3. Nominated employment
4. Education and work experience details
5. English language proficiency results
6. Skill assessment scores for the nominated employment
7. Business and investment experience

Post-Study Visa Options for International Students

Now that you have grasped the different factors accounted for when calculating your eligibility for Australia PR after your master’s, let us further learn what are the different pathways that you could choose from as an international student.

1. Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)

The post-study work visa is the easiest way to get PR in Australia for international students along with offering up to 2-3 years of validity to work in Australia with No restrictions. This visa can be availed by students who have completed a minimum of 2 years of the full-time study program (bachelor or Master) in Australia.

Here are the important details about the Temporary Graduate Visa:

• Cost: AUD 2,235

• Processing Time:

• 50% processed in 27 days
• 90% processed in 4 months

Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) Requirements:

To qualify for the Temporary Graduate Visa applicants must meet specific criteria, including age, visa status, and education requirements. Here are the details.

• Age Limit: Applicants must be 35 years old or younger at the time of applying, with certain exceptions based on eligibility.

• Application Location: You must be physically present in Australia when submitting your visa application.

• Valid Visa Requirement: Holding an eligible visa is mandatory before applying for this visa.

• Recent Student Visa Holder: Applicants must have held a student visa within the past six months before applying.

• Recognized Educational Qualification: A recent degree from a CRICOS-registered institution is required to meet the education eligibility.

• Health Insurance Coverage: You need to provide proof of adequate health insurance covering all applicants at the time of submission.

• Police Clearance Certificate: Applicants must submit evidence of having applied for an Australian Federal Police check to meet character requirements.

• English Language Proficiency: A valid English language test score must be included with your application to demonstrate the required level of proficiency.

Wondering what is the best way to get PR in Australia? Read our detailed blog here!

2. Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)

This visa type is for applicants who have not been sponsored by an employer or an Australian resident (family member). Skilled Independent visa eligibility is based on the applicants’ skills, language proficiency, and qualifying points. The point is allotted based on various factors like age, education qualifications, and English language proficiency.

• Cost: AUD 4,765
• Processing Time:
• 50% processed in 74 days
• 90% processed in 4 months

Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189) Requirements:

The Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189) is a sought-after pathway for skilled workers who wish to live and work in Australia permanently. To qualify, applicants must meet specific criteria set by the Australian government.

• Age Requirement: Candidates must be between 18 and 49 years old.

• Relevant Occupation: The chosen occupation should align with the applicant’s skills and qualifications.

• Point-Based Selection: A minimum of 65 points must be achieved in the immigration points test.

• English Proficiency: Applicants must demonstrate a competent level of English.

• Skills Assessment: A designated authority must evaluate and approve the applicant’s skills.

• Health and Character Standards: Meeting the required medical and character criteria is essential.

• Invitation to Apply: Candidates must receive an invitation through the SkillSelect system before submitting their application.

Read about the Australia Point System for Subclass 188, 189, 190, and 491 know your eligibility today!

3. Employer-Sponsored Visa (Subclass 186)

This is another well-known way to get long-term visas in Australia. Under this visa, employers sponsor international workers by providing them with employment opportunities in Australia.

One of the key benefits is that under this sponsor visa, the sponsored applicant gets to enjoy an indefinite stay and access to Medicare and the opportunity to sponsor relatives for various Australian Visas.

The Employer Nomination visa scheme offers multiple gateways to filter the incoming applicants and the one for international students is the Direct Entry System.

• Cost: AUD 4,770

• Processing Time:

• 50% processed in 5 months
• 90% processed in 18 months

Employer-Sponsored Visa (Subclass 186) Requirements:

To qualify for the Employer-Sponsored Visa (subclass 186), applicants must fulfill specific criteria related to age, occupation, experience, and other key factors.

• Age Limit: Applicants must be under 45 years old at the time of application, with certain exemptions available.

• Occupation Requirement: The nominated job must be listed on the Core Skills Occupation list.

• Work Experience: A minimum of three years of relevant professional experience is required, except for exempt cases.

• Skills Assessment: A positive skills assessment must be obtained before applying unless the applicant qualifies for an exemption.

• English Proficiency: Meeting the required English language standards is mandatory for all applicants.

• Health and Character Standards: Applicants must undergo health checks and meet character requirements to ensure eligibility.

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491 Visa)

The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491 visa) is a great option for individuals who are open to settling in regional Australia. This visa provides skilled workers with an opportunity to contribute to designated areas while benefiting from a lower points requirement and quicker processing times.

With this visa, migrants can live and work in regional locations for up to five years. It also serves as a potential pathway to permanent residency, offering long-term stability for those meeting the eligibility criteria.

• Cost: AUD 4,770

• Processing Time: 

• 50% processed in 18 months
• 90% processed in 22 months

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 491) Requirements:

To qualify for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 491), applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria, including nomination, skills assessment, and a points-based evaluation.

• Nomination or Sponsorship: You must be nominated by a state or territory government or have sponsorship from an eligible family member.

• Relevant Occupation: Your job must be listed on the designated skilled occupation list.

• Skills Assessment: A positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority is required.

• Invitation to Apply: You can only apply after receiving an official invitation from the Australian government.

• Points-Based Eligibility: Meeting the minimum points threshold is essential for application approval.

Explore Australia Visa processing time for different visa types here!

Tips on How to Get PR in Australia After Study?

Though we are aware of how to get PR in Australia after studying and the best visa options for international students, next we need to primarily look into how to score well and update your chances of securing this PR opportunity.

• Working in Australia Post–study: Working in Australia after graduation using a Temporary Graduate Visa will help you extend your stay in the country and brush up on the required skills and language proficiency.

• Pursue Higher Qualifications: Focus on increasing your qualifications, as a higher qualification adds more points to your point scores.

• • For example: for diplomas and similar degrees, you gain 10 points, while for a bachelor's degree add 15 points and for the highest degree i.e. doctoral add 20 points.

• Age factor: Age greatly affects your points score, for example, you could gain 30 points for ages 25-32, and for 45 years and over you get 0 points.

• Work Experience: Having work experience in Australia fetches you additional points. For example, if you have at least 1 year of experience post-study, you gain an additional 5 points.

• Opt for Regional Universities: If you can complete your degrees from a regional area, for example, Southern Queensland, you have the benefit of availing extra points when applying for a PR visa.

• Language Proficiency: By demonstrating higher Language proficiency (English) test scores you get to bag more points and prior eligibility. For example, scoring 7 or 8 in IELTS earns you 10 or 20 points, respectively.

• Complete Professional Year Program: Candidates who have enrolled and completed this 1-year professional course program get to enjoy an additional 5 points.

Explore the Australia PR process and requirements in this guide!

Application Process to Applying for Australia PR After Study

To apply for PR in Australia after your studies, it's crucial to understand the process thoroughly to avoid errors. The PR application process requires various supporting documents and details.

Step 1: Gather the Required Documents and Information

Start by collecting all necessary documents, such as work history, academic qualifications, family details, and financial records.

Step 2: Select the Appropriate Visa Type

Australia offers different PR visa options, like Temporary Graduate Visas, Skilled Independent Visas, or Skilled Nominated Visas. Choose the one that suits your situation best.

Step 3: Submit Your Application

Once you have all the documents ready and selected the visa type, submit your application either online or via mail.

Step 4: Pay the Visa Application Fee

After submission, pay the required visa application fee. The amount varies depending on the chosen visa type and can be paid through various methods.

We are not done yet. Now that you have learned the details of how to get PR in Australia after master’s, you need to also know how to track your application, to not miss any update from the Australian Immigration department

Tracking Your Australian PR Application Process Status

To check your PR visa application status online, continue to log in to your ImmiAccount. Your application will be assigned a status to indicate its progress:

Also, note that some forms like My Health Declarations and Partner Sponsorship will always display as submitted and will not change status to received.

Assess Your Chances of Securing PR in Australia with GetGIS

Australia has ever since been a very welcoming nation and majorly looks for applicants who wish to have a long-term association with the country. Students when choosing a course need to think and weigh every factor associated with the decision, like what could be the possible prospects, how to get PR in Australia, the chances of converting to PR, and more.

Looking for the best consultants for your immigration to Australia queries? Look no further than GetGIS, as our assistance team is here to help you with every smallest of your immigration needs, ensuring your secure and safe integration into the Aussie land.

Book Your Free Consultation

Useful Links: For Further Information

• 15 Best Part-Time Jobs in Australia for Students
• IELTS Band Requirement for Australia Immigration
• Skilled Occupation List Australia
• Scholarships in Australia for Indian Students