For many Indian students aspiring to study abroad, Australia has emerged as a top destination, not just for its universities that consistently rank among the best globally but also for the promising pathway it offers to permanent residency (PR).

Australia’s immigration policies are particularly attractive to students who wish to remain in the country after completing their studies. With a strong economy, high quality of life, and a multicultural society, Australia presents numerous opportunities for international students to build successful careers and secure their future in the country.

Here we explore the post-study options available in Australia and how Indian students can leverage their educational journey to achieve permanent residency.

Popular PR Courses

Selecting a course that aligns with Australia’s Skilled Occupation List (SOL) is crucial for those looking to stay on permanently.

The following fields are some of the most popular among Indian students and have a high probability of leading to PR:

Engineering: Australia has a significant demand for skilled engineers, including civil, mechanical, electrical, mining, and software engineers. Engineering graduates can apply for the Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189) or the Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190) after completing their studies.

Information Technology (IT): With the rise of digital technologies, Australia’s tech industry is booming. Specialisations in software development, cybersecurity, and data science are particularly sought after.

Nursing and Healthcare: Australia’s ageing population has led to an increased demand for healthcare professionals. Nursing is a critical occupation on the SOL. Nursing graduates are eligible for PR through several skilled migration visas.

Accounting: Although the demand for accountants has fluctuated in recent years, it remains a viable pathway to PR, especially for those with expertise in areas like taxation, auditing, and financial analysis.

Teaching: Education professionals, particularly in early childhood and secondary education, are in demand. This makes teaching an attractive option for students looking to secure PR.

Trade Skills: Australia also has a high demand for skilled trade workers, such as electricians, plumbers, and carpenters. Vocational education and training (VET) courses in these fields can lead to PR.

Understanding the Points System

Australia’s skilled migration program is points-based, meaning that applicants need to score a certain number of points to be eligible for a PR visa. Points are awarded based on various factors, including age, English language proficiency, educational qualifications, work experience, and the field of study.

Age: Younger applicants (between 25-32 years) earn more points.

English Proficiency: High scores in English language tests such as IELTS or PTE can significantly boost your points.

Educational Qualifications: Completing a degree from an Australian institution adds to your points tally.

Work Experience: Relevant work experience, both in Australia and abroad, is also rewarded with points.

State Nomination: Some states offer additional points if you are nominated by a state or territory government.

Temporary Graduate Visa

Indian students who strategically plan their education and post-study work can maximise their points and improve their chances of securing PR. After completing their studies, Indian students can apply for a Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485). This visa allows graduates to stay in Australia temporarily to gain work experience in their field of study. The work experience gained during this period can be a significant advantage when applying for PR.

There are two streams under the Temporary Graduate Visa:

Graduate Work Stream: For international students with skills and qualifications that relate to an occupation on the SOL.

Post-Study Work Stream: For students who have completed a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in Australia, regardless of their field of study.

Data, Figures and Opportunities

The 2024-25 permanent Migration Program is set at 185,000 places. It includes 132,200 places in the Skill stream (71% of the program) and 52,500 places in the Family stream (28% of the program). The Skill stream is designed to attract migrants who can contribute significantly to the economy and fill skill shortages. It includes categories like General Skilled Migration, Employer Sponsored Migration, Business Innovation and Investment, and Global Talent visas.

Regional migration is emphasized, with visas like the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa.

There’s a focus on employer sponsorship to fill critical skill gaps where no suitable Australian workers are available. The government is concentrating on addressing skill shortages and attracting talent in areas of need for the Australian economy.

Challenges and Considerations, and Restrictions

While the pathway to PR is clear, it is not without challenges. The competition is intense, and immigration policies can change, affecting the availability of certain visas or the requirements for PR. Students need to stay informed about current immigration rules and seek professional advice when needed.

Some of the restrictions that may hinder PR in Australia are:

The government has implemented measures to reduce Net Overseas Migration (NOM), which peaked at 528,000 in 2022-23 and is projected to decrease to 260,000 in 2024-25.

New integrity measures have been introduced for international students, including increased English language requirements and financial capacity requirements.

Work rights for international students have been limited to address exploitation concerns.

The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) was raised to $70,000 on 1 July 2023 to ensure migrants are skilled.

There’s an increased focus on combating migrant worker exploitation, with new legislative frameworks and compliance measures.

There’s an emphasis on regional migration, with specific visas and priority processing for businesses in regional Australia.
Around 60% of permanent Migration Program visas are granted to migrants already in Australia.

The government is implementing a multi-year migration planning model starting from 2025-26.

Additionally, the cost of living in Australia is relatively high, particularly in cities like Sydney and Melbourne. Students need to budget carefully and may need to work part-time to support themselves during their studies.

Conclusion

Australia offers Indian students a robust pathway to not only gain a world-class education but also to build a future in one of the most livable countries in the world. By choosing courses aligned with the country’s skill needs, understanding the points-based immigration system, and gaining relevant work experience, students can significantly enhance their chances of obtaining permanent residency.