Student to PR: All Your Pathway Options Explained (2026 Update)

Whether you're considering staying in a major city or exploring regional opportunities, leveraging employer sponsorship, or even combining your pathway with a partner visa, this guide covers it all. Use our GSM Points Calculator to check your current eligibility for skilled migration.

The Graduate Visa (Subclass 485): Your Bridge to PR

For most international students, the Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) is the essential first step after completing studies. This temporary visa gives you the time needed to gain Australian work experience, improve your English, and potentially secure employer sponsorship or build points for skilled migration. For the latest policy updates, see our detailed guide on 485 visa changes in 2026.

485 Visa Streams

Stream	Duration	Who Qualifies
Graduate Work Stream	18 months	CRICOS course + occupation on the skills list
Post-Study Work Stream	2-4 years	Bachelor's degree or higher from Australian institution
Second Post-Study Work Stream	1-2 years	First 485 holder who lived/worked in regional Australia

IMPORTANT

The 485 visa duration varies based on your qualification level AND where you studied. Graduates from regional institutions may receive extended visa duration. Processing times currently average 3-6 months.

CAUTION

2026 Age Limit: You must be 35 years or under to apply for the 485 visa (reduced from 50). Exceptions apply only for Masters by Research, PhD graduates, and Hong Kong/BNO passport holders (age limit remains 50). Mature-age students over 35 must bypass the 485 entirely and secure employer sponsorship or other pathways immediately upon graduation.

485 Visa Fees (Current as of July 2025)

Applicant Type	Fee
Primary applicant	$2,300 AUD
Additional applicant (18+)	$1,150 AUD
Additional applicant (under 18)	$580 AUD
Second Post-Higher Education Stream	$905 AUD

The 485 visa provides full work rights with no restrictions, allowing you to work for any employer in any occupation. This is crucial time to gain the work experience needed for most PR pathways.

Pathway 1: General Skilled Migration (189/190/491)

The most popular route to PR for international students is through points-tested skilled migration. This pathway rewards your Australian study, work experience, and English proficiency with valuable points.

The 4-Tier Invitation System (189 Visa)

The Department of Home Affairs now uses a 4-tier priority system for 189 visa invitations. Your occupation tier significantly impacts your invitation chances:

Tier	Priority Level	Occupations	Typical Points Required
Tier 1	Critical (Highest)	Nurses, Midwives, Medical Practitioners	65-70 points
Tier 2	High	Teachers (Early Childhood, Secondary), Social Workers	70-80 points
Tier 3	Medium	Engineers, Cyber Security, ICT Specialists	85+ points
Tier 4	Low (Oversupplied)	Accountants, ICT Business Analysts, Chefs (metro)	95-100 points

WARNING

If your occupation is in Tier 4, the 189 pathway is essentially closed. Your strategy must pivot to State Nomination (190/491) or employer sponsorship.

Points Breakdown for Students

Factor	Points Available
Australian study requirement (2 years)	5 points
Australian work experience (1 year)	5-10 points
Specialist education qualification	5-10 points
NAATI credential (CCL test)	5 points
Partner skills	5-10 points
Regional study	5 points
Proficient English (PTE 65+ each)	10 points
Superior English (PTE 79+ each)	20 points

TIP

The 10-point jump from Proficient to Superior English can make or break your invitation. See our IELTS vs OET vs PTE English Test Guide for test comparison and strategies.

Visa Options Comparison

Visa	Type	Requirements	Fees (July 2025)
Subclass 189	Permanent, independent	65+ points, EOI invitation	$4,910 AUD
Subclass 190	Permanent, state nominated	65+ points + state nomination	$4,910 AUD
Subclass 491	Provisional (5 years) → 191 PR	65+ points + state/regional nomination	$4,910 AUD

TIP

State nomination adds 5 points (190) or 15 points (491) to your score. This can make a significant difference if you're borderline. Each state has different occupation lists and requirements - check current availability before planning.

Timeline: Student → Skilled PR

Year 0: Complete studies
        ↓
Year 0-1: Apply for 485 visa, begin skilled assessment
        ↓
Year 1-2: Gain Australian work experience, lodge EOI
        ↓
Year 2-3: Receive invitation, lodge visa application
        ↓
Year 3-4: PR grant

For a detailed breakdown of how the skilled visa pathway works, including current invitation trends, see our dedicated service page.

Pathway 2: Employer Sponsorship (482 → 186)

If you secure a job with an approved sponsor during or after your 485 visa, employer sponsorship can be a faster and more certain path to PR than the points system. Learn more about this pathway in our Skills in Demand visa guide.

Skills in Demand (SID) Visa Structure

The SID visa (which replaced the old 482) has three streams:

Stream	Salary Threshold (2025-26)	Skills Assessment	Occupation List
Specialist Skills	$141,210+	Not required	No restrictions
Core Skills	$76,515+	Required	CSOL (456 occupations)
Essential Skills	Below $76,515	TBC	Sector-specific

Costs for Employer Sponsorship

Cost Component	Amount
Visa application (primary)	$3,210 AUD
Visa application (additional adult)	$3,210 AUD
Visa application (child under 18)	$805 AUD
Nomination fee	$330 AUD
Sponsorship application	$420 AUD
SAF Levy (employer pays)	$1,200-$1,800/year

WARNING

The employer must pay the SAF levy - if they ask you to pay it, this is illegal and a major red flag. Make sure you understand your sponsored worker rights before accepting any offer.

Pathway to PR via Employer Sponsorship

After 2 years on a Core Skills or Specialist Skills visa, you can apply for the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa through the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream. The 186 visa grants permanent residency immediately upon approval.

High-income professionals earning over $141,210 can fast-track through the Specialist Skills Pathway with no skills assessment required.

For more details on employer sponsorship requirements and the transition to PR, visit our employer sponsored visa page.

The 180-Day Mobility Rule

A major improvement in the SID visa is enhanced worker mobility. If you leave your employer (voluntarily or not), you now have 180 days to find a new sponsor - up from just 60 days under the old TSS system. You can work for other employers during this period while seeking a new sponsor, giving you time to find the right opportunity without the immediate threat of visa cancellation.

Pathway 3: Partner Visa

If you're in a genuine relationship with an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, a partner visa can be a direct pathway to PR - regardless of your occupation or points score.

Partner Visa Options

Visa	Circumstances	Fees (July 2025)
Subclass 820/801	Onshore (in Australia)	$9,365 AUD
Subclass 309/100	Offshore (outside Australia)	$9,365 AUD
Subclass 300	Prospective Marriage (fiancé)	$9,365 AUD

NOTE

A partner visa is processed in two stages. You'll receive a provisional visa first (820 or 309), then a permanent visa (801 or 100) approximately 2 years later once your relationship is verified as ongoing.

Evidence Requirements

The Department assesses your relationship across four pillars:

Financial aspects - joint accounts, shared expenses
Household aspects - living together, shared responsibilities
Social aspects - recognition by friends/family, social media presence
Commitment - length of relationship, future plans

Not sure if your relationship evidence is strong enough? Try our Partner Visa Readiness Assessment to evaluate your documentation, or read our detailed guide on proving your relationship for a partner visa.

If your relationship started recently or is complicated by distance, read our guide on visitor visa to partner visa transitions for strategic timing advice. You should also understand the partner visa processing times so you can plan accordingly.

Pathway 4: Regional Strategies (491 → 191)

Studying or working in regional Australia can be a game-changer for your PR prospects. The 491 and 494 visas offer provisional residence with a direct pathway to permanent residency via the Subclass 191 visa. For a step-by-step breakdown, see our 491 to 191 regional visa pathway guide.

What Counts as Regional Australia?

As of 2024, regional Australia includes everywhere except:

Sydney
Melbourne
Brisbane

Yes - this means Adelaide, Perth, Gold Coast, Canberra, Newcastle, and Hobart all count as regional for migration purposes.

Benefits of the Regional Pathway

Benefit	Details
Extra points	15 points for 491 state nomination
Lower competition	Fewer applicants, larger occupation lists
Extended 485	Second 485 stream available for regional graduates
Clear PR pathway	Live/work 3 years → 191 permanent visa

Regional PR Timeline

485 Visa (2-4 years) → 491 Visa (5 years) → 191 Visa (PR)
                        └── Must live/work regionally 3+ years

TIP

If you're flexible about where you live, consider studying at a regional campus from the start. This gives you extended 485 duration AND sets you up perfectly for state nomination.

Some regional areas also offer special concessions through DAMA visa agreements, including lower salary thresholds and age exemptions.

DAMA Concessions for Mature-Age Applicants

If you're over 35 (ineligible for 485) or approaching 45 (the standard skilled visa age cap), DAMAs may be your only pathway:

Concession	Standard Visa	DAMA Visa
Age limit	45 years	Up to 55 years
English requirement	Competent (IELTS 6.0)	As low as IELTS 5.0
Minimum salary	$76,515 (Core Skills)	10% reduction (~$68,864)
Occupation list	CSOL only	Expanded (incl. hospitality, childcare)

Active DAMA regions include: Northern Territory, South Australia (regional), Western Australia (Goldfields, Pilbara, Kimberley), Queensland (Far North, Townsville), Victoria (Great South Coast), and NSW (Orana).

Choosing the Right Pathway: Decision Matrix

Your Situation	Best Pathway	Why
High-demand occupation, 65+ points	189 Independent	No state commitment required
55-60 points, skilled occupation	190/491 State Nominated	State adds 5-15 points
Job offer from approved sponsor	482 → 186	Certainty of employer support
Australian partner, any occupation	Partner Visa	No skills/points requirement
Flexible about location	491 Regional	Lower thresholds, extended pathways
High-income professional ($141k+)	Specialist Skills	Fast-track, no assessment needed

Timeline Planning: When to Start

Strategic planning is essential. Here's when to take action:

Stage	Action Required
Before final semester	Check occupation lists, start skills assessment research
Upon graduation	Lodge 485, engage migration agent for pathway planning
During 485	Gain Australian experience, boost English, network for sponsorship
12-18 months before 485 expires	Lodge next visa application or EOI

CAUTION

Don't wait until your 485 is expiring to explore options. Skills assessments can take 2-6 months. State nomination applications can take 3-6 months. Building enough points or finding a sponsor takes time.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

If something goes wrong with your student visa, don't panic - read our guide on student visa cancellation options to understand your next steps.

Choosing a course for PR without checking occupation lists - Lists change annually. What's on the list today may not be tomorrow.
Ignoring English test preparation - The difference between Competent (IELTS 6) and Superior (IELTS 8) English is 10 points. This often determines whether you get invited. See our English Test Comparison Guide to choose the right test.
Not completing a positive skills assessment early - This is required for almost every pathway. Start the process immediately after graduation.
Overlooking partner points - If your partner has a skilled occupation and good English, you could gain up to 10 extra points.
Missing the NAATI CCL opportunity - A language translation test that awards 5 bonus points. Available for Mandarin, Cantonese, and many other languages.
Skipping the Professional Year (IT students) - For ICT graduates, completing a Professional Year is virtually mandatory to gain the extra 5 points and strengthen your skills assessment.
Not knowing about the visa hopping ban - Since July 2024, holders of Visitor (600) or Graduate (485) visas cannot apply for a Student visa onshore. If your 485 expires without a pathway, you must leave Australia. This "eternal student" loophole is closed.

How First Migration Can Help

The journey from student visa to permanent residency involves complex rules, tight deadlines, and strategic decisions that can make or break your case. At First Migration Service Centre, our registered migration agents specialise in student-to-PR transitions and have helped thousands of graduates achieve their Australian migration goals.

Ready to take the next step? We invite you to submit a free visa assessment so we can understand your situation and provide tailored advice on the best pathway for you.