PR in Australia after Studies for international students - PR Procedure, How to Apply

Australia has always been a popular study abroad destination not only for the variety of courses it offers but also for its reputed universities. A major reason why international students choose to study in Australia is its popularity as an immigration destination.

Though there are other options to get PR in Australia, Australian student visa to PR is the most common migration pathway that happens in the country. It is possible to gain permanent residency in Australia after your studies provided you have the required points since the Australia PR visa is granted based on a points-based system.

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This Story also Contains

1. Australia’s Points-Based System
2. Benefits of PR in Australia for International Students
3. How to get Australia PR After Study?
4. Australia PR Requirements for International Students

A common question that arises among international is "How many years does it take to get PR in Australia for international students?", although the process can be quite lengthy and time-consuming an average estimated duration of 6 to 8 months is noticed for acquiring Australia PR visa.

To score the required points, you must take the right course based on the number of points you will get. Apart from this, there are many benefits of being an Australia PR visa holder. This article will give details about how to apply for PR in Australia for international students and the process that follows.

Australia’s Points-Based System

There are various Australia PR pathways for students who are looking to live and work in the country. Applications to Australian permanent residency will be graded under a points-based system where they will be given points based on certain criteria. These include:

• Age

• Educational qualifications

• Level of English language proficiency

• Work experience

• Skills of your partner wherever applicable

If students wish to know "How to get PR in Australia after study?", then they must ensure that they get the required points by having a high level of English proficiency and choosing a course that has better prospects of getting a PR in Australia after study.

Benefits of PR in Australia for International Students

• You will have access to free education and government health insurance.

• As a PR visa holder, you can study any course that you like.

• You can sponsor your family members to join you in Australia.

• You can access social security benefits provided by the government.

• You can work on any job under any employer.

• You will be eligible for Australian citizenship provided you meet the eligibility criteria.

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How to get Australia PR After Study?

In order to apply for PR in Australia after study, you must submit an ‘expression of interest’ to the Australian government’s Department of Immigration and Border Protection’s SkillSelect migration program. This is an online service of the Australian government that students can use to submit their Expression of Interest (EOI).

Students should submit details such as their personal information, work experience and level of English language proficiency. They should also include details of their skill assessment related to their nominated occupations.

Students who wish to apply for Australia Permanent Residency usually apply for a Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189) which allows them to live and work in Australia as permanent residents. This visa is granted on a points-based system for skilled workers who are aged between 18 and 49 years and are not sponsored by any employer or family member or nominated by the state government.

Here are details of the most common visa options used by students to apply for permanent residence in Australia.

Post study work visa Australia after master's: This is a two-year student visa to permanent resident Australia route that allows students to work without restrictions. Applicants with a two-year full-time degree (usually a bachelor's or master's degree) can apply for this visa.

For students who do not qualify to apply for permanent residency because they do not have an employer or a sponsor or the required work experience to accumulate the required points to apply, this visa provides the easiest way to get PR in Australia for international students after masters. This is a very easy route for students who graduated from top universities in Australia.

Skilled migration: Australia PR for international students is available under this program provided they have the required skills and work experience. They need not have an employer to sponsor them. However, they need to prove their English language skills and get the required points in the points test. This provides an alternative to PR in Australia after study.

Employer-Sponsored Visas: This is another popular way to apply for long-term visas. Many candidates who cannot meet the skilled immigration requirements apply for employer-sponsored visas.

For this visa, the candidate must first obtain a temporary visa (subclass 482), work for an Australian employer for at least three years, and then apply for a permanent residence visa. In some cases, a candidate can apply directly for permanent residency (186 visa), but employers prefer the TSS 482 visa route.

PR courses in Australia After 12th

Pursuing PR courses in Australia after 12th grade can be an Australia PR pathways for students. This course guarantees that students have all the information and abilities needed to contribute to the Australian workforce.

Types of PR courses of PR programmes offered in Australia following the 12th grade:

• Vocational Education and Training (VET) Diplomas and Certificates: These PR courses in Australia after 12th provide practical skills and knowledge for specific trades and occupations.

• Bachelor's Degrees: Engineering, accounting, IT, and nursing are some sought-after fields of study.

• Master's Degrees: These PR courses in Australia after 12th can significantly boost the points score in the points-based immigration system.

Australia PR Requirements for International Students

Post-study work in Australia – Staying in Australia after completing your program on Australia student visa gives you more time to gain work experience and improve your language skills if needed. You can get a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) to stay in Australia for 18 months to find work. This is the easiest way to get PR in Australia for international students

Increase your level of qualification- Increase your level of education to get better scores on the points test. For example, diplomas and trade degrees earn 10 points, while a bachelor's degree earns 15 points. The maximum score for a PhD is 20 points.

Language skills - Applicants must provide evidence of English proficiency as an Australia PR requirement. They will benefit if they do well in language exams, as they will get more points. An IELTS score of 7 or 8 will be awarded 10 or 20 points respectively.

Choose a regional university – Earning a degree in a region such as South Queensland will give you an advantage when applying for a permanent visa. An individual who has resided in a particular region for 2 years and has worked full-time in that region for 12 months can apply for a Regional Skills Visa (subclass 887).

Age factor – Keep in mind that age can have a big impact on your score on a points test. 30 points for 25-32 years old, 0 points for 45 years old and over. So plan the submission of your application accordingly.

Work experience – Even if you only have one year of work experience in Australia after completing your degree, you will still get an extra 5 points on the points test. The more experience you have in your chosen field or profession, the more points you earn. Therefore, international students need to gain professional experience in parallel with or after their studies. Experience gained outside of Australia in the same field also earns points.

Professional year programs (PYP) – These are designed to combine formal learning with hands-on work experience for the systematic professional development of candidates. The PYP lasts for 12 months. Candidates who successfully complete the course will earn an additional 5 points on the points test and gain valuable Australian work experience. These courses are available in computer science, engineering, and accounting. Remember to take PR courses in Australia after 12th that are closely related to your studies and chosen profession to improve your chances of getting your Australia PR visa.

International students studying in Australia can consider these options to get permanent residence in the country after their studies.

Eligibility for PR Courses in Australia

If you're looking to pursue PR in Australia through education, it's important to understand the eligibility criteria for PR courses. Australia offers various pathways for international students to transition from temporary to permanent residency, and meeting the educational requirements is a crucial part of the process.

Here’s a detailed look at the key eligibility criteria for PR courses in Australia:

1. Educational Qualification

To be eligible for PR courses in Australia, you need to have completed your 10+2 education from a recognised institution. For postgraduate courses, a relevant undergraduate degree is required.

2. IELTS Score

A high proficiency in English is mandatory. For most PR courses, an IELTS score of at least 6.0 to 7.0 overall, with no band less than 6.0, is required. However, for certain PR pathways, like Public Relations, a higher IELTS score of 8.0 may be needed.

3. CRICOS-Registered Courses

The course you choose must be registered with the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS). This ensures the course is recognized and meets the necessary standards for international students.

4. Course Duration

Your chosen course should be at least two years in duration. Completing a CRICOS-registered course of this length can qualify you for a Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485).

5. Relevant Occupation

The occupation you aim to pursue after completing your course must be listed on the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) list. This list includes occupations that are in demand in Australia and can improve your chances of securing PR.

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