Australia's high-quality education system and safe environment make it an attractive place for international students to settle in. Discover the best PR courses in Australia, along with the top universities offering these courses.
International students who intend to live, study and work in Australia can pursue PR courses in Australia from a recognized university. Popular degree programs in the fields of engineering, accounting, medicine, computer & information technology, etc lead to a PR in Australia. Students having sufficient work experience overseas can directly use the General Skilled Migration program to migrate to Australia through Skillselect.
Australia is one of the leading study destinations for higher education abroad. Many international students plan to settle in Australia permanently after completing their degrees, as it is a safe, friendly, and supportive place to study and live. In order to settle in Australia, students must choose a course that has the best permanent residency (PR) prospects and will continue to be in demand in the long run. This article will help you explore some of the top PR courses in Australia.
There is a list of occupations published by Australia's Department of Immigration and Citizenship each year that qualify for a PR visa, so pursuing courses in those fields can help you obtain permanent residency. There are two skilled occupation lists namely the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) and the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL).
Which Courses Lead to PR in Australia?
With Australia's strong and steadily improving economy, the job market has flourished in the country. Part-time employment opportunities and a post-study work permit are among the many benefits offered by the Australian government. Find below a list of top PR courses in Australia:
- Engineering
- Computer and Information Technology
- Accountancy
- Nursing
- Education and Teaching
- Social Work
- Medical Courses
- Automotive
- Hospitality
- Building and Construction
Engineering
Considered among the top PR courses in Australia, engineering is also one of the most sought-after courses for international students. The role of an engineer is to innovate and devise practical solutions for unusual and complex problems. In addition to this, they also develop, design, manufacture, and come up with new ideas. International students can obtain a range of employment opportunities after completing an engineering degree in Australia.
There is a high demand for engineers in Australia in several areas, including chemical engineering, software engineering, aeronautical engineering, mechanical engineering, agricultural engineering, environmental engineering, biomedical engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, and many more. As far as salary is concerned, an engineer can easily earn up to 66,000 AUD in Australia.
Some of the top universities in Australia to study engineering are listed below:
- The University of Melbourne
- Australian National University
- RMIT University (Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology)
- Monash University
- University of Queensland
- The University of Sydney
- University of New South Wales
- University of Technology Sydney
Computer and Information Technology
Computer and information technology is another popular option among the list of courses that offer PR in Australia. Australia is no exception when it comes to the need for computer science and IT professionals. Due to the booming economy of the country, there are several opportunities for IT professionals. The average salary for an IT professional in Australia at the initial stage is 30,000 AUD.
Australian universities offer courses like computer networks and systems, software application and programming, web development, etc., which are offered by Australian universities. By enrolling in these courses, students will have several career opportunities and have an improved chance of obtaining permanent residency in Australia. Some of the best occupations in this field include Software Engineer, Systems Analyst, ICT Support Engineer, Software Tester, and Developer Programmer, among others.
Given below are some of the universities in Australia to pursue computer science courses:
- University of Melbourne
- Australian National University
- University of New South Wales
- University of Sydney
- RMIT University
- La Trobe University
- The University of Queensland
Accountancy
Australian universities have seen a surge in students studying accounting over the past few years, and it has emerged as one of the fastest-growing professions in Australia. Accountants are offered a plethora of opportunities to work for some of the best firms worldwide and gain experience in taxation, record keeping, and financial dealing.
Accounting students have the opportunity to apply for positions such as Finance Manager, Auditor, Budget Analyst, Management Accountant, Taxation Accountant, General Accountant, and many more. Accountants in Australia earn an average salary of around 75,000 AUD.
Here is the list of top Australian universities to pursue accountancy:
- Edith Cowan University
- University of Sydney
- Monash University
- Australian National University
- University of Queensland
- University of New South Wales
- University of Adelaide
Nursing
The Australian healthcare industry is regarded as one of the best in the world. As the population of the country has grown, so has the need for medical professionals. According to Australia's Future Health Workforce, there will be a need for 123,000 nurses by 2030.
So if you have the passion for helping others and the skills needed to be a nurse, then you should consider applying for a nursing course offered by an Australian university. Some of the popular occupations include Midwifery, Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nurse, and many more.
Listed below are the best universities in Australia for nursing:
- University of Technology Sydney
- University of Sydney
- Monash University
- Griffith University
- University of Adelaide
- La Trobe University
Education and Teaching
Australia is renowned for its world-class education system. Education and teaching come under the list of PR courses in Australia. Hence, students willing to pursue a career in this field stand a great chance to apply for obtaining permanent residency.
There is a great demand in Australia for the teaching profession. The country offers many career opportunities in education and teaching like Primary Teachers, Vocational Education Teachers, Secondary School Teachers, University Lecturers, and Special Needs Teachers.
The major universities in Australia for pursuing education and teaching courses are:
- University of Queensland
- Monash University
- Sydney University
- Deakin University
- University of Canberra
- University of Wollongong
Social Work
In Australia, social work as a profession is growing at an incredible rate, and universities that offer social work courses are attracting students from all across the globe. Students who want to contribute to society's greater good should take social work courses. Several social work courses are available for PR in Australia, including health and welfare services, psychiatry, psychology, etc.
Many occupations in social work are listed in the long-term and medium-term strategic skill lists, thus offering better PR prospects. Some of the social work occupations are welfare worker, community worker, welfare centre manager, family support worker, and many more.
Following are the popular Australian universities for pursuing social work courses:
- Monash University
- University of South Australia
- Federation University Australia
- University of Auckland
- University of Melbourne
- La Trobe University
Medical Courses
Considering the increasing demand for medical practitioners in the country, MBBS and MD courses are some of the most popular PR courses in Australia. Students can choose from a variety of medical specializations such as general medicine, dermatology, radiology, gynaecology, neurosurgery, orthopaedics, prosthetics, oncology, urology, and many more.
These PR courses in Australia usually last between 5-7 years and are certified by WHO/MCI, which can also lead to internships and placements in the medical science field. Students taking up medical courses can opt for career options like Medical Practitioner, Resident Medical Officer, General Practitioner, etc.
Listed below are the top universities for medical courses in Australia:
- The University of Melbourne
- Australian National University
- Monash University
- The University of Sydney
- Deakin University
- University of Tasmania
- University of New South Wales
Automotive
The automotive industry in Australia is growing at a steady rate, with projected job growth of about 3.40%. The demand for automotive electricians and mechanics is particularly high in the country. Those interested in the automotive field should seriously consider pursuing a course since it can be one of the most rewarding experiences of their lives, given the practical nature of these courses.
It is also one of the major PR courses in Australia. Some of the high-demand automotive jobs in Australia include General Mechanic, Motorcycle Mechanic, Automotive Electrician, Diesel Motor Mechanic, Motor Mechanic, etc.
Given below are some of the universities in Australia to pursue automotive courses:
- RMIT University
- Edith Cowan University
- Kangan Institute
- TAFE Western Australia
- Baxter Institute
Hospitality
Students at Australian universities will receive the best education in hospitality courses, along with hands-on experiences. Students can choose from a variety of hospitality courses. Taking these courses will expose you to exciting career opportunities, as well as provide you with a path towards gaining permanent residency.
Bed and Breakfast Operator, Chef, Hotel Manager, Accommodation and Hospitality Manager, Licensed Club Manager, Restaurant or Cafe Manager, Baker, Pastry Cook, etc., are some of the major career options available for students in Australia. Tourism and hospitality employees may receive an average annual salary of 23,000 AUD to 169,000 AUD, depending on their position.
Here are the top Australian universities to pursue hospitality courses:
- The University of Queensland
- Southern Cross University
- Bond University
- Edith Cowan University
- Victoria University
- Murdoch University
- Torrens University
Building and Construction
The courses in this area are among the best courses that lead to PR in Australia. Students get an opportunity to learn about various construction techniques, activities, safety standards, etc., by pursuing a building and construction course at various levels.
After completing the course, students have an opportunity to choose from various occupations like Carpenter, Construction Project Manager, Building Inspector, Roof Tiler, Construction Estimator, Bricklayer, Wall and Floor Tiler, and many others.
Given below are the best universities in Australia for building and construction courses:
- College of Adult Learning
- University of Canberra
- Melbourne Polytechnic
- Bond University
- University of New South Wales
- CQ University
Things to Consider
Now that you are aware of the various PR courses in Australia, you need to know some other important points. The following are some points that you need to consider when looking at courses leading to permanent residency in Australia:
- According to the level or course of study, you must study in Australia for a minimum of two years.
- It is important to note that your study program should be approved by CRICOS.
- A PSWV (Post Study Work Visa) 485 visa should be applied for within six months of completing your course in Australia.
- You must ensure that the job descriptions given by ANZCO (Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations) are met. ANZCO offers detailed descriptions of the experience, skills, and qualifications needed to work in various occupations.
