PhD Graduates are highly skilled in their fields and Australian States and Territories value the skilled employment prospects. The following pathways to permanent residency are available to PhD graduates.
Queensland
Queensland also offers a Graduate stream for subclass 190 and subclass 491. PhD graduates have the option of applying for either the 190 visa or the 491 visa. Usually, all other tertiary education levels can only apply to subclass 491. The criteria applicable to PhD graduates are:
- Must have graduated from a Queensland university
- Must obtain 65 points or higher in the points-test
- Occupation must be on the Medium to Long Term Skills Shortage List, Short Term Skilled Occupations List or the Regional Occupations List (491 only) in accordance with migration policy LIN 19/051
- Must have completed 100% of course in QLD and has received a decision on a thesis or graduated in last 2 years
- No employment offer is required
Related
- 491 Visa Criteria for Queensland
- State Requirements for 190 Visa
- Queensland Skilled Occupations List
- Visa Options to Migrate to Queensland
Victoria
Previously, Victoria had a PhD pathway under the Skilled Migration Program for PhD graduates. However, it no longer forms part of Victoria’s Skilled Migration Program. Therefore, PhD graduates are assessed alongside all other applications for subclass 190 and 491.
Subclass 190
To apply for subclass 190 visa, the following criteria apply:
- Applicant’s Registration of Interest application must be selected
- PhD Graduate must live and work in Victoria
- Must work in a Victorian target sector using your STEMM skills
- Health
- Medical Research
- Life Sciences
- Digital
- Agri-food
- Advanced Manufacturing
- New energy, emissions reduction and circular economy
- Creative industries
- *Applicants using their STEMM skills in a business precinct are highly regarded i.e. Parkville, Footscray or Docklands
- Must be under 45 years of age
- Applicant must demonstrate competent English
- Must have had a valid skills assessment
- Must obtain a minimum of 65 points on the points-test – see our Calculator here
Victoria is currently selecting occupations for subclass 190 with the following skill level: ANZSCO skill levels 1 and 2 and STEMM skills or qualifications
Subclass 491
To apply for subclass 491, the following criteria apply:
- Applicant’s Registration of Interest application selected
- PhD Graduate must live and work in regional Vic
- Must work in a Victorian target sector using your STEMM skills
- Health
- Medical Research
- Life Sciences
- Digital
- Agri-food
- Advanced Manufacturing
- New energy, emissions reduction, and circular economy
- Creative industries
- Must be under 45 years of age
- Applicant must demonstrate competent English
- Must have had a valid skills assessment
- Must obtain a minimum of 65 points on the points-test – see our Calculator here
Victoria is currently selecting occupations for subclass 491 with the following skill level: ANZSCO skill levels 1, 2 and 3 and STEMM skills or qualifications.
Although Victoria does not offer a direct PhD Graduate stream, the State offers further advice regarding an application. PhD Graduates must meet the eligibility requirements above to be selected and this includes living and working in Victoria. It is also stated that if you are receiving a scholarship or undertaking a professional placement as part of your qualification, this cannot be considered as employment.
Related
- State Requirements for 190 Visa
- State Requirements for 491 Visa
- Victoria Skilled Visa Nomination Program 2021-2022 (190 and 491 Visa)
- Victorian Occupations List
Tasmania
Tasmania offer a Graduate Stream as part of their Skilled Migration Program for subclass 190 and subclass 491 visas. The following criteria apply:
Subclass 190
- Must have completed and graduated from a CRICOS tertiary institution
- Must have studied full time and on-site in Tasmania
- PhD Graduate must live in the state for at least 2 years during study prior to submitting their application
- Must demonstrate a genuine ongoing commitment to remain in Tasmania
- If you are not currently in skilled employment, you must provide a career plan that explains how your studies have increased your ability to find skilled work in Tasmania
Subclass 491
- Must have completed a minimum of one academic year at a CRICOS tertiary institution (i.e. 40 academic weeks)
- Must have completed full-time study on campus – does not include online study unless this was mandated by COVID-19 lockdowns
- PhD Graduate’s study load must have been at least 75% to 100% each semester
- Employment is not a requirement for the subclass 491 however it is taken into consideration in the assessment
Related
South Australia
South Australia offers the International Graduate of South Australia Stream for international students to apply for subclass 190 and subclass 491. To apply under the International Graduate of South Australia Stream, PhD graduates must meet the following requirements:
- Must have completed a CRISCOS registered course with a minimum duration of 46 weeks
- Minimum 50% of your qualification must have been completed in South Australia
- Must have resided in South Australia for at least 1 year during your study
- Must have continuously resided in South Australia after course completion
- Must be working at least 20 hours per week or equivalent in your nominated or closely related occupation in SA
- Must meet the Department of Home Affairs requirements for the applicable visa type
Visa-Specific Requirements
To apply for subclass 190, PhD graduates must meet the following requirements:
- Under age of 45
- Valid skills assessment
- Occupation on South Australia’s Skilled Occupation List
- Must meet work experience requirements for your occupation
- Minimum English language for your occupation
- Minimum points requirement listed for your occupation
It is important to note that research work undertaken as part of your PhD will not be accepted as skilled work experience.
To apply for subclass 491, PhD graduates must meet the following requirements:
- Under age of 45
- Valid skills assessment
- Occupation on South Australia’s Skilled Occupation List
Related
- State Requirements for 190 Visa
- State Requirements for 491 Visa
- South Australia Skilled Migration Program 2021-2022
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory do not offer a specific program for PhD Graduates. However, their skilled migration program for subclass 190 and subclass 491 remain open to PhD Graduate applicants. To apply the following criteria, apply:
- Applicants must meet standard visa requirements:
- Must be under 45 years of age
- Must have a valid skills assessment
- Must demonstrate competent English level – i.e. IELTS minimum 6 for each component or equivalent
- Must obtain a minimum of 65 points on the points-test – see our Calculator here
- Meet Northern Territory nomination eligibility:
- PhD Graduates must commit to living and working in the NT within their nominated skilled occupation for at least 3 years upon visa grant
- PhD Graduate must have their occupation on the Skilled Occupation list. Please note there is a Northern Territory Occupations List. However, this list details occupations that are in high demand in the Northern Territory.
- Must be able to prove employability
- Demonstrate good prospects of employment i.e. offer of employment, statement of skills
- Must demonstrate financial capacity – provide a list of all financial assets and meet minimum value of net assets requirements in the table below. Please note this is only an offshore applicant requirement.
| Family composition | Minimum value of net assets |
| Individual applicant | AU$35 000 |
| Applicant and spouse | AU$50 000 |
| Applicant and spouse plus one child | AU$60 000 |
| Applicant and spouse plus two children | AU$65 000 |
Related
- Northern Territory 190 Visa Requirements
- State Requirements for 491 Visa
- Northern Territory Migration English Requirements
New South Wales
New South Wales do not offer a specific PhD Graduate stream for subclass 190 within their skilled migration program. However, PhD Graduates apply for subclass 190 alongside all other applicants. For subclass 491, New South Wales offers a Study Pathway for PhD Graduates.
Subclass 190
To apply for visa subclass 190, PhD Graduates must meet the following criteria:
- Eligibility for invitation round
- Eligible for the 190
- Submitted an expression of interest
- Skills assessment
- Onshore candidates
- Currently residing in NSW AND
- Genuinely and continuously resided in NSW for the past three months or
- Gainfully employed in SNW for long-term in nominated occupation for minimum 20 hours per week
- Offshore candidates
- Continuously resided offshore for past three months
- Valid skills assessment for the ANZSCO unit group that accepts offshore applications
- Work experience
- Minimum three years’ work experience
Subclass 491
To apply for Stream 2 – Study pathway for subclass 491, PhD Graduates must meet the following criteria:
- PhD Graduates must have a valid skills assessment
- PhD Graduates must have completed study in the past 24 months where:
- They are eligible to claim points for ‘study in regional Australia’ due to study in a regional area of NSW
- Their qualification is assessed as closely related to their nominated occupation
Related
Australian Capital Territory
The Australian Capital Territory offers a Doctorate Streamlined Nomination program as part of their skilled migration program. To apply for the Doctorate Streamlined Nomination program, PhD Graduates must meet the following criteria:
- PhD Graduates may nominate an occupation on the Australian Government’s Skilled Occupation List
- PhD Graduates must have lived in Canberra for at least 12 months at the time of their application
- PhD Graduates must have completed a professional research or doctoral degree at an ACT university
Significant Economic Benefit
If PhD Graduates do not meet the above eligibility criteria, the ACT Government have indicated that they may invite PhD candidates to apply if their employment is of significant economic benefit to the ACT. This cannot be requested or applied for.
Please note if you live in another state or territory or overseas, you may be eligible to apply for the ACT doctorate streamlined nomination program if you were awarded a professional or research doctoral degree from an ACT university within the last 2 years
Related
Western Australia
Western Australia offers a graduate stream for subclass 190 and subclass 491. The WA Graduate Stream requires:
- International students must have completed a minimum of two years study at a WA university
- Applicant to have proficient English
- Applicant to have been offered full time employment and provide evidence of an employment contract
- Occupation to be on Western Australia’s Graduate Occupation List (GOL)
- If you are not yet living in WA, you must prove that you have sufficient funds to support yourself
International students usually can only apply for some occupations on the GOL. However, international students with masters or PhD-level qualifications have all occupations available on the GOL. See below the WA Graduate Occupation List to determine whether your occupation is listed.
Related:
Other Visa Types
PhD Graduates can also extend their stay in Australia through other visa types including:
- Skilled Independent Visa – subclass 189
- This visa lets invited workers with skills we need, to live and work permanently anywhere in Australia.
- Temporary Skill Shortage –subclass 482
- This visa enables employers to address labour shortages by bringing in skilled workers where employers can’t source an appropriately skilled Australian worker.
- Employer Nomination Scheme –subclass 186
- This visa lets skilled workers, who are nominated by an employer, live and work in Australia permanently.
- Temporary Activity Visa – subclass 408 (Research activities)
- This visa lets you observe or take part in a research project at a research or tertiary institution in Australia. You and your family who apply for the visa with you can stay here for up to 2 years.
- Global Talent Independent Program
- The Global Talent Visa Program is a streamlined visa pathway. It is for highly skilled professionals to work and live permanently in Australia.
Select a state below to see it’s 190 visa requirements:
Australia
State and territory requirements
Each state and territory has its own list of occupations, requirements and processes you must follow.
More information about the requirements and processes on how Australian states or territories nominate applicants is available.
