International students come to Australia from all over the world and find it a very attractive country to live, study and work in. Australia is a top destination for students mainly because of stable and open economy, attractive career choices and universities, highly rated infrastructure, multicultural society and beautiful landscapes and English language . Australia offers an high quality life style that many international students look for. Learn more about the student visa (SC500).
International students aiming to study, work and live in Australia after their studies should firstly apply for a Australia Student Visa to come and study in Australia. After 2 years of studies in Australian universities/ Vocational schools/ colleges offering higher education (and CRICOS approved), an international student could be eligible for a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485). Since 1 July 2024 the 485 is generally granted for 18 months (Post-Vocational Education Work stream) or 2 to 3 years (Post-Higher Education Work stream), and main applicants must be under 35.
- Latest changes to 485 visa duration
The student can then look for a permanent residency pathway in Australia if they meet the points test and other eligibility criteria. Alternatively, an employer may be willing to sponsor them for a Skills in Demand 482 visa, the regional 494 visa or the permanent Employer Nomination 186 visa. If applying through General Skilled Migration, the applicant must have a positive skills assessment from the relevant skills assessing authority and have an occupation that is listed as eligible for the visa type.
An important thing to note here is, your study area and your nominated occupation must match even though in some cases relevant work experience may substitute for the formal qualification. Please note that the occupations list changes often and according to the needs of the economy and labour market.
How to choose the best course to study in Australia?
Popular course options (Study in Australia)
Note: from 2 October 2026 most temporary visa holders can no longer apply for a Student visa while in Australia, and current students can generally only change courses onshore if they move up to a higher level. Choose your course carefully before you start. See Student visa changes from 2 October 2026.
How do you know which occupation is highly in demand and is likely to remain on the long term occupations list? Generally, government labour market information (such as Jobs and Skills Australia) can tell you the prospects of a profession and where there is a shortage of workers in Australia but that is not how immigration occupation lists work. This page contains an approximate list of occupations and related courses you could consider. We strongly suggest you contact us for a consultation to make an informed decision. We can also assist you with your enrolment to your course of choice.
SOME POINTS ABOUT COURSES THAT MAY LEAD TO PR OPPORTUNITIES:
- Meet the Australian Study Requirements: Generally, the requirement is to study in Australia for a minimum of 2 years (closely related) but this may vary depending on your course of study or level (vocational or higher ed).
- The occupation you choose must match the ANZSCO job description: ANZSCO (and the new OSCA classification) shows certain jobs have required fields of study at either higher education or vocational levels. To qualify for these jobs you must meet these educational requirements.
- Apply for a visa within 6 months: You should apply for the 485 visa within 6 months of completing your studies, while you are under 35 (with some exceptions).
- CRICOS approved study program: Your course of the study should be on the CRICOS list of courses.
Engineering
Generally Australia is always short of Engineers and many Engineering professions are on the Long term in demand lists:
- Engineers
Agriculture and horticulture occupations
Individual reports are available for the following occupations:
Automotive trades
Reports are available which provide information for the automotive trades cluster.
Individual reports are available for the following occupations:
Building professions, and architecture and building technicians
Individual reports are available for the following occupations:
Child care occupations
Reports are available which provide information for the child care cluster.
Individual occupational reports are available for:
Construction trades
Reports are available which provide information for the construction trades cluster.
Individual reports are available for the following occupations:
Electrotechnology and telecommunications technicians and trades
A research report which provides a national overview of the labour market is available for the electrotechnology trades cluster.
Individual occupational reports are available for:
Engineering professions
Reports are available which provide information for the engineering professions cluster.
Individual reports are available for the following occupations:
Engineering trades
Reports are available which provide information for the engineering trades cluster.
Individual reports are available for the following occupations:
Food trades
A research report which provides a national overview of the labour market is available for the food trades cluster.
Individual reports are available for the following occupations:
Health and social assistance occupations
A research report which provides a national overview of the labour market is available for the health professions cluster.
Individual occupational reports are available for the following health professions:
Reports are available which provide information for the nurses cluster.
Individual occupational reports are available for the following nursing occupations:
TEACHERS
Reports are available which provide information for the teachers cluster.
ICT Business and systems analysts
OTHER OCCUPATIONS
Individual reports are also available for the following occupations:
Student visa guides
Get in touch with your trusted registered Migration Agent in Melbourne and maximise your chances of becoming an Australian permanent resident. Other Temporary to Permanent visa options and how to become an Australian permanent resident:
Latest student visa news
- Student visa changes from 2 October 2026
- What the New Migration Reforms Mean for You
- After Graduation in Australia: Key PR Pathways for International Students in 2026
- Australia Stops New International Student Enrolments in Graduate Diploma of Management (Learning)
- Onshore Student Visas Must Include COE
- Ending visa hopping: 600 and 485 visas to student
- Reasons for Australian Student Visa Refusal
