Originally published July 2026. Last reviewed 3 July 2026.
For international students who complete their studies in Australia, the most common pathway to permanent residency follows a clear sequence: complete an eligible course, apply for a Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485), gain skilled work experience while on the 485, and then apply for a skilled migration visa leading to PR.
The graduate visa gives you time to work in Australia, build your experience, improve your English scores, and prepare a competitive points-test application. Not every international student will qualify for PR — it depends on your occupation being on the relevant skilled occupation list, passing a skills assessment, and scoring enough points to receive an invitation.
| Stage | Visa | Duration | Key Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Study | Subclass 500 | 2–4 years | Complete eligible qualification (CRICOS-registered, 2+ years) |
| 2. Graduate work | Subclass 485 | 2–4 years | Gain skilled work experience, improve English, get skills assessment |
| 3. Apply for PR | 189 / 190 / 491 | 6–15 months processing | Lodge EOI on SkillSelect → receive invitation → submit application |
| 4. PR granted | 189 / 190 (or 191 after 491) | Permanent | Live and work anywhere in Australia (or regional for 491→191) |
Source: Department of Home Affairs (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au).
| Feature | 189 (Independent) | 190 (Nominated) | 491 (Regional) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa type | Permanent | Permanent | Provisional (5 years) → PR via 191 |
| Sponsor/nomination | None needed | State/territory nomination required | State/territory or eligible family member |
| Bonus points | None | +5 points | +15 points |
| Location | Live anywhere in Australia | Live in nominating state (2 years) | Live/work in regional Australia (3 years) |
| Visa fee (primary) | AUD 4,640 | AUD 4,640 | AUD 4,640 |
| Processing time | 6–15 months | 6–8 months | 12–14 months |
| Min points | 65 (competitive: 85–100+) | 65 (incl. 5 nomination points) | 65 (incl. 15 nomination points) |
| Occupation list | MLTSSL | MLTSSL + STSOL (combined) | MLTSSL + STSOL + ROL (combined) |
Source: Department of Home Affairs (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au — visa listing pages for 189, 190, 491). Fees as at July 2026.
Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent): The most sought-after option. No state nomination needed — you apply independently based on your points score. Your occupation must be on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). Grants permanent residency immediately.
Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated): Requires nomination by an Australian state or territory. The nomination adds 5 bonus points and your occupation must be on the combined list (MLTSSL or STSOL). You must live in the nominating state for at least two years. Grants permanent residency immediately.
Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional): A provisional visa (5 years) requiring state/territory nomination or sponsorship by an eligible family member in regional Australia. Adds 15 bonus points. After living and working in regional Australia for 3 years and earning at least AUD 53,900/year, you can apply for Subclass 191 for permanent residency.
All three visa pathways require a minimum of 65 points on the points test. However, 65 is merely the threshold to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) — it does not guarantee an invitation. In practice, most invitations in 2026 go to applicants scoring 85–100+ points, especially in competitive occupations. (Source: Department of Home Affairs — immi.homeaffairs.gov.au)
| Factor | Criteria | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 18–24 | 25 |
| 25–32 | 30 | |
| 33–39 | 25 | |
| 40–44 | 15 | |
| 45+ | 0 | |
| English proficiency | Competent (IELTS 6.0 each) | 0 |
| Proficient (IELTS 7.0 each) | 10 | |
| Superior (IELTS 8.0 each) | 20 | |
| PTE 65 each = Proficient; PTE 79+ each = Superior | 10 / 20 | |
| Overseas work experience (skilled) | Less than 3 years | 0 |
| 3–4 years | 5 | |
| 5–7 years | 10 | |
| 8+ years | 15 | |
| Australian work experience (skilled) | Less than 1 year | 0 |
| 1–2 years | 5 | |
| 3–4 years | 10 | |
| 5–7 years | 15 | |
| 8+ years | 20 | |
| Education | Trade qualification / diploma | 10 |
| Bachelor’s degree | 15 | |
| Master’s degree | 15 | |
| Doctoral degree (PhD) | 20 | |
| Australian study requirement | 2+ years CRICOS-registered study | 5 |
| Specialist education | Research Master’s or PhD in STEM (Australia) | 10 |
| Regional study | Studied in regional Australia | 5 |
| Community language (NAATI CCL) | NAATI-accredited interpreter | 5 |
| Professional year | Accounting, IT, or engineering | 5 |
| State nomination (190) | Nominated by a state/territory | 5 |
| State/family nomination (491) | Nominated for regional visa | 15 |
| Partner skills | Skilled partner with English + assessment | 10 |
| Partner English only | Partner with competent English | 5 |
| Single applicant | No partner or Australian citizen/PR partner | 10 |
Source: Department of Home Affairs (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au — Points table for Subclass 189).
Before you can lodge an EOI, you must have a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your nominated occupation. Each occupation is assigned to a specific assessment body. The assessment verifies that your qualifications and experience meet Australian standards for that occupation.
| Field | Assessing Authority | Typical Fee (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| IT / Computing | Australian Computer Society (ACS) | 530–630 |
| Accounting | CPA Australia / CA ANZ / IPA | 500–600 |
| Engineering | Engineers Australia (EA) | 600–1,200 |
| Nursing | ANMAC | 500–900 |
| Teaching | AITSL | 500–700 |
| Trades | TRA (Trades Recognition Australia) | 300–500 |
| General professions | VETASSESS | 600–1,000 |
Source: Department of Home Affairs (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au — Skills assessment page). Fees are indicative.
Your occupation must appear on the relevant skilled occupation list to be eligible for a skilled visa. Different visas use different lists:
| List | Applicable Visas | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| MLTSSL | 189, 190, 491 | Software engineer, accountant, registered nurse, civil engineer, chef |
| STSOL | 190, 491 (not 189) | Marketing specialist, web developer, graphic designer |
| ROL | 491 only | Additional regional-specific occupations |
Source: Department of Home Affairs (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au — Skilled occupation list).
SkillSelect is the online system where you submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) to be considered for an invitation to apply for a skilled visa.
Your EOI remains in the pool for two years. You can update it at any time (for example, if your English score improves or you gain more work experience). The Department invites the highest-ranking candidates in each round. If more than one candidate has the same score at the cutoff, the tie-breaker is the date and time the EOI was submitted. You have 60 days from receiving an invitation to submit your visa application via ImmiAccount. (Source: Department of Home Affairs — immi.homeaffairs.gov.au)
Step 1: Check that your occupation is on the relevant skilled occupation list (MLTSSL for 189; MLTSSL/STSOL for 190; all lists for 491).
Step 2: Get a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your nominated occupation.
Step 3: Take an approved English language test (IELTS, PTE, TOEFL iBT, or OET) and aim for the highest score possible — Proficient (10 points) or Superior (20 points).
Step 4: Calculate your points using the official DHA points calculator. If you are below competitive thresholds, work on improving before lodging.
Step 5: Submit your EOI on SkillSelect. Include all relevant details: skills assessment outcome, English test results, work experience, education, and any bonus factors.
Step 6: If applying for 190 or 491, separately apply for state/territory nomination through the relevant state’s migration program.
Step 7: Wait for an invitation. Monitor SkillSelect rounds to track current cutoff scores for your occupation.
Step 8: Once invited, lodge your visa application within 60 days via ImmiAccount. Pay the AUD 4,640 visa fee and submit all supporting documents (police clearances, health examinations, skills assessment, English results, employment references).
English is the biggest lever: Moving from Competent (0 points) to Superior (20 points) is one of the largest single gains available. Many applicants focus here first.
Australian work experience: Every year of skilled Australian work experience in your nominated occupation adds 5 points (up to 20 for 8+ years). Use your Subclass 485 time to accumulate as much skilled work as possible.
Professional Year: Available for accounting, IT, and engineering graduates. Costs AUD 10,000–15,000 but adds 5 points and improves employability.
NAATI community language: If Nepali is your first language, the NAATI Credentialed Community Language (CCL) test in Nepali can earn 5 points. The test costs approximately AUD 800 and does not require you to be a professional translator.
Regional study: If you studied at a campus in regional Australia, you earn 5 bonus points. Combined with a 491 regional nomination (15 points), regional graduates have a significant advantage.
Partner skills: If your partner also has a skilled occupation, positive skills assessment, and competent English, you earn 10 points. If they only have competent English, you earn 5 points. If you are single (no partner), you earn 10 points.
Plan early: Start your PR planning in your first year of study, not after graduation. Choose a course aligned with an occupation on the MLTSSL. Popular pathways for Nepali students include accounting, IT, engineering, nursing, and cooking/hospitality.
Use the 485 wisely: Your Subclass 485 visa is your PR preparation window. Get your skills assessment done early, take your English test multiple times to maximise your score, and gain skilled work experience in your nominated occupation.
NAATI CCL in Nepali: This is a unique advantage for Nepali speakers. The Nepali CCL test earns 5 community language points. Study materials and practice resources are widely available in the Nepali community in Australia.
Consider regional pathways: The 491 visa offers 15 bonus nomination points compared to 5 for the 190. Regional universities in places like Adelaide, Hobart, Canberra, Gold Coast, Perth, and other regional centres offer both the 5-point regional study bonus and access to state nominations with lower thresholds.
State nominations: Each state has different occupation lists and requirements. South Australia, Tasmania, and the ACT have historically been more accessible for international graduates. Research each state’s specific nomination criteria and occupation lists.
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The minimum threshold is 65 points to submit an EOI on SkillSelect. However, in 2026, most invitations go to applicants with 85–100+ points, especially in competitive fields like IT and accounting. The 190 adds 5 nomination points and the 491 adds 15 nomination points, which can help lower-scoring applicants. (Source: Department of Home Affairs — immi.homeaffairs.gov.au)
The 189 is a permanent visa with no sponsor — live anywhere. The 190 requires state nomination (+5 points) — live in the nominating state for 2 years. The 491 is a provisional visa with state or family nomination (+15 points) — live in regional Australia for 3 years, then apply for 191 for PR. (Source: Department of Home Affairs — immi.homeaffairs.gov.au)
From EOI submission to PR grant, the process typically takes 6–18 months depending on the visa subclass. Processing times in 2026 are approximately: 189 = 6–15 months, 190 = 6–8 months, 491 = 12–14 months. This does not include time spent in the SkillSelect pool waiting for an invitation.
Yes. The Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) visa gives you full work rights and time to prepare your PR application. Most international graduates use the 485 period to gain Australian work experience, improve English scores, complete skills assessments, and accumulate points before lodging an EOI.
NAATI CCL (Credentialed Community Language) is a test that assesses your ability to interpret between English and another language at a community level. Passing the CCL in Nepali earns 5 bonus points on the skilled migration points test. You do not need to be a professional translator. It costs approximately AUD 800.
There is no universally “easy” occupation, but occupations in healthcare (nursing, medical practitioners), engineering, and some trades tend to have higher invitation rates and lower points cutoffs than IT and accounting. Regional pathways (491) and state nominations (190) can make PR accessible for a wider range of occupations.
Official Sources Referenced:
Department of Home Affairs — Skilled Independent Visa (189): immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
Department of Home Affairs — Skilled Nominated Visa (190): immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
Department of Home Affairs — Skilled Work Regional Visa (491): immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
Department of Home Affairs — Points Table: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
Department of Home Affairs — Skilled Occupation List: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
