Student Visa to PR in Australia: The Real Timeline and Points (2026)
How the student-to-permanent-residence pathway actually adds up: the real timeline, how the points test scores a degree studied in Australia versus overseas, a worked points example, skills assessment fees, and the regional study bonus. Figures as at September 2026.
Read the full guide, with official sources →
Watch
Chapters
- 0:00 Student visa to PR:
- 0:13 3 stages, 5–7 years total
- 0:24 The points test minimum: 65
- 0:43 Australian work experience, in bands
- 0:59 English points: 0, 10 or 20
- 1:24 Superior English instead: 80 points
- 1:37 Skills assessment fees vary by body
- 1:57 Subclass 500: show $29,710
- 2:10 Regional study: up to 4 years combined
- 2:26 Check your points before you enrol, not after
- 2:36 Where to read more
Transcript
The student to PR pathway usually takes 5 to 7 years, not the 2 to 3 years employer sponsorship on a subclass 186 can take.
That breaks into 3 stages: 3 to 4 years for the degree, 2 to 3 years on the subclass 485 graduate visa, then 1 to 2 years of skilled migration processing.
To actually receive an invitation, you need at least 65 points on the points test.
A Bachelor degree is worth 15 points, whichever country you studied in. Studying in Australia adds a separate 5 points for the Australian study requirement — 20 points combined.
Australian work experience is scored in bands. Under 1 year is 0. 1 to under 3 years is 5. 3 to under 5 years is 10. 5 to under 8 years is 15. 8 or more years is 20.
English is scored the same way: Competent English is 0 points, Proficient is 10, and Superior is 20.
Here's one example. Age 28 scores 30 points. A nursing degree with the Australian study requirement scores 20. 3 years of Australian nursing work scores 10. Proficient English scores 10. That's 70 points total.
Improve that same case from Proficient to Superior English, and it reaches 80 points — more competitive for the national list, subclass 189, not just state nomination on a subclass 190.
Your occupation decides who assesses you, and the fee differs. Engineers Australia charges $1,034, with standard applications taking about 15 weeks to reach an assessor. The Australian Computer Society charges $1,498, with free priority processing in 4 to 6 weeks.
Home Affairs also sets its own savings test. To get the student visa itself, subclass 500, you need to show access to at least $29,710 for a year's living costs.
Studying only in a regional area can add a second graduate visa. A Category 3 area adds up to 2 more years, for up to 4 years combined — but only for Post-Higher Education Work stream holders who lived only in the region for at least 2 years before applying.
The easiest checklist item to skip is checking whether your occupation and expected points actually clear 65 before you enrol — not after.
The full guide, with the official sources, is on migratio.com.au. The link is in the description.
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