Courses for PR in Australia: Study Pathway by Occupation
Courses for PR in Australia work when the qualification leads to an occupation on Australia's skilled migration lists - Nursing, Trade, IT, Teaching, Social Work, Engineering, Chef & Cookery, and Medical Laboratory Science are the most common paths. No course guarantees permanent residency on its own; it needs to be paired with a positive skills assessment and an eligible visa subclass (189, 190, 491, or 485).
Key takeaways:
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Nursing, most Trade occupations, Chef/Cook and Social Worker commonly sit on the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), which keeps the points-tested subclass 189 pathway open.
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Aged Care runs through employer sponsorship (the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement), not points-tested migration.
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A Diploma-level Early Childhood qualification leads to Child Care Centre Manager, not Early Childhood Teacher - that assessment needs a Bachelor or Graduate Diploma plus 3 years of post-qualification experience.
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RACC does not charge a service fee for onshore course applications.
RACC Australia has more than 20 years of experience in helping students and migrants solve their visa and study-related concerns.
At RACC, we do not charge any service Fee if you apply for a course from onshore through us.
We are connected to Cricos provided schools and institutes all across Australia. The following are only a few of the current most popular and in-demand courses in Australia. There are lots of other study options for you all across Australia.
Not sure which occupation fits your background? Book a free consultation with our Registered Migration Agents (MARN1572961, MARN1172003) and Education Team.
Nursing
Nursing is one of Australia's most in-demand occupations and sits on the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), which keeps subclass 189 open as an option alongside state and employer sponsorship.
You can enter the profession without a nursing background through the Diploma of Nursing, or build on an existing qualification through a Bachelor or Master pathway. Overseas-registered nurses have a dedicated conversion route.
Courses:
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Diploma of Nursing - entry pathway to Enrolled Nurse, no background required
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Bachelor of Nursing - Conversion Program - for overseas-registered nurses
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Master of Nursing - with or without a nursing background
Early Childhood Education
A Diploma-level qualification leads to a skills assessment as Child Care Centre Manager, not Early Childhood Teacher - that requires 3 years of post-qualification work experience. A Bachelor or Graduate Diploma leads to the Early Childhood Teacher assessment directly.
Courses:
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Certificate III + Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care - leads to Child Care Centre Manager assessment
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Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Education (GDEC) - leads to Early Childhood Teacher assessment
Teaching (Primary & Secondary)
Primary and Secondary Teacher are separate occupations from Early Childhood Teacher, each with their own AITSL accreditation pathway.
Courses:
Social Work & Community Services
Social Worker, Community Worker and Welfare Worker are three separate occupations, each assessed by the Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA) against different criteria. A Bachelor or Master of Social Work (Qualifying) from an AASW-accredited course leads to the Social Worker assessment. A Diploma of Community Services can lead to a Community Worker or Welfare Worker assessment, but accreditation varies by school - check before enrolling.
Courses:
Trade Occupations
Trade occupations such as Carpenter, Electrician, Welder and Automotive Electrician sit on the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) in most cases, which keeps the subclass 189 pathway open. Most trade qualifications are delivered as a packaged Certificate III + Certificate IV or Diploma.
Courses:
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Automotive Package (Cert III + Cert IV + Diploma) - Motor Mechanic, Automotive Electrician
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Carpentry Package (Cert III + Diploma of Building and Construction) - Carpenter
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Painting and Decorating Package - Painter
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Cabinet Making Package - Cabinetmaker
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Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician - Electrician
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Certificate IV in Engineering (Fabrication & Welding) - Fabricator, Welder
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Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering - Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic (see the dedicated Air Conditioning & Refrigeration migration pathway and study options)
Engineering & Technical Drafting
These Advanced Diploma qualifications lead to a skills assessment as a drafting or technician-level occupation, not a fully qualified Engineer - if you already hold an engineering degree, talk to our team about the Engineers Australia assessment pathway instead.
Courses:
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Advanced Diploma of Building Design (Architectural) - Architect (drafting pathway)
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Advanced Diploma of Civil Construction Design - Civil Engineering Draftsperson/Technician
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Advanced Diploma of Engineering Technology - Electrical - Electrical Engineering Draftsperson
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Advanced Diploma of Engineering Technology - Mechanical - Mechanical Engineering Draftsperson
Information Technology
ICT occupations such as Telecommunications Network Planner, Cyber Security Specialist and ICT Business Analyst appear regularly on state nomination target lists.
Courses:
Chef & Commercial Cookery
Chef and Cook are both on the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), reached through the same packaged Commercial Cookery course.
Courses:
Aged Care
Aged and Disability Carer does not have a Skilled Migration pathway. Instead, it runs through the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement - employer sponsorship, not points-tested migration. You need either 1 year of aged care work experience or a completed accredited course to be eligible.
Courses:
Mental Health
Mental Health Support Worker and Community Support Worker are assessed against a relevant Diploma-level qualification.
Courses:
Medical Laboratory Science
Medical Laboratory Scientist is a Health occupation on the priority skills list in most states.
Book a free consultation to discuss current course options for this pathway.
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Occupational Therapy & Pharmacy
Both occupations sit on Australia's priority skills lists and require a Bachelor or Master-level qualification plus the relevant professional board registration. Book a free consultation to discuss current course options for these pathways.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does RACC charge a fee to apply for a course?
No. RACC does not charge a service fee for student visa applications when you apply for a course through us onshore.
Which of these occupations offer a direct pathway to permanent residency?
It depends on which occupation list your nominated occupation sits on and which visa subclass you are eligible for. Nursing, most Trade occupations, Chef/Cook and Social Worker are commonly on the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), which keeps subclass 189 open. Aged Care runs through employer sponsorship instead of points-tested migration. Book a consultation to confirm your specific occupation and pathway.
I do not have a background in any of these fields. Can I still study one of these courses?
Yes, in most cases. Diploma of Nursing, Certificate III + Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, and several Trade packages do not require a related background. Some Master-level courses, such as Master of Nursing or Master of Social Work, have "without background" options that include bridging subjects.