We are often asked what courses you need to study to qualify for Permanent Residence (PR) in Australia, including how to get PR in Adelaide and Adelaide PR requirements. The answer to this question can be broken into two parts, depending on your individual circumstances:

  • if you are seeking to obtain PR in Australia at some stage in the future, but are early on in your journey (for example you are looking into courses to study in Australia for a student visa, and are looking to select subject areas that are likely to lead to a PR visa later down the track); and
  • if you already hold relevant qualifications/skilled employment experience and are seeking advice on the Adelaide PR requirement that you must satsify in order to qualify for PR in Adelaide.

Courses To Get PR In Australia

A key aspect of the answer to the question regarding PR courses in Australia is whether your skilled occupation is nominated for a relevant skilled visa, in which case the occupation is included in the relevant Skilled Occupation List (SOL) for that skilled visa subclass.

There are several skilled visa options available, with each subject to a prescribed Skilled Occupation List that currently applies. Each of these SOL’s may change, depending on prevailing conditions and policy priorities at various points in time. This means that a skilled occupation which may be nominated for skilled migration today may not be the case in the future. Whilst occupations may be removed from a SOL, new occupations may also be added at any time. This becomes an important consideration if you are embarking on student visa, for example, and are considering PR pathway courses in Australia, that is, what courses should you consider studying with a view to applying for a PR visa at some stage later down the track.

Unfortunately, nobody can predict with 100% certainty what the government will add or delete from the skilled occupation lists by the time you graduate and may be seeking a further visa in Australia with a view to potentially becoming eligible for a skilled migration visa in the future.

There are, however, a number of tools that we can use to at least get a sense of where future changes to the migration program may lie, to help you to select a PR listed course in Australia.

Keeping abreast of all the latest developments in migration law is a key part of what we do everyday. This includes not only actual changes that are made to the migration provisions and policy, but also using our knowledge and insights to anticipate and predict likely changes in the future. Our active inviolvement in the industry helps us to get an idea of where things may be going, and in turn, advise our clients accordingly on PR pathway courses in Australia.

Again, nobody can predict the future, but working within the industry, including our active engagement in networking activites through our membership and leadership role at the Migration Institute of Australia (MIA), at least helps us to form some idea of where things may potentially be headed.The MIA is Australia’s leading association for migration professionals, representing its members through regular government liaison, advocacy, public speaking and media engagements.

So how do you go about selecting a PR listed course in Australia?

Choosing A Course To Study In Australia

A key part of informing our views on potential or likely future movements in migration law and PR courses in Australia is to consider overall trends and make our best guess as to what will be in demand in the future and acordingly, courses to get PR in Australia. it is also very important that first and foremost, you study a course that you are interested in and that you will be good at. These are the two most important factors when choosing which course to study.

Keeping your eye on a future skilled visa application including potentially how to get PR in Adelaide is wise if that is your plan for the future, but at the same time, suceeding in your course is also important; you need to sucessfully complete your course and attain your qualification to be eligible for a skilled visa. You wouldn’t want to spend your time working towards a qualification that you are not good at, or that you are not interested in for the sole purpose of potentially leading to an skilled visa, including one that provides an Adelaide PR pathway.

Given that there are a plethora of study choices available from a range of education providers on offer across Australia, you are bound to find something you like, and that you can perform well in, and that could also be a potential PR listed course in Australia, and further, possibly providing a potential Adelaide PR pathway by way of a state nominated skilled migration visa in South Australia. This could include trade courses for PR in Australia, for example.

There are some important considerations that a good migration agent can assist you with when applying for a student visa. For instance, a Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa is a common pathway that students often take as a next step after completion of their studies in Australia. The graduate visa is a very useful pathway visa, and may provide a potential Adelaide PR pathway, that allows you to work and gain the experience necessary to later qualify for either an employer sponsored or general skilled migration visa. it is also important to choose a course that meets the Australian Study Requirement and ensure that you meet all the other criteria for a graduate visa.

There are some useful resources that can help us to determine the current trends and the skills that may be in demand at the time that you seek to apply for permanent residency, and in turn, predict likely PR pathway courses in Australia, including trade courses for PR in Australia, as discussed below.

Predicting Future Potential Skill Needs

The starting point is to look at the current skilled occupation lists. This enables us to analyse which skills are currently in demand. It is a lot more probable for an occupation to stay on the list than it is for a new occupation to be added to the list.  

Be mindful that each skilled visa subclass is subject to its own prescribed skilled occupation list, and so it may be that your skilled occupation is on one SOL but not another (i,e, it may be a nominated occupation for a state sponsored general skilled migration visa, but not an employer sponsored visa, for example).

Regional Migration

Regional migration is one area that the government has, in recent years, increasing focused on when formulating migration law and the visa program. Regional migration programs are likely to continue to be a key focus of governments for the foreeable future as they seek to fill skill shortages, which have in recent times been more acutely felt in regional areas of Australia. This has been exacerbated by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the regional migration skilled occupation lists are a good starting point in trying to predict potential courses to get PR in Australia.

An example of this trend is the introduction of two new skilled regional sponsored visas in November 2019, namely, the Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa anSubclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa, which both provide a pathway to permanent residency after three years, including Adelaide PR pathway. This is part of a targeted programme designed to bring migrants to regional areas of Australia that are experiencing labour market shortages. South Australia is a designated regional area for this purpose, and so provides an Adelaide PR pathway under this program.

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa

The Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa is a provisional visa which provides a pathway to permanent residence with the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa after three years if you meet certain criteria at that time. This visa requires you to live and work in a designated regional area of Australia and requires a nomination by a State or Territory Government. You may also be sponsored by an eligible family member who is usually resident in a designated regional area of Australia. This visa option grants you an additional 15 points towards the points test, for the nomination/sponsorship. It has a visa term of five years.

The key requirements for visa grant are listed below:

  • You must first apply to a State or Territory Government for nomination approval;
  • You must also apply for an invitation to apply for the visa (again, this is normally required to be done at the same time as you lodge your nomination application);
  • Your skilled occupation must be listed on a specified list of skilled occupations, and you must possess minimum qualifications and/or employment experience as specified for the occupation;
  • You must be under 45 years of age at the time the invitation is received;
  • A positive skills assessment is required;
  • Minimum points test score of 65 must be achieved;
  • You must have Competent English.

Note: The Subclass 491 visa replaced the Subclass 489 Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa on 16 November 2019.

Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa

The Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa is a provisional visa which provides a pathway to permanent residence with the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa after three years if you meet certain criteria at that time. This visa requires you to live and work in a designated regional area of Australia and requires you to be sponsored by an employer. It has a visa term of five years.

The key requirements for visa grant are listed below:

  • Be aged under 45 at time of application;
  • Have a positive skills assessment for a skilled occupation on the relevant skilled visa list;
  • Have a minimum of three years employment experience in the nominated occupation (on a full-time basis and at the skill required for the occupation); and
  • Have a minimum level of Competent English (exceptions may apply).

Your sponsoring employer must also meet a number of requirements, including:

  • be an approved Standard Business Sponsor (SBS) and an Australian business;
  • Demonstrate that the nominated position is genuine, full-time and likely to exist for 5 years;
  • The nominee must be engaged as employee under a written contract of employment (unless an exemption applies)
  • The nominated position must be located in in a designated regional area;
  • The occupation must be on the relevant Australian skilled migration list and any applicable caveats must be met;
  • Labour Market Testing (LMT) must be undertaken;
  • Show that the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) is at least equal to or greater than the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) (which is currently set at $53,900);
  • The nominated annual earnings must not be less than the AMSR, and must be equal to or greater than the TSMIT;
  • An independent body must confirm that the nominee will be paid at least the AMSR;
  • A Skilling Australian Fund (SAF) levy will apply ($3,000 where business turnover is less than $10 million, and $5,000 payable for businesses with a turnover above this threshold); and
  • Terms and conditions of employment for nominated overseas workers must be no less favourable than for Australian employees.

There is also a Labour Agreement stream for employers in regional Australia who have a labour agreement with the Government to source skilled overseas workers to work in an occupation specified in the labour agreement for five years. As with the Employer Sponsored stream noted above, Subclass 494 visa holders under this stream are also eligible to apply for permanent residence after three years.

Note: The Subclass 494 visa replaced the Subclass 187 Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) visa on 16 November 2019.

Get More Information About The Regional Sponsored Migration Program

Learn more about the subclass 491 and 494 visas in our article on the Regional Sponsor Migration Scheme.

Designated Area Migration Agreement

There has also been increasing activity in the Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) programe in recent years. A DAMA is executed between the Commonwealth and a State or Territory Government for the purpose of enabling an employer to sponsor skilled or semi-skilled overseas workers for positions which cannot be filled from within the local labour market.

Individual DAMA labour agreements are then executed between the Australian Government and endorsed employers/businesses operating within the relevant designated region. These agreements are generally in effect for five years.

The following visa programs may be nominated under a DAMA:

  • Subclass 482 Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS)
  • Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional)
  • Subclass 186 Employer Nominated Scheme (ENS)

The South Australian Government currently has the following two DAMA’s in operation:

  1. The Adelaide City Technology and Innovation Advancement Agreement – this covers the Adelaide metropolitan region and focuses on Adelaide’s high-tech growth industries, with occupations in the defence, space, advanced manufacturing and technology industries; and
  2. The South Australian Regional Workforce Agreement – this covers the entire state of South Australia, with occupations in the regional high growth industries in agribusiness, forestry, health and social services, aged care, hospitality, tourism, mining and the construction sectors. Agribusiness occupations apply to occupations located in postcode areas 5110 – 5734.

Get More Information About The DAMA Program

You can learn more about the DAMA in our Labour Agreement Visa article. We also recommend that you refer to our article on the DAMA South Australia for details on the DAMA South Australia, and how employers in South Australia can sponsor workers for a DAMA visa in SA, and provide a potential Adelaide PR pathway.

Priority Migration Skilled Occupations

​​​​​​The Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL) identifies ​occupations which are needed to fill critical skills needs in order to support Australia’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The list is based on expert advice from the National Skills Commission and consultation with Commonwealth departments.

Employer sponsored nomination and visa applications with an occupation on the PMSOL are given priority processing. These visa programs are listed below.

  • Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa
  • Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa
  • Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa
  • Subclass 187 Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) visa (this was replaced by the Subclass 494 visa, however transitional provisions remain in place).

All other skilled occupation lists remain active, but the PMSOL occupations take priority.

The list is temporary and priority occupations may change as Australia recovers from the pandemic. The Government and the ​National Skills Commission continue to monitor the impact of COVID-19 on the Australian labour market and assess Australia’s skills needs as they evolve and new sources of data emerge. Occupations in health, engineering and accounting/auditing feature predominantly in the PMSOL. Aged care is particularly experiencing skills shortages, likely to persist into the future and may be potential PR courses in Australia.

You can access the PMSOL including updates as they are made on the Department of Home Affairs website.

Global Talent Visa Program

The Australian Government has in recent years sought to attract highly skilled migrants to Australia through a range of targeted programs, including with the introduction of the global talent scheme. With increasing global competition for talent, Australia is seeking to attract the best and brightest, in an effort to help grow a stronger economy. The global talent scheme Australia is one such dedicated talent attraction program which is designed to support the Australian economy.​

The Global Talent Employer Sponsored (GTES) program provides businesses with a streamlined process to sponsor overseas workers with cutting-edge skills, where there are no suitable Australians available. It is designed to assist start-up businesses operating in a STEM-related field and established businesses to fill highly skilled, specialised and niche roles.

The global talent scheme comprises of two strands; being an employer sponsored program and an independent global talent visa program.

Keeping an eye on the priority sectors under this program is another important tool when it comes to anticipating program priorities and potential PR pathway courses in Australia in future.

Get More Information About The Global Talent Visa Program

Learn more about this program by referring to the following articles.

Global Talent Independent Visa

Global Talent Visa For Graduates

GTES Australia Visa Programme

Global Talent Employer Sponsored Visa

Temporary Graduate Visa Program

As mentioned earlier in this article, the Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa is a popular pathway that students progress to following their studies. It is often viewed as a stepping stone from a student visa, with a view to applying for skilled migration in the future.

The Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa allows international student graduates to remain in Australia temporarily at the end of their studies, for a period of between 18 months and 4 years (depending on which stream they apply under). It provides unrestricted work and study rights, which can be very beneficial for applicants who are planning to apply for a permanent residence visa in the future. You can use the time you have as a Temporary Graduate visa 485 holder to gain skilled work experience in your nominated occupation, which is often an important aspect of qualifying for a skilled visa.

And with the introduction of a new Temporary Graduate Visa Subclass 485 in 2021, eligible applicants can now qualify for a Second Subclass 485 visa to extend their stay in Australia by an additional 1-2 years on a post-study work visa. It provides international students who are studying at regional universities with access to an additional one to two years in Australia on a post-study work visa and potentially providing an Adelaide PR pathway. Again, regional areas is a focus here, as the government seeks to address skills shortages in regional Australia.

This new Temporary Graduate Visa, which requires ongoing residence in either a regional centre or other regional area, or in a designated regional area, provides an added incentive for international students to study and live in regional Australia. This is part of a suite of measures which aim to attract more migrants to settle in Australia’s smaller cities and regions to support their growth and to help fill much needed employment vacancies, as well as to ease pressure on the major cities. South Australia is a regional area for this purpose. 

Get More Information About The Temporary Graduate Visa

We recommend that you refer to the articles below which we have prepared to assist you in understanding how the Temporary Graduate visa application works and issues you need to be aware of when embarking on this type of application.

Temporary Graduate Visa Subclass 485

International Graduates Continue to Get Caught Out on Graduate Visa

What are different temporary graduate visa streams and how to qualify for these streams

Qualification criteria for Temporary Graduate subclass 485 visa

Occupation lists – what are they and how do they apply to graduates?

Australian Graduate Visa FAQs

Comprehensive Guide to Temporary Graduate Subclass 485 Visa

Top 5 Graduate Visa Tips AND How to spend your time on a graduate visa wisely

Most common refusal reasons for graduate visas

Skill Select Invitation Round Results

Certain skilled visas require that you first submit an application for an invitation to apply for the visa and only upon receipt of an invitation can you then proceed to apply for the visa itself. The Department publishes data periodically of the results of each invitation round. This is a handy resource that you can also use to see which occupations are being invited to submit a general skilled migration visa application.

Results are released for the following points-based skilled visas:

  • Subclass 189 Skilled (Independent) visa; and
  • Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Family Sponsored visa.

Note that occupation-related data releases vary each period. For example, the Department may publish the occupations for which invitations have been issued, or they may only publish the number of invitations for pro-rated occupations.

For more information about the Skill Select invitation rounds, please see our article on the Skill Select Invitation Round.

Other Useful Tools

Keeping abreast of occupations that are ‘flagged’ is another tool hat can be used to try get an idea of the potential occupations that may be nominated for skilled migration in the future and potentially, courses to get PR in Australia, including an Adelaide PR pathway. It can also be used to learn more about what occupations are being openly considered for removal from the skilled occupation lists. This doesn’t mean they will be removed; some occupations may be flagged for a long time. But it is a useful indicator nonetheless.

Being aware of economic trends such as Deloitte Access Economics trend reports, Department of Employment reports or the Good Careers Guide is also important when it comes to anticipating potential changes to the occupation lists in the future and potential PR listed course in Australia, including trade courses for PR in Australia. Attending events like careers & employment expos can also provide you with insight into the skills that are in demand in Australia.

Industry associations also often feature a career information section on their websites. If not, then ask them directly for sector-specific career information.

Current Skilled Visa Options

Now that we have explored how you might go about choosing a course to study if you are just emobarking on a student visa, let us now take a look at a situation where you have attained qualifications/skilled employment experience and are ready to consider what skilled visa options are available to you today, including how to get PR in Adelaide and Adelaide PR requirements.

We recommend that you refer to the following articles to learn about Adelaide PR pathway options.

South Australia State Sponsorship Opportunities

South Australian State Nomination Program

Get More Information

Skilled Regional State Sponsorship Visa

For further information on the subclass 491 visa, please see the following articles:

Subclass 491 Regional Visa

491 Visa Adelaide

New Skilled Regional Visas to be introduced

Skilled Regional Sponsored Visa

Further Regulations released for the new regional sponsored visas to commence from 16 November 2019

Applications for the new provisional regional sponsored visas are now open

Skilled State Sponsorship Visa

For more information on the subclass 190 visa, please see our articles on the Subclass 190 State Sponsorship Visa and Adelaide 190 Visa.

Also refer to our Australian Permanent Resident Visa Case Study article to read about a real-life case study where PAX Migration Australia assisted a client to apply for a subclass 190 visa and who, after a long migration journey, was finally granted permanent residence in Australia.

You can read a further case study example in our State Sponsorship Visas In Australia article which explains how a client successfully applying for a state sponsorship visa with PAX Migration Australia’s assistance.

Skilled Visas

To learn more about applying for a skilled visa, including the subclass 494 regional sponsor migration scheme visa, please see the following articles:

State Sponsorship Visas In Australia

Australian Skilled Migration Visa List

General Skilled Migration Visa Options

General Skilled Migration Visa Points

Employer Sponsored Visas

Employer Nomination Migration Scheme

Labour Agreement Visa

457 Visa Replacement

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Contact us to book a no-obligation consultation to find out more about pr courses in Australia, how to get PR in Adelaide and Adelaide PR requirements.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Australia’s migration laws are complex, and each case is different. We recommend that you seek professional advice if you are interested in applying for a visa in Australiaas being fully informed will give you the best chance of achieving a successful outcome on your case. A migration professional can help you to do this. There are several terms that are defined in the migration provisions. Detailed advice about these is beyond the scope of this article and we would therefore recommend that you seek further information in this regard.

For up to date advice on applying for a visa to Australia, contact PAX Migration Australia, a leading immigration service providing advice on a range of visas, including student visas and selecting PR courses in Australia, as well as skilled visas, how to get PR in Adelaide and Adelaide PR requirements that you need to meet in order to qualifyContact us for a no obligation discussion on how we may be able to assist you to achieve your migration goals in Australia.

PAX Migration Australia’s team of professionals are very good at what we do. We will work with you to help you determine which course would best suit you personally as well as for migration purposes. We can provide you with up to date information about the skilled occupation lists, what the economic trends are and what courses will provide the best pathway options for migration. There are no guarantees in this game, but we can guarantee to help you make an informed decision and not just pure guessing by presenting all the available information to you on potential PR courses in Australia.

Contact us for more information and start studying the right course today!

Sources/Links

Deloitte – Services – Economics

Australian Government – Department of Education, Skills and Employment – Employment Research and Statistics

The Good Universities Guide – The Good Careers Guide