Australia

Study in Australia

Overview

Why Study in Australia?

Australia is English Council's top destination, and for good reason. With 18+ years of experience placing students in Australian universities, we specialise in IT and Health studies that lead directly to permanent residency.

Australian universities consistently rank in the global top 100, and the country offers one of the most generous post-study work visa programs in the world — up to 4 years for degree holders, with additional time for regional study and STEM graduates.

Key advantages:

  • Post-study work visa (Subclass 485) up to 4 years
  • 48 hours/fortnight work rights during term (restored July 2023)
  • Clear PR pathway via SkillSelect (Subclass 189/190/491)
  • IT and Health occupations consistently on priority lists
  • Regional study = extra 2 years visa bonus
  • OSHC (health insurance) included
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Education System & Courses Available

Australia offers a comprehensive education system from TAFE diplomas through to doctoral degrees. English Council partners with 15+ flagship universities and TAFE institutions across all states.

IT Programs: Computer Science, Software Engineering, AI & Machine Learning, Data Science, Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, ICT Business Analysis

Health Programs: Nursing (Registered & Enrolled), Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Medical Science, Biomedical Engineering, Occupational Therapy, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery, Aged Care

Pathway Options: TAFE NSW, TAFE Queensland, Box Hill Institute, Navitas Colleges — diploma to degree pathways with lower entry requirements and reduced tuition costs (A$10,000–18,000/year)

Tuition Costs:

  • IT: A$25,000–40,000/year
  • Nursing/Health: A$28,000–45,000/year
  • TAFE/Level 2: A$10,000–18,000/year

Living Costs: A$21,000–25,000/year

Australian Visa Types (2025-2026)

Complete breakdown of all visa categories and pathways

Visa Type Purpose Key Features Duration
Student Visa (500)

Full-time study

Work 48 hrs/fortnight during term; unlimited holidays; bring dependants; CRICOS course required

[2025-2026 UPDATE] Work rights: 48 hours per fortnight during term. Unlimited work rights granted during COVID removed as of 1 July 2023.
Course duration
Temporary Graduate (485)

Post-study work

Full-time work after graduation; 2-4 yrs; PR pathway; apply within 6 months of course completion

Bachelor: 2 yrs | Master (Coursework): 2 yrs | Master (Research): 3 yrs | PhD: 4 yrs
Regional study: +2 years bonus | STEM graduates: +2 years (Nov 2023)
Nursing/Health (critical shortage): Up to 4 yrs
2-4 years
Visa Type Purpose Key Features Duration
Skilled Independent (189)

Permanent Residency

No sponsor; points-based 65+ pts; invite-only via SkillSelect; Health and IT fastest
Permanent
Skilled Nominated (190)

State-nominated PR

State nomination +5 pts; permanent on grant; state residency/work obligations
Permanent
Skilled Work Regional (491)

Regional pathway

+15 extra points; 5-yr temporary; regional living required; PR via 191 after 3 yrs
5 years → PR
Skilled Regional PR (191)

PR for 491/494 holders

For 491/494 holders; 3 yrs regional living + income threshold; PR on grant
Permanent
Visa Type Purpose Key Features Duration
Temporary Skill Shortage (482)

Employer-sponsored work

Employer + sponsorship; 2-4 yrs; some streams lead to PR (186)
2-4 years
Skilled Employer Regional (494)

Regional employer

Regional employer + sponsor; 5 yrs; PR via 191 after 3 yrs
5 years → PR
Visa Type Purpose Key Features Duration
Partner Visa (820/801)

Family/Partner

Temporary (820) to Permanent (801); work rights throughout; 18-24 months processing
Temp → Permanent
Visitor Visa (600)

Tourism/visit

3, 6, or 12-month stay; no work rights; proof of funds required
3-12 months

Australian PR Points Test

Minimum 65 points to submit EOI. Most occupations need 70-85+ for an invitation.

Age (25-32 = Best)

Age 18-24: 25 pts | Age 25-32: 30 pts (best bracket) | Age 33-39: 25 pts | Age 40-44: 15 pts

English Language

Competent IELTS 6.0: 0 pts (minimum) | Proficient IELTS 7.0: +10 pts (strong advantage) | Superior IELTS 8.0+: +20 pts (best English points)

Australian Qualifications

Australian degree 2+ yrs: +15 pts | 1-yr Grad Diploma/PG: +10 pts | Study in Australia is highly valued

Work Experience in Australia

3-4 yrs: +5 pts | 5-7 yrs: +10 pts | 8+ yrs: +15 pts — in the nominated occupation

State/Regional Nomination

State Nomination (190): +5 pts | Regional Nomination (491): +15 pts — counts toward 65 minimum

Bonus Points

Professional Year (IT/Acc/Eng): +5 pts | NAATI community language: +5 pts | Partner skills: +5 pts | Single/partner not applying: +10 pts

IELTS / PTE Score Requirements — Australia

Minimum English language requirements for different visa types and courses

Purpose / Visa IELTS Overall IELTS Each Band PTE Academic Notes
Student Visa (500) 5.5-6.0 5.0+ 42-50 Depends on course level
Nursing / Health (Uni) 7.0 7.0 65 AHPRA: 7.0 all 4 bands — non-negotiable
Information Technology (Uni) 6.0-6.5 6.0 50-58 Varies by university
Master's Programs 6.5 6.0 58 Many top unis require 6.5 overall
PhD / Research 7.0 7.0 65 Research programs require 7.0
Skilled Migration (PR) 6.0 6.0 50 Competent English. 7.0+ = +10 bonus pts. 8.0+ = +20
Employer Sponsored (482/494) 5.0 5.0 36 Minimum; check ANZSCO-specific requirements

Fast-Track PR Occupations — IT & Health

Health
Registered Nurse (254411) — IELTS 7.0 all bands; highest demand; 189/190/491/482
Health
Enrolled Nurse (411411) — Diploma level: pathway to RN; 190/491/482
Health
Aged Care Worker (423111) — Critical shortage; accelerated processing; 482/491
Health
Physiotherapist (252511) — 4-yr degree + AHPRA assessment; 189/190/491
Health
Pharmacist (251511) — IELTS 7.0; APC assessment; 189/190/491
IT
Software Engineer (261313) — ACS; consistently in demand across all states; 189/190/491
IT
ICT Security Specialist (262112) — Cybersecurity — very high demand; fastest invites
IT
Data Scientist (262114) — High demand; ACS or VETASSESS; 189/190/491
IT
AI/ML Engineer (261315) — Fastest growing demand 2024-26; 189/190/491
IT
Cloud Computing Engineer (262113) — Growing strong demand in all states

TOP UNIVERSITIES IN Australia

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