Best Australian Degrees for Permanent Residency (PR) Pathways

The best Australian degrees to study to improve your chances of getting permanent residency are ones that link to a career on the national, regional, or state occupation or skills lists. While these occupations and skills can change, some are always needed especially those in Agriculture, Nursing, Teaching, and Social Work.

Studying in Australia isn’t just about getting a great education, it’s also a great pathway to building a life here long-term. But if you’re an international student hoping to apply for permanent residency (PR), the degree you choose can make a big difference. In this guide, I break down which degrees are most aligned with PR pathways, how to maximise your chances of staying after graduation, and where to get help. I’ve included a list of regional universities and their best degrees (or disciplines) to help boost your PR outlook too.

Why Your Degree Matters for PR

Australia uses a points-based migration system, and many permanent residency visas are tied to skills that are in demand.

To apply for PR through a skilled visa, your job must usually be on one of the Skilled Occupation Lists, and you’ll need a positive skills assessment in that occupation. If you choose a degree that matches an in-demand profession it will give you a much better (and faster) chance of qualifying for PR later.

That’s because immigration pathways are closely tied to workforce needs. Australia doesn’t just want graduates, it wants graduates with the skills to fill real job shortages. So your degree will affect everything from visa eligibility to your overall migration points. Here’s how:

1. Your Degree Determines Your PR-Eligible Occupation

To apply for permanent residency through the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program, you’ll need to nominate an occupation that appears on a relevant skills list, like the Core Occupation List (COL), Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) or a state or regional occupation list (keep reading for more on this).

These occupations are directly linked to specific degrees. For example:

• A Bachelor of Nursing links to “Registered Nurse”
• A Bachelor of Engineering leads to various engineering specialisations (you’re essentially an “Engineer” but you might be a civil, chemical or mining engineer for example, depending on you degree major)
• A Master of Social Work connects with “Social Worker”

2. Your Degree Impacts Your Migration Points

Australia uses a points-based system to rank applicants for skilled migration. The qualification you earn in Australia counts toward your total score, and the higher your score, the better your chances.

Here’s how points are awarded for your level of education:

Australian Qualification	Points
Doctorate (PhD)	20
Honours or Master’s	15
Bachelor’s Degree	15

Read more about the Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) here.

You can also gain extra points if your degree:

• Was completed in Australia (minimum 2 years)
• Was completed in a regional area
• Falls under STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, maths)

These extra points can be the difference between getting invited to apply, or missing out.

3. Certain Degrees Unlock State or Regional PR Pathways

Even if your occupation isn’t on the national MLTSSL list, many degrees are recognised at the state or regional level.

Every Australian state and territory maintains its own list of priority occupations based on local skill shortages. These are used for:

• State nomination (subclass 190), which gives you permanent residency
• Regional nomination (subclass 491), which leads to PR after three years of living and working in a regional area

Studying in a state (or at a regional campus) that’s actively seeking people in your field can give you a significant advantage, especially for degrees like teaching, social work, or environmental science, which are in high demand outside major cities. You can check which regional universities offer degrees related to the skilled occupation lists here.

4. You’ll Need to Pass a Skills Assessment

Before you can apply for skilled migration, your qualifications must be formally assessed by the relevant assessing authority for your nominated occupation. This process confirms that your Australian degree meets the professional standards required in that field.

For example:

• Engineering graduates apply to Engineers Australia
• Nurses and allied health go through AHPRA
• Teachers are assessed by AITSL

This is why it’s essential to choose a degree that leads directly to a skilled occupation—and ideally one that appears on the MLTSSL or a state list.

Degrees with the Best PR Outcomes in Australia

Here are the degree fields that regularly appear on the Core (COL), Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) or other Australian state and regional nomination lists (they also offer some of the strongest PR outcomes for graduates):

Degree Area	Common Occupations	Why It’s Good for PR
Accounting	Accountant, Auditor	Popular PR pathway, but competitive. Requires Professional Year and work experience.
Agriculture & Environment	Agricultural Scientist, Environmental Consultant	Priority occupations in regional Australia. Support from multiple state governments.
Allied Health	Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, Speech Pathologist	Excellent PR prospects. In-demand across most states.
Engineering	Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Mining	Strong demand nationwide, especially in infrastructure and mining.
IT & Cybersecurity	Software Engineer, ICT Analyst, Cybersecurity Specialist	Growing sector. Often on the MLTSSL. Eligible for Professional Year program.
Nursing	Registered Nurse, Mental Health Nurse	Constant demand across all states. Included on the MLTSSL. Excellent post-study options.
Social Work	Social Worker, Welfare Worker	High demand in health and community sectors. Strong regional opportunities.
Surveying & Planning	Surveyor, Urban and Regional Planner	Niche but highly sought after. Often on state occupation lists.
Teaching	Secondary School, Maths/Science, Early Childhood Educator	Shortage areas in many states. Included in state nomination programs.

Use the official Skilled Occupation List to check if your future career is eligible for PR.

How To Use Your Degree For PR

Choosing the right degree is a great start, but it’s what you do next that really counts.

Study in a Regional Area

Studying at a regional university can give you a serious advantage when it comes to permanent residency. You’ll not only receive extra points for regional study, but you’ll also be eligible for a longer Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) and can receive priority from certain state/territory nomination programs.

Regional Universities With Strong PR Outcomes

Here are some well-regarded regional universities in Australia and the PR-relevant degrees they’re known for:

University	Location	PR-Relevant Strengths
Charles Darwin University (CDU)	Darwin (NT)	Nursing, Indigenous Health, Education, Engineering
Charles Sturt University (CSU)	Albury, Bathurst, Wagga Wagga (NSW)	Teaching, Nursing, Agriculture, Social Work
CQUniversity (CQU)	Rockhampton, Mackay, Bundaberg (QLD)	Engineering, Nursing, Social Work, IT
Federation University Australia	Ballarat, Gippsland (VIC)	Engineering, IT, Nursing, Teaching
James Cook University (JCU)	Townsville, Cairns (QLD)	Marine Biology, Environmental Science, Geology, Nursing
Southern Cross University	Lismore, Coffs Harbour (NSW)	Environmental Science, Nursing, Education, Allied Health
University of New England (UNE)	Armidale (NSW)	Agriculture, Animal Science, Education, Psychology
University of Southern Queensland	Toowoomba (QLD)	Engineering, Teaching, Surveying, Agriculture
University of the Sunshine Coast	Sippy Downs, Fraser Coast (QLD)	Health Science, Nursing, Environmental Science, Teaching

These universities are officially classified as “regional” under Australian migration policy. That means studying there can give you:

• 5 extra PR points for regional study
• Access to the longer 3-year post-study 485 visa
• Higher chances of being nominated by a state or territory government

You don’t have to be in the middle of nowhere, many of these campuses are in beautiful areas, close to the coast, national parks, or thriving regional cities. Read more about the top ten universities in Australia here.

Apply for a Temporary Graduate Visa (485)

This visa lets you stay in Australia after graduating to gain work experience. If your degree aligns with a PR occupation, this time is crucial to build your CV. This is important, as to pass your skills assessment and become eligible for skilled migration, you’ll almost always need work experience in your nominated occupation.

Complete a Professional Year (if available)

A Professional Year is available for international graduates in accounting, IT, and engineering. Completing one gives you 5 extra PR points and improves job prospects.

Country-Specific Notes on PR Pathways

Even if you choose a degree that aligns with Australia’s PR occupation lists, your path to permanent residency may still depend on your individual circumstances, such as your passport country, visa history, or immigration risk profile.

Here’s what international students from key regions should know:

🇧🇩 Bangladesh

Bangladesh is also a high-risk passport country for visa purposes. Although public health, regional nursing, and IT roles are viable PR strategies. Combining a strong GPA with regional work placements can boost your long-term residency prospects.

🇧🇷 Brazil

Brazil is considered low to moderate risk, but language proficiency can be a barrier. Courses like early childhood education or social work are strategic PR options. Plus, community engagement and volunteer experience during study can help support your PR application if you have the time available.

🇨🇳 China

China is considered a high-risk passport country, so visa and PR applications may be scrutinised more closely. Some Chinese graduates choose regional study options to improve their PR chances (and get access to a longer 485 visa).

🇮🇳 India

The Department of Home Affairs considers India a high-risk passport country. This can mean additional documentation and longer processing times. High competition among Indian graduates in popular fields (like accounting) means you’ll need strong grades, work experience, and a skills assessment to stand out.

🇮🇩 Indonesia

Many Indonesian students pursue business or IT degrees. Indonesia is considered moderate-risk, so extra documentation may be required for PR. Studying in regional areas or shifting to a degree in social work, nursing, or teaching can improve your PR chances. A lot Indonesian students use post-study work rights to gain local experience before applying for PR.

🇲🇾 Malaysia

Malaysia is typically considered low-risk for student and PR visa processing (which is great news!). PR applicants from Malaysia often benefit from strong English proficiency and academic results. But choosing a regional study pathway and employer-sponsored visa (e.g., in allied health or engineering) can improve your chances.

🇳🇵 Nepal

Nepalese students are increasingly enrolling in health, community services, and IT, which are areas in high demand for PR. Regional migration programs often favour Nepalese graduates in fields like aged care and social work. But be aware that visa policies have changed frequently in recent years, so staying updated is key.

🇵🇰 Pakistan

Like India and China, Pakistan is considered high-risk, so documentation and strong academic records are essential. Engineering is still a solid PR pathway, but high competition makes post-study work experience and professional registration important.

🇵🇭 Philippines

Filipino students often arrive with prior work experience in nursing, teaching, or community support roles. These fields are strong PR contenders, especially with regional experience or state nomination, but previous qualifications or employment may help you fast-track your skills assessment.

🇻🇳 Vietnam

Students from Vietnam commonly study hospitality, accounting, or business, some of which are more competitive PR pathways (and less helpful to you). Diversifying your qualification (e.g. adding a graduate diploma in social work or IT) may increase your chances. Regional study is another smart strategy if your original degree isn’t PR-aligned.

Alternative Pathways To Boost PR Chances

Don’t panic if your degree isn’t on the skilled occupation lists! There are still options for PR.

• Add a graduate diploma or master’s in a PR-aligned area
• Study or work in a regional location to boost your PR points
• Use your experience and qualifications to apply under a closely related occupation
• Look into employer sponsorship, particularly if your current role has high demand

It’s all about strategy and using your time in Australia wisely.

Get Help From the Right Places

The best way to avoid mistakes is to get advice from the right source.

🛂 Check the Department of Home Affairs for current visa and PR rules
📚 Use your university’s international student support services
🧭 Consult a registered migration agent for personalised advice
🌏 Use the Skilled Occupation List to see if your profession will be eligible