Australia PR After Study 2026: 485 Visa, Points System, SOL & Complete Pathway

Australia PR after study — if you are an Indian student planning to study in Australia and eventually obtain permanent residency, 2026 is a year of immense opportunity paired with intensifying competition. Australia PR after study remains one of the most structured and transparent immigration pathways in the world, built on a clear points-based system that rewards age, English proficiency, education, work experience, and strategic course and location choices. The formula is well-established: complete a CRICOS-registered course, graduate onto a Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa (2-4 years of open work rights depending on your qualification), gain skilled work experience in a Skilled Occupation List (SOL) role, obtain a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority, and submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect for Subclass 189, 190, or 491 permanent residency. But the landscape has shifted since 2024 — the Genuine Student (GS) requirement replaced GTE in March 2024, the Subclass 500 visa fee increased to AUD $2,000, the financial requirement now stands at AUD $29,710 per year, the age limit for points-tested visas is 35, and minimum wage has risen to AUD $24.95 per hour. In this definitive 2026 guide, EEC — with 27+ years of experience and 50,000+ Indian students placed — maps out the complete Australia PR after study journey: every step, every point, every subclass, every strategy that Indian students need to follow from Day 1.

Complete PR Pathway After Study in Australia — 2026 Overview

The Australia PR after study pathway is a multi-stage, points-tested process governed by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA). Unlike Canada's Express Entry (which uses a single CRS score) or the UK's Skilled Worker route (which requires employer sponsorship and 5 years of residence), Australia's system gives Indian students direct control over their immigration outcome through a transparent points matrix. Here is how the entire pathway works in 2026:

This pathway has made Australia one of the top three destinations for Indian students seeking permanent residency. The critical difference from Canada is that Australia's PR system is entirely points-based — there is no single composite score like CRS. You accumulate points across multiple categories (age, English, education, experience, location), and once you hit 65+ points, you are eligible to lodge an EOI. However, 65 is the floor — competitive invitations for Subclass 189 typically require 80-90+ points in 2026. Indian students who plan their course, location, and language strategy from Day 1 have a massive advantage over those who start thinking about PR after graduation. This is precisely why EEC plans your Australia PR pathway before you even apply for your student visa. For students also weighing other countries, see our Australia vs Canada vs UK comparison.

Australia PR Points System — Complete Breakdown for 2026

The points-based system is the engine of Australia PR after study. Every Indian student must understand exactly how points are calculated, because your course selection, English preparation, work experience strategy, and even your choice of campus location all affect your final score. Here is the complete points breakdown for Subclass 189, 190, and 491 in 2026:

The mathematics is straightforward: Indian students need a minimum 65 points for eligibility, but competitive invitations typically require 80-90+ points in 2026. A typical Indian student graduating from a 2-year Australian master's programme at age 26-28, with IELTS 7.0 each band, 1 year of Australian work experience, and ASR bonus might score: Age 30 + English 10 + Education 20 + ASR 5 + Work 5 = 70 points. That is above the minimum but below the competitive threshold for Subclass 189. This is where strategic planning becomes critical — regional study (+5), superior English (+10 more), a professional year (+5), or state nomination (+5 for 190 or +15 for 491) can push you into the invitation range. Indian students who start planning points optimisation from course selection stage, not after graduation, have the strongest Australia PR after study outcomes.

Subclass 189 — Skilled Independent Visa

Subclass 189 is the most coveted PR visa for Indian students pursuing Australia PR after study in 2026. It grants permanent residency without any state or employer sponsorship — you are free to live and work anywhere in Australia. However, it is also the most competitive pathway, with the highest points thresholds. Here is what Indian students need to know:

For Indian students, Subclass 189 is the "gold standard" of Australia PR after study because it offers complete freedom — no obligation to live in a specific state, no employer dependency, and immediate permanent residency. However, the competition is fierce. In 2026, most 189 invitations go to candidates scoring 85-95+ points, particularly in IT and engineering occupations where the backlog of qualified applicants is largest. Indian students in healthcare (nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy) and trade occupations often see lower invitation thresholds because demand outstrips supply. This is why choosing the right course for PR is not just an academic decision — it directly determines your 189 competitiveness. If your points are borderline for 189, Subclass 190 and 491 offer powerful alternatives.

Subclass 190 — State Nominated Visa

Subclass 190 adds +5 points through state or territory nomination, making it the most practical PR pathway for Indian students who score 75-85 points on their own. Each Australian state and territory has its own nomination criteria, priority occupation lists, and processing timelines. For Indian students pursuing Australia PR after study in 2026, the 190 visa is often the sweet spot between the highly competitive 189 and the regional restrictions of the 491:

The strategic advantage of Subclass 190 for Indian students is the +5 points bonus from state nomination, which can push a 75-point candidate into the competitive 80-point zone. States like South Australia and Tasmania are particularly favourable for Indian students because they have broader nomination criteria, lower points thresholds, and actively invite international graduates. An Indian student who studies nursing at the University of South Australia, for example, can leverage SA's strong demand for healthcare workers to secure a 190 nomination — something that would be far more difficult in NSW or VIC where competition from domestic applicants is higher. The trade-off is a 2-year commitment to live and work in the nominating state after PR is granted. For Indian students prioritising PR speed over city preference, smaller states offer the fastest pathway to Australia PR after study in 2026.

Subclass 491 — Regional Provisional Visa

Subclass 491 is the most accessible PR pathway for Indian students in 2026 — and the one EEC increasingly recommends for students who may not reach 80+ points for Subclass 189. The 491 grants a 5-year provisional visa with +15 points from regional state nomination. After living and working in a regional area for 3 years, you become eligible for Subclass 191 — which grants full permanent residency. Here is the complete picture:

The 491's +15 points bonus is transformative for Indian students. Consider a typical Indian graduate: Age 28 (30 points) + Master's (20) + Proficient English (10) + ASR (5) = 65 points. With 189, this candidate is at the bare minimum and unlikely to receive an invitation. But with 491, those 65 base points become 80 — suddenly competitive. Add regional study (+5) and you reach 85 — well into the invitation zone. This is why 491 has become the preferred pathway for Indian students pursuing Australia PR after study who do not have Superior English or extensive work experience. The only requirement is a 3-year commitment to regional living, which includes cities like Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, Gold Coast, Newcastle, and Wollongong — hardly remote outposts. For Indian students flexible about location, 491 is the smartest PR strategy in 2026.

“I came to Australia in 2022 for a Master's in IT at University of South Australia in Adelaide. EEC planned my entire PR pathway — they told me Adelaide was regional, gave me +5 study points plus 491 eligibility for +15 nomination points. I scored 85 points total and received my 491 invitation in March 2026, exactly 3.5 years from landing. My friends in Sydney with the same degree are stuck at 70 points. Location is everything.”

— Vikram P., MSc IT, University of South Australia — 491 Invitation, March 2026

485 Visa to PR — Step-by-Step Guide for Indian Students in 2026

The Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa is the critical bridge between graduation and PR. It gives you open work rights for 2-4 years (depending on your qualification level), during which you must build your points, complete your skills assessment, and prepare your EOI. Here is the precise step-by-step process for converting your 485 into permanent residency in 2026:

The biggest mistake Indian students make is treating their 485 visa as a "gap period" to relax after the intensity of full-time study. Your 485 is a PR-building period — every month should be dedicated to accumulating skilled work experience, improving English scores, and completing your skills assessment. With a 2-year 485 from a bachelor's degree, the timeline is manageable but tight. With a 3-year 485 from a master's or research programme, you have comfortable margins. But procrastination is the enemy — Indian students who wait 6-12 months before starting their skills assessment or English preparation often find themselves running out of 485 time. This is why EEC creates a detailed 485-to-PR timeline for every student, with milestones for each quarter after graduation.

How to Boost Your Points — Strategies for Indian Students in 2026

If your current points score is below the competitive threshold for your target visa subclass, you need a targeted improvement strategy. Here are the most effective points-boosting strategies for Indian students pursuing Australia PR after study in 2026, ranked by impact and effort:

The fastest single improvement for most Indian students is English proficiency. Moving from Proficient (IELTS 7.0 each / PTE 65+ each) to Superior (IELTS 8.0 each / PTE 79+ each) adds 10 points — the largest single-factor jump available. Many Indian students plateau at IELTS 7.0-7.5 and assume Superior is unattainable. In reality, targeted PTE preparation often yields Superior-equivalent scores more readily than IELTS for Indian test-takers. EEC partners with test preparation programmes that specifically target the Superior threshold.

The second-most impactful strategy is regional study and 491 nomination, which can add up to 20 points (+5 regional study + +15 491 nomination) with minimal effort beyond choosing a regional campus. An Indian student studying at University of Adelaide (regional), University of Tasmania (regional), or Charles Sturt University (regional) automatically earns +5 regional study points and positions themselves for 491 nomination. Combined with Superior English (+20 total), this creates a 40-point points advantage over a student studying at University of Sydney with Competent English (+0). That 40-point difference is the difference between a comfortable PR invitation and years of struggling. Funding should not hold you back — explore education loans for Australia and scholarships for Indian students.

Australian Work Rights During Study — Building Your Profile Early

Indian students in Australia can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during academic terms and unlimited hours during scheduled breaks. The national minimum wage is AUD $24.95 per hour — among the highest in the world. While student work does not directly count toward PR points (only post-graduation 485 work in your nominated occupation counts), it serves three critical purposes: (1) building professional networks that lead to post-graduation TEER-equivalent employment, (2) gaining Australian workplace experience that strengthens your resume, and (3) earning income to support your living costs. For details on student work opportunities and strategies, see our comprehensive part-time jobs in Australia guide.

Australia PR after study in 2026 demands strategic planning from the moment you choose your programme. The Indian students who achieve PR fastest are those who select SOL-aligned courses, study at regional campuses for bonus points, prepare their English to Superior level during their programme, complete skills assessment early on their 485 visa, and leverage state nominations through Subclass 190 or 491. With the minimum threshold at 65 points and competitive invitations at 80-90+, the margin for error is narrow — but the pathway is transparent and achievable for well-prepared Indian students. Whether you pursue the independent Subclass 189, the state-nominated 190, or the regional 491, the study-to-PR pipeline remains Australia's greatest draw for Indian students worldwide. Book a free consultation with EEC and let our immigration specialists build your personalised PR roadmap — from your first class in Australia to your PR invitation. Visit your nearest EEC centre to speak with an Australia PR specialist today. If you are still deciding on a course, our best courses for Australia PR guide and master's in Australia guide will help you make the most strategically sound decision of your career.

Frequently Asked Questions: Australia PR After Study