Permanent residency in Australia: the path for those who study and work

The Fair Work Commission set Australia's national minimum wage at AUD 26.44 per hour from 1 July 2026. This number defines the floor of any financial calculation for those planning to combine study with work in the country, and it is the starting point for understanding why the complete arc, from the classroom to permanent residency, makes financial sense beyond the aspirational.

Australia is one of the few countries in the world where the student visa already comes with built-in work permission, the English taught in the course counts as a direct investment in the immigration system, and the professional history accumulated during studies turns into points in the skilled migration system. Those who understand this logic from the start build a coherent trajectory, not a collection of disconnected steps.

‍

The student visa as a strategic starting point

The Subclass 500 is Australia's standard student visa. It authorises the holder to work up to 48 hours per fortnight during term periods, with no hour limit during semester breaks, according to Condition 8105 of the Australian Department of Home Affairs.

In practice, this means that a student enrolled in a 20-week English course can work part-time for the entire duration of study, accumulate income in Australian dollars, and leave the programme with a positive balance, local market experience on their resume and a measurable English level.

The Australian student visa requires meeting the Genuine Student (GS) requirement, introduced in recent revisions to migration policy. The GS assesses whether the applicant's intention is genuinely academic, based on educational history, post-study plans and ties to the home country. Understanding the requirement before applying reduces the risk of refusal.

‍

How English converts into immigration points

SkillSelect is the Australian government's online system through which candidates for permanent residency register an Expression of Interest (EOI) for skilled migration visas. The system uses scoring: candidates with higher scores receive invitations first, in periodic invitation rounds organised by Home Affairs.

The technical minimum to enter the system is 65 points. The real competitive minimum for the Subclass 189, the PR visa requiring no state nomination, has been running at around 85 to 90 points in the most recent rounds, according to public Home Affairs data.

English weighs directly into that count. The SkillSelect points table distributes bonuses for proficiency:

• Competent level (IELTS 6.0 or equivalent): zero additional points for English
• Proficient level (IELTS 7.0): 10 additional points
• Superior level (IELTS 8.0+): 20 additional points

The difference between IELTS 6.0 and 8.0 can literally be the difference between waiting years for an invitation and receiving one in the next round. This makes an English course in Australia more than linguistic immersion: it is a direct investment in the SkillSelect score.

See the structure of an Australian English school from the inside:

‍

Working during studies: income that funds and a resume that scores

Australian professional experience also factors into the points calculation. Those who accumulate one to two years of skilled work in Australia before applying for PR receive between 5 and 15 additional points, depending on total time. This history must be in the occupation or related area the candidate will declare in the EOI.

The Australian market has sectors with constant demand for skilled workers. Areas that regularly appear on the government's eligible occupation lists include nursing, accounting, civil engineering, information technology and education.

The choice of accommodation in Australia during the exchange programme directly impacts how much of the work income remains available for savings or reinvestment in more advanced courses. Hostel, homestay and shared apartment have very different costs and conveniences, especially in Sydney and Melbourne.

‍

The logic of the complete arc

Those who arrive as students, work within the visa limit, improve their English from Competent to Proficient and accumulate local experience leave the programme with three simultaneous assets: the course certificate, saved income and extra points in SkillSelect.

The study and work in Australia exchange programme was structured to connect these stages deliberately, not accidentally. The logic is not "go to Australia and see what happens", but rather to plan the course, the city, the work sector and the immigration objective as parts of a single project.

The best cities to work in Australia have very different labour markets, living costs and connections to regional occupation lists. Sydney concentrates finance and technology; Melbourne has a strong presence in health and education; Brisbane is growing in construction and infrastructure with the proximity of the 2032 Olympics; Perth leads in mining and engineering.

‍

The three permanent residency visas via SkillSelect

SkillSelect operates three main PR routes for those who came as students:

• Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent): does not require state nomination or employer sponsorship. Requires high points: recent rounds have required 85 to 90 points. This is the route for those with Superior English, consolidated Australian experience and an occupation in demand on the federal MLTSSL.
• Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated): requires nomination from a state or territory, which adds 5 points to the base. Each state has its own occupation list. Candidates with 75 to 80 base points who choose a state with real demand for their occupation have concrete chances.
• Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional): a 5-year temporary visa that opens the path to PR via Subclass 191. Regional nomination adds 15 points, making candidates with 65 base points competitive if they have an occupation in demand in the regions.

The guide on the new rules for Australian student visas covers updates to work conditions and Genuine Student requirements, which directly affect visa maintenance during studies and, consequently, eligibility for the PR routes.

‍

What needs to be planned before departure

The complete arc requires decisions made before departure, not just after arrival:

• What is the target occupation for the EOI? Is it on the federal MLTSSL or only on state lists?
• Which city offers both market demand for that occupation and a cost of living within budget?
• Does the chosen English course have a class schedule compatible with the visa work hour balance?
• What is the current English level, and in how much realistic time can the candidate reach IELTS 7.0 or 8.0?

An exchange programme in Sydney is the most common choice for first-time arrivals, for the job market and the international student network. But Sydney has the highest cost of living in the country. The cost of living in Melbourne is usually a little lower, with a robust market in health and education.

Be Easy's study and work in Australia curated programme includes support in choosing a city, school and mapping the target occupation for SkillSelect, transforming an exchange project into a trajectory towards PR.

‍

Frequently asked questions about permanent residency in Australia

How many points are needed for permanent residency in Australia via SkillSelect?
The SkillSelect technical minimum is 65 points, but recent invitation rounds for the Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent) have required 85 to 90 points. The Subclass 190 and Subclass 491 open paths for those with a lower base score but an occupation in demand.

How many hours per week can a student work in Australia?
The Subclass 500 visa authorises up to 48 hours per fortnight during term periods. During semester breaks, there is no hour limit. Research master's and doctoral students have no hour limit in any period.

Does English studied during the exchange count as points in SkillSelect?
Yes. Proficient level (IELTS 7.0 equivalent) adds 10 points to the base; Superior level (IELTS 8.0+) adds 20 points. The difference between the two levels can be decisive for receiving an invitation in the next round.

What is the minimum wage in Australia for those working on a student visa?
According to the Fair Work Commission, the national minimum wage rises to AUD 26.44 per hour from 1 July 2026. All workers in Australia, regardless of visa type, are entitled to that minimum value or the category award floor, whichever is greater.

Is it possible to apply for permanent residency without leaving Australia?
Yes, in the main PR visas via SkillSelect. Subclass 189, 190 and 491 applicants can apply while inside the country, provided they meet the points requirements, have an eligible occupation, proven English and an active EOI in the system.

‍

Be Easy: boutique international education consultancy

Be Easy supports those who want to build the complete trajectory: from international student to permanent resident in Australia, going through English, professional experience and SkillSelect point planning. If that arc makes sense for your current moment, we have the right curated programme to structure each stage clearly. To map the options and speak with a dedicated senior consultant, get in touch with us.