If you already study in Australia as an international student, you must know what a lovely country it is. The weather and everything in there is fantastic. But, are you worried that you will have to leave? Are you afraid that you will have to go when studies are over? Well, have you ever thought about getting PR from a student visa? Our guide on how to convert a Student visa to PR in Australia will guide you through it.
First of all, you should know that getting PR in Australia with a Student Visa is not impossible. You need some expert VISA advice to Australian immigration, and we are here to help you with the information!
Can I get a Student visa to PR?
If you are a student who graduated in Australia and you have a job in Australia, then you have a better chance. However, to apply for permanent residency, you need first to complete the degree. So, if you are thinking of using for permanent residency in Australia with your student visa, you should consider the job market.



So, if you have completed a course which will get you a job, and, if your qualifications match what is required – you have a better chance. This is clearly something that you have to consider a little more. But until now, let us assure this – you SURE CAN qualify from a student visa to PR in Australia. All you have to do is fulfill the qualifications.
What is PR in Australia?
A permanent resident in Australia is a person who has entitlements and rights offered by the Australian government. Any international person who receives PR is entitled to all these rights. There are some differences between citizenship and PR. The differences found are mainly in election rights and travel rights. However, the Australian agency decides the benefits given to both citizens and permanent residents.
Moreover, there are many things you can do with permanent residency as well. You can live in Australia and do a job and have a happy life for a starter!
Can I apply for PR as a student?
Applying for PR in Australia with student visa does not necessarily have to be after studies. You can even use it while you are studying. All you have to do is meet the Australian standards of PR application.
When you apply for PR, you get a bridging visa, which starts when your student visa ends. The most crucial thing is that you do not have to consider your current status. Before applying, you should also consider the field that you are going to use, like the occupation.
All you have to do is be able to show the relevant education requirements along with succeeding work experience. However, the work experience should be pertinent to the field of occupation that you are applying for in PR.
What should I know about converting a student VISA to PR?
When you are trying to get a permanent visa as an international student, there are a few ways to do that, and good to use a checklist of document requirements. If you have the following qualifications, you have a higher chance of getting a PR in Australia.
- A minimum of two- year education in the post-graduate level
- Work experience in the relevant field that you are applying for in the PR application
- You should have a proper health condition
Another point that you have to keep in mind is that Australian PR is only valid for five years. The validity starts from the date of issues. And you will have to apply for a renewal before it expires.
The Australian immigration department has the full authority to cancel any visa issued. They can even revoke Australian citizenship under certain circumstances.
The Australian government generally changes the conditions for applications. It is always better that you keep a proper track of their latest rules and regulations to apply for PR.
Check out the official website of the Australian immigration department at https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/permanent-resident.
What are the pathways to apply for PR as an international student?
When applying for PR in Australia, you should note that there is not only a single pathway to apply. There are many other pathways that you can take. The most important thing is that all these pathways reach the same destination. But they have different qualification requirements and application processes. Some might take longer, while some paths might be a little shorter.
So, the best thing that you can do is to check out all the qualifications that you have and consider all the pathways.
Below are the pathways that you can apply for Australian PR from a student visa!
Skill assessment for Australian PR is the primary method that you can try. Through this, you will get the opportunity to consider the validity of the skills that you have. The minimum number of assessment points for Australian PR is 65. You can apply for a temporary graduate visa or with a post-Australian study assessment when going for PR in Australia with a student visa.



Do I need to stay in Australia after getting my PR?
If you applied for Australian PR from your student visa, then there are specific rules that you must follow.
The main among those rules is that you cannot leave the country for two years. You will have to stay in Australia in continuity for at least two years. After getting permanent residency, you might have to take precautions when traveling abroad. Though a citizen can stay and leave the country, a lifelong resident has specific restrictions on how you visit. Hence you will have to live and work in Australia for a minimum of 2 years.
What is the points test?
As mentioned earlier, the skilled points test is a pathway to apply for Australian PR. The points test is a test in which points are awarded for a specific criterion, as mentioned below:
- Age
- Proficiency of English language
- Skilled employment
- Educational qualifications
- Australian study requirements
- Community language qualifications
- Study in regional Australia
- Partner skill qualification (if applicable)
- Number of professional years in Australia
Our immigration agents are in Sydney and Melbourne offers fee visa advice if you require to convert your student visa to PR.