Top PR Courses in Australia for 2025: Boost Your Career & Residency

Australia continues to attract international students aiming for Permanent Residency (PR) and strong career opportunities. Degrees in Nursing, IT, Engineering, Business, and related fields are especially powerful choices in 2025. By aligning your course choice with skilled migration lists, salary potential, and job demand, you’re making a smart, future-ready move.

Why Choosing the Right Course Matters for PR & Jobs in Australia

Skilled Migration Eligibility: Professions like Nursing, IT, Engineering, Accounting, and Teaching regularly appear on Australia's Skilled Occupation Lists—especially the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), making graduates eligible for PR (Think Visa, UpGrad, PSS International Removals).
Sector Momentum: Core sectors such as healthcare, engineering, IT, education, and construction show sustained or growing demand in 2025 (PSS International Removals, The Daily Telegraph, Courier Mail).
Labour Shortages: Regional data points to critical shortages—e.g., by 2035, Australia will require up to 80,000 additional nurses (The Daily Telegraph). Also, the government is pushing for 60,000 more engineering graduates by 2035 to curb reliance on immigrants (The Australian).

Best Courses to Study in Australia for PR & Jobs

1. Nursing

Why It’s Strong for PR: Registered Nurse is on the MLTSSL, enabling skilled migration (Think Visa, Peerless Immigration Services).
Salary: Average around AUD 89,200/year. Entry-level: AUD 75,900; experienced or nurse practitioners up to AUD 129,400 (Peerless Immigration Services).
Demand: Australia needs more nurses, especially in regional and aged-care settings (The Daily Telegraph, Courier Mail).
Pathway: Bachelor’s or Master’s in Nursing recognized by AHPRA; follow up with Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa for work experience (Peerless Immigration Services).

2. Information Technology (IT / Computer Science)

PR Favorability: IT roles such as Software Engineer and Systems Analyst are in high demand and eligible for skilled migration (Think Visa, Vishram International Services, Abhinav, PSS International Removals).
Salary: AUD 80,000–120,000/year for software engineers; other IT roles (e.g., analyst programmer) near AUD 108,748 (Think Visa, Amber Student).
Demand & Industry Trends: Persistent shortages in tech skills; by 2030, need for around 52,000 new tech professionals annually (arXiv). Universities also report climbing demand for business and tech degrees (Courier Mail, The Daily Telegraph).
Edge Tip: Combine a Computer Science degree with industry certifications (e.g., AI-900) to significantly boost employability (arXiv).

3. Engineering

PR Eligibility: Engineering occupations consistently appear on skilled occupation lists as high-demand roles (PSS International Removals, Amber Student).
Salary: Average engineers earn around AUD 110,900/year; software engineers may earn up to AUD 120,000 (Amber Student).
Demand: Federal advocacy for 60,000 more engineering graduates by 2035 and looming retirement of 70,000 engineers confirm urgent demand (The Australian).
Career Areas: Fields include Civil, Software, Biomedical, Mechanical, Aeronautical Engineering, all showing strong performance and career pathways (Amber Student).

4. Business & Accounting

PR Qualification: Accountants, auditors, financial analysts are on the skilled lists (UpGrad, Amber Student).
Salary: AUD 65,000–120,000/year depending on role and seniority (UpGrad).
Industry Insights: Firms increasingly seek tech-savvy business grads, especially with AI awareness (The Australian).

Other Popular PR-Friendly Courses

Social Work / Education: Social workers and educators (especially early childhood) are on PR lists, with salaries roughly AUD 65,000–90,000/year (Think Visa, UpGrad).
Trades (Automotive, Plumbing, Electrical): Consistent demand and PR relevance; salaries range between AUD 55,000–100,000/year depending on trade (UpGrad).
Hospitality: Roles like chefs or accommodation managers offer salaries from AUD 62,000 to upwards of AUD 109,000 (Amber Student).

Comparison Table

Course	PR Pathway Strength	Avg Salary (AUD/year)	Demand Level
Nursing	⭐⭐⭐⭐ (MLTSSL)	~89,200 (up to 129,400)	Very High (shortage)
IT / Computer Science	⭐⭐⭐⭐	80,000–120,000+	Very High (industry-backed)
Engineering	⭐⭐⭐⭐	~110,900 (up to 120,000)	Very High (national push)
Business / Accounting	⭐⭐⭐	65,000–120,000	High (tech integration trend)
Social Work / Education	⭐⭐⭐	65,000–90,000	High (regional need)
Trades (Plumbing, Electric)	⭐⭐⭐	55,000–100,000	Medium–High
Hospitality	⭐⭐	62,000–109,000	Medium

FAQs (People Also Ask)

Q: Which course is best for PR in Australia in 2025?
A: Nursing, IT, and Engineering offer the strongest pathways due to skilled occupation eligibility and acute job market demand.

Q: Is Nursing a good course for PR in Australia?
A: Absolutely—Nursing is on the MLTSSL, enjoys robust job opportunities (especially in aged care), and pays well as experience grows (Think Visa, The Daily Telegraph, Peerless Immigration Services).

Q: Can I get PR after studying Business in Australia?
A: Yes—Accounting and finance roles are eligible for skilled migration. Pairing your degree with industry certifications (e.g. CPA, ACCA) can further strengthen your profile (UpGrad).

Q: Which IT jobs are in demand in Australia?
A: Software Engineers, Systems Analysts, Cybersecurity Specialists – all experiencing strong growth. The sector needs 52,000 new tech professionals annually by 2030 (arXiv, Vishram International Services).

Choosing the right course in Australia isn’t just about study—it’s a strategic step toward a rewarding career and possible PR. In 2025, Nursing, IT, Engineering, and Business/Accounting stand out both in salary and migration potential.