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Are you dreaming of making Australia your permanent home? Choosing the right course is important for your permanent residency (PR) journey. This guide by Garg Migration, your trusted MARA registered migration experts, will help you find the best PR courses in Australia for 2026 and beyond. Book Your Counselling Understanding PR Courses in Australia When we discuss PR courses in Australia, we mean qualifications that match jobs on Australia’s skilled occupation lists. These courses are created to fill the skill gaps recognized by the Australian government. Graduates can apply for skilled migration pathways. The Australian immigration system favors individuals who pursue courses that lead to PR in Australia since these qualifications meet important workforce needs. As MARA registered agents at Garg Migration, we have assisted thousands of international students in selecting the right educational path for their PR goals. How Do Courses Lead to PR in Australia? To understand courses that lead to permanent residency in Australia, you need to know about the skilled occupation lists. Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL): Occupations for independent skilled migration. Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL): Occupations for employer-sponsored visas. Regional Occupation List (ROL): Occupations for regional sponsored visas. Courses that qualify for PR in Australia prepare you for jobs on these lists. After finishing your qualification, you usually need to: – Get relevant work experience – Pass a skills assessment – Meet English language requirements – Score enough points under the skilled migration points system Best Courses for PR in Australia 2026 Nursing and Healthcare Courses Nursing consistently ranks as one of the best courses for obtaining permanent residency in Australia. The healthcare sector experiences ongoing shortages, making it one of the most eligible courses for PR in Australia. Popular qualifications: – Bachelor of Nursing – Bachelor of Occupational Therapy – Bachelor of Physiotherapy – Master of Nursing Practice Why choose nursing? Registered Nurses are listed on the MLTSSL, which provides several pathways for permanent residency. The aging Australian population guarantees a steady demand for healthcare professionals. Engineering Courses Engineering programs are among the best courses for PR in Australia. They offer various specializations with great migration opportunities. Popular specializations include: Civil Engineering Mechanical Engineering Electrical Engineering Mining Engineering Chemical Engineering Student Visa or Study Visa Engineering graduates enjoy high demand, good salaries, and simple skills assessment processes through Engineers Australia. Information Technology (IT) Courses IT is one of the best courses to study in Australia for PR because digital transformation is creating high demand for tech professionals. Sought-after qualifications include: Bachelor/Master of Information Technology Bachelor/Master of Computer Science Bachelor/Master of Cybersecurity Bachelor/Master of Data Science Jobs like Software Engineers, ICT Business Analysts, and Database Administrators regularly show up on skilled occupation lists. Teaching and Education Courses Early childhood and secondary teaching are pathways to permanent residency in Australia, offering many opportunities in regional areas. Key programs: Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) Bachelor of Education (Primary/Secondary) Master of Teaching Teachers are in high demand, especially in regional areas. This demand can speed up permanent residency processing through regional nominations. Accounting and Business Courses While accounting is more competitive now, it still leads to permanent residency in Australia when paired with work experience and professional year programs. Popular options: Bachelor/Master of Professional Accounting Master of Business Administration (MBA) Bachelor/Master of Finance Social Work and Community Services These PR-oriented courses in Australia meet the increasing community support needs across the country. Relevant qualifications: Bachelor/Master of Social Work Bachelor of Community Services Master of Counselling Social workers can pursue both independent and employer-sponsored PR pathways. Best Trade Courses for PR in Australia Trade courses in Australia for permanent residency offer great value. They usually require less study time and investment while providing good job prospects. These courses are practical options for obtaining permanent residency in Australia. Top Trade Courses for PR in Australia 1. **Electrical Trades** Electricians are always in demand, making electrical trade one of the top courses for PR in Australia. Qualifications: – Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician – Diploma of Electrical Engineering 2. **Plumbing and Gasfitting** Plumbing consistently ranks among PR trade courses in Australia, especially with excellent opportunities in regional areas. Relevant courses: – Certificate III in Plumbing – Certificate IV in Plumbing and Services 3. **Carpentry and Joinery** The construction boom keeps carpenters on skilled occupation lists, making this one of the best trade courses in Australia for PR. Popular programs: – Certificate III in Carpentry – Certificate III in Joinery 4. **Automotive Trades** Automotive mechanics, particularly diesel and motor mechanics, are highly featured among trade courses in Australia for PR. Key qualifications: – Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology – Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology 5. **Chef and Cookery Courses** Commercial cookery is one of the easiest courses to help you get PR in Australia, especially if you meet the experience requirements in regional areas. Relevant training: – Certificate III in Commercial Cookery – Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery – Diploma of Hospitality Management 6. **Building and Construction Trades** Several building trades are listed among trade courses for PR in Australia, including: – Bricklayers – Stonemasons – Painting Trades Workers – Wall and Floor Tilers Why Choose Trade Courses? Trade courses have several benefits as pathways for permanent residency in Australia: – Shorter duration: Most certificate and diploma courses for PR in Australia take one to two years. – Lower costs: They are generally cheaper than university degrees, making them affordable options for permanent residency. – Practical training: These courses provide hands-on learning with immediate industry use. – Strong employment: High job placement rates, particularly in regional areas. – Good income: Qualified tradespeople earn competitive wages. Diploma Courses in Australia for PR Diploma courses in Australia for PR bridge vocational training and higher education, offering practical pathways to skilled migration. Popular PR Diploma Courses in Australia: Diploma of Nursing: This leads to enrolled nursing, which is a growing occupation. Diploma of Engineering (various specializations): This serves as a technical pathway to engineering roles. Diploma of … Read more