Australia is one of the most popular study destinations for Sri Lankans precisely because a degree can lead to permanent residence. But “study then PR” isn’t automatic — it runs through the Temporary Graduate visa, a skills assessment, and a competitive points test. Here’s the real roadmap.

Step 1 — The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485)

After finishing an eligible Australian qualification, the subclass 485 lets you live and work in Australia temporarily. It’s the bridge that buys you time to build what PR requires — work experience, a skills assessment, and points. Two 2026 realities to budget for:

• check_circle The 485 application charge rose sharply through 2026 (the main applicant fee moved to AUD 4,600 on 1 March 2026, then to AUD 5,750 from 1 July 2026 — roughly LKR 1,200,000), so factor it in early
• check_circle Visa durations and work rights are now more closely tied to your qualification level and whether your field meets Australia's priority skills — the old pandemic-era extensions are gone

Step 2 — Skills assessment in your occupation

For any skilled PR visa you need a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your nominated occupation (engineers, accountants, IT professionals, nurses and so on each have their own body). The 485 period is when most graduates complete this and gather the experience the assessment may require.

Step 3 — The points test and the skilled visas

Skilled migration is points-tested. You submit an Expression of Interest and are ranked; higher scores get invited. Points come from age, English, education, skilled work experience, and more. The main targets are:

• check_circle Subclass 189 — Skilled Independent: points-tested, no sponsor needed (the most competitive)
• check_circle Subclass 190 — Skilled Nominated: requires nomination by a state or territory (adds points)
• check_circle Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional (provisional): requires regional state nomination or eligible family sponsorship, and leads to PR via the regional 191 visa after meeting its conditions

Stronger English scores and a state nomination are the two most effective ways to lift a borderline points total.

Why regional study can help

Studying and living in regional Australia can earn extra points and open state-nomination and 491 options that are less competitive than the 189. For students whose points total is tight, a regional pathway is often the more realistic route to PR — worth weighing against the bigger-city options when you choose where to study.

The bottom line

Australia’s study-to-PR route is genuine but competitive: the 485 buys you time, a skills assessment in the right occupation is essential, and the points test (boosted by English and often a state nomination) decides the outcome. Pick a degree tied to a needed occupation, mind the higher 2026 fees, and plan the whole sequence from the start.

Next steps

If PR is your goal, bring us your intended field. We’ll check how your occupation sits on the skilled lists, map the 485-to-PR sequence, and recommend whether a regional pathway strengthens your odds. Start with our study in Australia guide to shortlist a course, and our Australia student visa guide to get the Subclass 500 stage right.