So you want to go to Australia and maybe even stay there permanently? Good news ; this is actually one of the best times to plan this. The Australian government has opened up to 185,000 PR visas for 2026–2027. That is a huge number, and a big chunk of those spots go to skilled workers ; people who studied the right courses and got the right experience.
If you are a Nepali student thinking about studying abroad, Australia is honestly one of the smartest choices you can make. Not just because of the degree ; but because the right course can literally put you on the path to living there forever.
Let me break this down in a simple way so you can understand everything clearly.
Why Should Nepali Students Think About Australia for PR?
Most students from Nepal go abroad for two reasons ; a good degree and a better future. Australia gives you both, but it also gives you something extra: a real chance at permanent residency.
Here is why Australia makes sense:
The PR Path is Clear Australia has something called the Skilled Occupation List. If your degree matches a job on that list ; like nursing, engineering, IT, or accounting ; you can apply for a skilled visa after graduation. From there, PR is very reachable.
Post-Study Work Visa After finishing your degree, you can stay in Australia on a Graduate visa (Subclass 485) for up to 5 years. That gives you time to gain work experience and build your PR points.
Good Money After Graduation We are talking salaries around NPR 64 lakh to NPR 102 lakh per year (AUD 80,000–117,000) depending on your field. For a Nepali family, that kind of income changes everything.
Great Universities Schools like the University of Melbourne, ANU, UNSW, and University of Queensland are in the world’s top 50. A degree from these places is respected globally.
Best PR Courses in Australia for Nepali Students (2026 Full List)
Here is a simple table showing the most popular courses, how much they cost, and what salary you can expect after:
| Field | Course | Average Fee Per Year | Average Salary |
| Engineering | Software Engineering | NPR ~35.2 lakh | NPR ~96 lakh |
| Engineering | Civil Engineering | NPR ~37.9 lakh | NPR ~88 lakh |
| Engineering | Mechanical Engineering | NPR ~37.9 lakh | NPR ~86 lakh |
| Engineering | Electrical Engineering | NPR ~37.9 lakh | NPR ~88 lakh |
| Medicine | MBBS / MD | NPR ~66 lakh | NPR ~128 lakh |
| Medicine | Dentistry | NPR ~52.8 lakh | NPR ~96 lakh |
| Medicine | Nursing | NPR ~21.9 lakh | NPR ~75 lakh |
| Education | Teaching (Primary) | NPR ~30.4 lakh | NPR ~80 lakh |
| Education | University Lecturer | NPR ~14.9 lakh | NPR ~100 lakh |
| Education | Evidence-Based Teaching | NPR ~30.4 lakh | NPR ~88 lakh |
| Computer Science | Data Science | NPR ~36.8 lakh | NPR ~104 lakh |
| Computer Science | Computer Science | NPR ~37.9 lakh | NPR ~76 lakh |
| IT | Information Technology | NPR ~37.9 lakh | NPR ~80 lakh |
Note for Nepali students: These fees are per year. Most courses are 2–3 years long. So total cost of studying in Australia generally ranges from around NPR 40 lakh to NPR 96 lakh for the full degree.
Top PR Courses Explained One by One
1. Engineering – One of the Safest Bets for PR
Engineering is probably the most popular PR course for Nepali students going to Australia. The demand is high and it has been on Australia’s skilled occupation list for years.
The highest paying one is Software Engineering ; you can earn around NPR 96 lakh per year on average after landing a job. Civil and electrical engineers also earn very well, and the jobs are steady.
2. Medicine and Nursing – High Demand, High Pay
Australia had over 12,000 job openings in medical fields in 2026 alone. This tells you something ; they need more healthcare workers badly. As a Nepali student, this is a solid opportunity.
Nursing is especially popular because the fee is lower (around NPR 21.9 lakh per year) compared to MBBS (NPR 66 lakh per year), and yet nurses still earn around NPR 75 lakh per year in Australia. Not bad at all.
MBBS/MD takes longer and costs more, but doctors earn NPR 128 lakh per year on average. That is serious money.
One important thing ; your medical course must be registered under CRICOS and must be at least 2 years long. Keep that in mind when selecting.
3. Education and Teaching – Underrated but Very Useful
Not many Nepali students think about teaching as a PR course, but honestly it is one of the smartest choices. Australia has over 10,000 teaching vacancies right now, and the government wants more qualified teachers.
A university lecturer in Australia earns around NPR 100 lakh per year ; which is actually more than a lot of engineering graduates. And the course fees are lower too.
4. Computer Science and IT – The Most In-Demand Field Right Now
If you are good at computers or interested in tech, Australia is waiting for you. Fields like cybersecurity, data science, cloud computing, and AI are growing fast and Australia simply does not have enough local talent to fill the demand.
A data scientist in Australia can earn around NPR 104 lakh per year. That is close to what a doctor makes, and the study costs are lower.
Who Can Apply? Basic Requirements
Before you get too excited, let’s check if you actually qualify. Here are the main things you need:
- Age: You must be under 45 years old
- Visa: You need to be on a Subclass 485 (Graduate Temporary) or Subclass 500 (Student Visa)
- Education: A degree or diploma of at least 2 years ; from Australia or a recognized institution
- English: Minimum IELTS score of 8.0 or TOEFL iBT of 80
- Work experience: At least 3 years of relevant work
- Course registration: Your Australian course must be registered with CRICOS
How the PR Points System Works in Australia
Australia does not just let anyone stay permanently. They use a points-based system to decide who gets PR. You need at least 65 points to even apply.
Here is how you earn points:
| What They Look At | Details | Points |
| Age | 25–32 years old | 30 points |
| Age | 18–24 or 33–39 years | 25 points |
| Age | 40–44 years | 15 points |
| Education | Doctorate (Australia or recognized) | 20 points |
| Education | Bachelor’s Degree (Australia or recognized) | 15 points |
| Education | Diploma or Trade Qualification (Australia) | 10 points |
| Overseas Work Experience | 3–5 years | 5 points |
| Overseas Work Experience | 5–8 years | 10 points |
| Overseas Work Experience | 8+ years | 15 points |
| English | Proficient English | 10 points |
| English | Superior English | 20 points |
| State Nomination | Subclass 190 Visa | 5 points |
| Regional Study or Work | Subclass 491 Visa | 15 points |
| Partner Skills | If partner meets eligibility | 5–10 points |
| Professional Year Program | After completing | 5 points |
Simple tip: If you are between 25–32 years old and have superior English, you already start with 50 points just from age and language. Add a bachelor’s degree (15 points) and you are at 65. That is the minimum needed.
How to Get More PR Points – Practical Tips
Work More in Australia
The more skilled work experience you have in Australia, the more points you get. If you can work 8+ years, you get maximum points in that category.
Improve Your English
Getting a superior score on IELTS (or PTE or TOEFL) gives you 20 points just for language. Many Nepali students skip this step after getting admission ; don’t. Keep improving your English even after arriving.
Apply for State Nomination
Some Australian states are desperate for skilled workers. If a state nominates you, you get extra points. Living in regional areas also gives you 15 bonus points under the Subclass 491 visa.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply for PR After Finishing Your Course
This is the part everyone wants to know. Here is how it actually works:
Step 1: Complete a PR-eligible course Finish a degree in a field that is on Australia’s Skilled Occupation List. Make sure your course is CRICOS-registered.
Step 2: Get a new visa after graduation Your student visa ends when you graduate. Apply for a Graduate visa (Subclass 485) so you can stay and work while preparing for PR.
Step 3: Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) Go to Australia’s SkillSelect portal and submit your EOI. This tells the government you want to apply for permanent residency.
Step 4: Wait for the invitation The Department of Home Affairs reviews your EOI. If your points are good enough, you get an invitation to apply.
Step 5: Check your eligibility and points Once you get the invitation, double-check everything ; your points, documents, and eligibility.
Step 6: Submit your PR application You have 60 days to submit after getting the invitation. The application fee is around NPR 4 lakh. You will need:
- Passport and birth certificate
- All university transcripts and degree certificates
- Skills assessment report
- English test score certificate
- Work experience documents
- Health report (if required)
Majority of Educational Consultancy in Nepal Operating Without Renewal Approval
What Jobs Can You Get? (Salary Guide for Nepali Students)
After getting PR, here is what you can realistically expect to earn:
| Job Role | Salary in AUD | Salary in NPR |
| AI Developer / Data Scientist / ML Engineer | AUD 117,000 | ~NPR 102 lakh |
| IT Firms / Tech Startups | AUD 108,000 | ~NPR 96 lakh |
| Cybersecurity Analyst / Ethical Hacker | AUD 108,000 | ~NPR 96 lakh |
| Construction & Infrastructure Engineer | AUD 99,000 | ~NPR 88 lakh |
| Power Systems / Renewable Energy | AUD 99,000 | ~NPR 88 lakh |
| Manufacturing / Automotive / Industrial | AUD 98,000 | ~NPR 86 lakh |
| School Teacher | AUD 90,000 | ~NPR 80 lakh |
| Hospital / Aged Care Nurse | AUD 90,000 | ~NPR 80 lakh |
| Chartered Accountant / Tax Consultant | AUD 90,000 | ~NPR 80 lakh |
| Family & Youth Social Worker | AUD 83,000 | ~NPR 72 lakh |
| Nursing Home / Geriatric Care | AUD 81,000 | ~NPR 70 lakh |
Final Thoughts – Is It Worth It for Nepali Students?
Honestly? Yes ; if you plan it right.
The whole process takes time and money. But when you look at the end result ; a permanent resident in Australia, earning NPR 80–100 lakh per year ; it becomes clear why so many Nepali families are investing in this path.
The key is to pick the right course, get into a CRICOS-registered university, maintain your English scores, and start thinking about PR points from day one ; not after graduation.
If you are serious about this, start researching universities now, talk to education consultants in Nepal who specialize in Australian admissions, and do not wait too long. You have got a good window right now while the PR intake is high.
Disclaimer: Course fees and salary figures are approximate and based on 2025–2026 data. Always verify current figures before making financial decisions.
