International students often aim to turn their studies into a permanent future in Australia, but the pathway from student visa to permanent residency can feel confusing. This case study follows a carpentry student who turned study into permanent residency in just over four years. Here’s how the journey unfolded step by step:
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February 2021 – December 2022: Studied Certificate III in Carpentry
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March 2023: Granted 485 Graduate Work Visa
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October 2024: Completed Job Ready Program and gained full skills assessment
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November 2024: Lodged Expression of Interest for Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)
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December 2024: Received invitation for state nomination
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16 July 2025: Permanent residency granted through Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)
This journey highlights the real timeline, costs, and visa stages that show how students can successfully transition from a student visa to permanent residency in Australia.
Thinking about your own pathway?
The timeline above is one real example. Your own journey will depend on your course, work experience, and visa options.
Book a free consultation today with our education agent to see which courses and visas can give you the best chance at permanent residency.
Step 1: Choosing the Right Course
Our client’s journey began in February 2021 when he enrolled in a Certificate III in Carpentry. Carpentry is one of those trades that consistently shows up on Australia’s Skilled Occupation List, which means it’s in demand and strongly linked to migration pathways.
- Duration: 2 years (Feb 2021 – Dec 2022)
- Cost: Around $24,000 at the time (now closer to $26,000–$27,000)
- Visa type: Student visa, full-time study
We worked with him before enrolment to make sure the course would not only match his interests but also give him the best chance of building a long-term future in Australia. That’s one of the biggest mistakes students make. They study a course that doesn’t align with PR opportunities.
Step 2: Graduate Work Visa (Subclass 485)
After completing his carpentry studies in December 2022, the next step was securing the Graduate Work Visa (subclass 485). This visa lets international graduates stay in Australia, work full-time, and gain local experience in their chosen field.
- Lodged: March 2023
- Cost: About $2,300
- Benefits: Full work rights, time to gain experience, and eligibility to start a skills assessment
This stage is crucial because it bridges the gap between study and skilled migration. We handled the entire application for him ensuring all documentation was in order.
Not sure what comes after your studies?
Talk to us today.
Step 3: Job Ready Program (JRP)
Once he had his 485 visa, the next milestone was proving his ability to work in his trade. He enrolled in the Job Ready Program through Trades Recognition Australia (TRA).
- Duration: 12 months of full-time work
- Cost: Around $3,400
- Completed by: October 2024
Throughout the program, we stayed in contact with him and his employer to ensure that every report, work log, and milestone met TRA standards. Once completed, he received a positive skills assessment. It is one of the most important requirements for skilled migration. Requirements to pass a skills assessment.
Step 4: Expression of Interest (EOI)
With his skills officially recognised, the next move was submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) in November 2024. This is essentially raising your hand and saying: “I’m ready to apply for a skilled visa.”
The EOI looks at things like:
- Age
- English level
- Qualifications
- Work experience
- Partner’s skills (if applicable)
Our client scored:
- 75 points for the subclass 189 visa
- 80 points for the subclass 190 visa (including 5 bonus points for state nomination)
We recommended the 190 visa because Queensland had openings for skilled tradespeople at the time.
Step 5: Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)
Just one month later, in December 2024, he received an invitation from Queensland Migration to apply for the Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190).
- Application lodged: December 2024
- Partner included: Yes
- Visa fee: $4,910
At this point, attention to detail is everything. We prepared all evidence, from skills documents to police checks and relationship proof for his partner.
Step 6: Permanent Residency Granted
On 16 July 2025, he received the news he’d been waiting for: his permanent residency was granted!
From the first day of his course in 2021 to his PR grant in 2025, the entire process took just over four years.
Timeline & Costs at a Glance
| Step | Timeframe | Cost (Approx.) |
| Certificate III in Carpentry | Feb 2021 – Dec 2022 | $24,000–$27,000 |
| Graduate Work Visa (485) | March 2023 | $2,300 |
| Job Ready Program | Apr 2023 – Oct 2024 | $3,400 |
| Skilled Nominated Visa (190) | Dec 2024 – Jul 2025 | $4,910 |
| Total | ~4.5 years | $34,610+ |
Why This Path Works
We’ve helped thousands of students take this same pathway and it works because:
- They study courses linked to skilled occupations
- They gain local work experience in their trade
- They complete skills assessments correctly
- They submit EOIs with strong points scores
- They get expert guidance at every step
The truth is, success comes down to having a clear migration strategy from the very start.
Why Work With Pathway to Aus?
Unlike agencies that only do enrolments or only do visas, we do both. That means your study choices and visa pathway are always aligned.
Here’s what we offer:
- Course advice & enrolment: Helping you choose the right course in the right city, with PR outcomes in mind
- Visa applications: From student visas to skilled visas, we take care of every detail
- Job Ready Program support: Making sure your skills assessment runs smoothly
- Migration planning: Tailored strategies for singles, couples, or families
- Ongoing support: We’re with you from day one through to your PR grant
Could This Be Your Path Too?
If you’re in Australia (or planning to come soon) and want a future here, the best time to plan is before you enrol. Whether it’s carpentry, cookery, automotive, aged care, or IT, the right course and a clear plan can set you on the path to PR.
That’s exactly what we do at Pathway to Aus: we don’t just enrol students. We help them succeed.
Ready to plan your own future in Australia?
Book a consultation today and let’s map out your pathway to permanent residency.
