Published Nov 7, 2025 · 11 min read

Educate to Migrate: Best 3 Courses in 2026

Studying to achieve your PR goals in Australia? Yeah, it can happen! If you’re thinking of getting a Student Visa (subclass 500) or a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) next year, we’ve listed down 2026’s top academic and vocational programs you can enrol in that can secure a good occupation and may lead to eventual permanent residency in the country.

Educate to Migrate | Outstanding Courses for Opportunities

We at PTA believe your pathway to PR starts with education. In the hopes of helping you get a clear direction on your path, we’re counting down the top 3 educational programs so you can prepare for next year’s enrolment.

t

Want to start your Migration journey through International Study?

Have a meaningful talk with one of our expert migration agents and book a consultation today!

#3 Aged Care & Nursing

Third on our list is Aged Care and Nursing courses. Combining these two courses in 3rd creates higher chances of getting the aligned job for you. 

Aged Care 

Studying this course opens more doors for you in the long run. They’re available in various parts of Australia with a duration of 6 months up to 2 years. 

Certificate IV in Aged Care (6 months – 12 months)

This certificate not only provides you with the skills you need to care for seniors in your community. You’ll be honing your skills and working directly with medical professionals in an Aged care facility. 

Cost: starts at $4,000

Diploma of Nursing & Bachelor of Nursing 

Diploma of Nursing (12 months – 24 months)

Here, you’ll get to learn the legal requirements, health assessments, care plans, communication, and safe practices associated with nursing and give your career a kick-start into a profession with excellent employment outcomes.

Cost: $30,000-$35,000

Bachelor of Nursing (12 months – 24 months)

This course emphasises nursing practice and theory to assist you to operate as part of a professional health care team. It will help you develop the necessary professional health worker skills and knowledge to make safe and ethical decisions, and communicate flawlessly with patients and medical professionals.

Cost: $30,000-$35,000

Migration Success Stories
Get to know our Gabi’s (Philippines) and Tania’s (Estonia) migration journeys to Australia.

Read On: Cheapest Nursing Courses in Australia for International Students (2025)

 

#2 Early Childhood Education & Teaching

Coming in at number two is Early Childhood Education and Teaching courses. We’ve been getting a lot of questions from interested applicants who are already at a Bachelor’s or Master’s level of qualification looking to take their next step toward a pathway to Australia. 

Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Teaching (36+ months)

As a student of this bachelor course, you’ll learn how to engage children through activities such as art, music, maths, and literacy. You’ll also develop the skills needed to respond to diversity and help each child get the most out of their education during their formative years.

Cost: $15,000-$20,000
Intake: February, July 

Diploma in Early Childhood Teaching (48 weeks – 2 years)

With this certificate, a possible pathway would be a Child Care Centre Manager where you direct and supervise child care workers, develop and implement programs to enhance the lives of young Australians and provide care before-school, after-school, during the day and on vacations. Employment in this qualification has risen significantly in the last 5 years and is expected to keep growing. 

Cost: $6,500

Migration Success Story
Learn more about Beatrice’s (Germany) pathway to PR in Australia.

 

#1 Trade Courses

At the top spot in the 2026 Best Courses list are the Trade Courses, more specifically, related to the Construction and Building sector.

The Boon of Building & Construction 

Australia is in need of qualified trades people within the building and construction industry. With programs like Carpentry, Painting, Plastering, Tiling, Electrical, Brick and Blocklaying offered, we predict that these would be the safest pathways to being able to get a permanent visa and stay long-term in Australia. 

Carpentry (12 months – 24 months)

You will be trained in numerous fields in the carpentry industry such as studying drawings and specifications to determine materials required, ordering and selecting timbers and materials, preparing layouts and much more.

Cost: $10,000-$15,000

Job Forecast: Work as a Carpenter 

Painting & Decorating (12 months – 24 months)

Painting trades workers apply paint, varnish, wallpaper and other finishes to protect, maintain and decorate surfaces of buildings and structures. You will be able to paint and decorate for residential and commercial construction.

Cost: $10,000-$15,000

Job Forecast: Work as a Painter & Decorator

Plastering (12 months – 24 months)

Solid plasterers also perform a range of “finishing work” in the final phase of the construction process: preparing and cleaning walls for paint, smoothing of ceilings & walls, creating straight and smooth angles on walls & custom build outs and cavities.

Cost: $10,000-$15,000

Wall & Floor Tiling (12 months – 24 months)

You’ll learn to lay ceramic, clay, slate, marble, glass and other types of tiles on external and internal walls and floors to provide protective and decorative finishes. Major areas of study include interpretation of plans, measurements and calculations, use of power tools and equipment, surface preparation & repairs.

Cost: $10,000-$15,000

Bricklaying (12 months – 24 months)

You’ll learn how to work on job sites for domestic,commercial and public buildings and work with clay bricks, concrete blocks and mortar. Throughout the course, you’ll gain knowledge in interpreting building plans, performing measurements, masonry blockwork, veneer and solid brick construction, leveling and scaffolding and how to use speciality tools.

Cost: $10,000-$15,000

Electrical Engineering (12 months – 24 months)

In this course, you’ll gain skills in variable speed drivers, analogue and digital electronics, programmable logic controls and renewable energy. When you finish the course, students will have the ability to design and evaluate electrical systems and equipment.

Cost: $25,000-$30,000

Electrician (12 months – 24 months)

You’ll develop skills solving problems in D.C Circuits, Terminate cables cords and accessories for low voltage circuits, Solve problems in electromagnetic devices and related circuits, and apply environmentally and sustainable procedures in the energy sector. 

Cost: $25,000-$30,000

Migration Success Stories

Meet Chris (South Africa) and Peter (Poland) and discover how their journeys led them to Australia. 

p

Learning more about Trade Courses?

Check out our Trade Courses section and discover the wide array of study options you can choose from.

More paths mean more ways of migrating to Australia!

Download our FREE Study Pathways Guide and learn how you can attain PR in Aus. Come on a call and have a consultation today!

Table of Contents

    GET IN TOUCH

    In case of questions, feel free to reach out to one of our experienced Registered Migration Agents.

    Contact details

    Give us a call

    Australia: 0755 265 900
    Argentina: (11) 7368 - 8134
    Fiji: (679) 922 3842
    Philippines: 63 968 363 5296
    United Kingdom: 02039 483 865

    Send an email

    info@pathwaytoaus.com

    Gold Coast Office

    2242 Gold Coast Highway,
    Mermaid Beach, QLD, 4218

    UK Office

    5 Merchant Square
    London, W2 1AY, United Kingdom
    (By Appointment Only)