They didn’t get PR because everything lined up perfectly. They got PR because they kept adjusting, stayed consistent, and made the right decisions when it mattered.
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Starting Out: Studying a Trade in Australia
Tania and Walison moved to Australia from Brazil on student visas, like many international students hoping to turn study into a long-term future.
Walison enrolled in a Certificate III in Wall and Floor Tiling completing two years of study. While he was studying, he did something we always encourage trade students to do which is to work in the industry.
He wasn’t just ticking boxes. He was building real skills, learning how the industry actually works and gaining hands-on experience that would matter later.
After finishing his course, Walison applied for the Graduate Work Visa (Subclass 485). And between the visa itself and time on a bridging visa, this gave him close to two years of open work rights which is a valuable time to keep progressing toward permanent residency.
The Job Ready Program and the First Roadblock
Next came the Job Ready Program, a standard step for many trade graduates. Walison completed the required 12 months of work and obtained his full skills assessment.
On paper, everything looked good.
But there was a problem.
Walison couldn’t reach the English score needed to get enough points for PR at that stage. It’s a frustrating situation and one we see far more often than people expect.
That’s when Tania and Walison came to Pathway to Aus.
👉 Stuck on points, English, or skills assessment?
Getting advice early can help you avoid unnecessary delays or wrong turns.
Rethinking the Plan Before Time Ran Out
By the time we sat down together, the clock was ticking. Visas were expiring and decisions needed to be made quickly.
The question we asked was simple but important:
“What do you actually want your future in Australia to look like?”
After reviewing their situation, it was clear they needed a short-term solution to stay lawful in Australia while setting up a stronger PR strategy.
The answer was a Training Visa (Subclass 407) for Tania.
We lodged the 407, a bridging visa was granted and they were able to remain in Australia while we worked on the bigger picture.
👉 Sometimes the right move is a temporary one.
A personalised plan can help you stay lawful while working toward longer-term goals. Start your journey with us.
1. Find a course or choose one of the Trade courses
2. Fill out the PTA Enrolment Form
3. Speak to our Education Consultation for FREE
One Strategic Change That Made the Difference
At the time, Tania and Walison were living in Queensland but working in New South Wales. That detail might seem minor, but when state nomination is involved, it matters. Like a lot.
We recommended that they need to fully relocate to New South Wales so that Walison could meet the state’s nomination requirements properly.
They took the advice.
Walison moved, continued working consistently in his trade, and kept everything aligned. A few months later, the moment they’d been waiting for arrived.
He received an invitation from New South Wales for the State Nominated 190 visa.
Here’s what surprises most people:
- He only had 65 points
- He was still on a bridging visa
- But his profile finally matched what the state was looking for
Wondering if a similar strategy could work for you?
👇Book a consultation to review your visa history, work experience, and state options.
From Invitation to Permanent Residency
Once the 190 invitation came through, things moved fast:
- The 407 visa application was withdrawn
- The 190 visa was lodged
- Invitation received in May
- Application submitted in June/July
- Permanent residency granted in December
After years of study, work, temporary visas, and setbacks, Tania and Walison became Australian permanent residents.
What This Journey Really Shows
There are a few important lessons in this story:
- Not every PR pathway is straightforward
A setback doesn’t mean the end.
It means the plan needs adjusting.
- Where you live and work can directly affect your migration options
- Timing and strategy matter just as much as points
If Tania and Walison had come to us earlier, we may have advised a different approach from the start. But even joining later in the journey, the right decisions at the right time still made PR possible.
Thinking About Your Own Pathway?
If you’re studying in Australia, working in a trade, or feeling stuck because your visa options aren’t clear, you’re not alone.
Stories like this show that persistence count and that good advice, given at the right time, can completely change the outcome.
If you’d like to talk through your own situation whether it’s study options, graduate visas, employer sponsorship, or state nomination, feel free to reach out to Pathway to Aus.
General information only. Visa outcomes depend on individual circumstances and migration policy at the time of application.
