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Helpful Tips for Navigating the PR Process
I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology and possess four years of professional experience as a Quality Assurance Engineer.
Since relocating to Australia for my Master’s in IT, I have faced challenges in finding employment in the IT sector.
At present, I am on a Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa, which remains valid until July 2026.
I am eager to understand the steps I need to take to apply for permanent residency in Australia. Any insights or guidance would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you for your assistance!
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1 Reply
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Hi Jamie welcome to the Oz Visa Forum community’s.
Thanks for sharing your background! Given your IT qualifications and experience, you have several pathways to permanent residency (PR) in Australia.
Here are some key steps to consider:
1. Skills Assessment
Your first step is obtaining a positive skills assessment for your occupation. As a Quality Assurance Engineer, your occupation likely falls under ANZSCO 261314 (Software Tester).
The assessing authority for IT professionals is the Australian Computer Society (ACS). Check their requirements here: https://www.acs.org.au
2. Expression of Interest (EOI) – Skilled Migration
Since you have Australian study and work experience, the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program may be a good option. This includes:
Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent Visa) – No state or employer sponsorship required.
Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated Visa) – Requires nomination by a state/territory.
Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional Visa) – Requires nomination by a regional state/territory.
Check if your occupation is on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), as this affects your visa options.
3. Improve Your Points Score
To receive an invitation, you need to meet the points test threshold (currently 65 points, but higher scores are usually required for an invitation). You can boost your points by:
- Gaining additional work experience in Australia.
- Achieving higher English test scores (e.g., PTE or IELTS).
- Applying for state nomination (extra points).
- Completing the Professional Year Program for IT graduates (adds 5 points).
4. Employer Sponsorship (Alternative Pathway)
If GSM points are too low, consider employer-sponsored options:
Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage Visa) – If an employer is willing to sponsor you.
Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme – PR pathway) – Requires employer sponsorship but leads to PR.
You can search for IT jobs offering visa sponsorship on https://482jobs.com (all jobs listed provide visa sponsorship). Also check Seek.com.au and Indeed.com.au
5. Stay Updated on State Sponsorships
Different states have varying requirements for 190/491 visas. Keep an eye on their migration programs, as they sometimes favour applicants with Australian qualifications and work experience.
Next Steps
- Confirm your ANZSCO code and check the relevant skills list.
- Get your skills assessment done through ACS.
- Improve your points score (if needed).
- Submit an EOI in SkillSelect.
- Explore state nominations or employer-sponsored pathways.
I appreciate that’s a LOT of info so let me know if you need further clarification.
Hope this helps, and best of luck with your PR journey!
All the best
Mark
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