One-to-one guidance through your Australian university application. From direct applications through to the Temporary Graduate 485 visa, the points-based skilled migration system, and setting up for what comes after graduation.
General information, not immigration or legal advice. This page draws on publicly available guidance from official government sources. Immigration, visa, and post-study rules change. We are not immigration lawyers, and nothing here is legal or immigration advice for your specific situation. Refer to the linked official government pages for the current position, and consult a qualified adviser for your personal circumstances.
A quick honest read on the Australian cities international students actually end up in. Each has strong universities and a real international student community.
Consistently ranked one of the world's most liveable cities and QS Best Student City #5 in 2026. Finance, biotech, arts, and a huge international student population. Cost of living is lower than Sydney but rising. Cafés, laneways, and a genuine 24-hour city feel.
Universities: University of Melbourne, Monash University, RMIT, Deakin, La Trobe.
The largest city, and QS Best Student City #6 in 2026. Finance, tech, and media hub, with Australia's most expensive rental market by some distance. Beaches, harbour, and everything a global city offers, with the price tag to match.
Universities: University of Sydney, UNSW, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Macquarie.
Subtropical, growing fast, and significantly cheaper than Sydney or Melbourne. Strong in health sciences, mining, tourism, and the Queensland government sector. Warmer weather year-round and easier access to the Gold Coast and reef.
Universities: University of Queensland (UQ), Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Griffith University.
South Australia's capital and often the most affordable major student city. Strong in defence, space technology, and the wine industry. Adelaide University (formed from the merger of the University of Adelaide and UniSA in January 2026) is now the state's flagship institution. Regional migration incentives apply to some occupations.
Universities: Adelaide University, Flinders University.
Western Australia's capital. Mining, energy, and resources are the dominant industries, with strong pathways into skilled work in these sectors. Isolated by Australian standards but with a strong quality of life and lower rent than the east coast cities.
Universities: University of Western Australia (UWA), Curtin University, Murdoch, Edith Cowan University (ECU).
Strong universities exist across regional Australia too, and studying regionally can add points towards permanent residency. Canberra (ANU), Newcastle, Wollongong, Hobart, Darwin, and Gold Coast all have well-regarded institutions.
Universities: Australian National University (ANU), University of Newcastle, University of Wollongong, University of Tasmania, and more.
The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) is Australia's post-study work visa. It lets you stay in Australia and work for any employer, in any field, at any level, after you finish your degree. The main stream for university graduates is Post-Higher Education Work, renamed from Post-Study Work in July 2024.
Bachelor's graduates and Master's by coursework graduates get a two-year 485 visa. Master's by research and PhD graduates get three years. If you studied in a designated regional area, you can apply for a second 485 after your first one, adding one year (Category 2 regional areas) or two years (Category 3), so PhD graduates in a Category 3 region could stay up to five years post-graduation.
Since July 2024, the age cap is 35 or under at the time of application, down from 50. Master's by research and PhD graduates, and Hong Kong BNO passport holders, retain the age 50 exception. English requirement is IELTS 6.5 overall with no band under 5.5.
The 485 visa application charge rose substantially in 2025 and 2026. The post-study work year is materially more expensive than it was even a year ago, so factoring the current fee into your planning matters.
For general information on the 485 visa and its two streams, refer to the official Home Affairs guidance at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. We're not immigration lawyers and this page is educational, not legal advice.
Australia runs a points-based skilled migration system. The three main graduate PR routes are Skilled Independent (subclass 189, permanent, no sponsorship), Skilled Nominated (subclass 190, needs state nomination for 5 extra points), and Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491, provisional five-year visa that converts to permanent via subclass 191 after three years of qualifying regional living and working).
You need at least 65 points to submit an Expression of Interest, but real invitation cut-offs typically run 75 points or higher for most occupations. Points come from age, English proficiency, education level, Australian work experience, partner qualifications, and regional study or work. Studying in a designated regional area adds 15 points, which is often decisive.
The employer-sponsored route is the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482, which replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage visa in December 2024). Two years with a sponsoring employer on a 482 leads to permanent residency via the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186).
A realistic timeframe from starting your degree to permanent residency is around six to ten years, depending on your programme length, whether you extend via the 485 second stream, and how quickly you meet the points threshold or find a sponsoring employer.
Every part of the Australian application process, undergraduate or postgraduate.
Non-Australian applicants apply directly to each university, not through the state admissions centres. We navigate the different portals and deadlines across Group of Eight universities and beyond.
Australian applications increasingly weigh the statement of purpose heavily, especially given the Genuine Student test. We coach you through drafts that read as specific, credible, and grounded in your goals.
If your qualifications don't meet the direct-entry bar, we work out whether a Go8-approved Foundation programme, one year at a Nigerian university, or an A-Level route is the right path.
Studying and working regionally can add 15 points to your PR application and significantly speed up the pathway. We flag this early so it can shape your programme and university choice.
From day one we build your shortlist with the 485 visa and points-tested PR routes in mind. Programme length, regional status, and occupation eligibility all shape your options after graduation.
General visa information, OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover) setup, accommodation, opening an Australian bank account, and getting from the airport to your first-week orientation.
International undergraduate applications go directly to each Australian university, not through the state admissions centres. QTAC in Queensland, UAC in New South Wales, and VTAC in Victoria are only used by applicants who completed Australian Year 12. Postgraduate applications also go directly to the university's admissions office. Semester 1 (February or March) is the main intake and Semester 2 (July) is the secondary. Some universities like Monash and Deakin also offer a November trimester intake. We handle the right route for each university on your shortlist.
The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) has two streams. Post-Higher Education Work is the main one for university graduates. Bachelor's and coursework Master's graduates get two years. Master's by research and PhD graduates get three years. If you studied in a designated regional area, you can apply for a second 485 that adds one to two extra years depending on the region category. The age cap is 35 or under at application, with limited exceptions for Master's by research, PhD, and Hong Kong BNO passport holders (up to 50).
The main routes are the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189), Skilled Nominated (190), and Skilled Work Regional (491), all points-tested. You need at least 65 points to submit an Expression of Interest, though real invitation cut-offs usually run 75 points and above. Studying and working in a regional area adds 15 points and speeds things up significantly. Employer-sponsored routes go through the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482), which leads to permanent residency via the Employer Nomination Scheme (186) after two years with the sponsoring employer. A realistic total timeframe from starting your degree to permanent residency is 6 to 10 years.
For most undergraduate programmes, universities require IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0. Higher scores are needed for Medicine, Law, and Education (usually 7.0 to 7.5). PTE Academic and TOEFL iBT are accepted equivalents. Some universities including ANU, UNSW, and Sydney list Nigeria as an English-speaking country for the university's own English requirements, which can waive the IELTS at the university level. But the Student visa (subclass 500) itself still requires an English test with IELTS 6.0 minimum, so you'll need to sit one for the visa regardless.
Australian Group of Eight universities require A-Levels, IB Diploma, a Go8-approved Foundation programme, or one completed year at a recognised Nigerian university for direct undergraduate entry. If your qualifications don't meet the direct-entry bar, the standard route is a Foundation programme (usually one year) that leads into first-year undergraduate at the same or a partner university. We work out the right route for your background.
The Student visa (subclass 500) requires you to show 12 months of living costs for a single applicant, on top of tuition and return airfare. Both the financial evidence figure and the visa application charge are updated periodically. You'll also need Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), which is mandatory. Refer to Home Affairs (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au) for the current figures applicable to your circumstances.
In March 2024, the previous Genuine Temporary Entrant test was replaced by the Genuine Student requirement. The visa form now includes targeted questions about your study plans, course choice, ties to your home country, and prior education. Universities also increasingly assess this through the application process. Vague or inconsistent answers can lead to visa refusals, and refusal rates for some source countries have risen sharply since the change. A specific and credible study rationale matters more than it used to.
Yes. Student visa holders can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during term time (equivalent to 24 hours per week) and unlimited hours during scheduled breaks, subject to visa conditions. This helps with living costs and adds Australian work experience to your CV. Working in a role related to your studies also strengthens future 485 and PR applications.
We help students apply across all our destinations. Each has its own guide with cities, post-study work rules, and pathway to residency.
Book a free consultation and we'll help you build an Australian university shortlist that fits your goals, your grades, your budget, and your plans for after graduation.
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