How to Move to Australia from India or Sri Lanka in 2026: The Complete Study and Migration Guide

Australia receives more international students from India than from any other country. Sri Lanka, despite its smaller population, sends a disproportionately high number of students and skilled migrants relative to its size. These are not random patterns — they reflect a combination of English language familiarity, education system compatibility, and the genuine PR pathways that Australia makes available through its skills-based migration system.

But 'moving to Australia' is not a single event. It is a multi-year journey that involves coordinating education planning, visa applications, skills assessments, and migration strategy — often simultaneously. This guide gives you the framework.

Step 1 — Choose Your Pathway

There are two main ways Indian and Sri Lankan nationals move to Australia:

The Study Pathway

You apply for a student visa (Subclass 500), study a course aligned with a shortage occupation, graduate, apply for the 485 Graduate Visa, complete your skills assessment, build your PR points, and apply for a permanent skilled migration visa. Timeline: typically five to eight years from first arrival.

The Employer-Sponsored Pathway

An Australian employer identifies you as a skilled worker they need and nominates you for the Skills in Demand visa (Subclass 482). After two years of eligible sponsored employment, your employer can nominate you for permanent residency through the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme. Timeline: two to four years from first sponsored arrival.

The study pathway is the more common route for younger applicants and those without direct connections to Australian employers. The employer-sponsored route can be faster but requires either existing professional networks or assistance from a registered migration agent in identifying suitable employers.

Step 2 — Choose Your Course Strategically

This is the most consequential decision in the study pathway. Your course determines:

• Which occupation you can nominate for skilled migration
• Whether that occupation is on the MLTSSL, STSOL, or CSOL
• Which assessing body evaluates your skills
• How competitive you are in the EOI pool

The highest-demand occupations for Indian and Sri Lankan applicants in 2026 are: Registered Nurse (Bachelor or Master of Nursing), Early Childhood Teacher (Bachelor or Master of Teaching), Electrician and Plumber (Certificate III trade qualifications), Social Worker (Master of Social Work), and various IT specialisations.

Step 3 — Apply for Your Student Visa (Subclass 500)

Once you have a Confirmation of Enrolment from a CRICOS-registered institution, you apply online through the Department of Home Affairs' ImmiAccount portal. The key documents:

1. Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from your institution
2. Genuine Student (GS) statement — explaining why you are studying in Australia, at this institution, in this course
3. Evidence of financial capacity — AUD $29,710+ in accessible funds plus tuition fees
4. English language test results — typically IELTS 6.0 or equivalent
5. Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) — mandatory
6. Passport and identity documents

For Indian and Sri Lankan applicants in 2026: manual verification of financial documents and transcripts is standard. Use a registered migration agent to prepare your application — the GS statement in particular requires care and specificity.

Step 4 — Study, Work, and Build Your Case

On your student visa, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during your course and unlimited hours during official holiday breaks. Use this time wisely. Work in or adjacent to your field where possible. Build employer relationships. Improve your English beyond the minimum requirement — every band of IELTS above 7.0 is additional PR points.

During this period, also research which state or territory you want to apply for nomination from. State nomination programs (190 and 491) vary by state — some have limited quotas, others actively target your occupation. The strategic choice of where to study and where to work after graduation can significantly affect your PR timeline.

Step 5 — Graduate and Apply for the 485 Visa

Within six months of graduating, apply for the Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa. The application fee is AUD $4,600 from March 2026. Ensure your English test is current and your passport is valid for the duration you are applying for.

Duration of the 485 visa depends on your qualification level: two years for bachelor's graduates, three years for master's coursework graduates, four years for research or PhD graduates, with additional time for regional study.

Step 6 — Skills Assessment

Apply for your occupational skills assessment as soon as your 485 visa is granted — or even before, in the final stages of your degree. Processing takes 60–90 business days. A valid, positive skills assessment is required before you can submit an Expression of Interest in SkillSelect.

Step 7 — Build Your PR Points and Submit EOI

During your 485 visa period, work full-time in your skilled occupation. Accumulate Australian work experience points. If your English score has room to improve, resit your test. Research state and regional nomination programs and submit applications to states where your occupation is actively listed.

When your points reach the competitive threshold for your occupation — typically 85+ — submit your EOI through SkillSelect. Depending on your occupation and the current invitation rounds, you may receive an invitation immediately or wait months. Nursing, teaching, and electrician pathways are among the fastest.

Living Costs and What to Expect

Melbourne and Sydney are expensive. Budget AUD $2,000–$2,800 per month for accommodation, food, transport, and basic expenses as a student. Adelaide, Hobart, and Canberra are meaningfully cheaper — $1,600–$2,200 per month. Regional and rural areas can be cheaper still.

Average part-time wages for students in Australia are around AUD $25–$35 per hour depending on the industry and award. Working 48 hours per fortnight (the student visa limit) at $28 per hour generates approximately $1,344 per fortnight before tax — enough to cover most day-to-day expenses.

Gemini Education & Migration is a dual-registered education and migration consultancy specialising in students and skilled migrants from India and Sri Lanka. We handle everything — course selection, GS statement, student visa, 485 visa, skills assessment, and PR strategy — under one roof. Book your free consultation at geminieducation.com.au

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get Australian PR from India through the study pathway?

Typically five to eight years, including: two to four years of study, two to four years on the 485 Graduate Visa building work experience and points, and then the time to receive a PR invitation and have it processed. Shorter timelines are possible for shortage occupations like nursing, where invitation thresholds are lower.

What documents do I need to apply for an Australian student visa from India or Sri Lanka?

Core documents include: Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from a CRICOS-registered institution, Genuine Student statement, evidence of at least AUD $29,710 in accessible funds plus first-year tuition, English language test results (IELTS 6.0 or equivalent), Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), and passport. For Indian and Sri Lankan applicants, bank statements are typically reviewed over three or more months.

Can I bring my family when I move to Australia to study?

Yes. Your spouse and dependent children can join you on your student visa. Your partner will typically receive work rights. Children can attend Australian schools. You will need to demonstrate additional financial capacity: AUD $10,394 for a partner and AUD $4,449 per child.

Do I need a migration agent to apply for a student visa from India or Sri Lanka?

You are not legally required to use a registered migration agent. However, for applicants from India and Sri Lanka — which face Evidence Level 3 (High Risk) status — professional preparation of the GS statement and financial documentation significantly improves approval rates. In 2026, manual verification of documents is standard for these nationalities.

What is the cheapest way to migrate to Australia from India?

Trade courses are generally the most cost-effective PR pathway — fees of AUD $8,000–$18,000 per year are significantly lower than university degrees. Adelaide and other regional study locations reduce living costs and add PR points. Combining trade study with regional nomination under the 491 visa is the pathway many people identify as offering the best value for money relative to the certainty of the PR outcome.

What is a MARA-registered migration agent and do I need one?

A MARA-registered migration agent is a professional accredited by the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA) — the official body that licenses migration practitioners in Australia. Only MARA-registered agents (or Australian legal practitioners) can provide migration advice for a fee. Using a MARA-registered agent protects you from unlicensed operators and ensures the advice you receive meets professional standards.