Study Pathway Tool
Find categories of Australian courses that match your profile, with general migration-pathway context.
MARN 1576536 · Verifiable at mara.gov.au
How this tool works. Tell us about your situation and we'll match you to categories of courses commonly studied by international students — not specific institutions. We then point you to the public CRICOS register to find providers.
What this tool is not. Personal migration advice. Migration advice requires a paid consultation and a written service agreement (section 43, Migration Agents Code of Conduct 2022). Visa outcomes depend on the Department of Home Affairs assessment of each individual application.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find an Australian course that supports a PR pathway?
There is no single course that guarantees permanent residency. PR pathways depend on the occupation you can be assessed in, current skilled occupation lists, your English score, age, work experience, and state nomination policy at the time you apply. A course supports a PR pathway when it leads to an Australian qualification at a level required by the relevant skills assessing authority for the occupation you target. Our tool shows course categories commonly studied by students considering PR — and books a consultation for individualised advice.
What is CRICOS and why does it matter?
CRICOS (Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students) is the public Australian government register of every institution and course that can lawfully enrol international students. Any course you enrol in on a Subclass 500 student visa must be CRICOS-registered. The full register is at cricos.edu.au. Our tool draws course category data from CRICOS and points you back there to find specific providers.
Which Australian courses are cheapest for international students?
VET-sector qualifications (Certificate III, IV and Diploma) are generally the most affordable, often $13,000 to $22,000 per year. University bachelor and master programs range from $25,000 to $60,000 per year depending on the field. Nursing, engineering and medicine sit at the higher end; aged care, childcare, business, and hospitality at the lower end. The tool filters by your stated annual budget.
What English score do I need to study in Australia?
The standard minimum for direct entry to most VET-level courses is IELTS 5.5 (or PTE 42 equivalent). Bachelor and master programs typically require IELTS 6.0 or 6.5. Nursing and teaching require higher — typically IELTS 7.0+ with specific band requirements. Students below the entry threshold often combine an ELICOS (English language) package with their substantive course.
Can I change my current Australian course?
Yes, but Subclass 500 visa holders should be careful — moving to a course at a lower AQF level, or moving providers within six months of starting, can have visa implications under condition 8202. Discuss any course-change plans with a migration agent before committing, especially if you are switching between providers or qualification levels.
What's the difference between a TAFE Certificate III and a Diploma?
AQF level. Certificate III is AQF 3, taking 6–18 months, focused on entry-level competencies. Diploma is AQF 5, taking 12–24 months, more in-depth and broader. For skills assessment purposes, the assessing authority's required AQF level for your target occupation determines which is sufficient. Some occupations accept Cert III, others require Diploma or higher.
Does WIDEN recommend specific universities or colleges?
No. WIDEN is a migration practice, not a registered Education Agent. We do not represent any institution and do not earn commission from course providers. The tool shows course categories drawn from the public CRICOS register; for specific provider selection, applicants engage with institutions directly via cricos.edu.au.
What does a paid consultation with WIDEN cover?
A 30-minute Zoom consultation with Keshab Chapagain (MARN 1576536). Fee is $200 + GST, tax invoice issued, OMARA Consumer Guide provided before the consultation begins. We review your specific circumstances — including your CV if you uploaded one — and identify realistic course and visa pathways given current Department of Home Affairs requirements.
Related guides
- Student Visa Cost 2026 — Subclass 500 fees, OSHC, living costs
- 482 Skills in Demand — sponsored work visa pathway
- 186 Visa Guide — Employer Nomination Scheme (PR)
- Recognition of Prior Learning — get an Australian qualification from work experience
- 407 Training Visa — alternative to study for structured workplace training
- How to Find Employer Sponsorship — once you graduate
General information only. This tool provides general information about categories of courses available through the CRICOS register and does not constitute migration advice. Migration advice is provided by Keshab Chapagain (MARN 1576536) only after a paid initial consultation under section 43 of the Migration Agents Code of Conduct 2022, with a written service agreement issued before further work commences (section 42). The OMARA Consumer Guide is provided to all clients before the consultation begins.
Not an Education Agent. WIDEN does not represent any educational institution and does not earn commission from course providers. Course category information shown is drawn from the publicly available CRICOS register (cricos.edu.au). Specific provider selection, application, and enrolment are matters between the student and the institution directly.
Visa outcomes. Specific visa outcomes depend on the Department of Home Affairs assessment of each individual application and on factors beyond course choice — English, skills assessment, age, work experience, and current occupation lists. No course of study guarantees a visa or permanent residence.
Professional indemnity insurance held as required under the Migration Agents Regulations 1998.