Top 16 Trade Courses for PR in Australia

In this post, we have listed some of the best trade courses for PR in Australia, how to get into the program, eligibility requirements, duration of the study, and the areas you can work with to give you an overview of the course.

Like most international students studying in Australia, you might want to stay back permanently in the country after completing your course of study. This is a great option — after all, Australia is a peaceful and beautiful country with many career offers and growth opportunities for young school graduates.

But to remain permanently in Australia, you will need a permanent residence (PR) visa. There are many ways to obtain a PR visa, but studying trade courses in Australia is often the surest way. That is why these are often called PR courses.

Trade courses in Australia train students to provide certain services that are in short supply to residents in Australia. This makes the trade course student a valuable asset to the Australian economy. 

Hence, studying one of the many trade courses in Australia will make it easier for you to obtain a permanent residence permit in Australia.

So, if you are looking for some of the best courses for PR in Australia, you are welcome to look at our list of the top trade courses and their eligibility requirements.

Best Trade Courses for PR in Australia

Here are the top trade courses for getting a Permanent Residency in Australia.

1. Electrotechnology
2. Carpentry 
3. Boat building
4. Bricklaying
5. Automotive 
6. Wall and floor tiling 
7. Commercial cookery
8. Painting and decoration
9. Engineering Fabrication
10. Airconditioning and Refrigeration
11. Cabinet making
12. Solid plastering
13. Hospitality
14. Plumbing 
15. Heavy Diesel Mechanic
16. Hairdressing

Now, let’s explore these PR courses one by one.

1. Electrotechnology

Electrotechnology is an umbrella course. As such, when you study this course, you will be able to work in the electrical sector of Australia as an electrician, electronic or control technician, and so on. This makes electrotechnology one of the best trade courses for PR in Australia, with lots of career opportunities after school. 

Course Duration: 12-24 Months

Cost of the course: Varies from AUD 10,000 to AUD 30,000 per year.

Eligibility: To be eligible for this course, you must: 

• Some institutions may require a background in mathematics or physics.
• Complete Australian Year 11 or its international equivalence
• Have a minimum IELTS score of 5.5 overall

Intake Dates: Intake dates are often set by the institution you are applying to and not by the Australian government, but they mostly take place in February.

Study Outcome: through the electrotechnology training, you will gain specialized electrical installation, maintenance, and upgrade and special skills in wiring, drawing, and interpreting wiring blueprints, etc. 

Career Path: You can kickstart your career in electrotechnology with an entry-level course which will provide you with certificate II on completion of the course. With this certificate, you can work as an electrotechnology assistant or go higher for certificate III to work as an electrician, electrical instrumentation technician, electrical instrumentation tradesperson, etc.

2. Carpentry 

Suppose you are looking for a flexible job in Australia that grants access to a permanent residence visa. In that case, you should probably consider getting into a carpentry course in Australia. Carpentry is among the best PR courses in Australia that offer you great flexibility and excellent pay.

Course Duration: 12-24 months

Cost of the course: AUD 9,000 – AUD 26,000

Eligibility: 

• Have a minimum of 5.5 in your IELTS
• Complete Australia year ten or its equivalence in your home country
• Prepared to engage at least 360 hours in your vocational training

Intake Dates for the course: vary from school to school but mainly in January and July

Study Outcome: After completing your course, you will be fully qualified to work in the building and construction sector of the Australian economy with skills like roof framing, reading and interpreting building plans, the ability to plan and organize construction work, and construction of wall frames, etc.

Career Path: You do not need formal qualifications to become a carpenter in Australia, as you can learn on the job. But suppose you will use carpentry as a trade course to apply for permanent residence in Australia. In that case, you will need to undergo the Vocational Education and Training (VET) course to obtain it.

3. Boat Building

Boat building is an excellent PR course with many career opportunities in Australia. Nursing is often regarded as of the best courses for PR in Australia due to its relative unpopularity in the country.

Course Duration: 12-24 months

Cost of the course: AUD 9,000 – AUD 15,000 per year

Eligibility: To be admitted to this program, you must:

• Pass your IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE if applicable
• Complete Australian year ten or its equivalence in your home country
• Some courses may require a medical fitness assessment due to the physical nature of the work.

Intake Dates: Varies from school to school but mostly take place in January and July

Study Outcome: This marine craft course trains you to become a full-time boat builder with opportunities to work for large companies building and assembling boats, hulls, installing masts, frames, deckings, etc.

Career Path: To become a boat builder in Australia, you will need a Certificate III in marine craft construction

4. Bricklaying

Completing a course in bricklaying will teach you how to interpret building plans, perform masonry work, carry out quantity measurements, and so on. The aim of this is to engage you in the building and construction sector of the Australian economy. Contrary to most people’s beliefs, bricklaying work is an excellent PR course in Australia with many career opportunities.

Course Duration: 12-24 months

Cost of the course: About AUD 10,000 – AUD 15,000

Eligibility:

• You must be a year ten graduate or have the equivalent certificate from your home country
• Score a minimum of 5.5 in your IELTS or its equivalence in any other English proficiency test

Intake Dates for the course: Varies from school to school but mainly in January, April, July, and October.

Study Outcome: Becoming a full-time bricklayer in Australia is lucrative and can earn you a lot of money per week.

Career Path: While you do not necessarily need to obtain a formal certificate in bricklaying, you will need the certificate to apply for a permanent residence visa.

5. Automotive

Getting started with an automotive course is a great way to land your permanent residence in Australia. This trade course in Australia provides an ever-expanding industry that requires many trained employees capable of designing and manufacturing automobiles to international standards. There are also scholarships for international students, which are only awarded on merit.

Course Duration: 4 years

Cost of the course: AUD 8,000 to AUD 42,000

Eligibility: 

• 6.5 score in IELTS or its equivalence in other English tests
• Secondary qualification with a minimum of 65% average
• TOEFL score with a minimum of 79

Intake Dates for the course: Varies from school to school

Study Outcome: With a Bachelor’s degree, you will be able to design and work with fast-moving automobile technology.

Career Path: 

• Complete a course in automotive
• Get your skills certified by Trades Recognition Australia (TRA)
• Meet the stated requirements
• Apply for a permanent visa option

6. Wall and Floor Tiling

Wall and Floor Tiling is a trade course in Australia. Wall and Floor Tiling is the vocational course to choose if you are interested in architecture, building design, and construction but are not interested in the engineering that goes into those professional courses. It is easier and more flexible and also a promising pathway for getting permanent residence in Australia as a foreign citizen.

Course Duration: 12-24 months

Cost of the course:  About AUD 10,000 – AUD 30,000 per year.

Eligibility:

• IELTS Overall score of 5.5 or its equivalence in any other English test
• Must complete Australian year ten or its international equivalence

Intake Dates for the course: Varies from school to school

Study Outcome: Ability to examine, plan and prepare surfaces for tiling. 

Career Path: Formal education is not required for tilers, but it becomes necessary if you apply for PR. You will need at least a Certificate III in a wall and floor tiling course to apply for a permanent residence visa.

7. Commercial Cookery

Courses in cookery provide you with exciting career opportunities, but with a certificate in this trading course, you will be eligible for a permanent residence visa in Australia.

Course Duration: 1 year

Cost of the course: AUD7,000 – AUD15,000 and up to AUD 25,000 for a one to two-year diploma.

Eligibility: Completion of Year 12 or its international equivalent

Intake Dates for the course: Varies from school to school

Study Outcome: With a Certificate III or IV in cooking, catering, or kitchen work, you can prepare meals to meet dietary requirements, examine foods, plan menus, etc.

Career Path: You don’t need a formal qualification to work as a cook or in the kitchen of any commercial business, but you will need either a Certificate III or IV if you are taking cooking as a trade course for PR in Australia.

8. Painting and Decoration

Painting workers apply paints, vanishes, and wallpapers on the walls of finished construction for beautification and protection. The market for painting jobs is stable, and workers are projected to earn about $1,400 per week. This makes painting one of the best PR courses in Australia for immigrants.

Course Duration: 1 – 2 years

Cost of the course: AUD 10,000 – AUD 30,000 per year

Eligibility:

• Completion of Australian Standard Ten or its international equivalent
• IELTS score of at least 5.5
• Ability to work at heights and handle manual labor

Intake Dates for the course: Varies from school to school

Study Outcome: This certification provides a trade outcome for the trainee in residential and commercial building painting and decorations.

Career Path: You do not require a formal certificate to become a painter in Australia. However, to be recognized and eligible for a permanent residence visa, you must obtain at least a Certificate III via apprenticeship.

9. Engineering Fabrication

Engineering fabrication opens many employment opportunities for you in Australia due to the many application capabilities of this course. This makes engineering fabrication one of the best courses for PR in Australia because of the varied work opportunities.

Course Duration: 12-24 months

Cost of the course: AUD 10,000 – AUD 15,000

Eligibility:

• Qualify for the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) or equivalent recent year 12 qualification 
• Score a minimum of 50 in all three sections of GAMSAT

Intake Dates for the course: Varies from school to school but takes place mainly in July.

Study Outcome: With your certificate III or IV in engineering fabrication, you will be able to work as a welder, boilermaker-welder, metal template maker, structural steel trades worker, metal fabricator, fitter, and turner, brass finisher, metal fabricator-welder.

Career Path: you will need to obtain Certificate III in engineering to work as a fabricator in Australia or specialize further with a Certificate IV.

10. Airconditioning and Refrigeration

There has been an increase in the number of homes fitted with air conditioning units in Australia — thanks partly to the rising temperature in the country due to global warming. However, with the increase in unit installation comes an increasing demand for maintenance and repair services.

Course Duration: 12-24 months 

Cost of the course: AUD 13,000 – AUD 28,000

Eligibility:

• Complete Australian year ten or its international equivalence
• Score a minimum of 5.5 in IELTS
• Must be at least 18 years old

Intake Dates for the course: Varies from school to school but takes place mainly in February, July, and October.

Study Outcome: You will learn how to assemble and install air conditioning units and how to repair, service, and maintain air conditioning units and refrigerators.

Career Path: You will need to obtain a Certificate III or IV in refrigeration and air conditioning to work as an air conditioning and refrigerator mechanic in Australia. Usually, this course is completed as an apprenticeship.

11. Cabinet making

Cabinet-making is among the best course for PR in Australia, as Australians are constantly looking for excellent cabinet-makers

Course Duration: 12-24 months

Cost of the course: AUD 12,000 – AUD 15,000

Eligibility:

• Complete Australian year 12 or your home country’s equivalence
• English proficiency test with a score of at least 5.5 in IELTS
• Must be able to put in at least 360 hours of vocational training

Intake Dates for the course: Varies from school to school but takes place mainly in February and July.

Study Outcome: After completing cabinet making, you will be able to provide independent services in wood fabrication, repair of wooden furniture, chair, and couch making, etc.

Career Path: you will need extensive skills to work as a cabinet maker in Australia. But if you will be using this as a trade course for PR in Australia, you will need to obtain Certificate III in cabinet making through a vocational training school.

12. Solid Plastering

Solid plastering is among some of Australia’s best trade courses for PR. This vocational course trains students to provide a protective and decorative covering for walls, bricks, and blocks during the construction phase of a building project. 

Course Duration: 12-24 months

Cost of the course: AUD 10,000 to AUD 15,000

Eligibility:

• Completion of Australian Year 12 or its international equivalence
• Meet the learning requirements of at least 360 hours
• English proficiency test

Intake Dates for the course: vary from school to school but take place mainly in January, March, June, July, September, October, and November.

Study Outcome: The student will be trained to fix plasterboard partitions, fire rating systems, acoustic tiles, suspended ceilings, etc.

Career Path: Plastering does not require a formal education certificate pathway, as you can learn the skill on the job or attend a vocational school for a formal certificate.

13. Hospitality

Every year, thousands of students are admitted to top universities to study different hospitality courses to work in the country’s tourism sector. 

There are three categories of hospitality PR courses in Australia — Postgraduate (Master’s) Study, Undergraduate (Bachelor’s) Study, and VET (Vocational Education & Training) Study. VET is the most popular as it has minimal entry requirements.

Course Duration: 3 years

Cost of the course: This is one of the more expensive courses as it can cost between AUD 20,000 and AUD 50,000.

Eligibility:

• Successful completion of year 12 or its equivalence
• IELTS score of at least 5.5 or its equivalent
• Previous experience in the sector for added advantage

Intake Dates for the course: Varies from school to school

Study Outcome: To be able to work effectively in any of the many hospitality sectors in the country, such as hotels, resorts, food and beverage industry, meeting and event planning, etc.,

Career Path: Enrol in a school and obtain a certificate in any hospitality trade courses, and then you can apply for jobs within the sector and a PR visa.

14. Plumbing

You will often need either Certificate III or IV for plumbing training and work. You will be eligible for a permanent resident visa in Australia with any of the above certificates.

Course Duration: 1 year

Cost of the course: Ranges from AUD 15,000 to AUD 20,000

Eligibility:

• Complete an Australian Year 12, or its overseas equivalent
• Have an IELTS score of not less than 5.0 or match in other English tests

Intake Dates for the course: Varies from school to school

Study Outcome: After completing this course, you can offer plumbing services in Australia.

Career Path: Seek admission into any school offering plumbing as a course. After completion, you will be issued either Certificate III or IV. You can work legally with these certificates or apply for a PR.

15. Heavy Diesel Mechanic

If you are not afraid of getting your hands dirty and love to tinker with engines, you can land yourself a great career as a diesel engine mechanic in Australia. Heavy diesel mechanic is a trade course in Australia that offers options for permanent residence.

Duration of the course: 12-24 months

Cost of the course: AUD 10,000 – AUD 30,000

Eligibility:

• Score a minimum of 5.5 on your IELTS
• Graduated at least year 10 in Australia or its equivalence in your home country

Intake Dates for the course: varies from school to school but takes place mainly in January, April, June, and July.

Study Outcome: diesel mechanics test, maintain, and repair diesel engines in trucks and motors.

Career Path: To work as a diesel mechanic in Australia, you must complete a Certificate III in automotive diesel fuel technology, automotive diesel engine technology, or any other field related to diesel engine technology.

16. Hairdressing 

Hairdressers cut, style, weave, dye, straighten and permanently curl hairs and treat hair infections. Hairdressing is a trade PR course in Australia with many opportunities for independent practice and options to work in big saloons.

Cost of the course: 12-24 months

Cost of the course: AUD 8,000 – AUD 20,000

Eligibility:

• Applicants must complete a Pre-training Review (PTR) program
• The applicant will also need to undergo a literacy and numeracy (LN) assessment test

Intake Dates for the course: Varies from school to school.

Study Outcome: after completing your course in hairdressing or barbering, you will be able to provide hairdressing services such as hair shampooing, hair conditioning, cutting hairs with clippers or razors, shaving, or trimming mustaches, etc.

Career Path: to become a hairdresser or a barber in Australia, you will need a Certificate III or IV in hairdressing or barbering.

Average Annual Salaries for the Trade Courses

Based on data from Glassdoor, here are the average annual salaries for the trade professions in Australia:

Trade Course	Average Annual Salary (AUD)	Hourly Rate (Approx.) (AUD)
Electronics Engineer	88,517	N/A
Carpenter	79,040	38
Boat Builder	62,400	30
Bricklayer	79,040	38
Automotive Technician	60,560	N/A
Wall and Floor Tiler	38,100	19
Chef	69,755	N/A
Painter	68,640	33
Fabrication Engineer	41,600	20
Refrigeration Mechanic	79,001	N/A
Cabinet Maker	66,560	32
Plasterer	60,320	29
Hospitality Staff	39,520	19
Plumber	85,280	41
Heavy Diesel Mechanic	118,000	N/A
Hairdresser	47,840	23

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Related Articles:

• Best 15 Courses to Study in Canada for International Students
• 12 Best Courses to Study in Australia Considering Permanent Residency
• Top 15 Trade Courses to Study in Canada for Permanent Residency
• Intakes in Canada – How to apply for Admission as International Student
• 10 Best Post Graduation Courses to Study in the UK

Conclusion

Getting your permanent resident visa through any of the PR courses in Australia is the easiest route you can follow to become a permanent resident in the country. However, you often want to check your school’s specific requirements for the PR course, see if you are qualified for it, and then start your application process.

Immigration and Education Services (IES) Portal is also available to help make the whole process easier for you if you are trying to get admission into any institutions offering some of these Trade courses in Australia. Again, you can schedule a meeting with us for more information.