Student Visa vs. Permanent Residency in Australia for Pharmacists: Which Path is Right for You?

If you’re an international student or a qualified pharmacist aiming to settle in Australia, understanding the difference between a student visa and permanent residency (PR) is crucial. These two pathways come with unique benefits, requirements, and implications for your long-term career.

Whether you're planning to gain local qualifications or directly enter the workforce, this guide will help you navigate your options effectively.

What are the benefits of a student visa?

Obtaining a student visa allows you to study at some of Australia’s top educational institutions. Here are some key benefits.

• Access to Quality Education: Australia is home to world-class universities offering dedicated programs in pharmacy.

• Work Rights: While on a student visa, you can work part-time, allowing you to gain valuable experience in the pharmaceutical industry.

• Networking Opportunities: Being a student allows you to connect with professionals and build a network, crucial for your future career in Australia.

Requirement for obtaining a student visa

To apply for a student visa, you must meet several requirements:

1. Get enrolled in a Registered Course: You need to be accepted into a full-time program that is registered with the Australian Government.

2. Financial Capacity: You must demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to support your living and tuition costs.

3. Health Insurance: Obtaining Overseas Student health Cover (OSHC) is mandatory for international students.

4. Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) Requirement: You must prove your genuine intent to study in Australia and return to home country after completing your education.

Pathways to Achieve PR

For Pharmacists, there are various pathways to obtaining PR:

1. Skilled migration program:

Pharmacists are in high demand in Australia; thus, they fall under the category of Critical Skilled Occupation List (CSOL)

Steps involved in applying for a Skilled Migration Visa (Like Subclass 190 or 491) for an internationally qualified pharmacist includes:

• Get the skills assessment done with personal as well as academic documents through Australian pharmacy council (APC). They assess whether a candidate’s qualifications meet Australian standards.

• Successfully pass the Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment Examination (OPRA)

The OPRA examination is a pivotal assessment designed to evaluate internationally trained candidates knowledge, skills and expertise in their pharmacy field. This examination serves as a gateway for pharmacists seeking career advancement, offering them the opportunities to validate their competencies and enhance their credentials.

At Elite Expertise, we are committed to provide top-quality training for aspiring professionals preparing for OPRA exam, Australian Intern Exams and English Proficiency Test like PTE. Our Programs are designed with a strong focus on enhancing the practical skills of pharmacists under the guidance of our directors and educators Mr Arief Mohammad & Mrs. Harika Bheemavarpu –they provide personalized coaching with their real-life experience for developing exam strategies. With experienced instructors and a supportive learning environment, we ensure that every student is well-equipped to achieve success.

To know more about the OPRA exam, visit the website below: https://www.eliteexpertise.com.au/

• Get a skills assessment outcome letter from APC

• Meet the English Requirements: To be considered in Australian Permanent residency (PR) with a PTE academic score, you need minimum score of 65 in each component of the test. Beside PTE, IELTS & OET are also accepted for Australian PR, with their respective score requirement.

• Apply EOI (Expression of Interest) in the official website of Australian immigration skills select. The link attached below is where you have to submit your EOI. https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia/skillselect/expression-of-interest

• Submission of EOI is done for mainly 3 different visas

  • Skilled independent (subclass 189) visa

  • Skilled nominated (Subclass 190) visa

  • Skilled work regional (Subclass 491) visa

• The next step would be receiving an invitation for your EOI. If you are invited, you have 60 days from the date of invitation to complete & submit the visa application.

• Receive a visa and migrate to Australia. Live, work & settle in Australia permanently with any of these visa grants with all the benefits of PR that the country offers.

💡 Related Read:

Visa Options for Pharmacists

2. Employer-Sponsored visa

In Australia, employer-sponsored visas allow skilled workers to live and work in the country, with options for both temporary & permanent residency, depending on the visa subclass.

Here’s a breakdown of key employer-sponsored visas:

• Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186)

This visa slows skilled workers, nominated by an Australian employer, to live and work permanently in Australia.

It has 2 streams: Direct Entry and temporary transition.

The employer must nominate the employee.

• Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (Subclass 187)

This visa is for skilled workers nominated by an Australian employer to work in regional Australia.

• Skilled Employer sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 494)

This visa allows an individual to work in a regional part of Australia for up to five years, with the possibility of transitioning to permanent residency.

Comparing Student Visa & PR Visa for Pharmacists

Both pathways have their distinct characteristics that can cater to different needs:

Making the Right Choice

Choosing between a student visas VS PR visa for pharmacists in Australia largely depends on your career goals and current situation.

· If your primary goal is to gain qualifications and enter the Australian workforce, starting with a student visa may be the more beneficial choice. It provides not only education but also work experience and networking opportunities.

· If you are already qualified and looking for long-term stability, pursuing PR might align better with your goals.

Consider seeking guidance from an authorised recruiter (such as Raven’s Recruitment) or career counsellor who specializes in pharmacy careers in Australia for tailored advice.

Candidates can also consider getting consultation from an authorised migration agent for visa process assistance and guidance. The below given link will give you an idea about finding a registered agent who is authorised with Australian Immigration. They are genuine and trustworthy.

https://www.mara.gov.au/get-help-visa-subsite/Files/find-registered-migration-agent.pdf

https://portal.mara.gov.au/search-the-register-of-migration-agents/

Conclusion

Navigating your career path as a pharmacist in Australia starts with understanding the right visa choice—whether it's a student visa for building credentials and gaining local experience or permanent residency for long-term stability and opportunities.

No matter which path you choose, Elite Expertise is here to support your journey. With specialized training programs for the OPRA exam, PTE, and intern pharmacist exams, Elite Expertise ensures that international candidates are equipped with the knowledge, confidence, and practical skills they need to succeed.

By leveraging expert coaching, real-world strategies, and a supportive learning environment, Elite Expertise helps aspiring pharmacists make their Australian dream a reality.

Take the first step toward your future today—explore your visa options, prepare with the right training, and set yourself up for success in Australia.

About the Author

Krupa Karamchand

Krupa Karamchand is a B. Pharm graduate and KAPS-qualified pharmacist with over 7 years of experience in the pharmaceutical field. As an experienced SEO content writer, she combines her in-depth healthcare knowledge with proven digital strategies to create informative, engaging, and search engine–optimized blogs. Krupa is passionate about making complex medical topics easy to understand and accessible to all readers.

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Content Writer | Elite Expertise