Most Nepalis go as students first, then try for a skilled visa. Permanent residence is possible but competitive.
Why Nepalis go: High wages, a big Nepali community (one of the largest outside South Asia), and a clear points system that can lead to permanent residence (PR) and citizenship.
The catch: Studying is very expensive, the student visa refusal rate for Nepal is high, and turning a student visa into PR now usually takes many years and a high points score.
Most common route: Student visa (subclass 500) → Temporary Graduate visa (485) → Skilled visa (189/190/491) or employer sponsorship (482 → 186).
Student visa (subclass 500)
You enrol in an Australian college or university, prove you can pay, and come to study. You may work part-time while you study.
Who it's for: Anyone with an offer from an Australian education provider (CRICOS-registered) who is a genuine student.
Cost: Visa fee A$2,500 from 1 July 2026 (≈ Rs 2.2 lakh). Tuition is usually A$20,000–45,000 a year (≈ Rs 18–40 lakh).
Time: Often 1–4 months; it can be longer at busy times.
Stay: The length of your course, plus a short extra period.
Family: Yes, a spouse and children can come with you, but you must show extra money for them.
Leads to permanent residence: Not directly. After graduating you may get a 485 graduate visa, then try for a skilled or employer-sponsored PR visa.
Skilled visas (subclass 189, 190, 491)
Australia gives points for age, English, work experience and study. If your occupation is on the skills list and your points are high, you may be invited to apply for PR — no job offer needed.
Who it's for: Skilled workers under 45 whose job is on Australia's skilled occupation lists — for example nurses, engineers, accountants, IT workers, some trades.
Cost: Visa fee A$6,135 for the main applicant from 1 July 2026 (≈ Rs 5.5 lakh), plus skills assessment, English tests and medicals.
Time: Waiting for an invitation can take months or years; once invited, processing is often 6–12 months.
Stay: 189 and 190 are permanent. 491 is a 5-year regional visa that can lead to PR.
Family: Yes — spouse and children are included in the same application.
Leads to permanent residence: 189/190 are PR from day one. 491 leads to PR (subclass 191) after 3 years living and working in a regional area.
Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) — employer sponsored
An Australian employer sponsors you for a specific job. After 2 years with them you can usually apply for PR (subclass 186).
Who it's for: People with at least 1 year of relevant work experience whom an Australian business wants to hire.
Cost: Visa fee about A$4,015 for the main applicant (from 1 July 2026). The employer must pay the sponsorship and training levy costs — not you.
Time: Often 1–4 months after the employer's nomination is approved.
Stay: Up to 4 years.
Family: Yes, spouse and children can come and the spouse can work.
Leads to permanent residence: Yes — usually after 2 years with your sponsor through the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186).
Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485)
After finishing a qualifying Australian degree, you can stay and work full-time for a few years to gain experience.
Who it's for: Recent graduates of Australian degrees, generally under 35 when applying (older limits apply to some research graduates).
Cost: A$5,750 from 1 July 2026 (≈ Rs 5.2 lakh).
Time: A few months.
Stay: 2 years for bachelor's and coursework master's graduates; 3 years for research master's and PhD graduates.
Family: Yes.
Leads to permanent residence: Not by itself — it gives you time to gain experience and points for a skilled or sponsored visa.
Partner visa (subclass 820/801 and 309/100)
If you are married to, or in a long-term relationship with, an Australian citizen or PR holder, they can sponsor you.
Who it's for: Spouses and de facto partners of Australian citizens/PR holders.
Cost: Very expensive — A$11,710 from 1 July 2026 (≈ Rs 10.5 lakh).
Time: Often 1–2 years.
Stay: Temporary first, then permanent.
Family: Dependent children can be included.
Leads to permanent residence: Yes.
Scams to avoid
Nobody can sell you a 482 'sponsor job'. Paying for sponsorship is illegal in Australia.
Check that your education agent is listed and the college is on the CRICOS register. Some 'cheap' colleges have been shut down.
Fake bank statements and fake work experience letters are detected and can lead to a 3- or 10-year ban.
Nepal has no Working Holiday arrangement with Australia — 'working holiday visa for Nepalis' offers are false.