If you are studying in Sydney or Melbourne, you are competing with 100,000 other students for the same few invitations.
In Canberra, the game is different. Here, your study isn't just about the qualification—it's about the Matrix Points.
But here is the trap: studying any course won't save you. In 2026, with the ACT Occupation List cut to just 105 occupations, you must be strategic. You need to study a course that leads to a job on that list and maximizes your residence points.
At Right and Associates Canberra (Best Nepali Migration Agent in Canberra), located on University Avenue, we have helped thousands of students turn their Student Visa (Subclass 500) into a Permanent Residence (Subclass 190). Here is the blueprint.
How "Study" Boosts Your Matrix Score
The ACT Matrix awards points for two things that studying helps with:
- ACT Study Points: You get points for completing a CRICOS-registered course at a Canberra institution (like ANU, UC, ACU, or CIT) for at least one academic year.
- Residence Points: The longer you live here, the more points you get. A 2-year Diploma or Master's degree automatically clocks up 2 years of residence points.
The "Double Dip" Strategy: If you study a course that also leads to an occupation on the Critical Skills List (e.g., Early Childhood, Nursing, Civil Construction), you gain points for the qualification and eligibility for nomination.
Top 3 "PR Pathway" Courses for 2026
Based on the new 2026 Critical Skills List, these are the courses our team is recommending:
1. Nursing & Health (University of Canberra / ACU)
- Why: "Registered Nurse" is always on the list.
- The Bonus: The ACT health sector is desperate for staff. Graduates often get job offers before they even finish their final placement.
- Matrix Score: High (Critical Skill + Degree + Job Offer potential).
2. Construction & Trades (CIT / Private Colleges)
- Why: With the "Build CBR" infrastructure boom, trades like Carpentry, Painting, and Civil Construction are gold.
- The Strategy: Many students move from a generic Business course to a Trade Diploma.
- Warning: You need a "Job Ready Program" (JRP) for the skills assessment. We manage this entire process for you.
3. The "PhD Streamlined" Pathway (ANU)
- Who is it for? High-level researchers.
- The Secret: Did you know that if you complete a PhD at an ACT university, you have a streamlined pathway to nomination? You often bypass the competitive ranking process. If you are doing a PhD at ANU, come see us immediately.
The "Sydney Switch"
Are you living in Parramatta or Rockdale and struggling to get invited? Moving to Canberra to study isn't "giving up"—it's "leveling up."
- Step 1: We enroll you in a Canberra institution (Right and Associates is a registered Education Agency).
- Step 2: You move to the ACT and start your "Residence Clock."
- Step 3: By the time you graduate, you have ACT Residence points, Study points, and a local network.
Why Choose Right and Associates?
Most agencies are just education agents (they want your tuition commission) or just migration agents (they want your visa fee). We are both. We won't let you enroll in a course that leads to a dead end. We map your Study Plan to your Migration Plan from Day 1.
Start Your ACT Journey Today. Walk into our office near the ANU campus. Let’s look at the course options that fit your budget and your PR goals.
Visit us in Canberra: 📍 Address: Suite 1A, Level 3, 17-21 University Ave, Canberra ACT 2601 📞 Phone: +61 2 6179 6786 📧 Email: canberra@rassociates.com.au