Asan HSC student in NSW,your exam results were released on 20 January — and we’re sure that at the moment you received your score, you felt proud of all your hard work. Many of you have already been in touch with your education consultants,and the first round of preference changes was open on 21 January; if you happened to miss it, note that the second round is on 6 February,so make the most of these windows to apply for the programme and university that best suits your score.
The image below shows key UAC dates
— save it for your records!
If you need help with your HSC preference submission, feel free to get in touch!

Across Australia’sGo8 universities, most programmescarry ATARentry requirements of80 or above; if your ATAR sits between65 and 75points,you can still gain entry to a Go8 university —by completing a diploma that articulates directly into second year; and for students with an ATAR between55 and 65,there is still a clear pathway:entering a leading university’s undergraduate programme via a foundation programme.
When choosingyour major and university,many students also factor in their futuremigration plans: which field of study supports a migration pathway? Which state has more favourable policies? And could my ATAR get me into a migration-relevant Go8 programme?
We’ve compiled these common questions and are here to help you identify which universities best serve your migration-pathway goals. The key migration-friendly majors we recommend are:Engineering, IT, Early Childhood Education, Social Work, and Nursing.
Engineering in Australia covers a wide range of specialisations, includingCivil Engineering, Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, and Structural Engineering. In line with the most popular engineering occupations for migration, we’ll focus on two key fields:Civil Engineering and Structural Engineering.
University of New South Wales (UNSW)
Bachelor of Engineering(Honours) (Civil Engineering)
Programme highlights:UNSW Engineering is ranked #1 in Australia and #12 globally.The degree is accredited by Engineers Australia (EA) and recognised under the Washington Accord, leading to a four-year Honours Bachelor of Engineering with international professional recognition.
State nomination (NSW)
Currently, NSW state nomination for Civil Engineering invites at approximately 95 points; graduates will need to build their score through extras such as PTE.
Civil Engineering is also highly popular for state nomination in Canberra, South Australia, and other regions — so if that NSW threshold feels out of reach, there are other pathways available.
University of Adelaide
Master of Engineering (Civil and Structural)
Programme highlights:This programme combines Civil and Structural Engineering,developing students’ capabilities in constructing and maintaining buildings, systems, and infrastructure. The programme includes a foundation year and an advanced studies year.
State nomination (SA)
Graduates may be eligible to apply for South Australia’s Subclass 190/491 nomination. The image below shows SA’s state nomination requirements for Structural Engineering graduates.
Australian National University (ANU)
Bachelor ofInformation Technology
Bachelor ofInformation Technology (Honours)
Bachelor ofAdvanced Computing (Honours)
Programme highlights: ANU’s College of Engineering, Computing and Cybernetics houses the School of Engineering and the School of Computing, and leads in areas such as logic, data and algorithms, and artificial intelligence. The College has partnerships with academic institutions, government agencies, and major corporations worldwide, providing students with outstanding resources.
State nomination (ACT)
ANU is located in Canberra. Based on recent ACT state nomination invitation rounds, the points required for IT-related occupations areapproximately 75 for Subclass 491 — a score readily achievable for local graduates; 90–100 for Subclass 190, where local graduates also hold a notable advantage over applicants from interstate,and ACT currently accepts offshore applications as well.
Latest Matrix invitation round update
This Friday, 28 January — Newstars all hands on deck
— the most comprehensive state nomination briefing in Australia!
4:00 pm AEDT / 1:00 am Beijing time
MARA-registered migration agents and senior state nomination specialists from every Newstars office will break down the current situation, near-term outlook, and future prospects for each state — wait it out or switch to Plan B? Relocate quickly or hold your ground? The most comprehensive state nomination briefing, bar none!
Long-press the QR code below
and comment: State Nomination, to join the group!

University of South Australia (UniSA)
Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Honours)
Programme highlights: This is a four-year programme. Upon completing their undergraduate studies, students can apply for a skills assessment for Early Childhood Education. The four years of higher education can also help students gain an exemption from the language requirement in the skills assessment. Intake is flexible, with February and July start dates.
Migration advantage: Graduates may be eligible to apply for South Australia’s Subclass 491 or 190 state nomination. The image below shows SA’s state nomination requirements for Early Childhood Education.
University of Sydney
Bachelor of Social Work
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Social Work
Programme highlights:The University of Sydney’s Social Work programme ranked #1 in Australia and #4 globally for graduate employability in 2022, with an ATAR requirement of 80. The programme combines social policy and social work research, equipping students with the skills to drive social change, resolve interpersonal issues, and empower individuals to support their wellbeing. Students develop strong negotiation skills, a nuanced understanding of cultural contexts, and sensitivity to diverse religious beliefs.
State nomination (NSW)
After graduation, students can complete a skills assessment and apply for NSW Subclass 491 or 190 state nomination.
University of Adelaide
Bachelor of Nursing
Programme highlights: The university is dedicated to developing every student into a confident and accountable registered nurse. Students also gain skills including: hands-on capability developed in high-tech simulation environments; clinical and non-clinical placements in metropolitan and rural settings; exploration of contemporary issues in health promotion, maintenance, advocacy, and care; and interprofessional learning alongside other healthcare students.
State nomination (SA)
After graduation, students can complete a registered nurse skills assessment and apply for South Australia’s Subclass 491 or 190 state nomination. The requirements are as follows:
Nursing is and will remain one of the most in-demand fields across all of Australia — every state nominates nurses, and popular destinations such as Victoria and New South Wales are actively competing to sponsor them!
Today’s recommendations have taken a migration-focused perspective. Many of you may also have interest in Marketing, Media, Law, or Medicine — get in touch and we’ll put together a tailored plan just for you!
Study Abroad / Migration
Insights
Videos
Past Articles
What the recent Subclass 485 policy improvements mean from a migration perspective — vocational students could be the big winners!
What the recent Subclass 485 policy improvements mean from a migration perspective — vocational students could be the big winners!
Subclass 489/491 holders affected by COVID-19 can extend by 3 years! Offshore Subclass 485 holders may be able to return to Australia as soon as next month!
Confirmed: work hour restrictions lifted for all student visa holders! Return to Australia within 8 weeks and receive a $630 student visa fee refund!
Subclass 190/491 lodgement and grant update for mainland China applicants — nearly two thousand Subclass 143 cases reviewed!
Migration information sharing and Q&A group
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For PR holders and citizens — how can your parents enter Australia now?Click ‘Read the original’to watch the video guide
