Does studying within Australia increase my chances of securing permanent residency afterwards?
You cannot get a work visa to undertake an apprenticeship in Australia (only fully qualified and experienced tradesmen are eligible) and you can’t study for plumbing trade qualifications on a student visa without also being an apprentice. You can’t get an apprenticeship unless you have PR – Catch 22. If you do a plumbing apprenticeship in the UK for at least a couple of years and if you can then find a qualified Australian employer who is willing to sponsor you (that will be VERY difficult), you could apply for an Occupational Trainee Visa (Subclass 442) for the last 18 months or so of your apprenticeship. This visa is only for a maximum of 2 years and must be for you to get additional or enhanced skills in your occupation. You wouldn’t be able to start from scratch and if you’re not fully qualified at the end of your OTV, you would have to leave the country: http://www.immi.gov.au/students/sponsore… You would
