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The Albanese Government has recently announced a plan to extend post-study work visa 485 for international graduates from Australian universities. This initiative aims to address the current skills shortages and rebuild the International education sector after the pandemic. In this blog post, we will discuss the critical details of the plan and what it means for eligible graduates.
Eligibility Criteria:
To be eligible for the extended post-study work visa 485, you must meet the following basic eligibility criteria:
- Be under 50 years of age
- Hold an eligible visa
- Have held a student visa in the last 6 months
- Have a recent qualification in a CRICOS-registered course
- Nominate one stream only – it is not possible to change visa streams after you apply
- Attach specified evidence when you apply
The following are the key details of the plan:
The Albanese Government has announced plans to extend post-study work visa 485 for international graduates in Australia. Here are the key details of the plan:
- Eligible graduates with a valid Temporary Graduate Visa on 1 July 2023 or who apply for one after that date can extend their stay by up to two years.
- The list of eligible occupations and qualifications will be updated annually to respond to the labor market, focusing on health, teaching, engineering, and agriculture.
- The allowable work hours cap will increase from 40 to 48 hours per fortnight to help students financially and gain work experience while studying.
- The measures will take effect from 1 July 2023.
- The extension period varies depending on the degree level achieved:
- Bachelor’s degrees can be extended from two years to four years.
- Master’s degrees can be extended from three years to five years.
- Doctoral degrees can be extended from four years to six years.
- Existing settings for regional and remote Australia will remain in place and will be eligible for the additional two years where relevant.
Applying for the Extension:
Graduates whose visa expires before 1 July 2023 can apply for an extension of their work rights by visiting Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408) Australian Government endorsed events (COVID-19 Pandemic event).
Proposal: Extending Post-Study Work Rights for Higher Education Graduates on Visa (485)
The extended post-study work rights for international graduates in Australia is a positive move by the Albanese Government to address the current skills shortages and rebuild the international education sector. Eligible graduates can benefit from the extended work rights, increased work hours cap, and updated list of eligible occupations and qualifications. For more information about these measures, visit the Temporary Graduate Visa – Subclass 485 page.
See more: 13 Types Of Visas For Studying In Australia
Credit Source: Addressing skills shortages in key industries and rebuilding the international education sector
