Planning to work or study in Australia? If so, you should know this latest news. The Australian Government has just announced several changes to the Temporary Graduate visa programs, and they are set to be effective from 1st July 2024 (pending legislative approval). These changes to the Migration Strategy include significant updates, particularly to the Graduate Work stream and the Post-Study Work stream.
While these changes are transformative and promise a streamlined journey for international students, they can also make many ineligible for certain visas. So, read on to learn how it impacts you.
Overview of changes:
- Graduate Work stream to Post-Vocational Education Work stream
- Post-Study Work stream to Post-Higher Education Work stream
- Second Post-Study Work stream to Second Post-Higher Education Work stream
- Cessation of Replacement stream
Graduate Work Stream to Post-Vocational Education Work Stream
The first and most notable change is in the Graduate Work stream. It will be renamed as the ‘Post-Vocational Education Work stream,’ and its eligibility criteria will be reduced. Now, the eligible age for this visa is reduced to 35 years or under — except for Hong Kong and British national overseas passport holders. They will stay eligible up to 50 years of age.
Under this stream, applicants must hold an associate degree, diploma, or trade qualification relevant to their occupation listed on the MLTSSL or Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List. However, applicants with a degree qualification or higher are no longer eligible for this stream, and they may explore other visa alternatives.
As for the stay, this stream allows for a stay of up to 18 months, while HK and BNO passport holders may stay up to 5 years.
Post-Study Work Stream to Post-Higher Education Work Stream
The Post-Study Work stream will also be rebranded as the Post-Higher Education Work stream. The new eligible age for this visa is 35 years or under for everyone and 50 years or under for Hong Kong and British national overseas passport holders.
The extension period for ‘select degrees’ will cease, and stay periods will vary based on the level of qualification obtained, ranging from 2 to 3 years.
- Bachelor’s (including honours) – up to 2 years
- Masters (coursework and extended) – up to 2 years
- Masters (Research) and doctoral degree (PhD) – up to 3 years
However, HK and BNO passport holders can stay up to 5 years. As for Indian nationals, stay periods align with the Australian Indian – Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA), allowing for longer stays based on specific degree classifications.
- Bachelor’s (including honours) – up to 2 years
- Bachelor’s degree (with 1st class honours in STEM, including ICT) – up to 3 years
- Masters (coursework, extended and research) – up to 3 years
- Doctoral degrees (PhD) – up to 4 years
Applicants who are no longer eligible for the Post-Higher Education Work stream owing to age reduction may be eligible for a variety of alternative visas. Explore your visa choices.
Second Post-Study Work Stream to Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream
Finally, the Second Post-Study Work stream will be renamed the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream. Except for the name change, there are no further alterations to this stream.
Replacement Stream
The replacement stream will no longer exist from 1st July 2024.
Other Changes
Apart from the eligibility criteria and stay permits, there are some changes that are worth keeping in mind. The first one is regarding the English test score requirement. What was once a 6.0 has now increased to a 6.5 IELTS band. This change is expected to take place in the next three months.
Additionally, there’s another change that restricts graduate visa holders from transferring back to student visas while onshore. This change is expected to be implemented by the end of the year.
Lastly, the processing time for a Post-Higher Education Work Visa, which was previously 49 to 120 days, is now 21 days or under. As it is undetermined when it may come into effect, students are advised to stay informed and plan accordingly, ideally with the support of an expert.
Final Word:
The idea behind these changes is to align the visa programs with the evolving skill needs, economic landscape, and international agreements. As these adjustments come into effect, prospective applicants will have more and better opportunities to explore. If ineligible for a visa, you can certainly explore other visa options to study or work in Australia.
Do you want to know your options post these changes? Get in touch with our industry-best experts at EnglishWise. We are dedicated to providing holistic support and guidance to those navigating the complexities of Australian visas. Our goal is to secure your smooth transition to academic and professional pursuits in Australia.
So, do not pause to drop us a call! We’ll assist you as best we can.
