Post-study work rights extension

The Australian Government has announced the list of qualifications that will be considered for an extended post-study ‘stay and work’ period.

Under the Temporary Graduate Work visa (subclass 485), the post-study ‘stay and work’ period for eligible graduates of listed qualifications will increase, as follows: 

• Four years for Bachelor degree graduates, up from two years previously.
• Five years for Master degree graduates, up from three years previously.
• Six years for doctoral graduates, up from four years previously.

The extension is in addition to the existing additional one to two years of work rights for eligible students who study, live and work in regional areas.

The new extensions will apply from 1 July 2023. 

Eligibility

You will be eligible for this extension if:

• you meet all the eligibility criteria for the Post-Study Work stream of the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), and
• your qualification is on the list of eligible qualifications (see below).

In addition, one of the following must also apply:

• You hold a Temporary Graduate visa (Post-Study Work stream) on 1 July 2023, or
• You have lodged an application for a Temporary Graduate visa (Post-Study Work stream) by 1 July 2023, or
• You lodge an application for a Temporary Graduate visa (Post-Study Work stream) after 1 July 2023.

If you hold a Temporary Graduate visa (Post-Study Work stream) that expires before 1 July 2023, but you do hold an eligible qualification, you can still apply for this extension. However, in this case, you will be granted a two-year Temporary Activity Australian Government Endorsed Events (COVID-19 Pandemic Event) visa (subclass 408) instead of a further Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485).

You are also eligible for a two-year Temporary Activity Australian Government Endorsed Events (COVID-19 Pandemic event) visa (subclass 408) if:

• You were granted a Temporary Graduate visa (Post-Study Work stream) before 15 December 2021, and
• The visa took effect on or after 1 February 2020, and
• You were in Australia for the whole time that your visa was in effect between 1 February 2020 and 15 December 2021, and
• You hold an eligible qualification.

Eligible qualifications

To view the list of identified occupations from the 2022 Skills Priority List, visit the Department of Education website. The list of occupations and qualifications will be monitored and reviewed on an annual basis.

How to apply

If you meet the eligibility criteria, have completed a qualification from the approved list, and hold a valid Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) on 1 July 2023 – or apply for a Temporary Graduate visa before or after 1 July 2023 – your visa will be automatically extended by two years.

If your Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) expires before 1 July 2023 or you are eligible for the two-year Temporary Activity (subclass 408) Australian Government Endorsed Events visa (COVID-19 Pandemic event) as above, you will need to apply for the Temporary Activity (subclass 408) visa with the Department of Home Affairs.

COVID-19 pre-departure testing

The Australian Government no longer requires people travelling to Australia to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test before travel.

However, you will still need to check that you meet the requirements of your airline and any countries you transit through.

Visa processing update

Improving visa processing times

The Australian Government is supporting its Department of Home Affairs to address current delays in visa applications as an urgent priority.

To improve visa processing times, the Department has employed nearly 140 new staff in visa processing roles since May 2022 and moved back to pre-pandemic decision making processes.

What this means for you

If you lodge an incomplete application, you will receive a notification in your ImmiAccount with a Request for Information (RFI) from the Department of Home Affairs.

When an RFI is received, you must provide the requested information as soon as possible.

If you do not provide the requested information before the specified due date, the Department of Home Affairs will finalise your visa application without the information they requested. Not having all the information assessed means your visa may not be approved.

What you need to do

• Lodge a student visa application at least 6-8 weeks before course commencement.
• Regularly check your ImmiAccount for any requests from the Department of Home Affairs.
• Respond to any requests for further information or documentation BEFORE the stated deadline (the sooner, the better).
• If you are having difficulty getting the required information, you should request an extension of time through your ImmiAccount.
• If you are requesting an extension, you should provide evidence of any actions you have taken to obtain the required information, such as a payment receipt or booking confirmation, in order to support your request for more time.

Latest advice on student visas

The Australian Government is continuing to grant student visas and we advise the following:

• If you are a new student, please first enrol at an education institution and then apply for a student visa.
• If you have already commenced studying online or in transnational education programs and do not have a student visa, we encourage you to apply for a student visa now.
• If you already hold a student visa, online study or transnational education already completed outside of Australia due to COVID-19 may still count towards the Australian study requirement for a post-study work visa.
• Student visa work restrictions were relaxed throughout the pandemic, and temporarily removed in January 2022. This temporary arrangement will end on 30 June 2023.  From 1 July 2023, the number of work hours allowed during study terms and semesters will be capped at the increased amount of 48 hours per fortnight, during study terms and semesters. This ensures that student visa holders can focus on their learning in Australia, but also take up paid employment and gain valuable work experience while they study.
• International students are protected by Australia’s workplace laws. Please visit the Study Australia Employability Hub for student and graduate work information.
• Your visa application fee will be waived to allow you to submit a further student visa application, if you held a student visa on or after 1 February 2020 and could not complete your course within the original visa time period because of the impacts of COVID-19.
• International students wishing to commence higher degree research (post-graduate study) in critical technology-related fields in Australia may need to have their application approved by the Minister for Education. This condition does not apply to current student visa holders.
• If you are already located in Australia, health and well-being support remains available through education providers, government and community services.
• It is important that you are able to financially support yourself throughout your studies during your time in Australia. Please refer to this guide to calculate your living costs while living and studying in Australia.
• International students currently outside Australia should check their visa status via the Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) website prior to making arrangements to travel to Australia.

Latest advice on graduate visas

• The length of stay, for those students who have the Temporary Graduate visa, has been extended from two (2) to three (3) years for Masters by Coursework graduates, matching the provisions for Masters by Research graduates. Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector graduates will also receive a two (2) year Temporary Graduate visa.
• The post-study ‘stay and work’ period for eligible graduates of listed qualifications will increase from 1 July 2023.  For more information, see above section “Post-study work rights extension”.
• From 1 July 2022, current and former Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa holders who lost time in Australia due to COVID-19 international travel restrictions can apply for a replacement visa. This includes people who were outside of Australia at any time between 1 February 2020 and 14 December 2021 while they held a Temporary Graduate visa. Applications may be made until 31 December 2026. Click here for more information on the Home Affairs website.
• From 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023, applicants for the Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa Graduate Work stream will not need to nominate an occupation from the skilled occupation list and obtain a skills assessment. This will apply to all applications lodged on or after 1 July 2022 until 30 June 2023. It will not be applied to applications lodged before 1 July 2022.

Credit: Australian Trade and Investment Commission – Study Australia.