Australia's New Rules for Temporary Graduate Visas | Australia Immigration News

The Australian government's latest adjustment to the post-study work visa (Subclass 485) is part of this effort. Notably, Australia has categorized India separately, with tailored rules designed to benefit Indian students planning to study in Australia.

Effective from July 1, 2024, the Australian government has announced changes to the Temporary Graduate Visa. The modifications affect the two types of post-study work visas offered by Australia, marking a significant overhaul of the system.

One of the key changes is the adjustment to age eligibility for the Graduate Work Stream (now renamed the Post-Vocational Education Work Stream) and the Post-study Work Stream. As of July 1, 2024, applicants must be 35 years old or younger to apply for either of these work streams.

Those holding an associate degree, diploma, or trade qualification related to an occupation listed on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) will be eligible for the Post-Vocational Education Work Stream.

Australia observed a trend where individuals arriving on tourist visas often converted them into student visas. However, this provision for conversion has been recently removed, rendering the majority of onshore applicants for the post-study work stream ineligible. Fortunately, the majority of Indian applicants for Australian study visas are well below the age of 35, so this change shouldn't affect them.

Another significant change involves the duration of the post-study work visa. The Post-Higher Education Work Stream will grant up to three years of work permission to those pursuing a bachelor’s degree, specifically those with first-class honors in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), including ICT.

This provision is exclusively available to Indian nationals as outlined in the Australian Indian – Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI – ECTA). For students from other countries, this duration is two years.

Likewise, Indian students pursuing doctoral degrees in Australia will receive an extra year of work permission, allowing them four years to work compared to three years for students from other countries. This marks a departure from previous practices, where Indian students are given preference over those from other countries.

The durations are as follows:

• Bachelor’s degree (including honors): up to two years
• Bachelor’s degree (with first-class honors in STEM, including ICT): up to three years
• Masters (coursework and research): up to three years
• Doctoral degrees (PhD): up to four years

Whether it's the right time to apply for an Australian student visa depends on the applicant's intentions. Those seeking to merely reach Australia and using a student visa as a means to do so may find it challenging to get approval under current regulations.

The replacement of the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement with the Genuine Student Requirement (GSR) signals Australia's shift towards prioritizing applicants who can contribute productively to the country's economy.

Thus, it's essential to apply with complete documentation demonstrating the applicant's purpose and capability to contribute to Australia's workforce.

The revamp of the education industry is part of a global trend seen in major economies like Canada, Australia, and the UK. Understanding the expectations of these countries regarding immigration is crucial before applying for a student visa.