In its recent Migration Strategy, the Australian Government has announced significant changes to the Temporary Graduate visa programs, set to take effect from 1 July 2024 pending legislative amendments.

Here’s a breakdown of the key updates:

Graduate Work Stream

The Graduate Work stream will now be known as the Post-Vocational Education Work stream.

Age Eligibility:

The maximum age for applicants to the Post-Vocational Education Work stream will be reduced to 35 years or under. However, Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders remain eligible if they are under 50 years old. If applicants are no longer eligible due to the age reduction, they may explore alternative visa options.

Qualification Requirements: 

Applicants must hold an associate degree, diploma, or trade qualification closely related to their nominated occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). Those with a degree level qualification or higher will now need to apply through the Post-Higher Education Work stream.

Stay Duration:

Successful applicants may stay for up to 18 months, with Hong Kong or British National Overseas passport holders potentially eligible for up to 5 years.

Post-Study Work Stream Renamed:  

The Post-Study Work stream will be rebranded as the Post-Higher Education Work stream.

Age Limit:

Similar to the Post-Vocational Education Work stream, the maximum age for applicants to the Post-Higher Education Work stream will be reduced to 35 years or under. However, exemptions apply for Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders under 50 years old. As with the Graduate Work stream, ineligible applicants may explore alternative visa pathways.

Extension Changes: 

The ‘select degree’ 2-year extension will be discontinued.

 

Revised Stay Periods:

Stay periods will vary according to the level of qualification attained:

– Bachelor degree (including honours): Up to 2 years

– Masters (coursework and extended): Up to 2 years

– Masters (research) and doctoral degree (PhD): Up to 3 years

 

Stay Periods for Indian Nationals:  

Stay periods for Indian nationals, as outlined in the Australian Indian – Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA), will remain as follows:

– Bachelor degree (including honours): Up to 2 years

– Bachelor degree (with first-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

 

Second Post-Study Work

The Second Post-Study Work stream will now be known as the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream, with no further changes to its structure.

 

Replacement Stream

The Replacement stream will be discontinued.

These changes underscore the Australian Government’s commitment to aligning visa programs with evolving economic and educational priorities.

Read more here: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/temporary-graduate-485/changes 

For further details on how these updates may affect your visa application, please get in contact with us.