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2 May 2024

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graduate

Changes to Australia’s
Temporary Graduate Visa Program

More visa updates were recently announced by the Australian Government, further providing clarity to its Migration Strategy released on 11 December 2023. This time, the focus is on the proposed changes to the Temporary Graduate Visa program (Subclass 485). Upon passing legislation, these will take effect on 01 July 2024 onwards.

Graduate Work stream

  • It will now be called the POST-VOCATIONAL EDUCATION WORK STREAM.

  • The maximum eligible age for applicants will be reduced to 35 years old or under. NOTE: Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders are exempted from these changes, and they will be eligible provided they are under 50 years old.

 

Applicants who are no longer eligible for the POST VOCATIONAL EDUCATION WORK STREAM due to the age restriction may be eligible for other Visas.

 

  • Applicants must hold an associate degree, diploma, or trade qualification, closely related to their nominated occupation or the MEDIUM and LONG-TERM STRATEGIC SKILLS LIST (MLTSSL).

 

Applicants with a degree level qualification or higher will no longer be eligible for this stream. If an applicant holds one of these qualifications, they must apply through the POST-GRADUATE HIGHER EDUCATION WORK STREAM.

 

  • Eligible applicants may continue to stay for up to 18 months. Hong Kong and British National Overseas Passport Holders may be able to stay for up to 5 years.

Post-Study Work stream

  • It will be renamed as POST–HIHGER EDUCATION WORK STREAM.

  • Like the GRADUATE WORK STREAM, the age limit here is also set at 35 years old. But for Hong Kong and British National Overseas Passport Holders, they will be eligible until 50.

  • Stay periods will be adjusted:

    • Bachelor’s degree (including honors): up to 2 years

    • Masters by coursework and extended: up to 2 years

    • Masters by research and doctoral degree (PhD): up to 3 years     

    • Hong Kong and British National Overseas Passport Holders: up to 5 years.

  • As agreed in the Australian Indian Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA), stay period for Indian nationals remain as:

    • Bachelor’s degree (including honours): up to 2 years

    • Bachelor’s degree (with First Class honours in STEM, including ICT): up to 3 years

    • All Mater’s degree (by coursework, extended and research): up to 3 years

    • Doctoral degrees (PhD): up to 4 years

Second Post-Study Work stream

The Second Post-Study Work stream will be renamed the SECOND POST-HIGHER EDUCATION WORK STREAM. There are no other changes to this stream.

Replacement stream

The REPLACEMENT STREAM will cease.

With all these changes in Australia’s visa policies, applicants are advised to proactively abide by these latest adjustments. While these updates might require a shift in your approach to your applications, keep in mind that careful planning and preparations, remain to be the vital key to turning your Australian dreams into a successful reality.

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