Are you planning to work or study in Australia?
Assuming this is true, you should know the most recent news. Australia’s Temporary Graduate visa schemes have recently undergone various modifications, which will go into effect on July 1, 2024 (pending parliamentary approval). The Graduate Work Stream and the Post-Study Work Stream have been significantly updated due to the Migration Strategy changes.
Although these modifications are transformative and promise a streamlined travel experience for international students, they may render some visa applicants ineligible. Along these lines, read on to figure out what it means for you.
Overview 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
It will be called the ‘Post-Professional Training Workstream,’ and the certification requirements will be reduced. Except for holders of Hong Kong and British foreign passports, the age requirement for this visa is currently 35 or younger. They will be qualified till the age of 50.
Candidates for this stream must have a partner degree, certificate, or exchange capability suitable to their vocation as listed on the MLTSSL or Medium and Long Haul Vital Abilities Rundown. However, candidates with a bachelor’s or higher degree are no longer eligible for this stream and should look into other immigration possibilities.
This stream provides a maximum stay of 18 months, whereas holders of HK and BNO passports can 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. You may apply for this visa if you are 35 or younger and hold a Hong Kong or British national overseas passport.
The expansion time frame for ‘select degrees’ will stop, and the remaining periods will fluctuate in light of the degree of capability, going 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 visa holders can stay up to 5 years. The Australian Indian-Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA) regulates stay periods for Indian nationals, allowing for more extended 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
Candidates must be eligible for the Post-Advanced Education Workstream, which may meet the requirements for several elective visas as the age of eligibility declines. Investigate your visa decisions.
Second Post-Study Work Stream to Second Post-Advanced Education Work Stream
At long last, the Subsequent Post-Study Workstream will be renamed the Second Post-Advanced education Workstream. This stream has not undergone any other changes aside from the name change.
Replacement Stream
The substitution stream will never again exist from July 1, 2024.
Other Changes
Aside from the qualification standards and remaining licences, a few changes merit consideration. The first concerns the requirement for an English test score. The IELTS band has risen to 6.5 from 6.0 in the past. This change is supposed to occur in the following three months. Another change prevents holders of graduate visas from changing to student visas while they are in the country. By the end of the year, it is anticipated that this change will be implemented.
Last but not least, the Post-Higher Education Work Visa processing time, which was previously between 49 and 120 days, is now 21 days or less. Students are advised to remain informed and plan accordingly, ideally with the assistance of an expert, as the implementation date is unknown.
Last Word:
These adjustments aim to align the visa programs with the changing requirements for skills, economic conditions, and international agreements. Potential applicants will have more and better opportunities to investigate as these changes occur. If ineligible, you can look into other visa options to study or work in Australia.
Would you like to realise your choices after these changes? Contact EnglishWise’s industry-leading specialists. We are committed to providing comprehensive assistance and direction to individuals navigating the difficulties of Australian visas. We aim to make it easy for you to start studying and working in Australia.
Therefore, please do not pause to call us. We’ll do our best to help you.
