Australia announces changes in Temporary Graduate Visa rules

By Rohit Sethi

With its migration strategy, the Australian government is trying to make a better sense of utilizing immigrant students. The latest change in post-study work visa (Subclass 485) is just one more step in this direction. The salient feature of this change is that Australia has placed India in a separate category, and for good reasons. One rule applies to the entire world, but for India, a separate rule has been framed that will benefit Indian students planning to move to Australia for studies.

The working of Temporary Graduate Visa will change from July 1, 2024, as per the announcement from the Australian government. Here we take a look at changes in the two types of post-study work visas that Australia offers. To say the least, the whole system has been revamped.

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Major Change in Eligibility with Age

One of the biggest changes in the eligibility requirements to apply for the Graduate Work Stream (new name Post-Vocational Education Work Stream) and Post-study Work Stream is age.

Starting from July 1, 2024, an applicant needs to be at or under 35 years of age to apply for any of these work streams. Those holding an associate degree, diploma or trade qualification that is linked with the nominated occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) will be eligible for the Post-Vocational Education Workstream.

Australia noted a trend where individuals arriving on tourist visas often opted to convert them into student visas. Recently, this provision for conversion was removed. Now, the majority of the onshore applicants who apply for post-study work stream will not be eligible. Almost all the applicants who apply for Australian study visas from India are much below 35 years of age, so there is nothing to worry about for them.

Change in Duration of Post-study Work Visa

We can raise our collars as we take note of this update. Post-Higher Education Workstream will grant up to three years of work permission for those pursuing a bachelor’s degree (with first-class honours in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), including ICT). This facility will only be available to Indian nationals as agreed in the Australian Indian – Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI – ECTA). This duration is two years for students from other countries.

Similarly, an extra year of work permission will be granted to Indian students who pursue doctoral degrees in Australia. This means students from India will have four years to work whereas those from other countries will have three years to work. This is the first time in many years that Indian students have been given preference over other countries. Here is what it looks like:

Bachelor’s degree (including honours) – up to two years

Bachelor’s degree (with first-class honours in STEM, including ICT) – up to three years

Masters (coursework extended and research) – up to three years

Doctoral degrees (PhD) – up to four years

Is it the Right Time to Apply for Australia Student Visa?

It completely depends on the intention of the applicant applying for an Australian student visa. Anyone who just wants to reach Australia and is using a student visa only as a means to reach there, will find it difficult to get approval as per the current regulations. The replacement of a Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) with a Genuine Student Requirement (GSR)) was the first step from Australia in this direction.

Now, importance is given to acquiring skills which can be used productively in future. Only those students who are found capable enough to contribute productively to Australia will get the chance to become permanent residents. So, this is the right time to apply for an Australian student visa, provided we apply with complete documentation in support of our purpose.

Revamping the Education Industry

Almost all the major economies of the world, including Canada, Australia, and the UK are revamping their education system completely. In such a scenario it is important to understand what is being expected by these countries when it comes to immigration. One has to be well aware of the new parameters before applying for a student visa.

(Author is Director, ESS Global )