International Students: Post-Graduation Australian Visa Options

can international students stay in australia after graduation

Australia is a popular destination for international students, offering a range of opportunities for those who wish to stay in the country after graduation. While there is no automatic right to remain, international students can explore various pathways to extend their stay, including temporary visas for work, travel, or further studies. The Australian government has introduced initiatives to retain international graduates, recognising their contribution to the country's skills base and business needs. This paragraph will explore the options available for international students seeking to remain in Australia after completing their studies.

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Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)

International students who have recently graduated with a degree from an Australian institution can apply for the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485). This visa allows graduates to live, work and study in Australia temporarily, providing a pathway to gaining valuable work experience in the country. The visa is applicable to graduates with qualifications relevant to specific occupations that Australia needs and offers full-time work rights for the duration of the visa.

The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) is available to former student visa holders, providing an opportunity to gain work experience and improve English language skills. The visa duration varies depending on the graduate's qualification, with bachelor's and master's degree holders by coursework eligible for a two-year visa, master's by research graduates eligible for a three-year visa, and PhD graduates eligible for a four-year visa. Additionally, Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders can stay for up to five years.

To apply for the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485), graduates must meet health and character visa requirements and hold a qualification relevant to their nominated occupation on the skilled occupation list. The application process involves submitting an online application through the Department of Home Affairs, providing evidence of Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC), and paying the associated fees. The cost of the visa varies for each type, and the processing time depends on the chosen work stream.

The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) serves as a stepping stone towards permanent residency in Australia. It can provide a pathway to other visas, such as the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) or the Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190). The visa also enables eligible TGV holders to apply for a Skills in Demand (Subclass 482) visa while still in Australia, offering extended work rights of up to six years.

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Tourist Visa

If you are an international student who has recently graduated from an Australian educational institution and wants to stay in Australia for tourism, there are a few visa options available to you.

The first option is the 600 Visitor Visa, which allows you to stay in Australia for up to 12 months. You can apply for this visa online while you are in Australia, and you have the option to stay for three, six, or twelve months. It is important to note that you are not permitted to work during your stay with this visa.

If you are outside of Australia, you can apply for an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) visa (Subclass 601) or a 651 eVisitor visa. These visas allow you to enter Australia for up to three months per visit and multiple visits within 12 months from the date your visa is issued.

Another option is the Working Holiday Visa, which allows you to work and travel in Australia for up to 12 months. To be eligible for this visa, you must be between the ages of 18 and 30 and from an approved country.

There are also other temporary visa options available through the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) that may allow you to stay in Australia for a shorter or longer period, depending on your specific needs and circumstances.

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Working Holiday Visa

International students who wish to stay and work in Australia after graduation have several visa options. One of these is the Working Holiday Visa.

The Working Holiday Visa allows people aged between 18 and 30 from approved countries to travel and work in Australia for up to 12 months. This visa is a good option for graduates who want to fund their travels as they explore the country.

There are other temporary visa options that graduates can apply for, including the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485), which allows graduates to remain in Australia for up to 18 months to travel, gain work experience, or improve their English language skills. This visa is a pathway to permanent residency and is a good option for those who wish to stay in Australia for a more extended period. Graduates with Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD qualifications are eligible for this visa.

The Australian government is implementing changes to the Temporary Graduate Visa settings from mid-2024. Under these new settings, the length of stay on a TGV will range from two to three years, depending on the level and discipline of the student's qualification. Indian students are eligible for longer post-study work rights of between two and four years, and international graduates with degrees from Australian institutions in regional areas may be eligible for an extension of one or two years.

Another option is the Temporary Skills Shortage Visa, which provides a pathway to a skilled visa and permanent residency. This visa allows graduates to work in Australia for a longer duration, up to six years, and offers a wider range of areas to study and work.

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Temporary Skills Shortage Visa

International students who have recently graduated with a degree from an Australian institution can remain in the country for up to 18 months to travel, gain work experience, or improve their English language skills. This can be achieved through the Department of Immigration and Border Protection's Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485). Graduates of bachelor's and master's by coursework degrees can apply for a two-year work visa, while master's by research graduates are eligible for a three-year visa, and PhD graduates can apply for a four-year work visa.

One option for international students who wish to stay and work in Australia for a longer duration (up to six years) is the Temporary Skills Shortage Visa (Subclass 482). This visa was introduced in March 2018 to replace the Temporary Work (skilled) subclass 457 visa. The TSS visa is a temporary visa that allows employers to address labour shortages by bringing in genuinely skilled workers when they cannot source an appropriately skilled Australian. It is valid for one to four years, depending on the nominated occupation, the visa stream, and the circumstances of the applicant.

The TSS visa has three streams. The first is the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), which allows employers to sponsor overseas skilled workers on a temporary basis for occupations listed on the STSOL. The second stream is the Medium-term Skilled Occupation List (MTSOL), which is for more highly skilled occupations and allows visa holders to stay in Australia for up to four years. The third stream is the Regional stream, which allows employers in designated regional areas to sponsor skilled workers for up to four years.

The Temporary Skills Shortage Visa is a great opportunity for international students who wish to stay and work in Australia for a longer duration. It provides a pathway to permanent residency and allows individuals to work in their nominated occupation for an approved sponsor.

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Permanent residency visas

International students who graduate from Australian universities are in demand in the country, and there are several pathways to permanent residency.

Firstly, the Australian government introduced a new Migration Strategy, which includes changes to Temporary Graduate Visas (TGV). These visas are available to former student visa holders and provide full work rights, allowing graduates to gain work experience in Australia. The length of stay on a TGV ranges from two to three years, depending on the level and discipline of the qualification. Indian students are eligible for longer post-study work rights of between two and four years. Graduates with a degree from an Australian institution located in a regional area may be eligible for an extension, allowing them to stay in Australia for an additional one or two years.

Secondly, the Temporary Skills Shortage visa (and future Skills in Demand visa) will be changed to give TGV holders more opportunity to move on to a skilled visa. Proposed reforms to the points test will also give graduates working in skilled jobs faster pathways to permanent residency.

Thirdly, there are several other visa options that international graduates can apply for through the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). These include the Working Holiday Visa, which allows people aged 18 to 30 from approved countries to travel and work for up to 12 months.

Finally, international students can also choose to continue their studies in Australia to maximise their time in the country and gain more advanced qualifications and skills that will assist them in gaining employment.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, international students can stay in Australia after graduation by applying for a range of temporary visas.

International students can apply for the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485), which allows graduates to live, work and study in Australia for up to 18 months. Graduates of bachelor's and master's degrees can apply for a two-year work visa, while PhD graduates are eligible for a four-year work visa. Students can also apply for a Tourist Visa, a Working Holiday Visa, or a Temporary Skills Shortage Visa.

International students contribute to Australia's skills base and business needs by bringing language skills, intercultural awareness, and global connections. Australia also offers a high quality of education, a diverse culture, and beautiful landscapes.

International students and graduates in Australia often face barriers to equal employment opportunities due to standardised recruitment practices. In 2022, only 57.7% of international undergraduates were in full-time employment 4-6 months after graduation, compared to 78.5% of domestic graduates.

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