Post Study Work Visa in Australia

The Australian government recently introduced major changes to the country’s visa policies, widening the horizon for international students, particularly students from India, regarding career opportunities after completing their higher studies. These new regulations, implemented on July 1, 2023, allow greater room for flexibility by extending work rights to students.

Under these rights, students can explore the job market and gain valuable professional experience, which could further help them secure permanent residency in the country. In this article, we will take a look at the nature of post study work permit in Australia, specifically focusing on the 485 visa Australia.

There are several benefits of post study work visa in Australia. However, it is important to know about the latest updates introduced by the Australian government:

• As mentioned above, from July 1, 2023, Indian students who graduate from a recognised university in Australia are eligible to work in the country for up to 8 years without a sponsorship visa. This will allow Indian students to build their careers with a stable foundation.
• In addition to this, starting from July 1, 2023, international students in Australia who are studying in the country with the 2-year extended subclass 485 visa can work an 8 extra hours per fortnight after completing their graduation.
• The above change is applicable to all international students, irrespective of their area of study. For more information, students can check the official announcement.
• The Australian government also introduced Temporary (subclass 408) visas for Indian and international students to help manage skill shortages in critical work sectors. With the emergence of these new changes, students across Australian universities can work more than 40 hours per fortnight while studying.

The 485 Post Study Work Visa is a temporary visa that allows international students who have completed their studies in Australia to live in Australia for 2-4 years to work and gain professional experience in their field.

Introduced on July 1, 2024, this visa aims to retain talented international graduates and support Australia's workforce needs. It is intended for students who have completed a bachelor's degree or higher from an Australian university.

With this visa, graduates can:

• Work full-time in any occupation
• Enhance their career prospects
• Gain valuable work experience
• Build professional networks
• Transition to permanent residency

This visa provides a pathway to launch a career in Australia, offering a competitive edge in the job market and potential long-term residency​.

The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) allows international students who have recently graduated from an Australian educational institution to live, study, and work in Australia temporarily. This visa offers a pathway to gain valuable work experience in Australia post-graduation.

The Post-Higher Education Work stream visa is for international students who have recently graduated with a degree from an Australian institution. It allows you to live, work, and study in Australia on a temporary basis.

Steps to apply are as follows:

• Before You Apply: Start these steps as soon as your education provider confirms you’ve completed your course.
• Gather Your Documents: Collect all necessary documents to support your application. Provide as much information as possible to avoid delays. Some documents might take time to obtain, so have them ready when you apply.
• Apply for the Visa: Submit your application online. If you encounter issues or error messages, check the common problems section for help.
• After You Apply: The officials will inform you when they receive your application and documents. Check what actions you need to take after submitting your application.
• Visa Outcome: You can be either inside or outside Australia (but not in immigration clearance) when officials decide on your application. If you’re applying as a family member, you can also be inside or outside Australia at the time of decision.

The Second Post-Higher Education Work stream visa is for Temporary Graduates who hold a Post-Higher Education Work, Post-Study Work, or Replacement visa and have a degree from an Australian institution located in a regional area. This visa allows you to live, work, and study in Australia on a temporary basis.

Steps to apply are as follows:

• Before You Apply: Start the process once you’ve lived for at least 2 years in a designated regional area while holding a Temporary Graduate visa in the Post-Higher Education Work, Post-Study Work, or Replacement stream. Ensure you’re in Australia when applying.
• Gather Your Documents: Collect all necessary documents to support your application. Provide comprehensive information to facilitate the decision-making process. Some documents may take time to obtain, so have them ready to avoid delays.
• Apply for the Visa: Submit your application online. If you face any issues or error messages, refer to the common problems section for assistance.
• After You Apply: The officials will notify you when they receive your application and documents. Follow the instructions for what to do next after applying.
• Visa Outcome: You can be either inside or outside Australia (but not in immigration clearance) when officials decide on your application. If you’re applying as a family member, you can also be inside or outside Australia at the time of decision.

Before you leave, ensure you have a valid visa and passport or other travel documents. At the border, you’ll need to complete an Incoming Passenger Card, which will be provided to you on board your flight. To expedite your exit from the airport, you can use SmartGate, an automated process that leverages facial recognition and your ePassport for faster processing.

The Post Study Work Stream is designed for international students who have completed their Australian Study Requirements and earned a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a recognized Australian university. This visa is available only to those who were granted a student visa for Australia. The duration of the visa depends on the level of your qualification:

• A bachelor’s degree, including honours, or a master’s degree without a linked industrial training, qualifies you for a visa lasting 2 years.
• A master’s degree with a research component allows for a visa of up to 3 years.
• A doctoral degree (PhD) grants eligibility for a visa of up to 4 years.

The Post Study Work Visa in Australia allows international students with a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a recognized Australian university to stay and work in Australia for 2 to 4 years. Eligible applicants must have held an Australia student visa within the last 6 months and apply for the correct stream. The visa provides full work rights, allows travel in and out of Australia, and permits family members to join or apply as subsequent entrants.

Looking to explore study and work opportunities in Australia? AECC can guide you through the process of securing your Post Study Work Visa and help you make the most of your international experience. Contact AECC today to start your journey!