Breaking: Aussie Government Unveils Major Updates to Temporary Graduate Visa Program

With effect from July 1, 2024, the Australian government has proposed significant modifications to its Temporary Graduate visa program. The purpose of these modifications, which are outlined in the Migration Strategy, is to expedite and simplify the visa application process for foreign graduates who want to remain in Australia following their studies. These modifications, meanwhile, are contingent upon the successful enactment of legislative amendments.

Graduate Work stream

The “Post-Vocational Education Work stream” will replace the Graduate Work stream.

For candidates to the Post-Vocational Education Work stream, the maximum eligibility age will be lowered to 35 years of age or younger. Holders of British National Overseas Passports and Hong Kong Passports will remain eligible as long as they are under 50. Applicants may be eligible for a variety of alternative visas if they are no longer eligible for the Post-Vocational Education Work stream as a result of the age reduction. Examine your choices for a visa.

Candidates must possess a trade qualification, associate degree, or diploma that is directly connected to the occupation they have chosen on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).

Candidates must apply through the “Post-Higher Education Work” stream as they will no longer be eligible to apply in this stream once they have earned a degree or above.

Applicants are allowed to stay for a maximum of 18 months.

Holders of a Hong Kong or British National Overseas passport may be permitted to remain for a maximum of five years.

Post-Study Work stream

The “Post-Higher Education Work stream” will replace the Post-Study Work stream.

For candidates to the Post-Higher Education Work stream, the maximum eligibility age will be lowered to 35 years of age or younger. Holders of British National Overseas Passports and Hong Kong Passports will remain eligible as long as they are under 50. A variety of different visas may be available to applicants who are no longer eligible for the Post-Higher Education Work stream as a result of their age reduction. Examine your choices for a visa.

“Select degree” two-year extensions are coming to an end.

The maximum stay for holders of British National Overseas Passports and Hong Kong passports is five years.

The following will be the new stay periods:

• Bachelor’s degree (with honours) – up to 2 years
• Masters (coursework and extended) – up to 2 years
• Doctoral degree (PhD) and Masters (research) – up to 3 years.

The Australian Indian – Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA) stipulates the following stay periods for Indian nationals:

• Bachelor’s degree (with honours) – up to 2 years
• Bachelor’s degree (with first-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.

Second Post-Study Work stream

The Second Post-Higher Education Work stream will be the new name for the Second Post-Study Work stream. This stream has not been altered in any other way.

Replacement stream

There will be no more replacement stream.