From 1 July 2023, international higher education graduates with eligible qualifications will be granted an extra two years of post-study work rights. The allowable work hours cap for international students will be increased from 40 hours to 48 hours per fortnight.

Extended post-study work rights are intended for international students graduating with degrees linked to workforce shortages in Australia. The list of relevant degrees has now been released, based on recommendations to the Government by a group of industry experts.

Under the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), the post-study ‘stay and work’ period for eligible graduates of listed qualifications will increase, as follows: 

  • Four years for Bachelor degree graduates, up from two years previously.
  • Five years for Master degree graduates, up from three years previously.
  • Six years for doctoral graduates, up from four years previously.

The extension is in addition to the existing additional one to two years of work rights for eligible students who study, live and work in regional areas. The new extensions will apply from 1 July 2023. 

Eligibility

You will be eligible for this extension if:

  • you meet all the eligibility criteria for the Post-Study Work stream of the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), and
  • your qualification is on the list of eligible qualifications.

In addition, one of the following must also apply:

  • You hold a Temporary Graduate visa (Post-Study Work stream) on 1 July 2023, or
  • You have lodged an application for a Temporary Graduate visa (Post-Study Work stream) by 1 July 2023, or
  • You lodge an application for a Temporary Graduate visa (Post-Study Work stream) after 1 July 2023.

If your Temporary Graduate visa (Post-Study Work stream) expires before 1 July 2023

If your Temporary Graduate visa (Post-Study Work stream) expires before 1 July 2023 and you do not hold an eligible qualification, you cannot apply for this extension. In this instance, you will be granted a two-year Temporary Activity Australian Government Endorsed Events (COVID-19 Pandemic Event) visa (subclass 408). To be eligible for this 2-year Subclass 408 visa, you must be working in Australia or have an offer of employment.

Importantly the application for this visa must be made 90 days before the Temporary Graduate visa (Post-Study Work stream) expires or 28 days after its expiry. It is important to also note that if you apply for a SC408 Pandemic Event visa, you will not be eligible to then apply separately for an extended SC485 visa.

The Department of Home Affairs will be releasing more information on the above as 1 July 2023 approaches and our office will continue to provide updates as they become available.