Post Study Work Visa In Australia
To be eligible for a Post Study Work Visa, you must have completed a course of study in Australia for at least two years .
Are you thinking about doing your Master’s in Australia? Let me tell you, Australia is a great place to carry out studies. The education system is of high quality and the tuition fees are not high as compared with other countries. However, if you are not a permanent resident of Australia then you would require a Post Study Work Visa.
The post-study work visa (subclass 402) will allow international students to stay in Australia and work after graduation. It gives you an opportunity to gain work experience and apply this knowledge in a real working environment. The points below are important information that help you find out if the post study work visa Australia is the right option for you.
Post Study Work Visa In Australia
Post study work visas are part of the subclass 175. These visas can be granted to students who have graduated from an Australian educational institution, and want to stay in Australia to work. These visas are only valid for a period of between 3 months and 4 years. The benefits of these visa programs include access to employment opportunities and eligible travel and tourism arrangements.
3 Types of Post Study Work Visa in Australia
The post study work visa allows international students to stay, work or look for a job in Australia after they graduate. Depending on their qualification and region of study, the stay durations are from 18 months and up to 6 years.
There are three types of post study work visa options that may be available to you.
- Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) – Post-Study Work Stream is the most common post study work visa. This visa is for international students who have recently graduated with an eligible qualification from an Australian educational institution, regardless of their field of study. They must apply for this visa within 6 months of completing their course, depending on the qualification, the stay duration is between 2 to 4 years.
- Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) – Graduate Work Stream is for international students who graduated with skills and qualifications to occupations specified in the skilled occupation list. The skills and qualifications usually are closely related to an occupation identified as being in need in the medium to long-term in the Australian labour market. The stay duration is up to 18 months, and students must apply for this visa within 6 months of completing their course.
- Skilled Recognised Graduate Visa (Subclass 476) is for international students who have engineering qualifications from a specified educational institution in the last 2 years. The stay duration is up to 18 months.
Below table gives a good overview of key restrictions and conditions for different post study work visas
Australia Post Study Work Visa Requirements
*Depending on the qualification, the stay duration for Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) – Post Study Work Stream is:
- Bachelor Degree, Bachelor Degree with Honours, Masters by Coursework – 2 years
- Masters by Research Degree – 3 years
- Doctoral Degree – 4 years
Latest Updates
In November 2019, Australian Government Department of Home Affairs has announced an additional post-study work arrangement. From 2021, international students studying at all locations outside Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane will have a one or two years extension on the current two years Post study work stream of the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485).
The purpose of this additional post study work arrangements is for international students to study and live in regional areas, boosting diversity and prosperity in regional Australia. (Source: Australian GovernmentDepartment of Home Affairs)
Below is the summary of post study work visa durations based on Australian qualification and region of study