The Australian Government has announced that it will extend post-graduation work rights to international students who graduate with select qualifications from Australian higher education institutions.
Two years of additional work rights apply to a wide range of occupations and skilled qualifications in areas of skill deficit such as health, education, engineering and agriculture.
Effective from 1 July 2023, eligible students will see the following changes to the current post study work rights:
- Increase from two years to four years for select Bachelor degrees (+ one additional year in regional areas)
- Increase from three years to five years for select Masters degrees (+ one additional year in regional areas)
- Increase from four years to six years for all Doctoral degrees (+ one additional year in regional areas)
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.
Transitional arrangements are also in place to support other graduates.
Moreover, as part of the government’s transitional arrangements, eligible international students whose Temporary Graduate Visas will expire between September 1, 2022 and July 1, 2023, as well as Temporary Graduate Visa holders who remained in Australia contributing to the economy during the COVID-19 pandemic, will be able to access a two-year Pandemic Event (subclass 408) Visa.
You must apply 90 days before your TGV expires, or 28 days after your TGV expires to be eligible for a Pandemic event visa.
If you are granted a 408 Pandemic Event visa, you will not be eligible to then apply separately for an extended TGV. You should evaluate your options carefully before you apply.
Increase to allowable working hours cap from 1 July 2023
The Government has also announced an increase to the working hour cap for international students, from 40 to 48 hours per fortnight, when the cap is reinstated once again on 1 July 2023.
To view the full fact sheet in relation to the working hour cap, please visit International student working hour cap factsheet – Department of Education, Australian Government.
Source: https://www.education.gov.au | https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au