The Australian Government has unveiled significant changes to its Temporary Graduate visa programs, set to come into effect from 1 July 2024. The revisions aim to streamline and re-align visa categories to better match levels of study and relevant qualifications.
Under the new strategy, the Graduate Work stream will be renamed to the Post-Vocational Education Work stream. This category will cater to those holding an associate degree, diploma, or trade qualification closely related to their nominated occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
The Post-Study Work stream will be rebranded as the Post-Higher Education Work stream, intended for applicants whose qualifications are at the degree level or higher. The qualification used must directly meet the Australian study requirement, with no consideration given to additional qualifications.
Key changes include:
- For the Post-Vocational Education Work stream, applicants must be 35 years of age or under, with Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders eligible if under 50. The maximum stay will be up to 18 months, with an extension to five years for certain passport holders.
- For the Post-Higher Education Work stream, the age limit remains the same, with specific provisions for masters (research) and doctoral degree graduates. Stay periods are restructured as follows: Bachelor degree up to 2 years, Masters coursework and extended up to 2 years, Masters research and doctoral degree up to 3 years. Special provisions for Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders allow stays up to five years.
- Additionally, the ‘select degree’ two-year extension in the Post-Higher Education Work stream will be discontinued. The changes will also affect stay periods for Indian nationals under the Australia India—Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA), providing different durations based on the type of degree and field of study.
Those seeking the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream will note that only the name has changed, with no further alterations. The Replacement stream will be entirely phased out.
Applicants are reminded that qualifications must be completed and applications lodged before 1 July 2024 to fall under current eligibility criteria. These adjustments mark a shift in Australia’s approach to managing its skilled migration program, aiming to better align visa categories with the evolving educational and occupational landscape.
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