To make your life easier at one of the greatest study abroad countries in the world, Australia, as an international student, you can always start your career after you are done with your desired level of study. For that, you will need the post study work visa.
The post-study work visa enables international students to remain, work, or look for a job in Australia after they graduate. Depending on the student’s degree and field of study, the stay can be anywhere from 18 months to 6 years.
Extended Post Study Work Rights of Australia in 2023
Recently, the Australian government has improved the work rights for International postgraduate students to battle the worker shortage. During September 2022, the time was extended for post study work rights for international students by 2 years.
In order to get job experience related to their field of study, international students who complete one of the qualifying courses may prolong their stay in the nation. Engineering, accounting, nursing, and IT are a few of the prominent fields in Australia for overseas students that may be included in the course categories.
The extension of post-study job rights will increase student enrollment in Australia and make it simpler for graduates to succeed in the workforce.
3 Types of Post Study Work Visa in Australia
These are the 3 types of post study work visa available in Australia.
Post Study Work Stream (Subclass 485)
In contrast to students starting a doctorate or master’s by research degree, who are allowed to work an unlimited number of hours, postgraduate students are only allowed to work up to 40 hours each fortnight. After receiving a bachelor’s degree, students can apply for a two-year work visa. The time span is extended to three years for individuals pursuing a master’s by research and four years for those pursuing a PhD.
Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)
If you have a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral degree, you might be qualified for the Temporary Graduate Visa’s Post-Study Work route (subclass 485). After completing their studies, international students can stay, study, and work in Australia for up to four years on this visa.
Skilled Recognized Graduate Visa (Subclass 476)
Recent engineering graduates may live, work, or study in Australia for a maximum of 18 months with this visa. You must be under 31 years of age and have earned a degree or higher qualification from a designated institution within the last two years.
What is 485 Post Study Work Visa?
If you have a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral degree, you might be qualified for the Temporary Graduate Visa’s Post-Study Work route (subclass 485). After completing their studies, international students can stay, study, and work in Australia for up to four years on this visa. Additionally, you may be eligible for post-study work to put your newfound abilities to use and increase your local job experience.
Stay
Depending on your qualifications, you can stay for anywhere between 2 and 4 years if you are granted the visa. Holders of British National Overseas and Hong Kong passports are permitted to stay for 5 years.
Cost
The cost would start from AUD 1,730 for international students who might apply for this visa.
Processing Time
Here’s how much time it might take for applications to get processed.
25% | 4 months |
50% | 8 months |
75% | 11 months |
90% | 14 months |
Mandatory Requirements for the Visa:
- You must have applied for and received your first student visa on or after November 5, 2011.
- You must be under 50, and possess an eligible visa
- You possess a current degree from a CRICOS-registered course
- You have held a student visa within the previous six months.
- When you apply, show proof that all applicants have sufficient health insurance
- There is proof that you have the necessary level of English proficiency.
Extra Benefit
Anyone studying abroad needs to take access to postgraduate employment seriously. After graduating, it’s critical for your career that you have time to acquire job experience in your industry which is what you can do with this visa.
Additionally, this visa may pave the way for permanent residence. Once you receive this visa, you can bring your family members to stay with you.
Post Study Work Visa Australia Eligibility
You can apply for the post study work visa as an overseas student no later than six months after finishing your study. In other words, you have six months from the time your course is up to apply for this visa. You must complete a minimum of 92 weeks of study in a course listed on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students in addition to meeting the Australia Study requirements in order to be eligible (CRICOS). Check the university website before you begin.
In addition to the requirements listed above, you also need to be under 50, have a valid visa, and have health insurance in Australia. In addition, they would need proof of your good health and moral character, as well as a proficient level of English. Before you apply for the visa, it would be wise to have these documents available. The specifics of the eligibility, exact cost, and documentation needs would be sent to you by the Department of Immigration & Border Protection. You can also apply for the position by registering on the website.
Post Study Work Visa Requirements in Australia
Visa | Main Requirement | Who can apply? | How long can you stay? | Cost | What can you do with this visa? |
Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) – Post Study Work Stream | Bachelor’s degree or above, a registered course for at least two academic years but no less than sixteen calendar months | -Recent graduates | 18 months | AUD 1,730 |
|
Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) – Graduate Workstream | Qualifications and skills for employment on the skilled occupation list | -Recent graduates | Between 2 and 4 years | AUD 1,730 |
|
Engineering degrees from a certain educational institution in the previous two years | -Engineering graduates | Up to 18 months | AUD 425 | Work and study |
Duration for Australia Post Study Work Visa
Locations | Bachelor Degree (years) | Masters Degree (years) | Doctoral Degree (years) |
Sydney Melbourne Brisbane | 2 | 3 | 4 |
Perth, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Canberra Newcastle/Lake Macquarie Wollongong/Illawarra, Geelong, Hobart | 2 | 3 | 4 |
All other locations | 4 | 5 | 6 |
Application Process Post-Study Visa
Students can use their ImmiAccount to apply online or on paper for any of the post-study work visas in Australia. When students’ current visas have the “No further stay” condition 8503 or 8534, the paper form application is frequently accepted. To apply online, candidates must first go to the Department of Home Affairs’ official website, which is maintained by the Australian government. It is also advised that you apply for this visa within six months of the date your study was formally concluded.
- Compile all necessary documents before starting the application.
- Go to the official ImmiAccount website and sign up/log in.
- Fill out the visa application form and attach any necessary supporting materials.
- If you plan to invite family, make sure to include their information as well.
- Make an online payment for the application fee (if necessary) using your credit card, PayPal, UnionPay, or BPAY.
Important Things to Remember
- For Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) – Post Study Work Stream
The main requirement is a Bachelor’s degree or above, a registered course for at least two academic years but no less than sixteen calendar months. You can stay from 2 to 4 years and you must be under 50 years. You can bring your family. - For Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) – Graduate Work Stream
The main requirement is that your career option must be listed in the skilled occupation list of Australia. You can stay up to 18 months and you must be under 50 years. You can bring your family. - For a Skilled Recognized Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)
You must have had engineering degrees from certain institutions in Australia. You can stay up to 18 months and you must be under 31 years. You can bring your family.
Additional Year in PSWR Australia
The post-study employment rights in Australia were extended on September 1, 2022, by Jason Clare, Australia’s Minister for Education, allowing talented foreign graduates to work and remain in the country for an additional two years. Students in Australia who want to actively pursue their studies can do so with the aid of this pswr extension.
FAQs
While classes are in session, overseas students with valid student visas in Australia are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week, with no limits on how many hours they can work during authorized school breaks.
Within eight weeks of submitting your online application, proving your identification, and providing your supporting documentation, you ought to hear about your visa.
Yes you can, as an international student you can work up to 20 hours a week.
Endnote
This program is designed for overseas students who desire to work in Australia for a longer period of time (up to five years) after completing their studies. The good news is that for the term of its validity, this visa entitles you to full study and employment rights as well as the freedom to travel to and from Australia.
