The Australian Government recently announced significant changes to the Temporary Graduate visa programs as part of its Migration Strategy. These changes, which took effect from 1 July 2024, aim to realign the visa streams with the levels of study completed by applicants. Here’s an overview of the key updates.
Re-alignment of the Temporary Graduate Visa Streams
The visa streams have been renamed and restructured to better reflect the qualifications of the applicants:
– Graduate Work Stream is now the Post-Vocational Education Work Stream.
– Post-Study Work Stream is now the Post-Higher Education Work Stream.
The qualification used to meet the Australian study requirement will determine the stream an applicant can apply for. Other qualifications held will not be considered in determining eligibility.
Key Changes to the Australian Temporary Graduate Visa Programs Effective July 2024
The Australian Government recently announced significant changes to the Temporary Graduate visa programs as part of its Migration Strategy. These changes, which took effect from 1 July 2024, aim to realign the visa streams with the levels of study completed by applicants. Here’s an overview of the key updates.
Re-alignment of the Temporary Graduate Visa Streams
The visa streams have been renamed and restructured to better reflect the qualifications of the applicants:
– Graduate Work Stream is now the Post-Vocational Education Work Stream.
– Post-Study Work Stream is now the Post-Higher Education Work Stream.
The qualification used to meet the Australian study requirement will determine the stream an applicant can apply for. Other qualifications held will not be considered in determining eligibility.
1. Post-Vocational Education Work Stream
– Applicable for those holding an associate degree, diploma, or trade qualification.
– The qualification must be closely related to the nominated occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
2. Post-Higher Education Work Stream
– Applicable for those with a degree level qualification or higher.
– Restrictions for applicants whose first Student visa was granted on or before 5 November 2011 have been removed.
Post-Vocational Education Work Stream Details
– Age Limit: Applicants must be 35 years old or younger at the time of application. However, Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders can apply if they are under 50 years old.
– Stay Period: Up to 18 months. Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders may stay for up to 5 years.
– Visa Options: Those no longer eligible due to age reduction may explore other visa options.
Post-Higher Education Work Stream Details
– Age Limit: Applicants must be 35 years old or younger. Masters (research) and doctoral degree graduates, along with Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders, can apply if they are under 50 years old.
– Stay Periods:
– Bachelor degree (including honours) – up to 2 years.
– Masters (coursework and extended) – up to 2 years.
– Masters (research) and doctoral degrees (PhD) – up to 3 years.
– Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders – up to 5 years.
Stay periods for Indian nationals, as per the Australia India – Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA), remain:
– Bachelor degree (including honours) – up to 2 years.
– Bachelor degree (with first class honours in STEM, including ICT) – up to 3 years.
– Masters (coursework, extended, and research) – up to 3 years.
– Doctoral degrees (PhD) – up to 4 years.
Additional Changes
– Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream: Previously known as the Second Post-Study Work Stream. No other changes have been made to this stream.
– Replacement Stream: This stream has ceased. However, family members can still apply to join primary visa holders in Australia as subsequent entrants.
Summary
These changes reflect the Australian Government’s ongoing efforts to streamline the visa application process and ensure that the visa categories align more closely with applicants’ qualifications. If you hold an associate degree, diploma, or trade qualification, you should apply for the Post-Vocational Education Work Stream. For those with degree-level qualifications or higher, the Post-Higher Education Work Stream is the appropriate category.
As these updates may affect your eligibility and application process, it is crucial to understand the new requirements and stay informed. For personalised assistance and to ensure your application meets all the new criteria, please contact us at 485gradvisa.com. We are here to help you navigate these changes and secure your future in Australia.
