On 22 February 2023, the Australian Government announced the list of qualifications that will be considered for an extended post-study ‘stay and work’ period.

The intention to extend post-study work rights was announced in late 2022. The list of relevant degrees has now been released, based on recommendations to the Government by a group of industry experts.

Extended post-study work rights are intended for international students graduating with degrees linked to workforce shortages in Australia.

Under the Temporary Graduate Work visa (subclass 485), the post-study ‘stay and work’ period for eligible graduates of listed qualifications will increase, as follows:

• Four years for Bachelor degree graduates, up from two years previously.
• Five years for Master degree graduates, up from three years previously.
• Six years for doctoral graduates, up from four years previously.

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.

The new extensions will apply from 1 July 2023.

Eligibility

You will be eligible for this extension if:

• you meet all the eligibility criteria for the Post-Study Work stream of the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), and
• your qualification is on the list of eligible qualifications (see below).

In addition, one of the following must also apply:

• You hold a Temporary Graduate visa (Post-Study Work stream) on 1 July 2023, or
• You have lodged an application for a Temporary Graduate visa (Post-Study Work stream) by 1 July 2023, or
• You lodge an application for a Temporary Graduate visa (Post-Study Work stream) after 1 July 2023.

If you hold a Temporary Graduate visa (Post-Study Work stream) that expires before 1 July 2023, but you do hold an eligible qualification, you can still apply for this extension. However, in this case, you will be granted a two-year Temporary Activity Australian Government Endorsed Events (COVID-19 Pandemic Event) visa (subclass 408) instead of a further Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485).

You are also eligible for a two-year Temporary Activity Australian Government Endorsed Events (COVID-19 Pandemic event) visa (subclass 408) if:

• You were granted a Temporary Graduate visa (Post-Study Work stream) before 15 December 2021, and
• The visa took effect on or after 1 February 2020, and
• You were in Australia for the whole time that your visa was in effect between 1 February 2020 and 15 December 2021, and
• You hold an eligible qualification.

Eligible qualifications

To view the list of identified occupations from the 2022 Skills Priority List, visit the Department of Education website. The list of occupations and qualifications will be monitored and reviewed on an annual basis.

Unrestricted hours for aged care workers

The Australian Government has also announced that student visa holders already working in the aged care sector on 9 May 2023 can continue to work unrestricted hours in the aged care sector until 31 December 2023.

However, if this exemption applies to you, you must continue to balance your study and work commitments even though there is flexibility in the number of hours you can work. You must still:

• maintain your course enrolment
• ensure satisfactory course attendance, and
• ensure satisfactory course progress.

If you cancel your enrolment and stop attending classes, or fail to meet satisfactory course progress, you may be in breach of your visa conditions.

More travel and visa information

For more information on the latest travel and visa advice, visit our travel and visa page.