For international students, Australia is an extremely popular destination. Many student choose to stay in the country after completing their degree on temporary post-graduate visas or even apply for permanent residency.
Australia is currently struggling with a skills shortage that means the workforce has gaps in many areas and could lead to a softening of visa conditions. From July 2023, Australia plans to extend its post-study work visas by two years. This may create new opportunities for international students studying in the country who want to stick around after completing their courses.
New Post-Study Visa Rules in Australia
The Temporary Graduate Work Visa (subclass 485) allows international students who studied at Australian universities to continue to live and work in the country for a time after graduation. To address the skill shortage Australia currently faces, the visa is being extended for undergraduate or master’s students on any of 400 specific programs and for all PhD students.
The new rules mean that undergraduates on eligible courses will be able to stay in Australia for four years, instead of just two. Post-grad students on eligible master’s courses will be able to remain in the country for five years, and PhD graduates will be able to remain for six years – up from three and four years, respectively.
The 400 eligible programs for undergraduate and master’s students have been chosen to reflect the skills shortage Australia currently faces. You can find the list of eligible courses on the Australian Department of Education website.
New Work Restrictions for Student Visa Holders
The Australian government has reintroduced work restrictions for student visa holders. Effective 1 July 2023, students can work no more than 48 hours per fortnight. This reinstatement of work restrictions is meant to ensure student visa holders can focus on obtaining a quality education while supporting themselves financially, gaining valuable work experience, and contributing to Australia’s workforce needs. One limited exception is that student visa holders who were already working in the aged care sector as of 9 May 2023 can continue to work unrestricted hours in that sector until 31 December 2023.
The Australian Skills Shortage
A 2022 report found serious staff shortages in 286 occupations across Australia, almost double the amount found in 2021. Findings showed that 31% of occupations were in short supply, and while the remaining occupations weren’t considered in shortage on the national level, some had issues in certain territories and states.
Shortages are worst in those occupations considered ‘Professional’ or ‘Skill Level 1’—which require experience and higher qualification levels—and ‘Skill Level 3’ occupations, which include technicians and certain trades workers.
The report suggested that the changing economic landscape and the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic were large contributors to the challenges in many sectors and occupational fields.
The most in-demand roles are registered nurses and software programmers. These are followed by:
- Aged and disabled carers
- Construction managers
- Child carers
- Motor mechanics
- Retail managers
- Chefs and cooks
- ICT business and systems analysts
- Metal fitters and machinists
- Electricians
- Civil engineering professionals
People with skills and experience in in-demand areas may have their visa applications fast-tracked. As of 2023, all healthcare and teaching occupations are the top priority for visa processing.
Students with in-demand skills will find they have more opportunities to work in Australia and may even see pathways to permanent residency and citizenship open up more readily.
Permanent Migration for Students in Australia
If you wish to stay in Australia permanently after your Temporary Graduate Work Visa is up, you’ll need to apply for a visa via the SkillSelect program, managed by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection. You may also be nominated for a skilled visa by your employer or state government.
The path to residency is fairly straightforward, based on a points system. If you’re applying yourself, you’ll need to first submit an ‘Expression of Interest’ to officially show your desire to be considered for a permanent visa.
As well as your skill and experience level playing an important part in your application, you’ll also need to demonstrate you have at least ‘competent’ English skills – which shouldn’t be a problem for a graduate of an Australian institution!
Sending money from Australia
If you stay in Australia to work after finishing your studies, you may want to send money home – or perhaps your family would like to transfer some funds your way to help tide you over until you’ve secured a job. Either way, it’s quick and easy with Western Union.
Download the dedicated app, and you can send money, view international exchange rates, track your transfers, and find in-person agent locations, wherever you are.
Sources:
- https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/
- https://www.canzukinternational.com/2023/03/australia-will-add-two-years-to-post-study-work-visas.html
- https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/australia-needs-people-to-do-these-jobs-heres-what-it-could-mean-for-visa-opportunities
