From 1 July 2023, international higher education graduates with eligible qualifications will be granted an extra two years of post-study work rights and also allowable work hours cap for student visa holder will be increased from 40 hours to 48 hours per fortnight to address skills shortages and assist in Australia’s economic recovery and growth.
The Government has also released a list of occupations and qualifications enabling graduates to access greater work rights that mostly includes health teaching, engineering and agricultural fields. The visa will be extended for 2 years which means eligible graduates with a valid Temporary Graduate Visa on 1 July 2023 or who apply for a Temporary Graduate Visa after 1 July 2023, will be considered for the two years extension. Graduates with a Bachelor, Honours or Master’s degree will be eligible for a visa with a further two year extension post study work rights if their qualification is listed on the Department of Education’s ‘Eligible Qualifications List (EQL)’.
In addition, transitional arrangements are also in place to support other graduates. Temporary Graduate visa holders in Australia whose visas expired or will expire between 1 September 2022 and 1 July 2023, or Temporary Graduate visa holders who were in Australia throughout the pandemic period and are therefore not eligible for the TGV Replacement stream, may be eligible for the COVID-19 Pandemic Event (subclass 408) visa with a 2-year stay period provided that the applicant is working in Australia or have an offer of employment. The applicant must apply 90 days before their TGV expires, or 28 days after their TGV expires to be eligible for a Pandemic event visa.
Furthermore, from 1 July 2023 the Government will increase the allowable work hours cap from 40 hours per fortnight to 48 hours per fortnight to help students to support themselves financially, gain valuable work experience and contribute to Australia’s workforce needs while they study.
To access the Eligible Qualifications List (EQL),click here.
