Changes to the Temporary Graduate visa program proposed 1 July 2024

Overview

The Australian Government announced changes to the Temporary Graduate visa programs in its recent Migration Strategy. These changes are intended to take effect from 1 July 2024.

Re-alignment of the Temporary Graduate visa streams to levels of study

The Graduate Work stream will be renamed to the Post-Vocational Education Work stream.

The Post-Study Work stream will be renamed to the Post-Higher Education Work stream.

The qualification you use to meet the Australian study requirement determines the stream you can apply for. Other qualifications you hold won't be considered in determining if you are eligible.

• If you hold an associate degree, diploma or trade qualification, you should apply for the Post-Vocational Education Work stream.
  • The qualification you use must be closely related to your nominated occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
• If your qualification is degree level or higher, you should apply for the Post-Higher Education Work stream.

Note: Restrictions that were in place for applicants whose first Student visa was granted because of an application made on or after 5 November 2011 will no longer apply.

Post-Vocational Education Work stream (former Graduate Work stream)

The maximum eligible age for Post-Vocational Education Work stream applicants will reduce to 35 years of age or under at the time of application. Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders will still be eligible if they are under 50 years of age. Applicants no longer eligible for the Post-Vocational Education Work stream due to the age reduction may be eligible for other visas.

Applicants may continue to stay for up to 18 months.

Hong Kong or British National Overseas passport holders may be able to stay for up to 5 years.

Post-Higher Education Work stream (former Post-Study Work stream)

The maximum eligible age for Post-Higher Education Work stream applicants will reduce to 35 years of age or under at the time of application. Masters (research) and doctoral degree (PhD) graduates and Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders will still be eligible if they are under 50 years of age. Applicants no longer eligible for the Post-Higher Education Work stream due to the age reduction may be eligible for other visas.

The ‘select degree’ 2 year extension will cease.

Stay periods will change to the following:

• Bachelor degree (including honours) – up to 2 years
• Masters (coursework and extended) – up to 2 years
• Masters (research) and doctoral degree (PhD) – up to 3 years.

Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders may be able to stay for up to 5 years.

Stay periods for Indian nationals, as agreed in the Australia India – Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA), remain as:

• 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.

Second Post-Higher Education Work stream (former Second Post-Study Work stream)

The Second Post-Study Work stream will be renamed the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream. There are no other changes to this stream.

Replacement stream

The Replacement stream will cease.