Changes to the Temporary Graduate visa program proposed 1 July 2024

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Overview

The Australian Government announced changes to the Temporary Graduate visa programs in its recent Migration Strategy.

These changes should take effect from 1 July 2024, subject to the passage of legislative amendments. Clarification of these changes is listed below.

1. Graduate Work stream

• The Graduate Work stream will be renamed to the Post-Vocational Education Work stream.
• The maximum eligible age for Post-Vocational Education Work stream applicants will reduce to 35 years of age or under.
• Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders will continue to be eligible provided 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 a number of other visas.
• Applicants must hold an associate degree, diploma or trade qualification, closely related to their nominated occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
• Applicants with a degree level qualification or higher will no longer be eligible for this stream. If an applicant holds one of these qualifications, they must apply through the Post-Higher Education Work stream.
• 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.

2. Post-Study Work stream

• The Post-Study Work stream will be renamed to the Post-Higher Education Work stream.
• The maximum eligible age for Post-Higher Education Work stream applicants will reduce to 35 years of age or under.
• Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders will continue to be eligible provided 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 a number of 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 Australian Indian – 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.

3. 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.

4. Replacement stream

The Replacement stream will cease.