Australia Latest Update

International higher education graduates with qualifying qualifications will be awarded an additional two years of post-study work rights beginning July 1, 2023. The maximum number of work hours allowed for overseas students will be increased from 40 to 48 per fortnight.

Extension of post-study work rights for two years
International graduates with certain degrees who are in areas of documented skill scarcity are eligible for a two-year extension of post-study work privileges.

This extension will allow qualifying overseas higher education graduates to extend their Temporary Graduate visa for an extra two years (subclass 485).

The extension is in addition to the existing one to a two-year extension for qualifying students who study, live, and work in regional areas.

View an indicative list of eligible occupations and related qualifications that are eligible for the extension.

To provide guidance on the proposal, the Hon Jason Clare MP, Minister for Education, and the Hon Clare O'Neil MP, Minister for Home Affairs created a PostStudy Work Rights Working Group. The Working Group Report and the Government's response to the report's recommendations are available to read.

The post-study work rights factsheet contains additional information.

Increase in the maximum number of permitted work hours beginning July 1, 2023

The government has also declared that the working hour cap for overseas students would be raised from 40 to 48 hours per fortnight when it is reinstated on July 1, 2023.