Post-Study Work Visa in Australia

Australia is one of the most popular destinations for international students who want to pursue higher education and build their careers. With its world-class universities, diverse culture, and natural beauty, Australia attracts thousands of students every year from all over the globe. According to the latest data from the Australian Department of Education, Skills and Employment, there were over 758,000 international students enrolled in Australian institutions in 2020, an increase of 5.4% from the previous year. However, studying in Australia is not the only reason why many students choose this country. Australia also offers excellent employment opportunities in almost any field, from engineering and IT to health and education. Many students decide to stay back in Australia after completing their studies, either to gain work experience, apply for permanent residency, or simply enjoy the Australian lifestyle. To do so, they need a post-study work visa, which allows them to live and work in Australia for up to four years, depending on their qualification level.

In this article, we will explore the post-study work visa in Australia in detail, covering its eligibility criteria, application process, benefits, etc. 

What is an Australian Post-Work Study Visa? 

An Australian post-study work visa is a type of temporary visa that enables international students who have recently graduated from an Australian institution to live, study, and work in Australia for a certain period. There are different types of post-study work visas depending on the qualification and occupation of the student. Here is a brief overview of each type of visa:

Temporary Graduate Visa – Subclass 485 (for Graduate Workstream): This visa is for students who have completed a qualification that is related to an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List. The visa duration is 18 months and the applicant must nominate an occupation and obtain a suitable skills assessment. The visa application must be lodged within six months of completing the course. The visa cost is 1895 AUD and the processing time is 90 to 4 months.

Temporary Graduate Visa – Subclass 485 (for Post-Study Workstream): This visa is for students who have completed a bachelor’s degree or higher qualification, regardless of the field of study. The visa duration is between two and four years, depending on the level of qualification. The applicant does not need to nominate an occupation or obtain a skills assessment. The visa application must be lodged within six months of completing the course. The visa cost is 1895 AUD and the processing time is 70 to 90 days.

Skilled Recognized Graduate Visa (Subclass 476): This visa is for engineering graduates who have completed a bachelor’s degree or higher qualification from a recognized institution in the past two years. The visa duration is 18 months and the applicant can work in any engineering occupation. The applicant does not need to nominate an occupation or obtain a skills assessment. The visa application can be lodged from inside or outside Australia, but the applicant must be outside Australia when the visa is granted. The visa cost is 465 AUD and the processing time is 7 to 8 months. 

Some of the benefits of the post-study work visa are:

• It allows graduates to gain valuable work experience and skills in Australia, which can enhance their employability and career prospects.
• It allows graduates to explore different career options and pathways in Australia, or to pursue further studies or research.
• It allows graduates to bring their family members (such as spouses and children) to Australia for the duration of their visa.

The duration of the post-study work visa depends on the stream and the qualification of the graduate. The following table shows the visa duration for each stream and qualification level

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Eligibility Requirements for Post-Study Work Visa in Australia 

To be eligible for the post-study work visa, students must meet the following criteria:

• Have applied for and been granted their first student visa on or after 5 November 2011
• Have completed an Australian qualification that is registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS)
• Have completed at least two academic years or more of study in Australia
• Have held a student visa in the last six months
• Meet the English language, health, character, and security requirements
• Have adequate health insurance for the duration of the visa
• Have not previously held a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) or a Skilled-Recognised Graduate visa (subclass 476)

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Application Process for Post-Study Work Visa in Australia

The step-by-step application process for the post-study work visas is as follows:

• Determine the correct work visa category and gather the required documents, such as identity documents, academic transcripts, skills assessment (if applicable), English language test results, health insurance, and police clearance certificates.
• Visit the official website of the Australia Department of Home Affairs and create an ImmiAccount. Sign in to the account.
• Fill out the online application form. Provide accurate information and answer all the questions.
• Attach the relevant documents and pay the visa fee. The fee can be paid by credit card, PayPal, or BPAY.
• Review and submit the application. You will receive a confirmation email with a transaction reference number and a link to track the status of your application.
• Wait for the visa decision. You may be contacted by the department if they need more information or documents from you. You can also check the progress of your application online using your Immi Account.
• If your visa is granted, you will receive a visa grant notification by email. The notification will include your visa grant number, visa expiry date, and visa conditions. You can also view your visa details online using the Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) service.
• If your visa is refused, you will receive a visa refusal notification by email. The notification will explain the reasons for the refusal and your review rights. You may be able to apply for a review of the decision by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) within a specified time limit.

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Documents Required 

• Identity documents, such as passport, birth certificate, national identity card, etc.
• Educational documents, such as academic transcripts, degree certificates, completion letters, etc.
• Health insurance-related documents, such as evidence of enrollment in an Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) policy, or a letter from their health insurer stating that they are covered for the duration of their stay in Australia
• Character-related documents, such as police certificates, statutory declarations, military service records, etc.
• If their partner is accompanying them, their documents, such as passport, marriage certificate, evidence of relationship, etc.
• Dependent’s documents (below the age of 18 years), such as passport, birth certificate, custody documents, consent forms, etc.
• Documents for any dependents above the age of 18, such as passport, evidence of financial dependency, evidence of functional English, etc.

These documents must be scanned and uploaded online through the ImmiAccount portal. The documents must be in English or accompanied by a certified translation. The documents must also be clear, legible, and complete.

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Conclusion 

In conclusion, the post-study work visa in Australia is a valuable opportunity for international students who wish to gain work experience and enhance their skills in the Australian labor market. However, this visa does not guarantee employment, nor does it entitle the visa holders to any specific jobs or benefits. Therefore, graduates should not rely on the visa alone but rather use their extended stay to actively seek and secure proper employment that matches their qualifications and interests. By doing so, they can not only grow their career prospects but also increase their chances of obtaining permanent residency or citizenship in Australia, if they desire to work further in the country. For more information regarding education and employment opportunities in Australia, contact our admission experts at Gyanberry. Book your free video call appointment now!