The Department of Home Affairs announced changes on Temporary Graduate visas according to the Migration Strategy released by the Australian Government. The changes will take effect from July 1st 2024.
The main changes encompass the following:
- The Graduate Work stream will be called Post-Vocational Education Work stream, and the Post-Study Work stream will be called Post-Higher Education Work stream from July 1st 2024. The stream will be defined by the type of certification the applicants hold. If the certification is an associate degree, diploma or trade qualification, applicants must apply via Post-Vocational Education Work stream and if their occupation are on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List. If the qualification is a degree or higher level, the applicants must apply under the Post-Higher Education Work stream.
- Applicants will be able to lodge their “Temporary Graduate” visa until 30 June under the current streams, that being Graduate Work stream and Post-Study Work streams as long as they have completed their courses until 30 June 2024 and meet all the other requirements for the application of this visa. Any applications lodged from July 1st 2024 onwards will follow the new requirements.
- The maximum age required for Post-Vocational Education Work applicants will reduce to 35 years or under at the time of application. For internationals from Hong Kong and UK the age requirement is 50 years or under at the time of application.
- The maximum age required for Post-Higher Education Work stream applicants will reduce to 35 years or under at the time of application. For internationals that have graduated from a Masters (research) and doctoral degree (PhD) or if they are from Hong Kong and UK, the age requirement is 50 years or under at the time of application.
- In relation to the Second Post-Study Work stream, the only change is that it will be called as Second Post-Higher Education Work stream from July 1st 2024.