Post-Study Work Visa: Your Pathway to Permanent Residency in Australia
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Post-Study Work Visa: Your Pathway to Permanent Residency in Australia

Australia has become one of the best countries for international students with its world-class education and inclusive environment. Along with academics, the hope of having future there is a fundamental reason that drives many graduates. The post-study work visa is a necessary pathway to the Australian settlement process after study, helping the graduates gain work experience and finally apply for settlement. In this article, you will find out and learn how the post-study work visa can be your way to Australia settlement after study, revealing the main insights and current changes for the years 2024-2025.

Defining Post-Study Work and Visa (Subclass 485)

New graduates who desire to remain and work in Australia for a while after taking their studies may apply for Temporary Graduate Visa subclass 485. This visa has two streams:
● Graduate Work Stream: This caters to individuals who have skills that are in demand in the Australian economy.
● Post-Study Work Stream: This category is for those who completed higher education courses.

Duration of stay varies with the level of qualifications:
● Bachelor’s Degree: 2 years
● Master’s by coursework: 3 years
● PhD: 4 years

Such a type of visa is very important in the process of seeking an Australian settlement after study as it provides a time frame within which a relevant job search is done in order to boost your points in the skilled migration points system.

Criteria for Post-Study Work Visa

You must meet specific eligibility requirements to apply for the Post-Study Work Visa.
● Be below the age of 50.
● Have a qualifying visa at the time of making the application.
● Possess minimum English language proficiency (either IELTS 6.5 or some equivalent).
● Undertook and finished a CRICOS-registered course that involves fully focused study in Australia for at least 16 months.


Other important considerations include:
● Health insurance.
● Reasonable means of supporting one’s self during the stay of the visa.

By fulfilling these, you’re one step closer to starting the Australia settlement process after study.

Closing the Gap: Graduate Visa to Settlement


The beauty of the post-study work visa is that this is one critical stage that makes it easier to immigrate after study. Thus, when you have a Temporary Graduate Visa after your studies, graduates can:
● Gain work experience.
● Obtain the GSM (General Skilled Migration) visa.
● Do regional work or obtain a sponsoring employer for additional points.

Some significant ways for obtaining settlement are:
● Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189): Point-based.
● Employer-Sponsored Visa: Requires a job offer.

Changes to the Post-Study Work Visa in 2024


Following the updates made, the post-study work visa for 2024 includes several notable changes:
● Australia has increased the age limit to 35 for the Temporary Graduate Visa, which used to be 50.
● The length of stay has been reduced:
○ Bachelor’s: 2 years
○ The seven-year provision in the Master’s was trimmed down to 3 years
○ PhD: 4 years

In any case, these aspects affect the time frame for acquiring the relevant working experience and changing to the Australian settlement procedure after completing studies. Besides, these days, graduate people need to have a higher level of English language and a minimum IELTS score of 6.5.

Skilled Occupation List and How It Helps to Earn Settlement in Australia

The Skilled Occupation List (SOL) forms an important part of the Australian settlement process curriculum study. In order to apply for settlement, graduates must be engaged in an occupation defined in the SOL. Country occupations, which seem to be, are mostly full-time time, include:

● Engineering
● IT
● Health Sciences

As a result, changing professional courses with respect to such skills ensures obtaining settlement.

Some areas of study are nursing and engineering, which are also rapidly growing, increasing your chances of obtaining settlement. The well-constructed post-study program gives you time to create your profile and find a job in such growing fields.

Maximizing Your Stay

Regional Australia gives us additional scope for settlement. The graduates working in regional and rural Australia can:
● Apply for a second Temporary Graduate Visa and stay longer in Australia.
● Earn more points for settlement application.
● Complete the study and have a simpler Australia settlement process in the time to come.

Regional Australia, while attending university, incurs a fairly reasonable cost between AUD 20,000 and AUD 30,000 per year. Like this study, working in regional areas enhances your chances of getting settlement. It is not that easy, however, to settle after study in Australia; chances can be increased if some expert guidance is given in this regard. Personalized service is offered to people regarding transition from post-study work visa to settlement in Australia by the Imperial Overseas Education Consultants. Call us today for the right way of securing your future in Australia with the appropriate visa strategy

FAQs

Can I apply for settlement immediately after my post-study work visa?

Yes, definitely. However, conditions must be fulfilled. For example, the prescribed occupation must be worked on, and a minimum pass on skilled migration points must be achieved.

What happens if I don’t get a job during my graduate work visa?

Regional employment may be an option, or pursuing further studies may enhance your prospects of receiving a settlement.

Is it mandatory to undertake regional work for settlement in Australia?

No, but applying for a regional position will give you additional points and thus increase your possibility of settlement.

What is the cost that an international student needs to bear in order to study in Australia?

Generally, students enrolled in Australian higher education institutions pay tuition between 20,000 and 45,000 Australian dollars every year, depending on the course being taken.

What are the new changes in the post-study work visa that have been set for 2024?

Some of the most important changes in the 2024 visa subclass changes include lowering the age limit to 35 years and requiring higher proficiency in the English language from the applicants.