The Australian Government has recently announced significant updates to the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) as part of its new migration strategy, effective from July 1, 2024. These changes are designed to streamline the process for international graduates wishing to extend their stay in Australia. This blog post will delve into the specifics of these updates and what they mean for prospective applicants. 

Overview of the 2024 Temporary Graduate Visa Stream Changes 

As of mid-2024, the Australian Department of Home Affairs will implement pivotal changes to the structure and naming of the Temporary Graduate Visa streams. These changes reflect the government’s commitment to enhancing the immigration framework to better serve graduates’ needs. Below are the key modifications: 

Stream Renaming: 

• The Graduate Work stream will be renamed as the Post Vocational Education Stream. 
• The Post Study Work Stream will be renamed the Post Higher Education Work Stream. 
• The Second Post-Study Work Stream will be renamed as the Second Post Higher Education Work Stream. 
• The Replacement stream will be discontinued in 2024. 

Detailed Changes per Stream 

Post Vocational Education Work Stream (formerly Graduate Work Stream) 

This stream has undergone several critical revisions: 

• Age Limit: The age limit for applicants will now be 35 years or under, with exceptions maintained for Hong Kong and British overseas passport holders. 
• Skills and Qualification Requirements: Applicants must hold qualifications such as a trade certificate or associate degree relevant to occupations listed in the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). 
• Stay Duration: Eligible graduates can stay for up to 18 months, whereas specific passport holders may extend up to five years. 

Post Higher Education Work Stream (formerly Post Study Work Stream) 

This stream, too, has been updated: 

• Eligibility Criteria: Remains largely the same as the previous post-vocational stream. 
• Stay Duration: Varied based on the level of qualification, as detailed below: 

• Bachelor’s degree: up to 2 years 
• Masters by coursework: up to 2 years 
• Masters by research and PhD: up to 3 years 

Updated Stay Duration for Indian Nationals 

Following the Australian-Indian Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA): 

• Bachelor’s degree: up to 2 years 
• Bachelor’s with first class honors in STEM: up to 2 years 
• Masters (all types): up to 3 years 
• PhD: up to 4 years 

Second Post Higher Education Work Stream 

No changes aside from the name have been announced for this stream. 

Why Choose Global Vision Migration? 

At Global Vision Migration, we pride ourselves on providing top-tier consultancy services backed by our team of MARA-certified agents. We understand the intricacies of the ever-evolving Australian immigration landscape and are committed to offering the most current and effective advice. 

The 2024 changes to the Temporary Graduate Visa streams represent a significant shift in Australia’s approach to skilled migration and education-based residency options. Understanding these changes is crucial for any international graduate planning to extend their stay in Australia. 

Navigating the changes to the Temporary Graduate Visa streams can be complex, but with professional guidance from Global Vision Migration, you can enhance your chances of a successful application. Contact us today for tailored advice and expert assistance.