Australia Post-Study Work Visa – Requirements, Types & More

Australia offers a spectrum of job opportunities for international students. The country has a rising demand for an adept workforce; thus, it appeals to and assimilates international students with lucrative post-study work visas. Australia’s post-study work visa permits international students to live in Australia for up to 4 years and encourages them to work after completing their studies. For, students to have a comprehensive idea about the Australia work visa requirements, read the blog.

Important Resources 

Why Do Student Visas Get Rejected | How to Check Visa Status

Types of post-study work visa options

The Department of Home Affairs of the Australian Government takes care of immigration and residency in the country. It embraces students with various types of work visas to fulfil their dreams and help them build a rewarding careers. Let’s take a look at various Astralian work visa types:

Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) for Graduate Workstream:  

This visa is ideal for international students who have completed graduation with skills and qualifications from eminent Australian Institutions. The skills and qualifications are closely related to an occupation that is needed in the medium to long-term in the Australian labour market. This visa permits a stay of up to 18 months and during the period they can also bring your family. The students need to apply for this visa within 6 months of completion of their courses. 

Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) for Post-Study Workstream: 

This is the most appreciated post-study work visa among students who want to work in Australia after completing their studies. This visa is ideal for international students who have recently graduated from prominent Australian educational institutes with an eligible qualification (irrespective of their field of study). With this post-study work visa, Australia’s duration is between 2 to 4 years. Students can also bring their family members if they have this visa. Moreover, the students need to apply for this visa within 6 months after the completion of their courses.

Skilled Recognized Graduate Visa (Subclass 476): 

This visa is applicable for engineering graduates who have completed engineering qualifications from specified educational institutions in the last 2 years. They should have this visa to bring their family to Australia and the stay duration is up to 18 months.

In November 2019, the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs introduced an additional post-study work arrangement for international students. From 2021, international students who are studying at various locations in Australia except for Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane will get another one-or two-year extension on their current two years post-study workstream of the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485).

The prime aim of this additional extension is to encourage more international students to come and study in Australia, which would enhance diversity and prosperity in various parts of Australia.

Resources for Australian Visa

• Sample SOP for Australian Student Visa
• Subclass 189 Visa
• Australian Visa Subclass 190
• Subclass 491 Visa

Latest Updates on Australian PSW Visa 

Australia introduces Temporary (subclass 408) visa for international students to boost the employment rate in important sectors and ensure their functioning to offer services to the country. In this case, students either before course commencement or during the course can work for more than 40 hours in a fortnight. Applications are being accepted online and a fee waiver is available for students flying to Australia between Jan 19-March 19, 2022. 

Post-Study Work Visa Requirements

There are specific requirements set by the Department of Home Affairs, Government of Australia, that the students need to meet for each type of post-study work visa in Australia. Based on their duration of stay, Australia’s post-study work visa requirements may vary. Let’s take a look at the requirements for various post-study work visas.

Australia’s post-study work visa requirements are different for various types of visas

Skilled Recognized Graduate Visa (Subclass 476)

The engineering graduates are ideal for this visa. It permits aspirants to study and get employed in Australia for up to 18 months. The requirements are:

• The applicants should be below the age of 31.
• The applicant must have a degree in engineering from a specific education institute in the past 24 months.
• The applicant must not hold either a skilled recognized graduate visa (subclass 476) or a temporary graduate visa (subclass 485)
• The applicant must meet the character and health requirements as mentioned
• The applicant should be proficient in English for this type of post-study work visa in Australia. Or he/she should possess a valid passport from countries including the USA, UK, Canada, New Zealand, and the Republic of Ireland.

Also Read: Student Visa | Student Visa for Australia

Temporary Graduate Visa (Graduate Workstream)

By using this visa, all international students can stay and work for a period of up to 18 months in Australia. The applicants should follow the below-mentioned criteria to be eligible for this type of post-study work visa:

• The candidate should be below 50 years and a fresh graduate.
• The applicant’s skills and qualifications should be relevant to the demand in Australia and should thus find a mention in Australia’s Skilled Occupation List (SOL).
• The applicant should hold an Australian study visa and English should be the mode of study.
• To prove his/her English proficiency, the candidate should have a valid IELTS, TOEFL-iBT, PTE Academic, or Cambridge C1 advanced test score.
• The applicant should have been awarded at least one diploma or degree in a CRICOS registered course in the past 6 months.
• The candidate should successfully meet all medical and character must-haves.
• They should not be a holder of either subclass 476 visa or a subclass 485 visa.
• If in the past, the applicant’s visa has been cancelled or denied, the application will be invalid.

Important Resources About Australia to Read:

Study in Australia	Why Study in Australia?	IELTS Score for Australia
491 Visa Australia	MBA fees in Australia	Education System in Australia
Job Opportunities in Australia	Part time Jobs in Australia	Top Cities in Australia

Temporary Graduate Visa (Post-Study Workstream)

This visa is ideal for a recently graduated applicant from a reputed Australian institute. This visa not only allows the applicant to stay and work in Australia for 2-4 years but also permits them to bring their families here. Check the below-mentioned eligibility criteria for this type of visa.

• The applicant should be below 50 years
• The applicant should hold a graduate degree in a CRICOS registered course
• The applicant should hold a valid student visa. An applicant is also eligible if she/he had a student visa in the past 6 months
• The candidate should not hold either subclass 485 or subclass 476 visas
• The candidate should successfully meet all the Australian study criteria
• The candidate should have at least one of the below-mentioned degrees:
  • Bachelor’s degree
  • Honors with a bachelor’s degree
  • Master’s degree by subject/coursework
  • Master’s degree (extended)
  • Master of Research degree
  • Doctoral degree
• Students who have a diploma or trade qualification are not eligible for this type of work visa
• To prove his/her English proficiency, the candidate should have a valid IELTS, TOEFL-iBT, PTE Academic, or Cambridge C1 advanced test score
• The applicant should successfully meet all medical and character requirement criteria.

How to apply for an Australian post-study work visa?

International students interested in applying for any type of post-study work visa in Australia can send an online application through their ImmiAccount or they can do it by using the paper form. The paper form application will be accepted if “No further stay” condition 8503 or 8534 is mentioned in the current visa application form of the student. By visiting the official website of the Government of Australia’s Department of Home Affairs, an aspirant can apply online. The steps to acquire a visa and Australia work visa requirements are encapsulated below. 

For both cases of Temporary Graduate Visa (graduate workstream and post-study workstream), they should be in Australia but not in immigration clearance when they apply. Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs will decide on their visa application. They should apply for these two visas after completion of their courses, however, make sure the application is made before their 6 months from completion of the course period expires.

For a Skilled Recognized Graduate Visa (subclass 476), they may be in or outside Australia while applying. But they should be outside Australia when the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs will decide on their visa application. Within 2 years of completing their course, they must apply for this visa. To make it easier to apply and comprehend the Australian work visa process, students can have a look at this list. 

• Step 1:Accumulate all imperative documents before initiating the application procedure.
• Step 2: Now, go to the official page of ImmiAccount
• Step 3: Click on “create ImmiAccount” (for new users) or if you have a registered account, then log in.
• Step 4:Now, check and fill out the visa application form. Attach all necessary documents.
• Step 5:Provide the details of your family members if they will accompany you
• Step 6:Finally, make online payment of the application charges as mentioned by using your credit card, BPay or PayPal

Read More: How Much Gap Is Acceptable for Study in Australia?

Documents Required for Post-Study Work Visas in Australia

Here is the list of documents that you need for your post-study work visa application process.

• Identity documents
• Educational documents
• Documents for your Health insurance
• Character documents
• If your partner accompanies you, the documents of your partner
• Documents for any dependents below the age of 18
• Documents for any dependents above the age of 18

Cost for Australia Post-Study Work Visa?

Let’s take a look at the cost of various post-study work visas.

Temporary graduate visa for graduate work stream:

Visa cost AUD 1650 (Rs. 88,687.50) and processing time 90 days to 4 months.

Temporary graduate visa for post-study work stream:

Visa cost AUD 1650 (Rs. 88,687.50) and processing time 70-90 days.

Skilled recognized graduate visa:

Visa cost AUD 405 (Rs. 21,768) and processing time 8 to 11 months.

Read More Resources to Read About Australia:

Cost of Study in Australia	Cost of MS in Australia	SOP for Australia
Requirements for Studying in Australia	Jobs After MBA in Australia	Cost of living in Australia
How to Study in Australia from India?	Study in Australia for Indian Students After 12th

Why Choose Australia?

Being ranked third in the list of most popular overseas education destinations for international students, Australia welcomes international students with unfathomable opportunities. Top universities, incredible culture, vibrant cities, and numerous job opportunities are just some of the reasons why international students prefer Australia as their education destination.

1. Home for top-quality universities

In Australia, international students will get a plethora of options when it comes to studying. Australia is home to 43 universities in total, with 40 Australian, two international, and one private university. Moreover, six Australian universities (The University of Melbourne, The University of Sydney, The University of Queensland, University of New South Wales, Australian National University, and Monash University) rank in the internationally renowned top 100 universities.

2. Offers quality and variety in education

Australian universities welcome students with a wide range of degrees and courses. As per an individual’s interest and future goal, a student can choose courses to build a rewarding career. Australia has an astounding higher education system with around 22,000 courses in 1,100 institutions. Vocational courses are also becoming popular among students in enhancing their skills and knowledge that are highly required by employers. Australian universities are thronged with the latest innovations, technological advances, and current trends. They ensure that their courses and programs meet the highest education standards. 

Read More: Eligibility Criteria for Masters (MS) in Australia

3. Visa procedure is simple

You can easily obtain a student visa for Australia. The aspirants need to register with all their details and should provide all imperative information. They need to show the results of one of the English language proficiency tests like IELTS (The International English Language Testing System) or The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) and the university admission slip along with the money receipt. The candidate should score an average result in these exams.

4. Incredible job opportunities

Those who have shifted to Australia for education may get tempted to stay longer because Australia offers a plethora of job opportunities to aspirants. Students can easily get employed here after finishing their studies. Australia wholeheartedly welcomes doctors and engineers. Other booming sectors in Australia are aeronautics, data analysis, cyber security, digital marketing, software development, architecture, civil design, social work, education, customer engagement, and human resources.

5. Vibrant culture and land of beauty

Australia is home to many incredible places, including beaches, breath-taking rainforests, world heritage sites, and serene deserts. In your holidays, you can explore beautiful places like the Opera House in Sydney, Fraser Island, Bondi Beach, Uluru Rock, or the Great Barrier Reef. Australian universities are located in both rural and urban areas. You may discover many neighbouring places while travelling. 

6. Easy communication

Since English is the common language for communication, thus students may not face any difficulties in terms of communication during their stay in Australia.

Read More: Jobs in Australia after MS in Computer Science