The Australian Government has introduced significant changes to the Temporary Graduate Visa program, starting from 1 July 2024. These updates aim to better align visa streams with different levels of education, ensuring students have the appropriate post-study work opportunities. Below is an overview of the key changes to help you understand the updated visa pathways.

Overview of the Key Changes

• Re-alignment of Temporary Graduate Visa Streams to reflect the applicant’s level of study.
• The Graduate Work Stream has been renamed the Post-Vocational Education Work Stream.
• The Post-Study Work Stream is now the Post-Higher Education Work Stream.
• A new Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream has replaced the former Second Post-Study Work Stream.
• The Replacement Stream has ceased, but family members of visa holders can still apply to join primary visa holders as subsequent entrants.

Post-Vocational Education Work Stream (Former Graduate Work Stream)

The Post-Vocational Education Work Stream is designed for applicants who have completed a vocational qualification, such as an associate degree, diploma, or trade qualification. To be eligible, your qualification must be closely related to an occupation listed on Australia’s Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).

Key changes include:

• The maximum eligible age for applicants is now 35 years or younger at the time of application.
• Applicants holding a Hong Kong or British National Overseas (BNO) passport remain eligible if they are under 50 years of age.
• The maximum stay duration is up to 18 months, but Hong Kong and BNO passport holders may be able to stay for up to 5 years.

Post-Higher Education Work Stream (Former Post-Study Work Stream)

The Post-Higher Education Work Stream is for graduates with a degree level qualification or higher. This stream allows students to apply for a visa based on their level of higher education.

Key changes include:

• The maximum eligible age is reduced to 35 years or under at the time of application.
• Applicants using a Master’s (research) or Doctoral Degree (PhD), or holding a Hong Kong or BNO passport, can apply if they are under 50 years of age.
• Stay periods have been adjusted:
  • Bachelor’s Degree (including Honours): up to 2 years
  • Master’s (coursework and extended): up to 2 years
  • Master’s (research) and Doctoral Degrees (PhD): up to 3 years
  • Hong Kong and BNO passport holders: up to 5 years

For Indian nationals, as per the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA):

• Bachelor’s Degree: up to 2 years
• Bachelor’s Degree with First-Class Honours in STEM (including ICT): up to 3 years
• Master’s (coursework, extended, research): up to 3 years
• Doctoral Degrees (PhD): up to 4 years

Here’s the merged version for the Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream with updated stay information, optimized for your Landmark Education website:

Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream (Former Second Post-Study Work Stream)

This stream offers graduates the opportunity to extend their stay in Australia after completing their first Temporary Graduate Visa. It allows you to gain valuable work experience or further explore opportunities in Australia.

Key changes in the Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream include:

• The maximum eligible age for applicants is now 35 years or younger.
• Applicants using a Master’s (research) or Doctoral Degree (PhD) to meet the requirements for their previous visa, or holding a Hong Kong or British National Overseas (BNO) passport, may still apply if they are under 50 years of age.
• The stay duration ranges between 1 and 2 years, depending on:
  • The regional location of the educational institution from which you graduated, which led to the grant of your first Temporary Graduate Visa.
  • The regional area where you reside as a holder of the Temporary Graduate Visa in the Post-Higher Education Work Stream, Post-Study Work Stream, or Replacement Stream.

Replacement Stream

The Replacement Stream has been discontinued. However, family members of primary visa holders can still apply to join them in Australia as subsequent entrants.

Stay Informed with Landmark Education

Need Support with Your Visa Application?

If you need assistance or have questions about the new regulations, our certified counsellors at Landmark Education are here to help. Contact us today for personalized guidance at 014542781 or connect with us via Zoom>. We're here to make the process as smooth as possible for you!

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