S/C 485 Visa - Major Benefits for Higher Education Graduates
(to be Implemented from 1 July 2023)
The Australian Government has made further changes to the Subclass 485 Graduate Visa duration for higher education graduate applicants studying in Australia for undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD degrees! International graduates with certain degrees are given the right to work for an additional two years post-study after graduation!
Introduction
One of the key outcomes of the Australian Government's Employment and Skills Summit in September 2022 was theThe announcement of a two-year extension of post-study work rights for international graduates with specific degrees.
Extension of the right to work for international graduates with specific degrees in verified skill shortage areas.Post-study work rights for international graduates will be extended from- 2 years to 4 years for partial bachelor's degrees- Extended working time for some master's degrees from 3 to 5 years- All PhDs will be extended from 4 to 6 years.
The people who will benefit from this change are not only eligible graduates, but also selected students who are already on a 485 visa and will be seeking a two-year extension are given the opportunity to apply for the new visa.
The government has considered the recommendations of the working group and announced more details on the measure, including an indicative list of occupations and qualifying qualifications.The measure will come into effect on 1 July 2023.
Q: Are remote areas affected by the policy? (other than Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane)
A: Existing Post-Study Work Stream policies that relate to remote areas are not affected by the new regulations.
Transitional arrangements
Former international students who are currently on a 485 visa that will expire between 1 September 2022 and 1 July 2023, but who meet the relevant criteria, and 485 visa holders who remain in Australia during COVID-19 to contribute to the economy, will have the opportunity to obtain a 408 visa (Pandemic Event) for two years. For more information, please book for an appointment with OSSCA by clicking HERE.
Qualifying qualifications (certificates)
The list of eligible qualifications has been developed by mapping in-demand occupations on the Skills Priority List to relevant qualifications.
The list of occupations and qualifications will be monitored and reviewed annually in order to respond to any changes in the labour market, as well as risks that arise.
However, the relevant departments emphasise that future changes to the list of qualifications will not have an adverse impact on students who
1. students who have started on an eligible course but whose corresponding qualifications for the course they are studying are subsequently removed from that list2. a student has commenced a course of study for which the corresponding qualification certificate of the course he/she is studying is not included in that list, but when the student graduates, the qualification certificate of the course he/she is studying is added to that list; and3. the corresponding qualification of the course in which the student started the course is always on the list until the student completes the course.
In short, this means that graduates whose qualifications were eligible either at the time they started or at the end of their studies, or throughout, will be eligible for an extension.
A list of eligible qualifications can be found here .
Eligibility and how to apply
The relevant application requirements will be implemented gradually. The submission of visa applications will commence on 1 July 2023, so keep checking OSSCA website for updates on this or make an appointment to enquire.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need an employer to sponsor me for an extension?
A: No, employer sponsorship is not required.
Q: What qualification is not qualified?
A: While all Australian qualifications are designed to prepare graduates for employment, not all qualifications are directly relevant to occupations where there is a current skills shortage. Not all qualifications are directly relevant to occupations where there is a skills shortage. The specific qualifications can be found on the form and this assessment is based on occupational projections created by the Australian Department of Employment and Skills.
Q: The list of eligible qualifications in Australia will be reviewed annually, what happens if the list of qualifications changes while I am studying?
A: The list of eligible qualifications will be reviewed annually and qualifications may be added or removed. However, the department stresses that future changes to the eligibility list will not have an adverse impact on students who
1. a student who has commenced an eligible course but the corresponding qualification for the course they are studying is subsequently removed from that list2. a student has commenced a course of study for which the corresponding qualification certificate of the course of study was not included in the list, but when the student graduates, the qualification certificate of the course of study is added to the list; and3. the corresponding qualification of the course in which the student is enrolled is on the list from the start of the course until the completion of the course.
Q: Can I change my course of study to an eligible qualification and get an extension?
A: Yes. Please contact OSSCA for more information.
Q: Can I change my course of study from a listed eligible certificate programme to a non-listed certificate programme and be eligible for an extension?
A: No. You cannot. You must graduate with a qualifying qualification to be eligible for an extension.
Q: Why are Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma programmes excluded from qualifying qualifications?
A: The Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma do not meet the Australian study requirements. For more informationPlease check the Department of Home Affairs website for more information.
Q: Are all skills priority occupations covered by the two-year extension?
A: Qualifications that have a direct link to shortage occupations and those for which there is expected to be a strong or moderate demand in the future are covered by the two-year extension.
The list of eligible occupations and qualifications will be assessed and reviewed annually and updated in line with the needs of the labour market.
Q: Why are there no restrictions on the list of disciplines or qualifications studied by PhD holders?
A. International PhD graduates in all disciplines represent a highly skilled group of individuals with great potential to contribute to society. This group has great potential to contribute to the Australian economy and society. All PhD qualifications are therefore eligible for a two-year extension.
Q: Is the extension of the right to work after study a permanent decision?
A: There is currently no end date set for this measure.
Special reminder
The work limit for international students will soon be reinstated from 1 July 2023!!!
From 1 July 2023, the work limit for international students will be reinstated. But the good news is that the cap willbe increased from 40 hours to 48 hours per fortnight. For more information on this change, please visit the Department of Home Affairs website or contact OSSCA.
Introduction
One of the key outcomes of the Australian Government's Employment and Skills Summit in September 2022 was theThe announcement of a two-year extension of post-study work rights for international graduates with specific degrees.
Extension of the right to work for international graduates with specific degrees in verified skill shortage areas.Post-study work rights for international graduates will be extended from- 2 years to 4 years for partial bachelor's degrees- Extended working time for some master's degrees from 3 to 5 years- All PhDs will be extended from 4 to 6 years.
The people who will benefit from this change are not only eligible graduates, but also selected students who are already on a 485 visa and will be seeking a two-year extension are given the opportunity to apply for the new visa.
The government has considered the recommendations of the working group and announced more details on the measure, including an indicative list of occupations and qualifying qualifications.The measure will come into effect on 1 July 2023.
Q: Are remote areas affected by the policy? (other than Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane)
A: Existing Post-Study Work Stream policies that relate to remote areas are not affected by the new regulations.
Transitional arrangements
Former international students who are currently on a 485 visa that will expire between 1 September 2022 and 1 July 2023, but who meet the relevant criteria, and 485 visa holders who remain in Australia during COVID-19 to contribute to the economy, will have the opportunity to obtain a 408 visa (Pandemic Event) for two years. For more information, please book for an appointment with OSSCA by clicking HERE.
Qualifying qualifications (certificates)
The list of eligible qualifications has been developed by mapping in-demand occupations on the Skills Priority List to relevant qualifications.
The list of occupations and qualifications will be monitored and reviewed annually in order to respond to any changes in the labour market, as well as risks that arise.
However, the relevant departments emphasise that future changes to the list of qualifications will not have an adverse impact on students who
1. students who have started on an eligible course but whose corresponding qualifications for the course they are studying are subsequently removed from that list2. a student has commenced a course of study for which the corresponding qualification certificate of the course he/she is studying is not included in that list, but when the student graduates, the qualification certificate of the course he/she is studying is added to that list; and3. the corresponding qualification of the course in which the student started the course is always on the list until the student completes the course.
In short, this means that graduates whose qualifications were eligible either at the time they started or at the end of their studies, or throughout, will be eligible for an extension.
A list of eligible qualifications can be found here .
Eligibility and how to apply
The relevant application requirements will be implemented gradually. The submission of visa applications will commence on 1 July 2023, so keep checking OSSCA website for updates on this or make an appointment to enquire.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need an employer to sponsor me for an extension?
A: No, employer sponsorship is not required.
Q: What qualification is not qualified?
A: While all Australian qualifications are designed to prepare graduates for employment, not all qualifications are directly relevant to occupations where there is a current skills shortage. Not all qualifications are directly relevant to occupations where there is a skills shortage. The specific qualifications can be found on the form and this assessment is based on occupational projections created by the Australian Department of Employment and Skills.
Q: The list of eligible qualifications in Australia will be reviewed annually, what happens if the list of qualifications changes while I am studying?
A: The list of eligible qualifications will be reviewed annually and qualifications may be added or removed. However, the department stresses that future changes to the eligibility list will not have an adverse impact on students who
1. a student who has commenced an eligible course but the corresponding qualification for the course they are studying is subsequently removed from that list2. a student has commenced a course of study for which the corresponding qualification certificate of the course of study was not included in the list, but when the student graduates, the qualification certificate of the course of study is added to the list; and3. the corresponding qualification of the course in which the student is enrolled is on the list from the start of the course until the completion of the course.
Q: Can I change my course of study to an eligible qualification and get an extension?
A: Yes. Please contact OSSCA for more information.
Q: Can I change my course of study from a listed eligible certificate programme to a non-listed certificate programme and be eligible for an extension?
A: No. You cannot. You must graduate with a qualifying qualification to be eligible for an extension.
Q: Why are Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma programmes excluded from qualifying qualifications?
A: The Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma do not meet the Australian study requirements. For more informationPlease check the Department of Home Affairs website for more information.
Q: Are all skills priority occupations covered by the two-year extension?
A: Qualifications that have a direct link to shortage occupations and those for which there is expected to be a strong or moderate demand in the future are covered by the two-year extension.
The list of eligible occupations and qualifications will be assessed and reviewed annually and updated in line with the needs of the labour market.
Q: Why are there no restrictions on the list of disciplines or qualifications studied by PhD holders?
A. International PhD graduates in all disciplines represent a highly skilled group of individuals with great potential to contribute to society. This group has great potential to contribute to the Australian economy and society. All PhD qualifications are therefore eligible for a two-year extension.
Q: Is the extension of the right to work after study a permanent decision?
A: There is currently no end date set for this measure.
Special reminder
The work limit for international students will soon be reinstated from 1 July 2023!!!
From 1 July 2023, the work limit for international students will be reinstated. But the good news is that the cap willbe increased from 40 hours to 48 hours per fortnight. For more information on this change, please visit the Department of Home Affairs website or contact OSSCA.