The Australian Government announced changes to the Temporary Graduate visa programs, effective from 1 July 2024.
Stream Realignment:
- The Graduate Work stream is now the Post-Vocational Education Work stream.
- The Post-Study Work stream is now the Post-Higher Education Work stream.
Post-Vocational Education Work stream (former Graduate Work stream)
- For an associate degree, diploma, or trade qualification, apply for the Post-Vocational Education Work stream. The qualification must be related to an occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
- For a degree level or higher qualification, apply for the Post-Higher Education Work stream.
Post-Higher Education Work stream (former Post-Study Work stream)
- Maximum eligible age reduced to 35 years.
- Applicants under 50 years are eligible if they hold a Hong Kong or British National Overseas passport.
- Stay duration: Up to 18 months, or up to 5 years for Hong Kong or British National Overseas passport holders.
Second Post-Higher Education Work stream (former Second Post-Study Work stream)
- Maximum eligible age reduced to 35 years.
- Applicants under 50 years are eligible if they:
- Hold a Masters (research) or Doctoral Degree (PhD), or
- Have a Hong Kong or British National Overseas passport.
- Stay durations:
- Bachelor degree (including honours): Up to 2 years
- Masters (coursework and extended): Up to 2 years
- Masters (research) and doctoral degree (PhD): Up to 3 years
- Hong Kong or British National Overseas passport holders: Up to 5 years
Stay Periods for Indian Nationals (Australia India – Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement – AI-ECTA):
- Bachelor degree (including honours): Up to 2 years
- Bachelor degree (with first-class honours in STEM, including ICT): Up to 3 years
- Masters (coursework, extended, and research): Up to 3 years
- Doctoral degrees (PhD): Up to 4 years
Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream:
- Maximum eligible age reduced to 35 years.
- Applicants under 50 years are eligible if they:
- Used a Masters (research) or Doctoral Degree (PhD) for their Post-Higher Education Work or Post-Study Work stream visa, or
- Hold a Hong Kong or British National Overseas passport.
Applicants who are no longer eligible due to age reduction may explore other visa options.