Post-Study Work Rights For International Students

If you are an International Student In Australia, this news just might excite you regarding your future here. The update that has left everyone celebrating is the extension of work rights for International students. Australia Has Expanded Post-Study Work Rights for International Students: An Extra Two Years of Opportunities

Starting from 1 July 2023, Australia is enhancing its post-study work rights program for international students by providing an additional two years of valuable work opportunities for those with eligible qualifications.

Renowned for its favourable post-study benefits, Australia has once again demonstrated its commitment to supporting international students by extending work rights for select programs for up to eight years. This exciting development presents a remarkable prospect for prospective students considering studying here, as well as current students already engaged in their educational pursuits in Australia.

By choosing to study at prestigious Australian universities and institutions, students can now embark on a journey towards a bright career with extended post-study work rights offered under subclass 485. This newfound flexibility enables international graduates to make the most of their education and further enhance their prospects on the international stage.

Post-study Work Rights Opportunities Enhanced for Degrees in High-demand Fields:


In order to address the verified skills shortages in specific areas, an expansion of post-study work rights has been implemented. The duration of these rights has been revised as follows:

Select bachelor’s degrees will now qualify for a four-year extension, compared to the previous two-year duration.

For select master’s degrees, the extension has been increased from three years to five years.

All PhD graduates will enjoy an extended post-study work period of six years, up from the previous four years.

To determine the list of eligible occupations and qualifications for the extension of post-study work rights, please refer to the official publication by the Department of Education, Australian Government.

Furthermore, it is important to note that this extension is separate from the existing one to two years of additional work rights provided to eligible students who study, reside, and work in regional areas.

The government has also announced to raise the limit on part-time working hours for international students, allowing them to work up to 48 hours per fortnight while pursuing their studies, effective July 1, 2023.

What is the 485 Post-Study Work Rights Visa?


The 485 Post-Study Work Rights Visa presents an excellent opportunity for international students to extend their stay and work in Australia for an extended period. This new visa category, introduced by the Australian Government, grants individuals the ability to study, live, and work in designated regional areas of the country for up to five years. This update brings significant benefits, allowing students to plan their careers more effectively by offering a broader range of study and work options, as well as a longer duration of post-study work visa validity.

Eligibility Criteria for Post-Study Work Rights


If you are an international student aspiring to work in Australia for an extended period (up to five years) after completing your studies, this visa category is designed for you. The good news is that this visa (Subclass 485) provides complete study and work rights, along with the freedom to travel to and from Australia as long as the visa remains valid.
To be eligible for the two-year extension, graduates must possess a valid Temporary Graduate Visa on or before the 1st of July 2023. Alternatively, those who apply for a Temporary Graduate Visa after this date will also be considered for the extended work rights. 

Important Considerations 


When applying for the post-study work rights, it’s essential to note that your field of specialization does not serve as a determining factor, as this visa does not have an occupation list. However, it is crucial to ensure that you are studying at the appropriate levels.

To be eligible for this visa, you must have completed a degree from a CRICOS-registered course and fulfil the English language proficiency requirements. Additionally, a skills assessment is not required for this particular visa category.

The post-study work visa can open doors to an exciting career in Australia, providing you with more options, exposure, and enhanced employability.

If you want to have an idea in detail about subclass 485 visa, here’s the link for you. 

If you want to learn about Australia’s Education, the opportunities and the settlement options you can Inherit, we advise you to have a visit to us and then we can together travel towards a better tomorrow. You can book your consultation with us.

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