Changes to the Temporary Graduate visa program – from 1 July 2024
Overview
The Australian Government announced changes to the Temporary Graduate visa programs in its recent Migration Strategy. These changes came into effect from 1 July 2024.
Re-alignment of the Temporary Graduate visa streams to levels of study
The Graduate Work stream has been renamed to the Post-Vocational Education Work stream.
The Post-Study Work stream has been renamed to the Post-Higher Education Work stream.
The qualification you use to meet the Australian study requirement determines the stream you can apply for. Other qualifications you hold won't be considered in determining if you are eligible.
If you hold an associate degree, diploma or trade qualification, you should apply for the Post-Vocational Education Work stream.
The qualification you use must be closely related to your nominated occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
If your qualification is degree level or higher, you should apply for the Post-Higher Education Work stream.
Note: Restrictions that were in place for applicants whose first Student visa was granted because of an application made on or before 5 November 2011 no longer apply.
Post-Vocational Education Work stream (former Graduate Work stream)
We have reduced the maximum eligible age for Post-Vocational Education Work stream applicants to 35 years of age or under at the time of application.
Applicants under 50 years of age are still eligible if they:
hold a Hong Kong or British National Overseas passport.
Applicants no longer eligible for the Post-Vocational Education Work stream due to the age reduction may be eligible for other visas. Explore your visa options.
Applicants may continue to stay for up to 18 months.
Hong Kong or British National Overseas passport holders may be able to stay for up to 5 years.
Post-Higher Education Work stream (former Post-Study Work stream)
We have reduced the maximum eligible age for Post-Higher Education Work stream applicants to 35 years of age or under at the time of application.
Applicants under 50 years of age are still eligible if they:
are using a Masters (research) or Doctoral Degree (PhD) to meet the Australian study requirement, or
hold a Hong Kong or British National Overseas passport.
The ‘select degree’ 2 year extension has ceased. However, members of the family unit can continue to apply to join primary visa holders in Australia as subsequent entrants.
Stay periods have changed to the following:
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 and British National Overseas passport holders may be able to stay for up to 5 years.
Stay periods for Indian nationals, as agreed in the Australia India – Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA), remain as:
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 (former Second Post-Study Work stream)
We have reduced the maximum eligible age for Second Post-Higher Education Work stream applicants to 35 years of age or under at the time of application.
Applicants under 50 years of age are still eligible if they:
used a Masters (research) or Doctoral Degree (PhD) to meet the requirements for the grant of their Post-Higher Education Work or Post-Study Work stream visa, or
hold a Hong Kong or British National Overseas passport.
Applicants no longer eligible for the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream because of the age reduction may be eligible for other visas. For more information see Explore your visa options.
Replacement stream
The Replacement stream has ceased. However, members of the family unit can apply to join primary visa holders in Australia as subsequent entrants.
