Australia: Proposed changes to the Temporary Graduate visa program

09.05.2024

The Australian government has announced a series of proposed changes to the Temporary Graduate visa programs in its recent Migration Strategy.

These changes should take effect from 1 July 2024, subject to the passage of legislative amendments. Clarification of these changes is listed below.

Graduate Work stream

The Graduate Work stream will be renamed the Post-Vocational Education Work stream.
The maximum eligible age for Post-Vocational Education Work stream applicants will be reduced to 35 years of age or under.
- Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders will continue to be eligible provided they are under 50 years of age.
- Applicants no longer eligible for the Post-Vocational Education Work stream due to the age reduction may be eligible for a number of other visas. You can explore your visa options here.
Applicants must hold an associate degree, diploma or trade qualification, closely related to their nominated occupation on theMedium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
Applicants with a degree level qualification or higher will no longer be eligible for this stream. If an applicant holds one of these qualifications, they must apply through the Post-Higher Education Work stream.
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.

The Post-Study Work stream will be renamed to the Post-Higher Education Work stream.
The maximum eligible age for Post-Higher Education Work stream applicants will reduce to 35 years of age or under.
- Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders will continue to be eligible provided they are under 50 years of age.
- Applicants no longer eligible for the Post-Higher Education Work stream due to the age reduction may be eligible for a number of other visas. You can explore your visa options here.
The ‘select degree’ two-year extension will cease.
Stay periods will change to the following:
- Bachelor’s 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 Australian Indian – Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA), remain as:
- Bachelor’s degree (including honours) – up to 2 years
- Bachelor’s 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.

The Second Post-Study Work stream will be renamed the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream. There are no other changes to this stream.

The Replacement stream will close.

If you have any questions about these changes or if you require support with applying for a visa to live and work in Australia, please contact the Smith Stone Walters global immigration team.