Australia discontinues the two-year extension of post-study employment privileges for international students.
Commencing from the middle of this year, Australia will revise its policy on post-study work rights for international students, reducing the duration that international graduates can remain in the country for work purposes.
Previously, the Australian government had extended the post-study work visa durations for undergraduates, master's, and PhD students in selected programs, granting them the opportunity to stay for up to 4-6 years depending on their level of study.
As per an announcement by Australia's Department of Education last week, these durations will revert to the original 2-3 years.
Australia had initially revealed plans to implement the extended post-study work rights for international graduates starting July 1 last year. This initiative aimed to offer graduates with degrees in select areas of verified skill shortage an additional two years on their Temporary Graduate visa, aiming to "strengthen the pipeline to skilled work."
This extension was to supplement the existing additional one to two years of post-study work rights available to eligible students who study, reside, and work in regional areas.
However, given Australia's evolving economic landscape and additional considerations, the policy has been reassessed.
Consequently, international higher education graduates will no longer have the option to apply for the extension from mid-2024.
This decision aligns with a broader migration strategy by the Australian government, which seeks to enhance the integrity and quality of international education.
The strategy encompasses the introduction of a "Genuine Student Test" to replace the "Genuine Temporary Entrant" eligibility requirement, stringent regulation of processed student visa applications, heightened English language test score requirements, reduction of approved course lists, and imposition of restrictions on course swapping.
The new regulations also include an increased English language requirement for the Temporary Graduate visa, rising from an IELTS score of 6 to 6.5.
Furthermore, the age threshold for applicants has been lowered from 50 to 35 years, and there will be no further opportunities for the extension of post-study work rights, except for those who have completed their education in a regional area.
These alterations reflect the government's endeavor to ensure that foreign graduates contribute to addressing skill shortages in the country and that the visa system primarily serves study purposes rather than acting as a pathway to long-term residency.
Last December, Australia announced a significant policy shift aimed at halving its migrant intake within the next two years, following expectations that net immigration would peak at a record 510,000 in 2022-23.
A Reuters report indicated that the country plans to tighten visa rules for international students and low-skilled workers, aiming to overhaul what it deems a "broken" migration system.
According to the Department of Home Affairs, about 20% of international students were denied visas in the second half of 2023, marking the highest figure in three years.
Moreover, the Australian Department of Home Affairs announced last December its intention to categorize universities based on their risk level, considering data of students who previously violated visa regulations.
Universities will be classified into three groups, with international students applying to Group 1 being prioritized. Applicants to Groups 2 and 3 will undergo a lengthier visa application process, necessitating additional evidence of English proficiency and financial capacity.
As of October last year, Australia hosted approximately 768,000 international students, with the largest contingents from China, India, and Nepal. Vietnam ranks sixth, with over 31,000 students studying in Australia.