In a recent media release, the Australian government has announced new rules to address skill shortage by extending work rights for international students studying in Australia. Under the rule, which will come into effect from July 1, international students will be able to work 48 hours per fortnight while completing their courses. Earlier the limit was 40 hours per fortnight.
The new rule is made with a focus not just to support international students financially and gain valuable work experience but also with an equal approach to meet the workforce needs of Australia. The Minister for Home Affairs Clare O’Neil said “Enabling students that gain an education in Australia to stay longer and contribute to our economy benefits us all.”
Both new and existing international students will benefit from this extension starting July 1, 2023.
It is noteworthy that to overcome the lack of work during the pandemic, the restrictions on work were completely removed in January 2022 and are now ending on 30 July 2023.
In addition of resetting the working hour limit to 48 hours for current international students. the government has announced the expansion of post-study work rights for those who have earned a degree from an Australian higher education institution.
Extended Post-Study Work Rights
Starting July 1, eligible international students with select qualifications that fall under the area of verified skill shortages will benefit from addition 2 years of post-study work rights on their Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485).
The post-study work rights will increase form:
| Degrees | Current | From July 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Selected Bachelor degrees | 2 years | 4 years |
| Selected Masters degrees | 3 years | 5 years |
| All doctoral qualifications | 4 years | 6 years |
A summary list of eligible qualifications by occupational category is as follows
| Occupation Category – Medical Professionals |
|---|
|
| Occupational Category: Nursing and Medical Technicians |
|
| Occupational Category: Dentistry |
|---|
|
| Occupational Category: Veterinarian |
|
| Occupational Category: Medical Imaging |
|---|
|
| Occupational Category: Radiologist |
|
| Occupational Category: Psychologist |
|---|
|
| Occupational Category: Recovery Therapist |
|
| Occupational Category: Optometrist |
|
| Occupational Category: Pharmacist |
|
| Occupational Category: Teacher |
|---|
|
The comprehensive list of eligible qualifications mapped to CRICOS course codes will be released by the Department of Education before implementation on July 1, 2023.
For students aspiring to study in Australia the selection of the right program is critical. There are several occupations that the Australian government has categorised under the shortage of skill category. Please consult with pyramid's Australia study visa counsellors to determine which course fits best according to your academic profile. to reach us, call us at 92563-92563