The Australian Government released its New Migration Strategy on December 11, 2023, highlighting eight major key actions targeting the temporary skilled migration and education system. Under this strategy, the Temporary Graduate Visa Stream has been subject to significant revisions.
“According to the latest update published on 27 May, 2024, the Australian Immigration and Citizenship website states that the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) is going to subject under certain modifications. Starting from July 1, 2024, the new age limit for Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) will be reduced from 50 years to 35 years. “
The purpose of these modifications and revisions:
is to speed up and simplify the visa application process for international graduates who want to remain in Australia after completing their studies.
These modifications highlight the major changes in the Temporary Graduate Visa Streams in 2024. Continue reading this post to learn more about the modifications in the Temporary Graduate visa streams in 2024.
Changes to the Temporary Graduate Visa Streams in 2024
According to the new migration strategy, the Australian Government is going to rename the various streams of a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485). From July 1, 2024, the Temporary Graduate visa streams will be renamed as:
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- The Graduate Work stream will be renamed as the Post Vocational Education Stream.
- The Post Study Work Stream will be renamed the Post Higher Education Work Stream.
- The Second Post-Study Work Stream will be renamed as the Second Post Higher Education Work Stream.
- There will be an end to the Replacement stream in 2024.
Graduate Work Stream
The Government has announced the new criteria for applying for the graduate work stream: renaming the post-vocational education stream. The updated eligibility criteria is:
1. Changed Age Limit for 485 Visa(Graduate Work Stream)
- For candidates to apply for the Post-Vocational Education Work stream, the maximum age limit will be lowered to 35 years of age or under.
- The age requirements will be the same for Hong Kong and British overseas passport holders.
- Candidates who are not eligible to apply for the Post Vocational Education Work stream as a result of the age reduction, can apply for other alternative visas.
2. Changed Qualification Criteria for 485 Visa (Graduate Work Stream)
Candidates must possess a trade qualification, associate degree, or certificate directly related to occupation in the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) to be eligible for Post-Vocational Education Work Stream.
- The post vocational education stream will no longer be available to applicants who hold a degree-level qualification.
- If a candidate holds a degree-level qualification or higher, he should use the Post Higher Education Work stream to apply.
3. Updated Stay Duration for 485 Visa (Graduate Work Stream)
- Applicants are allowed to stay for a maximum of 18 months under a post-vocational education work stream.
- Nonetheless, holders of a Hong Kong or British National Overseas passport may be permitted to stay for a maximum of five years.
Post-Study Work Stream
- The Department of Home Affairs will rename the Post Study Work stream as the Post Higher Education Work stream.
- The eligibility criteria for the post higher education stream are the same as those for the post-vocational education work stream.
- The duration of this stream is different from the post-vocational education work stream.
- The stay duration is different for different degrees or qualification levels.
The following table provides an overview of the updated duration for Post-study work stream for different qualifications:
| Qualification | Updated Duration |
| Bachelor’s degree (including honors) | up to 2 years |
| Masters (coursework and extended) | up to 2 years |
| Masters (research) and doctoral degree (PhD) | up to 3 years |
Important Information: According to the latest news, there will be an end to two-year post-study work extension. Moreover, stay duration will be the same (five years) for Hong Kong and British Overseas passport holders.
Updated Duration Post Study Work Stream for Indian Nationals
The Australian-Indian Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA) specifies the stay duration for Indian nationals as follows:
| Qualifications | Updated Durations |
| Bachelor’s degree (including honors) | up to 2 years |
| Bachelor’s degree (with first class honors in STEM, including ICT) | up to 2 years |
| Masters (coursework, extended and research) | up to 3 years |
| Doctoral degrees (PhD) | up to 4 years. |
Second Post- Study Work Stream
The Second Post Higher Education Work stream will be the new name for the Second Post-Study Work stream. There are no other changes to the second post study work stream.
Replacement Stream
There will be an end to the replacement stream.
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I, Samavia Shahid, am a researcher and content writer at The Migration. I create easy-to-understand and informative content for people who want to move to Australia. My goal is to make the migration process simpler and less stressful for everyone.
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Samavia Shahidhttps://themigration.com.au/author/samaviashahid/
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Samavia Shahidhttps://themigration.com.au/author/samaviashahid/
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Samavia Shahidhttps://themigration.com.au/author/samaviashahid/
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Samavia Shahidhttps://themigration.com.au/author/samaviashahid/
