Visa Options for International Graduates in Australia

International graduates who have studied in Australia hold a unique and valuable position within the migration system. Understanding your Australian visa options as a graduate unlocks opportunities for further work, professional advancement, and even permanent residency. This guide unpacks everything you need to know about post-study visa pathways, including benefits, challenges, recent updates, professions in demand, and practical steps to secure your future in Australia.

Introduction: Why Visa Options for Graduates Matter

Completing an Australian qualification is a significant achievement, opening doors both professionally and personally. However, your student visa (subclass 500) is temporary and comes with strict limitations on work and residency. Australian migration pathways available after graduation provide:

• Legal rights to live and work in Australia after study
• Opportunities to gain skilled work experience
• Pathways to permanent residency and citizenship
• Options for family members and dependants

Staying informed about your options supports your transition from a student to a skilled professional in Australia, making a genuine difference to your future.

Key Post-Study Visa Options for International Graduates

Australian visa pathways for international graduates are primarily designed to:

• Retain globally trained talent in Australia
• Facilitate the skills needs of the Australian workforce
• Provide a clear, merit-based route towards permanent residency

The most common options include:

1. Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)

Purpose: The most popular post-study visa for graduates, allowing you to live, study, and work in Australia temporarily after graduation.

Streams and Eligibility

• Graduate Work Stream: For graduates with skills and qualifications matching an occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). Usually for vocations, trades, and technical professions. From July 2024, this stream is being refined, with limits on available occupations.
• Post-Study Work Stream: For university graduates (Bachelor, Master, Doctorate) regardless of occupation. Degree must be from an Australian institution.
• Second Post-Study Work Stream: For graduates from regional institutions who have already held a Post-Study Work visa.

Requirements

• Complete an eligible qualification within the last 6 months
• Hold a valid Australian student visa
• Meet English language requirements (e.g., IELTS 6.0 or equivalent)
• Health and character checks
• Obtain health insurance

Duration

• Graduate Work Stream: Up to 18 months (extended to 24 months for applications before July 2024)
• Post-Study Work Stream:
  • Bachelor degree: 2 years
  • Masters by coursework: 2-3 years
  • Masters by research: 3 years
  • Doctoral degree: 4 years
• Additional 1-2 years for study in regional Australia

Cost (as at June 2024)

• Main applicant: $1,895 AUD
• Each additional applicant: $950 (18+), $475 (<18)

Key Features

• Unrestricted work rights
• Possibility to bring family/dependants
• Pathway to employer sponsorship or skilled migration

2. Skilled Migration Visas

Graduates may be eligible to apply for points-tested skilled visas, particularly:

Subclass 189 – Skilled Independent Visa

• Permanent visa, does not require sponsorship
• Based on points (age, English proficiency, Australian education, work experience, etc.)
• Must nominate an occupation in demand

Subclass 190 – Skilled Nominated Visa

• State-nominated permanent visa
• Higher chance if your occupation is on a State/Territory skills shortage list

Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa

• For graduates willing to live and work in regional areas
• Provides a pathway to permanent residency (Subclass 191)

Applying for Skilled Migration:

• Undertake a skills assessment
• Submit Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect
• Receive invitation to apply
• Health, character, and English language requirements

Points Boosters for Graduates

• Australian qualifications: Extra points awarded
• Regional study: Additional points if qualification was obtained outside major cities

3. Employer-Sponsored Pathways

Many graduates advance to permanent residency via employer sponsorship, especially in high-demand sectors.

Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (Subclass 482)

• For full-time job offers from approved employers in specified occupations
• Valid for 2-4 years, depending on occupation
• Often leads to permanent visas (Subclass 186 or 187)

Permanent Employer-Sponsored Visas

• ENS (Employer Nomination Scheme, Subclass 186)
• Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS, Subclass 187 — closing to new applicants)
• Requires post-qualification skilled work (usually at least 2 years)

4. Other Options

Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) Visa

For short-term skill shortages with a sponsoring employer.

Business and Investor Visas

For graduates with business skills or investment capital.

Partner/Family Visas

If you have Australian family or partner relationships.

Recent Updates (as of June 2024)

• 485 Visa Streamlining: Immigration reforms are narrowing eligible occupations for the Graduate Work stream, focusing on “targeted” skill shortages.
• 485 Extension: Those in healthcare and teaching may receive further temporary post-study work extensions in 2024–25.
• Points Test Review: Government reviews aim to further reward Australian study and regional qualifications.
• Employer-Sponsored Visas: Priority processing and simplified pathways for STEM and healthcare graduates, especially from June 2024.
• Permanent Residency Focus: State/Territory nomination priorities continue for professions in teaching, health, engineering, IT, construction, and trades.

Common Professions & Graduates Applying

Occupations in demand (as per skilled lists