Work Visas in Australia: Duration & Requirement for International Students

Australia has been facing skill shortages for a while now. Also, the number of occupations suffering from it has almost doubled since 2021, with some roles having thousands of unfilled vacancies. The Australian government has bold plans for an immigration overhaul and a revised migration strategy to benefit Indians in large numbers. If you also want to work in Australia and know all the possible visa options, watch this video till the end. 

Australia work visa for Indians offer a gateway to an abundance of opportunities for individuals seeking employment in the country. Australia’s visa system caters to various categories of skilled workers, ensuring a streamlined process for temporary and permanent jobs.

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This temporary visa allows international students who have graduated to live, study and work for up to 6 years. The 485 visas can also provide a pathway to other visas, such as the skilled visa subclass 189 or 190 and can be a stepping stone to permanent residency. There are three streams to this visa.

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• You must be younger than 50 years old
• You must have a valid visa
• You must have a student visa within the previous six months
• possess a recent degree from a programme that is registered with CRICOS
• Only nominate one stream; switching visa streams after applying is not feasible.
• When applying, include the required supporting documentation.

The Graduate Work stream, for international students who have recently graduated with skills and qualifications relevant to specific occupations Australia needs, is usually valid for 18 months and costs 1730 AUD (97,425 INR).

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The Post Study Work Stream, for international students who have recently graduated with a CRICOS-recognised degree from an Australian institution, is usually valid for 2-4 years, depending on the qualification, and costs 1730 AUD (97,425 INR). 

This is the Second Post Study Work Stream for existing post-study work stream holders who have graduated with a degree from an Australian institution located in a regional area. The only condition for this visa, valid for another 1-2 years and costing 680 AUD (38,295 INR), is that you should have remained in that area during your 1st 485 visas.

This temporary visa allows international students who have completed an Australian-recognised degree in the past two years to live, work in the country for up to 18 months and gain valuable experience. 

The eligibility criteria require you to be under 31, meet the health and character requirements and provide evidence of English proficiency. You also should not have previously been the primary visa holder of subclass 476 or 485. The visa costs 425 AUD (23,934 INR), and while subclass 476 does not lead directly to permanent residency, it can serve as a pathway to other skilled migration options.

• You must be younger than 31 years old
• You must not have a temporary graduate visa
• You must have engineering qualifications from a specified educational institution.
• You must meet the health requirements
• You must have a valid passport
• You must have paid back your debt to the Australian Government
• You must not have a visa cancelled or your application rejected
• When applying, include the required supporting documentation.

This visa is designed to fill in certain jobs without qualified Australians and bring in trained, skilled workers into the country as per the short-term skilled occupation list. There are 2 streams under TSS 482,  First is the Short term stream which allows you to stay and work for up to 2 years and costs 1330 AUD (74,900 INR). Second is the medium-term stream which lets you stay up to 4 years and costs 2770 AUD (1,55,994 INR). 

• An authorised sponsor must nominate you for a skilled post
• You must possess the necessary abilities for the task
• You must possess the necessary English language proficiency

This visa allows skilled workers nominated by an Australian state or territory government to live and work in Australia as permanent residents. This invite-only visa requires an expression of interest (EOI), an age under 45, a minimum score of 65 points, an occupation on the 190-visa occupation list and a full positive skill assessment as part of the eligibility criteria. 

• You must be nominated
• You must be invited to apply
• You must have a suitable skill assessment
• You must be under 45 years of age
• You must be able to score 65 points or more
• You must meet the skill requirements
• You must meet the health requirements
• You must have repaid your debt to the Australian Government
• You must meet the character requirements
• You must not have a visa cancelled or an application rejected

The two countries have signed a migration deal to boost the two-way exchange of students, graduates, researchers and business travel. As per the agreement, 3000 highly skilled Indians (preferably in the IT sector) would be able to work in Australia for a couple of years. As this is a developing story, we will likely cover it in a detailed video once we have more information.

Also Read: Study Visa in France

In conclusion, Australia’s work visa requirements are made hassle-free to attract skilled workers worldwide and drive economic growth. These visas offer diverse opportunities for individuals to live, work, and contribute to the Australian workforce.

Australia’s visa system is designed to address specific needs, including addressing skill shortages, promoting business innovation, and facilitating cultural exchange. The range of visas available caters to various professions, industries, and personal circumstances, allowing individuals to find a pathway that suits their skills and aspirations.

By offering temporary and permanent work visas, Australia welcomes skilled professionals who can contribute their expertise and fill gaps in the local labour market. These visas provide individuals with employment opportunities and facilitate knowledge transfer and cultural exchange, enriching Australia’s multicultural society.

Moreover, work visas in Australia are subject to strict regulations and requirements to ensure the integrity of the system and protect the interests of both workers and employers. Applicants must familiarise themselves with the eligibility criteria, documentation, and application processes to increase their chances of success for an Australian work permit.