Increased Work-hour Cap & Extended Work Visa
New Delhi, June 27: Starting July 1, Indian graduates studying in Australian tertiary institutions will have the opportunity to apply for work without visa sponsorship for up to eight years. This move comes as part of new visa rules introduced by the Australian government to enhance opportunities for international students.
Under the revised regulations, the allowable work-hour cap for international students will be raised from 40 hours to 48 hours per fortnight. Additionally, students will be granted a two-year extension on their work visa.
Earlier this month, India and Australia signed a migration and mobility partnership pact aimed at expanding prospects for students, academic researchers, and business professionals. As part of this agreement, the Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (MATES) will allocate 3,000 annual spots exclusively for young professionals from India. These individuals will be able to spend two years in Australia without requiring visa sponsorship.
The MATES visa program is designed for graduates from recognized Indian universities who have specialized degrees in various fields. Eligible areas of occupation include engineering, mining, financial technology, artificial intelligence, information and communication technology, agricultural technology, and renewable energy.
To qualify for the MATES visa program, applicants must be under the age of 31, have completed their education at a recognized and verified university, and be at the early stages of their careers.
Details regarding the fee and visa processing time for the MATES visa are yet to be announced.
In April, Australia announced its intention to overhaul its immigration system to streamline the entry of highly skilled workers into the country. As part of this effort, the government plans to expedite the visa process for high-skilled professionals and implement measures to retain international students.
Furthermore, starting July 1, the work-hour cap for international students will be increased from 40 hours to 48 hours per fortnight, with the inclusion of a two-year work visa extension. This revision aims to help international students support themselves financially while prioritizing their studies.
During the pandemic, work restrictions for student visas were relaxed, and in January 2022, they were completely lifted to allow primary and secondary student visa holders to work beyond the usual limit of 40 hours per fortnight, addressing workforce shortages.
The government has also introduced a two-year extension of post-study work rights for international graduates in areas of verified skill shortages. This extension grants eligible higher education graduates an additional two years on their Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485). Additionally, international students who study, live, and work in regional areas are eligible for an existing one to two years of additional work rights.
Post-study work rights will be extended as follows: from two to four years for select Bachelor’s degrees, from three to five years for select Master’s degrees, and from four to six years for all doctoral qualifications.
According to data from the Ministry of External Affairs in 2022, there are currently 100,009 Indian students enrolled in various Australian universities.
