OFFICIAL: Extension of Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) and Increase in Student Visa (Subclass 500) working hours
The Australian Government has just announced two important changes related to international students that will come into effect from 1 July 2023.
1. Increasing the allowable work hours cap
From July 1, 2023, holders of a Student Visa (subclass 500) or related Bridging Visa will be able to work 48 hours per fortnight instead of 40 hours.
2. Extension of Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) Visa
International higher education graduates with eligible qualifications will be granted an extra two years of post-study work rights to address the shortage of skilled workers.
The extended stay will be implemented from 1 July 2023. Current settings, detailed in published policy, will be increased by two years. This will extend post-study stay in Australia from:
two years to four years for select Bachelor degrees
three years to five years for select Masters degrees
four years to six years for all Doctoral degrees.
A list of occupations and qualifications eligible for post-study work rights extension has been published from February 21, 2023. This list targets the skills Australia needs most, including health, teaching, engineering, and agricultural fields.
| ANZSCO code |
Occupation title |
National Labour Market Rating |
Future Demand Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 233212 |
Geotechnical Engineer |
S |
Strong |
| 233611 |
Mining Engineer (excluding Petroleum) | S |
Strong |
| 233612 |
Petroleum Engineer |
S |
Strong |
| 234912 |
Metallurgist | S |
Strong |
| 241111 |
Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teacher |
S |
Strong |
| 254111 |
Midwife |
S |
Strong |
| 254411 |
Nurse Practitioner |
S |
Strong |
| 254412 |
Registered Nurse (Aged Care) |
S |
Strong |
| 254413 |
Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health) |
S |
Strong |
| 254414 |
Registered Nurse (Community Health) |
S |
Strong |
| 254415 |
Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency) |
S |
Strong |
| 254416 |
Registered Nurse (Developmental Disability) |
S |
Strong |
| 254417 |
Registered Nurse (Disability and Rehabilitation) |
S |
Strong |
| 254418 |
Registered Nurse (Medical) |
S |
Strong |
| 254421 |
Registered Nurse (Medical Practice) |
S |
Strong |
| 254422 |
Registered Nurse (Mental Health) |
S |
Strong |
| 254423 |
Registered Nurse (Perioperative) |
S |
Strong |
| 254424 |
Registered Nurse (Surgical) |
S |
Strong |
| 254425 |
Registered Nurse (Paediatrics) |
S |
Strong |
| 254499 |
Registered Nurses nec |
S |
Strong |
| 261112 |
Systems Analyst |
S |
Strong |
| 261211 |
Multimedia Specialist |
S |
Strong |
| 261212 |
Web Developer |
S |
Strong |
| 261311 |
Analyst Programmer |
S |
Strong |
| 261312 |
Developer Programmer |
S |
Strong |
| 261313 |
Software Engineer |
S |
Strong |
| 261314 |
Software Tester |
S |
Strong |
| 261317 |
Penetration Tester |
S |
Strong |
| 261399 |
Software and Applications Programmers nec |
S |
Strong |
| 262111 |
Database Administrator |
S |
Strong |
| 262114 |
Cyber Governance Risk and Compliance Specialist |
S |
Strong |
| 262115 |
Cyber Security Advice and Assessment Specialist |
S |
Strong |
| 262116 |
Cyber Security Analyst |
S |
Strong |
| 262117 |
Cyber Security Architect |
S |
Strong |
| 262118 |
Cyber Security Operations Coordinator |
S |
Strong |
| 263111 |
Computer Network and Systems Engineer |
S |
Strong |
| 263112 |
Network Administrator |
S |
Strong |
| 263113 |
Network Analyst |
S |
Strong |
| 263211 |
ICT Quality Assurance Engineer |
S |
Strong |
| 263213 |
ICT Systems Test Engineer |
S |
Strong |
| 121311 |
Apiarist |
S |
Moderate |
| 133111 |
Construction Project Manager |
S |
Moderate |
| 133112 |
Project Builder |
S |
Moderate |
| 133211 |
Engineering Manager |
S |
Moderate |
| 225411 |
Sales Representative (Industrial Products) |
S |
Moderate |
| 233111 |
Chemical Engineer |
S |
Moderate |
| 233112 |
Materials Engineer |
S |
Moderate |
| 233211 |
Civil Engineer |
S |
Moderate |
| 233213 |
Quantity Surveyor |
S |
Moderate |
| 233214 |
Structural Engineer |
S |
Moderate |
| 233215 |
Transport Engineer |
S |
Moderate |
| 233311 |
Electrical Engineer |
S |
Moderate |
| 233915 |
Environmental Engineer |
S |
Moderate |
| 233999 |
Engineering Professionals nec |
S |
Moderate |
| 234111 |
Agricultural Consultant |
S |
Moderate |
| 234114 |
Agricultural Research Scientist |
S |
Moderate |
| 234115 |
Agronomist |
S |
Moderate |
| 234212 |
Food Technologist |
S |
Moderate |
| 234711 |
Veterinarian |
S |
Moderate |
| 241213 |
Primary School Teacher |
S |
Moderate |
| 241411 |
Secondary School Teacher |
S |
Moderate |
| 241511 |
Special Needs Teacher |
S |
Moderate |
| 241512 |
Teacher of the Hearing Impaired |
S |
Moderate |
| 241513 |
Teacher of the Sight Impaired |
S |
Moderate |
| 241599 |
Special Education Teachers nec |
S |
Moderate |
| 242211 |
Vocational Education Teacher / Polytechnic Teacher |
S |
Moderate |
| 251211 |
Medical Diagnostic Radiographer |
S |
Moderate |
| 251212 |
Medical Radiation Therapist |
S |
Moderate |
| 251214 |
Sonographer |
S |
Moderate |
| 251411 |
Optometrist |
S |
Moderate |
| 251511 |
Hospital Pharmacist |
S |
Moderate |
| 251513 |
Retail Pharmacist |
S |
Moderate |
| 251912 |
Orthotist or Prosthetist |
S |
Moderate |
| 251999 |
Health Diagnostic and Promotion Professionals nec |
S |
Moderate |
| 252312 |
Dentist |
S |
Moderate |
| 252411 |
Occupational Therapist |
S |
Moderate |
| 252511 |
Physiotherapist |
S |
Moderate |
| 252611 |
Podiatrist |
S |
Moderate |
| 252712 |
Speech Pathologist / Speech Language Therapist |
S |
Moderate |
| 253111 |
General Practitioner |
S |
Moderate |
| 253112 |
Resident Medical Officer |
S |
Moderate |
| 253311 |
Specialist Physician (General Medicine) |
S |
Moderate |
| 253312 |
Cardiologist |
S |
Moderate |
| 253313 |
Clinical Haematologist |
S |
Moderate |
| 253314 |
Medical Oncologist |
S |
Moderate |
| 253315 |
Endocrinologist |
S |
Moderate |
| 253316 |
Gastroenterologist |
S |
Moderate |
| 253317 |
Intensive Care Specialist |
S |
Moderate |
| 253318 |
Neurologist |
S |
Moderate |
| 253321 |
Paediatrician |
S |
Moderate |
| 253322 |
Renal Medicine Specialist |
S |
Moderate |
| 253323 |
Rheumatologist |
S |
Moderate |
| 253324 |
Thoracic Medicine Specialist |
S |
Moderate |
| 253399 |
Specialist Physicians nec |
S |
Moderate |
| 253411 |
Psychiatrist |
S |
Moderate |
| 253511 |
Surgeon (General) |
S |
Moderate |
| 253512 |
Cardiothoracic Surgeon |
S |
Moderate |
| 253513 |
Neurosurgeon |
S |
Moderate |
| 253514 |
Orthopaedic Surgeon |
S |
Moderate |
| 253515 |
Otorhinolaryngologist |
S |
Moderate |
| 253516 |
Paediatric Surgeon |
S |
Moderate |
| 253517 |
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon |
S |
Moderate |
| 253518 |
Urologist |
S |
Moderate |
| 253521 |
Vascular Surgeon |
S |
Moderate |
| 253911 |
Dermatologist |
R |
Moderate |
| 253912 |
Emergency Medicine Specialist |
S |
Moderate |
| 253913 |
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist |
R |
Moderate |
| 253914 |
Ophthalmologist |
S |
Moderate |
| 253915 |
Pathologist |
S |
Moderate |
| 253917 |
Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologist |
R |
Moderate |
| 253999 |
Medical Practitioners nec |
S |
Moderate |
| 254212 |
Nurse Researcher |
S |
Moderate |
| 261111 |
ICT Business Analyst |
S |
Moderate |
| 261315 |
Cyber Security Engineer |
S |
Moderate |
| 261316 |
Devops Engineer |
S |
Moderate |
| 272311 |
Clinical Psychologist |
S |
Moderate |
| 272312 |
Educational Psychologist |
S |
Moderate |
| 272313 |
Organisational Psychologist |
S |
Moderate |
| 272399 |
Psychologists nec |
S |
Moderate |
| 411211 |
Dental Hygienist |
S |
Moderate |
| 411214 |
Dental Therapist |
S |
Moderate |
Which situations will this change affect?
Those about to apply for Visa 485: From July 1, 2023, the new duration of stay will be applied to the granted visa.
Those applying for a Visa 485 (Replacement stream or Post-Study Work stream): From July 1, 2023, an extra two years will be added to the granted visa if it has not been applied to your first Visa 485.
Notes:
The extension is in addition to the existing one to two years of work rights for eligible students who study, live, and work in regional areas.
This change also addresses the shortage of human resources in many fields. Students also need to ensure that they maintain their academic records at school.
Source: legislation.gov.au
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