Following up on our previous post, Changes to Student (sc500), Temporary Graduate (sc485) and COVID (sc408) visas from 1 July 2023 we look at further changes to Student visas (sc500) and Temporary Graduate visas (sc485).

 

Student visa work restrictions re-introduced on 1 July

Student visa work restrictions will be re-introduced from 1 July 2023 and capped at a rate of 48 hours per fortnight. Employers should ensure that all relevant staff, including managers and supervisors, or those responsible for rostering, are aware of these changes for student visa holders. 

 

Furthermore, some education providers are required to re-introduce face to face classes where international student will be required to attend at least 80% of the contact hours. 

 

Therefore, with the attendance requirements and the cap on working hours, the Government bodies expect compliance from international students with the above. 

 

Student graduate visa extensions – 485 Temporary Graduate visas                                                 

From 1 July 2023, some holders of subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visas will be allowed to stay in Australia for a longer period. The change will result in a stay period of: 

  • four years for a bachelor’s degree graduate, up from two years previously
  • five years for a master’s degree graduate, up from three years previously
  • six years for a doctoral graduate, up from four years previously
  • extension of one or two years for eligible students who live, work and study in regional areas will remain unchanged.

 

To be eligible for an extension, international bachelor and masters students must have a qualification listed on the eligible qualifications list. All doctoral graduates are eligible for the two-year extension regardless of their qualification. Extensions will automatically be applied to Temporary Graduate visa holders who have completed a qualification from the approved list or who apply for a Temporary Graduate visa from 1 July 2023.

 

485 Temporary Graduate visas requirements:

 

    • be under 50 years of age
    • hold an eligible visa
    • have held a student visa in the last 6 months
  • have a qualification relevant to an occupation on the skilled occupation list (Note: this requirement only applies to new applications lodged on or after 1 July 2023)
  • have applied for a skills assessment in your nominated occupation on the skilled occupation list (Note: this requirement only applies to new applications lodged on or after 1 July 2023)
  • provide evidence of adequate health insurance for all applicants when you apply
  • provide evidence you have applied for an AFP check when you apply
  • provide evidence of the required level of English with the application

 

Important change for applicants for 485 Temporary Graduate visas

The most important change is that the applicants from student visas to Temporary Graduate visas sc485 will have to provide evidence of having received or applied for skills assessment for occupation listed on the skills list issued by the Immigration Department.

 

COVID-19 pandemic event (Subclass 408) visa

The government is considering an end date for the COVID-19 pandemic event (Subclass 408) visa possibly from 1 July 2023. We will keep you posted once a decision has been made.

 

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