What Job For You How to Find a Job Professional Resources News Room About Gradlink

Graduate Careers Australia

Graduate Grapevine - Number 9, Summer 2007

International Students: Graduate Options

Australian citizenship or permanent residency (PR) status is required for many graduate programs in Australia. The good news is that employment prospects for graduating international students have improved recently with changes to the Australian Government’s General Skilled Migration (GSM) program. In September 2007 the Government introduced a temporary work visa for graduates – a good option for the many international students who wish to pursue work options in Australia once they have completed their studies.

Temporary Work Visa For Skilled Graduates

The Skilled – Graduate (Temporary) visa (subclass 485) replaces the Graduate – Skilled visa (subclass 497); it allows overseas students who do not meet the criteria for a permanent GSM visa to remain in Australia for 18 months to gain skilled work experience or improve their English skills. There are no restrictions on work or study with this visa, so students are free to do any of the following during their period of stay:

  • travel
  • work
  • study to improve English skills
  • complete a professional year.

Holders of a 485 visa can apply for a permanent GSM or employer-sponsored visa at any time if they are able to meet the pass mark of the GSM points test.

Who Is This Visa For?

This visa is for overseas students who:

  • are under 45 years of age
  • are currently in Australia and holding an eligible visa
  • have completed eligible qualifications in the last six months as a result of at least two years study in Australia
  • are unable to meet the pass mark on the points test for the Skilled – Independent (Residence) visa
  • have the skills and qualifications that meet the Australian standard for an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL)
  • have nominated occupations classified as either a 60 point occupation or a 50 point occupation.

For further details of other eligibility requirements see www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/485/eligibility.htm .

Other GSM Visas

Other visas international students can apply for if they are currently in Australia and hold eligible visas include:

  • Skilled – Independent (subclass 885): a permanent visa which replaces the Skilled – Independent Overseas Student (subclass 880) visa
  • Skilled – Sponsored (subclass 886): a permanent visa replaces the Skilled – Australian Sponsored Overseas Student (subclass 881) visa
  • Skilled – Regional Sponsored (subclass 487) visa: a three-year provisional visa that replaces the Skilled – Independent Regional (subclass 495) visa and the Skilled – Designated Area Sponsored (subclass 496) visa. Holders of this visa can apply for a permanent Skilled – Regional visa (see below) once they have lived for two years and worked full-time for one year in a specified regional area of Australia
  • Skilled – Regional (subclass 887) visa: a permanent visa for holders of Skilled – Regional Sponsored (subclass 487 and 475), Skilled – Independent Regional and Skilled – Designated Area-Sponsored visas and replaces the second stage Skilled – Designated Area Sponsored (subclass 883) visa and the State/Territory Nominated Independent (subclass 137) visa.

For more information about this visa and migration options and processes please see www.immi.gov.au .

BACK TO TOP
 
 
 look