The Australian government announced an extension of post-study work rights for international students this month, in a bid to tackle the skilled labour shortage across the nation. This means that international graduates with selected degrees will have the possibility to stay in the country longer.
Post-study work entitlements for selected degrees will increase from:
– Two years to four years for selected bachelor’s degrees
– Three years to five years for selected Masters
– Four years to six years for selected PhDs.
At the moment, only 16% of international students have completed their international studies. The decision will mean they can stay on longer in Australia and use the skills they’ve gained to help fill some of the chronic skills shortages that the country has right now.
The Australian government has not yet released the selected areas. But according to the Departments of Home Affairs and Education, a working group will be created to advise the Ministers of Interior and Education about all the issues related to the subject. The group, formed by representatives from the Council of International Education, the National Tertiary Education Union, Universities Australia, and the Departments of Home Affairs and Education, will present the report with the specific areas to the Ministers by October 28, 2022.
With the measure, international education also benefits with AU$ 36.1 million that the government will invest in the entire process, as there may be around 500 temporary employees to assist with student visa processes in the next nine months.
In addition, the government stated that the number of hours that international students can work will be capped again in June 2023, reversing the temporary relaxation of restrictions in January. According to the government, this aims to strike “the balance between work and study”. A decision has not yet been made on what the cap will be.