Following the Australian Government’s recent announcement about changes to its temporary skilled work visas, Study Melbourne would like to reaffirm to the State’s international education community that these changes will not affect work requirements for those on a Student visa or Temporary Graduate visa in Victoria. We’re here to clear up any questions you have about how the changes might affect international students.
Q. Will these changes affect Australia’s Student Visa (subclass 500) or the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485)?
A: No. These changes will only affect temporary skilled migrant visas and will not affect visas for people coming to Australia to study.
Q. I am a current visa holder. Will these changes affect me?
A. No. These changes will not affect current visa holders. They will only affect people applying for temporary skilled work visas in the future.
Q. Will these changes affect work requirements for those on Australia’s Student Visa (subclass 500) or the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485)?
A. No. These changes will not affect work requirements for any of Australia’s student visas.
Q. What are the changes being made?
A. The Temporary Work (Skilled) visa (subclass 457), often referred to as the ‘457 visa’ is being abolished and replaced with two new skilled work visas. The Temporary Skills Shortage visa (TSS) will include two streams, a Short-Term stream of up to two years, and a Medium-Term stream of up to four years. There are also changes to the list of occupations that can apply for skilled work visas. For more information about these changes, you can find out more at the Australian Government’s Department of Immigration and Border Protection website.
Q. What do these changes mean for international students?
A. These changes do not directly affect international students, and are designed to address skills shortages in the Australian workforce. International students are welcome in Australia and in Victoria, and the Victorian Government remains committed to ensuring all international students have an outstanding experience in our State.
Q. I would like to apply for a skilled work visa when I complete my studies in Australia. How will these changes affect me?
A. These changes will affect the amount of time a temporary skilled work visa holder can stay in Australia, and the occupations that are supported by their visa. To understand the changes, visit the Australian Government Department of Immigration and Border Protection Fact Sheets below.
Resources
For more information about the changes, read the fact sheets below or visit the Australian Government’s Department of Immigration and Border Protection website.
If you would like to talk to someone about what these changes mean to international students, visit the Study Melbourne Student Centre at 599 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne, open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday or call 1800 056 449.
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