For International students looking to study abroad, Australia has long been a top choice. There are many students seeking out top-notch universities. An international student visa to Australia is the way to stay and get an education there. Most Australian educational institutions have very high rankings on the Times Higher Education (THE) and Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) rankings.
However, the Australian government recently changed some student visa 500 provisions. To know these amendments, you must contact a professional for free consultation.
Australian Student Visa New Rules
The Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) of the Australian government made several adjustments to skilled migration and student visas. These changes have been made in response to the Knight review, commissioned by the government to investigate how to make it easier for international students to study in Australia and apply for a student visa.
You have been granted a two-year post-study/work visa if you are an Australian bachelor’s student. Additionally, if you were a regional student, you received a post-study/work visa valid for four years.
Recently, the Australian government increased that figure and granted two years to all students seeking bachelor’s degrees for study in Australia. The total number of years they can stay in Australia without asking for sponsorship for a visa has now reached six.
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Student Visa Working Hours Update
The working hours policy for international students with Australian student visas will once more be relaxed. It is less permissive than the previous standards but still more lenient.
Work Restrictions For Student Visas From July 1, 2023
During the pandemic, there were fewer limitations on how many hours primary and secondary students could work to help close the labour shortage. January 2022 observed the demise of these limitations. As of 9 May 2023, holders of student visas already employed in the aged care industry can continue to do so without restriction until 31 December 2023, according to a statement from the Australian government.
All holders of student visas will have their work restrictions reinstated as of 1 July 2023 and capped at an enhanced rate of 48 hours per week. There is no specified Australia student visa age limit to restrict you from these working rights. It ensures that people on student visas can concentrate on getting a good education and credential in Australia while supporting themselves financially, gaining job experience, and contributing to Australia’s labour needs.
Though, to be able to work full-time, you must:
- When entering the course details in the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students to work that was indicated as a prerequisite of the course; and
- If the bearer of an Australia student visa issued in connection with a master’s by research or doctoral degree has started the master’s by research or doctoral degree.
An Exemption Of The Job Requirements For Australian Student Visas
During the epidemic, holders of primary and secondary student visas are not permitted to work unlimited hours to help fill labour shortages, notwithstanding the relaxation of the limits on employment for people with student visas.
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Your Employment Rights Remain Intact.
International students studying in Australia enjoy the same workplace rights as domestic employees, including the entitlement to a minimum wage and working conditions. Employees must get a minimum salary per the work they accomplish.
There are additional fundamental needs for workers in the workplace. These are outlined in legal papers like Awards, Agreements, or Standards. Australian labour law accords international students with the same rights as all other employees. Employers must therefore continue to abide by Australian workplace regulations. These restrictions forbid employers from permitting workers with student visas to work in violation of their visa conditions.
Even while there is flexibility in the number of hours you can work, you must still balance your obligations to your studies and your job.
You still need to:
- Keep your course enrollment steady
- Ensure adequate class participation, and
- Guarantee satisfactory academic achievement.
You risk breaking your visa’s rules if you stop going to classes, stop taking them, or not having adequate academic progress.
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Increase In The Minimum Wage.
Employees not covered by an award or registered agreement must get the National Minimum Wage. The National Minimum Wage will rise to $882.80 per week or $23.23 per hour as of July 1, 2023. Employees who begin their first pay period on or after July 1, 2023, are subject to the increase.
Some minimum award rates may now be less than the National Minimum Wage by the 2023 AWR judgement. These modifications may affect the information in some of our resources. The data on these sites is currently being reviewed and updated. The National Minimum Wage does not apply if you have protection by an award or agreement.
In July 2023, Amendments In The Australian Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)
A fascinating time extension has been granted for the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) update in July 2023.
Increased Post-Study Work Duration
The visa update for new work rights will go into effect on July 1, 2023, with the current conditions being extended for extra two years.
- Bachelor’s degree holders will be eligible for a visa extension for two to four years.
- Graduates from master’s programmes can extend their visas’ validity from three to five years.
- PhD graduates are eligible for the four to six-year extension of visa validity.
The extension will give overseas graduates additional work rights with the present work rights of one to two years for qualifying students who study, live, and work in regional areas. As a result, qualified persons can work in regional areas for protracted periods. It will help to improve the labour force and advertise local businesses.
Conditions For Temporary Graduate Visa Modification
The eligibility for the two-year extension will be determined by whether international graduates who hold a current Temporary Graduate Visa Australia as of July 1, 2023, or those who apply for one after that date.
Graduates whose visas expire before July 1, 2023, may apply for an extension of their work permitted by participating in events sanctioned by the Australian government while on a temporary activity visa (subclass 408), especially activities connected to the COVID-19 Pandemic event.
There is no official information about the Graduate Work Stream on the Temporary Graduate Visa page, and no latest information exists to support that a diploma degree or its equivalent will likewise experience this shift.
Conclusion
Australia offers various educational opportunities that can help people stay and work there. It is well known for its welcoming attitude towards foreign academics, and the application process for student visa subclass 500 is believed to be more straightforward than in other nations.
Australia has changed the rules governing students with valid visas, lowering the maximum number of hours they can work from 40 to 48. The implementation of the new regulations is anticipated to start on July 1st. The ministry has also announced that they will prolong the post-study period for visa holders. The current system, which enables students to support themselves financially while still dedicating enough time to their studies, will w.e.f. June 30.
International students will now have additional two years of post-study work rights per the Australian government. Nevertheless, it is for students pursuing particular degrees or courses when there is a skill shortage. You must contact a migration agent in Perth for an understanding of these amendments.
