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Major Updates to the Temporary Graduate Visa Program

As previously mentioned, the Department is considering significant changes to the Temporary Graduate visa program starting from the next financial year.

Effective from 1 July 2024, the following changes will be implemented:

1
Age limitation:

  • All applicants – to be capped at 35 years old.
  • Nationals of Hong Kong or British National Overseas passport holder – until 50.

2
Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa (Graduate Stream) – to be renamed into Post-Vocational Education Work Stream. The visa will be open only for graduates who hold eligible associate degree, diploma, or trade qualification closely linked to a job on the MLTSSL.

Visa duration:

  • All applicants – up to 18 months
  • Nationals of Hong Kong or British National Overseas passport holder – up to 5 years

3
Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa (Post -Study Work Stream) – to be renamed Post-Higher Education Work Stream. Only for Graduates with Higher Education Degree (Bachelor, Master of above). Extensions for this visa will no longer be available.

Visa duration:

  • Bachelor degree (including honours) – up to 2 years
  • Masters (coursework and extended) – up to 2 years
  • Masters (research) and doctoral degree (PhD) – up to 3 years.
  • Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders may be able to stay for up to 5 years.
  • Indian national for with doctoral degree (PhD) – up to 4 years.

4
Second Post-Study Work stream to be renamed into Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream. No further changes here.

5
Replacement Stream

Sad news for this stream — it’s stepping off the stage and will be closed.

Additionally, I would like to remind you about changes of the English test requirements:

  • The minimum score required increases from IELTS 6.0 to 6.5 (or equivalent) with a minimum score of 5.5 for each component of the test.
  • For passport holders from Hong Kong and British National Overseas (BNO) English language requirement remains at IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent), with a minimum score of 5.0 for each component of the test.
  • The test validity window for all Temporary Graduate visa applications decreases from three years to one year and tests have been completed no more than one year immediately before the date of the visa application. 
  • The Department does not accept IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR) results for Graduate visa applications.

Guys, if these changes affect your migration pathway, please email me at office@yuliamoiseeva.com.au so we can discuss your circumstances and definitely find a solution.

Yulia Moiseeva & Associates

Yulia Moiseeva & Associates was established in 2010 to assist people to change their life to a better one, to relocate and settle in Australia stress-free. We develop an immigration strategy and provide the most successful results.
Yulia Moiseeva Principal and Senior Registered Migration Agent MARN 1066715.
Olga Grinevetskaya Senior Registered Migration Agent MARN 1807885.

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