The Australian government will extend post-study work rights for international students who complete their graduation with degrees linked to workforce

As a result of workforce shortages, the Australian government plans to extend post-study work rights for international students who attain related degrees. This is a wonderful news for students as it gives them more time to find work in Australia and utilize their skills gained while studying here. The Australian government is expected to release details regarding degrees under this category by late October once a working advisory group has submitted its advice.   To add to the great news, it has also announced that AU$36 million budget allocation will be used for the improvement of visa procedure for international students and for reducing delays in visa outcomes.   All of these new developments mean that Australia’s competitiveness as a study aboard destination would increase drastically relative to the other major English-speaking destinations of Canada, the UK, and US.   A look into post-study work rights – Two additional years 1)     Selected undergraduate degrees will offer international students with a four-year post-study work permission – up from the current limit of two years.   2)     Selected postgraduate degrees will provide students with a five-years of work experience after graduation – up from the current limit of three years.   3)     Graduates of selected PhD degrees will be able to work for up to six years in Australia – up from the current limit of four years.   The extensions should help increase the stay rate of the foreign students that the Australian economy needs the most. Minister for Education Jason Clare stated, “At the moment, only 16% of international students stay on after their studies end.” He explains further that the longer work permits “will mean they can stay on longer and use the skills they’ve gained in Australia to help fill some of the chronic skills shortages we have right now.”