Int’l Students Can Work More Part-Time Hrs, Stay Back for Upto 8 Yrs in Australia from July 2024

The Australian government has announced an increase in the work hours limit for international students. The change in the permissible part-time work hours will allow international students to work 48 hours instead of 40 hours per fortnight. The revised cap will come into effect from July 1 this year. The move is expected to address the skill shortage problem in the country. Clare O’Neil, the Australian Minister for Home Affairs, said, “After a lost decade on immigration and skills, we are looking for ways to utilize skilled migrants via enhanced training and better targeted, less exploitative programs for temporary visa workers and students. In January 2022, the Australian government lifted the cap on international students’ work hours. However, the limit will be re-introduced from July 1, 2023.

Upto 8 Years PSW Rights

Another major visa change that goes into effect from July 2023 is the two-year extension on post-study work (PSW) visas. The post-study work rights extension will apply to international graduates from areas officially recognized under skill shortage. Depending on the degree and skill shortage, they will be allowed a stay-back of four to eight years.

MATES Pilot Program for Indians

Additionally, 3000 young Indian professionals will be able to spend two years in Australia without needing a visa sponsorship under Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (MATES), which the two countries entered earlier this year.