News
The new financial year brings some big changes for migrants in Australia, if you are a graduate from an Australian university you are now allowed to say much longer and the Visa Application Charge (VAC) has increased across the board.
The Subclass 485 Graduate visa is a very popular option for migrants to Australia wishing to live and work in the country and as part of sweeping new rules handed down by the Department of Home Affairs which took effect on July 1, 2023, graduates on Subclass 485 visas will be allowed to stay for much longer.
Foreign students in the country studying for Bachelor’s degrees are now allowed to stay up to four years post-study, with Masters students now able to live and work as many hours as they want for up to five years.
All international students who have graduated with a Doctoral degree are permitted to stay in Australia for six years in a boon for businesses desperate for qualified job applicants.
The changes come as Australia winds back its working rights for migrants who are still on student visas, where previously, as a response to border restrictions and record low immigration, student visa holders had working restrictions removed; their working hours are now capped at 24 hours per fortnight.
VAC is the fee for applying for visas in Australia and have also been subject to review. Below are the new costs for many of the most popular visas that have been subject to the new pricing schedule:
- Partner Visas: A$8,850
- Skilled Visas: A$4,640
- Graduate Visa: A$1,895
- Student Visa: A$710
- Working Holiday Visas: A$635
- Temporary Skills Shortage Visa (Short Term): A$1,455
- Temporary Skills Shortage Visa (Long Term): A$3,035
- Employer Nomination Scheme Visa: A$4,640
- Investor Stream Visa: A$13,860
The Australian jobs market still represents some of the best conditions and pay for well-qualified workers in the world, with average salaries for a graduates in Australia currently at $73,994 per year, according to job site Talent.com. Many more experienced graduates earn up to $91,189 per year.
This pivot indicates the current Australian government’s plan to encourage migrants to stay in Australia longer with more favourable conditions for visa holders with higher qualifications.
The Subclass 485 visa is a popular pathway to Permanent Residency and eventual citizenship in a country which has the 12th largest economy in the world.
Australia is ranked as the 3rd best country in the OECD for household income and the population experiences the 9th highest average earnings of OECD countries, according to the OECD’s Better Life Index.
It is no secret that it pays dividends to migrate to Australia, and now graduates from the country’s world-beating universities can stay for longer, earn more and progress toward establishing a comfortable life in the country.
There has never been a better time to consider a future living and working in the land down under.
Easy Migrate are uniquely positioned as one of Australia’s leading resources when it comes to finding the right migration advice and they will give you the best chance of securing a visa to live and work in Australia.
An expert team of highly experienced agents and lawyers with decades of experience securing visas for migrants to Australia from a range of backgrounds makes the choice clear.
Call or email now to get an expert opinion; do not leave your future up to chance.