The Australian government announced that the allowable work hours cap for international students will be raised from 40 to 48 hours per fortnight, along with a two-year work visa extension beginning July 1, 2023.
The revised cap will assist international students in supporting themselves while studying as the primary purpose of their visa.
Throughout the pandemic, student visa work restrictions were relaxed, and they were completely removed in January 2022 to allow primary and secondary student visa holders to work more than their normal limit of 40 hours per fortnight to address workforce shortages.
This will come to an end on June 30, and the new cap will apply to all international students, regardless of when they began studying.
In addition, the government announced a two-year extension of post-study work rights for international graduates with select degrees in areas of verified skill shortage.
This extension will allow eligible international higher education graduates to extend their Temporary Graduate visa for an additional two years (subclass 485). The extension supplements the existing one to two years of work rights for eligible students who study, live, and work in regional areas.
Post-study work rights for select Bachelor degrees will be increased from two to four years, three to five years for select Masters degrees, and four to six years for all doctoral qualifications.
“Enabling students that gain an education in Australia to stay longer and contribute to our economy benefits us all,” Minister for Home Affairs Clare O’Neil said.
“After a lost decade on immigration and skills we are looking for ways to utilise skilled migrants via enhanced training and better targeted, less exploitative programs for temporary visa workers and students,” she added.
