485 visa changes- Students and Skilled Migrants

Refunds of Visa Application Fees

On 19 January 2022, the Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that the Government would rebate all visa application fees for international students and working holiday makers who arrive in Australia for the next 8 weeks. There are approximately 150,000 international students and 23,500 working holiday makers who remain overseas. However, they can return to Australia with their visa costs rebated reducing their overall travel costs amidst the global pandemic. The visa application cost for international students is currently $630 and $495 for working holiday makers. The visa application fees will be rebated upon arrival in Australia and will be processed through the Department of Home Affairs.

“And there are around 150,000 students who have visas who we are encouraging to come back to be there for the start of their university or college year, and that is a thank you to them for coming back and continuing to choose Australia.” – Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Press Conference, 19 January 2022[i]

Working Hour Flexibility for International Students

On 19 January 2022, the Immigration Minister Alex Hawke announced that there would be increased flexibility regarding the working hour restriction on international students. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government has previously removed the 20-hour work restriction on international students in some essential workforce sectors. The 20-hour work restriction has now been removed temporarily from all international students in all workforce sectors. This will be reviewed in April 2022. Since the Government announced the re-opening of international borders to fully vaccinated individuals who held a valid visa, 43,000 international students have travelled to Australia. This welcomed change gives international students the opportunity to work more hours ensuring greater financial stability whilst supplementing labor shortages.

“Due to current workforce shortages, the Government is temporarily… removing the limit on Student visa holders’ working hours across all sectors of the economy.” – Immigration Minister Alex Hawke, Joint Media Release, 19 January 2022[ii]

Employer Flexibility for Working Holiday Makers

Immigration Minister Alex Hawke announced that there will be no limit on the length of time that Working Holiday Makers can work for the same employer. This will be in effect until the end of 2022. This change will allow Australia businesses who are experiencing workforce shortages to continue to employ working holiday makers. It also is a welcome incentive for working holiday makers that provides more employment stability throughout the uncertainty of the global health crisis.

“In addition, effective immediately and until the end of 2022, there will be no limit on the length of time Working Holiday Makers can work for the same employer.” – Immigration Minister Alex Hawke, Joint Media Release, 19 January 2022[iii]

Skilled Regional Provisional Visa Flexibility – Subclasses 489, 491, 494

The Australian Government has extended visa subclasses 489, 491 and 494 by 3 years to allow Skilled Regional Provisional Visa holders who have been impacted by COVD-19 international travel restrictions to travel to Australia. This will positively impact 10,000 skilled regional workers and allow them sufficient time to travel or return to Australia to resume living and working in a regional area under their granted visa.

Temporary Graduate Visa Flexibility – Subclass 485

The Government has announced that Temporary Graduate Visa Holders who have been impacted by COVID-19 travel restrictions may be eligible for their visas to be extended or enlivened until 30 September 2022. Temporary Graduate Visa Holders who are eligible to apply for a visa extension will be notified and then be given an interim visa to come onshore to Australia to apply.

Latest 485 visa changes and updates:

• List of occupations and qualifications eligible for post-study work rights extension
• Extended Work Rights for Select Occupations and Qualifications
• Extra 1 or 2-year visa for international graduates from regional institutions
• 485 Visa – Secondary applicants not excluded
• COVID-19 Concessions for Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) visas
• 485 visa COVID-19 replacement stream
• 485 visa

Temporary Graduate Extension Eligibility

Temporary Graduate Enlivening Eligibility

485 visa changes- Graduate Work Stream

• As a concession during the COVID-19 pandemic, the stay period on the Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa Graduate Work stream, will increase from 18 to 24 months, and application requirements will be streamlined by removing the requirement for graduates to nominate an occupation from the skills occupation list.
• These changes will be implemented progressively from 1 December 2021 through to 1 July 2022.

June 2022 update:

Department of Home Affairs have temporarily removed the requirements for applicants for a Subclass 485 visa in the Graduate Work Stream to nominate an eligible skilled occupation and to obtain a skills assessment for applications made between 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2023 inclusive.

This brings in the Graduate Work Stream in line with the Post Study Work Stream in this respects.

These amendments would encourage a broader range of graduates with degree, diploma and trade qualifications that satisfy the Australian study requirement but are not currently eligible for the Subclass 485 visa in the Graduate Work stream as their related occupations are not included in the current list of specified eligible occupations, to live and work in Australia for a further temporary period.

September 2022 update:

The Australian Government will increase the duration of post study work rights of international students to strengthen the pipeline of skilled labour.

Post study work rights for select degrees in areas of verified skill shortages will be increased from:

• Two years to four years for select Bachelor’s degrees
• Three years to five years for select Masters degrees
• Four years to six years for select PhDs.

A working group will be established to advise the Ministers for Home Affairs and Education on the development of this and other relevant issues. The group will report to Ministers by 28 October 2022.

Related: Migration cap increase to 195,000