Post Study Work Permit in Australia in 2025

Every student planning to go outside India for his/her studies does so with the hope of staying in the country. Either permanently or at least for a couple of more years to gain meaningful work experience. If you do not have a job offer for you once you get back, it would be rather advisable to gain some work experience in the country.

As a study-abroad destination, Australia is famous for its higher education system, global recognition and better opportunities. The constant demand for a skilled workforce in the Australian continent has boosted the education sector, which continues to attract and sustain international students and assimilate them within the country’s industry. But, as an international student studying in Australia, there are some ways and means of going about it. A post study work visa in Australia is what you would need after you have held any type of student visa in Australia. So, what is a Post-Higher Education Work Visa in Australia, and how do you get it? Get all the details in this article. 

What is Post-Higher Education Work Visa?

A Post-Higher Education Work Visa is a work visa formerly referred to as the Post-Study Work visa (PSWV) in Australia is a Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485). Applicants not Australian citizens can apply for a Post-Higher Education Work Visa to stay back in the country after graduating from Australian universities to find a job and work. Based on the study level in Australia, applicants have a limited period to stay back in Australia. If passing out from regional Australian universities, this visa will apply.  

Regional Australian Post-Higher Education Work Visa

Only areas classified as 'Inner Regional Australia' to 'Very Remote Australia' remain eligible for Destination Australia. Darwin is the only capital city in Australia with access to the scholarship scheme and an additional two years of PSWV in Australia.

Cities with an additional year of PSWR:

• Adelaide
• Perth
• Gold Coast
• Wollongong/Illawarra Geelong
• Hobart
• Sunshine Coast Canberra Newcastle/Lake Macquarie

An international student is accepted and allowed to study in a foreign country on what is called a Student Visa. This visa is categorically to pursue a course or undergo vocational training. Once the course is over, however, the visa's validity also expires. This might happen immediately or after 6 months (according to the Student Visa Guidelines of the country.)

After the same, a student must apply for and get a Work Permit to continue staying in the country for employment purposes. In Australia, students who have completed their studies in Australia with a Subclass (500) visa either can apply for a Post Study Work Permit or a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485).

Related Reads

• Student Guide for Australia
• Top Universities in Sydney
• Top 5 Universities in Canberra

Post-Higher Education Work Visa in Australia

The Post-Higher Education Work Visa is basically for subclass 500 visa holders, which is nothing but the student visa - undergraduate or graduate study. This visa is applicable for international students who have completed the Australian Study Requirements and have an eligible qualification as well as skills pertinent to occupations listed on the Skills Occupation List (SOL). This generally would cater to students who apply for a Vocational Education and Training qualification and one of the TAFE institutes or also at any of the Go8 Universities in Australia and even Level 1 Universities in Australia.

Post-Higher Education Work Visa Duration Australia

The duration of your Post-Higher Education Work visa depends on your degree level:

Eligibility for Post-Higher Education Work Visa in Australia

To be eligible for the Post-Higher Education Work visa, you must:

• You must have completed any degree from an Australian university.
• Meet the Australian Study Requirement (ASR). This requires you to have studied in Australia for at least two academic years (16 calendar months) in a registered course.
• You must apply for the visa within six months of completing your studies.  
• Be under 35 years old and white applying for this visa. There may be age limits for different visa categories.
• You must show proficiency in English and submit the scores of either IELTS or TOEFL or PTE.
• Also you must provide medical and character certificates.
• While your stay in Australia ensure you have your medical health insurance in place. 

Who can apply for a Post-Higher Education Work Visa in Australia?

As an international student, you can apply for the same, no later than 6 months after completing your course. To be eligible, you must meet the Australia Study requirements, which require a minimum of 16 months of stay and study in Australia and completion of a minimum of 92 weeks of study of a course registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS). (This is easily available on the university website so it would be wise to check before you start!)

It would be wise to remember that they require a certain level of competence in the skill set. Apart from that, things like the recognition of the institution are also something you should check before applying for a course with a plan of continuing to stay and work in Australia after your studies.

Apart from the above, you must be 18 or older, be less than 50, have an eligible visa, and have health insurance in Australia. They would also require you to have competent English, health, and character certificates. Having these documents ready before you apply for the visa would be good. The Department of Immigration & Border Protection will provide eligibility details, actual cost, and required documents. You can also register on the website and apply for the position.

What is the Processing Time for a Subclass 485 Visa?

At present the processing time for Subclass 485 applicants is:

• 50% applications processed within 20 days
• 90% applications processed in 33 days

This number can change based on the load of applications received. Keep a tight watch on ImmiAccount to track applications.

Also Read: How to Get PR in Australia for Indian Students?

How much time can an applicant stay after completing studies in Australia?

As per the rule, international applicants applying for the Subclass 485 visa can stay in Australia for up 18 months. This visa also allows them to travel to Australia, gain work experience, or improve their English language skills. 

While, those who complete their studies in the metropolitan cities of Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane can get two years of post-study work visas. They can get three to four years of post-study work visas in regional areas.

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