The New Visa rule will let Indian Students earn an income while pursuing their studies.
In the last week of May 2023, India and Australia signed a partnership pact on migration and mobility, which will help to open up better opportunities for business people, academic researchers and students.
According to this scheme, Indian graduates of Australian tertiary institutions holding a student visa are eligible to apply for work in Australia. Furthermore, it also ensures professional development extending up to eight years without the requirement of having any visa sponsorship for it.
The new Visa rules became applicable from July 2023, as per which Indian graduates from Australian universities and colleges can apply to work in diverse fields for upto eight years.
The biggest advantage of the extended work period is that it will provide greater opportunities for graduates to explore the Australian job market, gain valuable experience, and establish their
careers.
MATES – Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme
The new Visa rule is a part of the Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-Professionals Scheme (MATES), which is a new pilot program that will provide 3,000 spots for young professionals from India to work in Australia.
The MATES visa is beneficial for both Australia and professionals from India, helping to enhance the Australian workforce with their skills. Also, as part of the exchange, Australians can now apply for an S-5 visa to conduct research in India for up to three years.
The exchange program is an excellent strategy that will foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing between both countries. Consequently, it will enable researchers to simultaneously dive into various fields and progress.
Eligibility and Criteria
Applicants under 31 years old, recent graduates from recognised universities, and in the early stages of their careers are eligible for the visa. Furthermore, they can apply for the 8-year long visa without sponsorship only if they have pursued a course in the following areas:
- Engineering
- Mining
- Information Technology
- Communication Technology
- Financial Technology
- Artificial Intelligence
- Renewable Energy
These particular courses are the gateway to dynamic industries, which require talented and skilled individuals. Therefore, the new visa provides a wide range of opportunities for talented professionals who could contribute significantly in various sectors. And they can do impactful work, such as developing sustainable energy solutions and revolutionising financial technology.
Changes in the Work Hour Cap for International Students
The work hours for international students living in Australia will increase from 40 to 48 hours per fortnight since July 2023. As a result, students will get more opportunities to earn income while pursuing their studies; this will make it easier for them to manage their expenses as well as gain practical work experience.
However, it is essential for students to maintain course enrollment, attendance, and satisfactory course progress to make the most of the work-hour cap. Also, student visa holders working in the elderly care sector can work unrestricted hours until December 31, 2023.
Permanent Migration Programme 2023-24
The planning level for the 2023–24 Permanent Migration Programme has been set at an exciting 190,000 places. Besides, the programme comprises Skill, Family, and special eligibility streams.
An allocation of 5000 places has been set for the Global Talent Visa Programme (GTV); on the other hand, the Business Innovation and Investment Programme (BIIP) visa allocation has been reduced from 5,000 visas in 2022–23 to 1,900 visas in 2023–24.
Most importantly, the overall changes in the Visa rules will encourage Indian students studying in Australia to make the most of their education. It will empower them to gain more relevant experience according to the specific area of study.
