Federal Minister for Education, Jason Clare, has announced a two-year post study work rights extension for international students at the Jobs and Skills Summit last week in a bid to aid the skills shortage crisis.

Currently, students with a bachelors degree can stay in Australia for two years, students that have completed their masters can stay for three years and doctoral students can stay for four years. Students with Hong Kong and British National Overseas passports can stay in Australia for up to five years.

Moving forward, students will be able to stay for an additional two years. Mr Clare has previously stated that he wants to see more international students stay in Australia after graduation.

“Where we have got skill shortages – they are chronic across the economy at the moment – it makes sense to encourage them to stay longer”, he said. Currently only around 16% of international students stay in Australia after their studies have been completed.

It has yet to be announced which degree programs will be eligible for the extended visas but an announcement should be made before the end of October 2022 by a group that will include representatives from the International Education Association of Australia, the National Tertiary Education Union, Universities Australia and the government’s home affairs and education departments.

James Cook University Brisbane will support students to access the priority jobs through our dedicated student job placement service – Joblinx.

Since 2008 Joblinx has been providing clients with employment support, work experience and internship opportunities as well as offering one on one consultation, training and workshops to enhance their career development and employment prospects.