Meanwhile, government is expanding post-study work rights in some industries
Restrictions will soon be implemented on the number of hours immigrant students are allowed to work, with the right to work unrestricted hours for visa holders ending on 30 June 2023. In January 2022, the Australian government temporarily eased the working hour restrictions for student visa holders to help address the workforce shortages experienced by several businesses.
“From July 2023, the number of working hours for international students will be capped again,” the government said in a statement. “The number of hours will be revised with a view to finding the right balance between work and study.”
Before the government’s move to relax the working hours, student visa holders had a limit of 40 hours a fortnight for work, based on reports.
The government also announced last month that it is extending the post-study work rights for international students in businesses facing a skills shortage. Based on the post-study work rights, selected undergraduate degrees will grant foreign students four-year post-study work permission, compared to the current limit of two years.
The post-study work rights also include chosen post-graduate degrees that will offer students five years of work experience after graduation, with the present limit at three years. Reports also said that graduates of selected doctorate degrees will be allowed to work for up to six years in Australia, with the current limit at four years.
Amid reports of slow visa application, the Australian government recently announced that a new investment of $36 million will be made to clear the backlogs of visa applications and improve visa procedures for international students.
Reports showed that given the new developments, the country expects an increase in study-abroad applications in the future.
The government also announced the Ministry for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs’ 2022-23 Migration Program, which hopes to achieve social and economic outcomes for Australia’s needs.
“The 2022-23 Migration Program has been designed to boost Australia’s economic recovery and drive social cohesion outcomes in the post-pandemic environment,” the government said in a statement. “The 2022-23 Migration Program will have a planning level of 160,000 places.”
