Students who entered the country before November 2011 could be left marooned by the sudden changes the so-called “457 visa” without a valid avenue to work in Australia.
Most international students rely on 485 Temporary graduate visas to commence work in Australia after their degrees, but applicants under the visa’s unskilled post-study work stream are ineligible for 485 visas if they entered the country before November 2011.
Laurie Berg, a researcher in immigration and labour law at the University of Technology Sydney, said the changes represent a trend of pushing students towards temporary visas.
“There’s an ever-decreasing number of pathways,” she said.
“The increasing work experience requirements will disadvantage students, as well as the decreased number of occupations. It’s already been the case for some time that it is very hard to move from a student visa directly on to permanent residence.
“There were roughly 6,000 applicants for the 457 visa from holders of student visas in the last financial year, which is under 10 per cent of 457 grants. From what I understand, the changes mean doctoral students will be hit hardest as there isn’t another student visa for them to move on to and they won’t have the work experience for other visas.”
The post-study work stream of the 485 visa lets students live and work in Australia for two years after completing a bachelors degree, three after a masters and four after a doctorate.
Shukla said the changes added to the stress international students suffer in Australia.
“Lets not forget, right from day one when international students apply for student visas, we face huge issues. We pay higher costs than domestic students – at least $60,000 for two years if you’re being modest. In states like New South Wales we have no travel subsidies and a higher cost of living. The problems are many and the 457 changes just added to it.”