Transitioning from a student visa to work visa in Australia is a common goal for international students who want to build a career and continue living in the country after completing their studies.
The Australian government provides several pathways to make this switch, depending on your qualifications, work experience, and field of study.
This guide outlines the key steps to transition smoothly from a student visa to a work visa in Australia.
Table of Contents
Understand the Post-Study Work Visa Options
Australia offers several visa options for graduates looking to stay and work after completing their studies.
The most common pathways include:
- Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485): This is the most popular option for international students who wish to work after graduation. It has two streams:
- Graduate Work Stream: For international students who graduated with skills and qualifications relevant to an occupation on Australia’s skilled occupation list (SOL). This visa is valid for 18 months.
- Post-Study Work Stream: Available to graduates of higher education courses, such as a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree. Depending on the qualification, this visa can last between 2 and 4 years.
- Skilled Migration Visas (subclass 189 and 190): If you meet the required points for skilled migration and have an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation lists, you may apply for these permanent residency visas.
- Employer-Sponsored Visas (subclass 482): If you secure a job offer from an Australian employer in a role that requires your skills, they may sponsor you for a Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa, allowing you to work for them.
Check the Eligibility Requirements
To successfully switch from a student visa to work visa in Australia, it’s important to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa you are applying for.
Each visa type has its own criteria, such as:
- Temporary Graduate Visa (485): You must have completed a CRICOS-registered course, meet English language proficiency requirements, and apply within six months of finishing your course.
- Skilled Migration Visa (189 and 190): You need to submit an expression of interest (EOI) through SkillSelect, obtain a positive skills assessment, and score at least 65 points based on factors like age, work experience, qualifications, and English proficiency.
- Employer-Sponsored Visas (482): You must have relevant work experience, meet the skill requirements for the position, and receive a job offer from an Australian employer.
Gather Required Documents
Whether you are applying for a temporary or permanent visa, you will need to gather several documents to support your application. Common documents include:
- Proof of Graduation: You’ll need a certificate of completion from your educational institution, confirming that you’ve completed your studies in Australia.
- Passport: A valid passport with sufficient time remaining before expiration.
- Health and Character Checks: You may need to undergo a medical examination and provide police clearance certificates from any country you’ve lived in for more than 12 months.
- Skills Assessment: If you are applying for a skilled migration visa, you’ll need to have your qualifications assessed by a relevant skills assessment authority.
- Job Offer (if applicable): For employer-sponsored visas, a valid job offer from an Australian company is essential.
Submit Your Visa Application
Once you have all your documents ready, the next step in transitioning from a student visa to work visa in Australia is to submit your application.
Depending on the visa, this can be done through the Australian immigration website.
- Temporary Graduate Visa (485): Apply online through your ImmiAccount. Ensure that you submit the application within six months of your graduation date. Processing times vary, but it typically takes between 4 to 8 months.
- Skilled Migration Visas (189 and 190): After submitting an expression of interest (EOI) on SkillSelect, you’ll need to wait for an invitation to apply. Once invited, you can submit your visa application online.
- Employer-Sponsored Visa (482): Your employer will need to nominate you for the visa, after which you can submit your application through the ImmiAccount portal.
Work While Waiting for Visa Approval
If you apply for a work visa while on a student visa in Australia, you may be eligible to work full-time during the processing of your visa.
On a Temporary Graduate Visa (485), for instance, there are no work restrictions, allowing you to take full advantage of employment opportunities while awaiting visa approval.
Pathway to Permanent Residency
One of the main advantages of switching from a student visa to work visa in Australia is the potential to move towards permanent residency. Here are a few options:
- Skilled Migration Pathway: After working in Australia on a Temporary Graduate Visa (485) or an Employer-Sponsored Visa (482), you may be eligible to apply for a permanent skilled migration visa, such as the Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189) or the Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190).
- Employer-Sponsored Permanent Residency: After working for a few years on a Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (subclass 482), your employer may sponsor you for permanent residency through the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186).
Maximize Your Chances of Success
Switching from a student visa to work visa in Australia can be competitive, especially for skilled migration visas.
Here are some tips to increase your chances of success:
- Improve Your Points Score: If you’re applying for a skilled migration visa, improve your points by gaining relevant work experience, improving your English proficiency, or completing additional qualifications.
- Gain Work Experience While Studying: Part-time work or internships during your studies can help you gain relevant work experience, making you a more attractive candidate for employer-sponsored visas.
- Network and Seek Job Opportunities: Build professional connections through job fairs, networking events, and online platforms like LinkedIn. This can help you secure a job offer that may lead to a sponsored work visa.
Conclusion
Switching from a student visa to work visa in Australia is a great opportunity to extend your stay and start your career.
By understanding the visa options, meeting eligibility criteria, and carefully preparing your application, you can successfully make the transition and enjoy life as a skilled worker in Australia.