NOTE: You can only extend your stay in Australia
if you do not have a 'No Further
Stay' (e.g. 8534) condition on your
current student visa.
Options for extending your stay
The following
table outlines your visa options
to extend your stay in Australia.
|
Reasons for Extending |
Visa Options |
|
Continue your studies |
Apply for a new student visa.
Our counsellors can assist you.
|
|
To have your PhD thesis assessed |
|
Attend your graduation ceremony |
Apply for a visitor visa.
Consult a qualified migration
agent. |
|
Have a holiday |
|
For work |
Apply for a work visa, e.g.
Skilled – Graduate (Temporary) visa (subclass
485)
This visa allows
overseas students who do not
meet the criteria for a permanent
General Skilled Migration
visa to remain in Australia for 18 months to gain skilled work
experience or improve their
English language skills –
two things that may enhance
their chances of gaining Skilled
Migration.
Holders of this
visa may apply for permanent
residence at any time if they
are able to meet the pass
mark on the General Skilled
Migration points test.
This visa allows
the qualified Graduate and
any secondary applicants included
in their visa application
to remain in Australia for up to 18 months with no restrictions
on work or study. During
485 visa holders may:
- travel
- work
- study to improve your English skills
- Complete a professional year.
See: http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/485/index.htm |
|
Permanent residence in Australia |
Apply to become a permanent resident under the General Skilled
Migration program. http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/index.htm
|
Once
you graduate, you may qualify to
apply for Permanent Residency and
gain employment. You can only work
in Australia
after graduation, if you have a
visa which gives you work rights.
Many
international students who have
graduated from Australian institutions
apply for Independent Skilled Migration.
There is a special category for
International Students who have
studied in Australia.
You need to meet the Points Test
for Skilled Migration. See http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/changes/_pdf/GSMchange_points-test.pdf
You
may be eligible to apply if you
have studied a course that scores
50 or 60 Points on the Skilled Occupation
List (SOL). See http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/1121i.pdf
To achieve recognition in one of
these Skilled Occupations, you need
to meet the criteria set down by
the relevant Assessing Body.
To
find out if your course qualifies
you to apply for Permanent Residency,
you will need to have your skills
assessed by the relevant body, shown
beside the occupation on the SOL.
The SOL changes from time to time,
so there can be no guarantee that
if an occupation is on the list
when you commence a course that
it will still be there when you
graduate. The list is based on areas
where Australia has skills shortages.
