The Job Ready Program, or JRP, is an essential part of the Australian immigration system. It’s designed to help international students who’ve successfully finished their studies in Australia. The main goal of the JRP is to provide a pathway for these graduates to stay in the country and gain practical work experience, which is crucial for their future careers.

The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)

At the heart of the Job Ready Program is the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), often called the “485 visa.” This visa has two streams, each with its own set of requirements:

1. Graduate Work Stream

The Graduate Work Stream is for international students who’ve completed a qualification closely related to an occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). To be eligible, you must meet specific criteria, including English language proficiency and a valid skills assessment for your chosen occupation.

2. Post-Study Work Stream

The Post-Study Work Stream is open to international students who’ve finished a higher education degree in Australia, no matter their field of study. The length of the visa depends on your highest educational qualification in Australia, with options ranging from two to four years.

The Job Ready Program: A Closer Look

For those pursuing the Graduate Work Stream, there’s a comprehensive process within the Job Ready Program. Here are the key steps:

1. Skills Assessment

The first step is to have your skills assessed by the relevant authority for your chosen occupation. This ensures your qualifications meet Australia’s requirements and standards for your field.

2. Job Ready Employment

To meet the program’s criteria, you need to gain relevant work experience through paid employment in your chosen occupation. The number of hours and months required can vary depending on your specific field.

3. Job Ready Final Assessment

Once you meet the work experience requirements, you can apply for the Job Ready Final Assessment. This assessment confirms you’ve fulfilled all the program’s requirements, making you eligible for the Graduate Work Stream of the Temporary Graduate visa.

The Job Ready Program in Australia offers international graduates a valuable opportunity to jumpstart their careers and gain practical experience in their chosen fields. Whether you’re aiming for the Graduate Work Stream or the Post-Study Work Stream, it’s crucial to understand the specific requirements and pathways available to you.

As immigration policies and programs can change, we recommend checking the official website of the Australian Department of Home Affairs or consulting with a registered migration agent for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding the Job Ready Program and related visa processes. This program can be your ticket to a rewarding professional journey in Australia, so ensure you’re well-informed and prepared to take the next step in your career.

The Australian Government has just dropped some big news about the Covid-408 Visa! Let’s break it down for you in a way that’s easy to understand:

Slow Farewell:

Starting from September 2, 2023, the Covid visa will only accept applications from those who already have a Covid visa.

Transitional Period:  

Only those who are existing Covid visa holders will be able to apply for a subsequent covid visa effective 2 September 2023 until the visa is fully closed by February 2024. 

In-Between Time:

If you’re one of the lucky ones with an existing Covid visa, you can apply for another one until February 2024 when it’ll be fully closed.

But there’s a catch: the new visa you get will only last for six months, not a whole year. And you’ll need to pay a Visa Application Charge of $405 AUD.

No More Covid Visa for Others:

If you’re on a different visa, like a student or working holiday visa, you won’t be eligible for the Covid visa after September 2, 2023.

What Next? 

If your visa is about to expire, and you can’t get the Covid visa, you’ve got to look into other options. You’ll need to meet the specific requirements for the visa you want. If you don’t have any other visa options, it’s time to plan your exit from Australia when your current visa runs out.

Here’s the Deal

We get it; lots of international students and temporary visa holders were hoping for the Covid visa. But it’s not on the table anymore, and we know many of you aren’t ready to leave Australia.

At Questra Immigration, we are committed to making this transition as smooth as possible for everyone involved. We can provide support and guidance to both current participants and prospective applicants.  

Any doubts or questions you may have can be directed to our WhatsApp chat, where you can talk with one of our agents. 

If you’re currently studying or have recently completed a trade qualification (e.g. Certificate IV in Kitchen Management, Certificate III in Baking or Certificate III in Carpentry), you should be contemplating your next steps, which is achieving a full skills assessment from the Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) by undertaking the Job Ready Program (JRP)!

We’ve got some good news for you! The TRA has recently released updated applicant guidelines for the JRP which positively impact graduates by streamlining the skills assessment process effective 1 July 2023!

The JRP is now a three-stage employment-based skills assessment program that provides trade qualification graduates the opportunity to demonstrate their job readiness in an Australian workplace. It is in place for graduates pursuing a positive skills assessment in their nominated occupation which they can use for General skilled migration purposes.

What are the changes to the Job Ready Program? 

• A Provisional Skills Assessment (PSA) is now again required before applying for the JRP, however a major change is that you no longer need have 360 hours of work experience.
• You no longer need to be the primary holder of a student visa to obtain the PSA
• The PSA is valid for 3 years from the date of the PSA outcome and applicants can use that entire duration to complete their JRP
• After completing the PSA, the standard 3 stages of the JRP are in place:

1. 1. Job Ready Employment (JRE)
   2. Job Ready Workplace Assessment (JRWA)
   3. Job Ready Final Assessment (JRFA)
• At least 12 months of full-time paid employment (of an average of 38 hours per week) or part-time equivalent is required as part of the JRP
• The 12-month work period commences from the JRE start date (usually the date you submit your JRE application)
• Agents (like us) can manage the process throughout all stages of the JRP
• Visa documents are no longer required to apply for the JRP, needless to say though, applicants are required to hold and maintain a valid visa with work rights whilst participating in the JRP.

For Existing JRP Participants and Prospective Applicants:

Whether you’re already a participant in the JRP or have plans to join in the future, taking note of these changes is crucial. It’s highly recommended that you review the updated program guidelines. Understanding the modifications and how they might influence your participation is essential. To gain more clarity, delve into the updated JRP FAQs and the new JRP Applicant Guidelines.

Australia’s Job Ready Program is adapting to provide a more efficient and effective pathway for skilled professionals. With the replacement of JRPRE by the PSA, it’s essential to be well-informed about these changes. Whether you’re already part of the JRP journey or considering joining, taking the time to understand these updates will ensure you’re prepared for the new program structure.

Support and Guidance

At Questra Immigration, we are committed to making this transition as smooth as possible for everyone involved. We can provide support and guidance to both current participants and prospective applicants.  

Any doubts or questions you may have can be directed to our WhatsApp chat, where you can talk with one of our agents.