Visa Streams & Stay Periods (Updated July 2025)
| Visa Stream | Qualification | Maximum Stay |
|---|---|---|
| Post-Vocational Education Work Stream | Diploma or Trade Qualification | Up to 18 months |
| Post-Higher Education Work Stream | Bachelor’s Degree | Up to 2 years |
| Master’s Degree (Coursework or Research) | Up to 2–3 years | |
| Doctoral Degree (PhD) | Up to 3 years |
Note: Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) passport holders may be eligible for a 5-year stay.
General Eligibility Criteria
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Age | Must be 35 years or under (exceptions apply for PhD and HK/BNO passport holders) |
| Visa History | Must have held a student visa within the last 6 months |
| Study | Completed at least 92 weeks of CRICOS-registered study |
| Health Insurance | Required for the full visa duration |
| English Requirement | IELTS 6.5 overall with no band less than 5.5 (or equivalent) |
| Character & Police Checks | Must pass character requirements and provide AFP clearance |
| Location | Must apply from inside Australia |
Specific Stream Requirements
Post-Vocational Education Work stream:
- Your qualification relevant must be related to an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List.
- You’ll need a positive skills assessment for that occupation.
- You must have completed at least 16 months of study in Australia, unless exemptions apply.
Post-Higher Education Work stream:
- Holding an eligible bachelor’s degree level qualification or higher, regardless of your field of study
- The degree must be awarded within the six months before your application
- Meeting the Temporary Graduate visa study requirement is also essential
Second Post-Higher Education Work stream:
- Have already held a Post-Higher Education Work stream visa
- Graduated from an institution located in a regional area of Australia
- Have lived in a designated regional area for at least two years before applying second Post-Higher Education Work stream visa
- This stream is exclusively for applicants meeting these criteria.
- To qualify, you must have completed your studies at a recognised regional institution and must be a current holder of the first Post-Higher Education Work stream visa. This visa offers an additional stay, providing more time to work and live in Australia, particularly in a regional location.
