An agreement between India and Australia ensures that Indian students will be exempt from most changes to post-study work rights in Australia according to PIE News. Despite Australia’s new migration rules reducing the duration of stay for some international students on a temporary graduate visa—two years for a Master’s by coursework instead of three, and three years for a Ph.D. instead of four— However, these adjustments will not impact Indian students due to the provisions outlined in a free trade agreement between the two countries, finalized in late 2022.
This favorable exemption for Indian students from the changes in post-study work policies is seen as excellent news, especially considering that Indians were granted over 100,000 Australian study visas in 2022/23, surpassing all other nationalities. While the eligibility for a second temporary graduate visa remains unchanged, the additional extension of two years will no longer be available for all international students, including Indians.
Despite certain sectors, including AAERI members, pushing for the protection of current international students from these new policies through “grandfathering,” the Australian government has been proactively strengthening educational connections with India. Efforts like mutual acknowledgment of qualifications and the introduction of an education strategy for both countries demonstrate the growing emphasis on bolstering education ties between Australia and India.
