New post-study work visa arrangements are proposed for introduction in early 2013.

“Graduates who have completed a Bachelor degree or Masters by coursework degree in Australia will be eligible to apply for a two year post-study work visa.

Graduates who have completed a Masters by research degree or a PhD in Australia will be eligible to apply for a post-study work visa for three or four years respectively.”

To apply for PSW Visa in Australia, the applicant must have completed a Bachelor degree (or a higher level course such as a Masters or PhD) obtained in Australia.

Graduates must also meet the Australian study requirement. The Australian study requirement is defined as study in a course registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) for a period of at least 2 academic years (92 weeks).  The course itself should be conducted in English and should be completed in no less than 16 calendar months while holding a visa that permits study.

English language, health, character and security requirements will need to be met and evidence of adequate health insurance for the duration of the visa will need to be provided.

For PSW in Australia the English language requirement is must, which is a minimum score of 6 in each of the four components of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test or the equivalent score in another English language test that may be specified by the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship for use with this visa. These new arrangements will be ready for students who made their student visa applications after 5 November 2011, the date on which the first Knight Review measures were implemented. These students will begin to graduate from mid 2013 onwards, so the post-study work visa arrangements are designed to be ready for them in 2013.