Study Group welcomes the news that international postgraduates will be able to live and work in Australia for three years after graduation

The Australian Education Minister Alan Tudge has announced that post study work rights will be extended from two to three years for graduates of masters degrees by coursework.

The minister made the announcement at the 2021 TEQSA conference, following on from news earlier this week that international students will begin to return to Australia from December.

Responding to news of this further development, Study Group CEO Emma Lancaster said, “We are delighted to hear the positive news this week that Australia is preparing to welcome international students back to the country, and considering the issues which will be important to them in making the choice to study in Australia. We know that the ability to live and work in a country after graduation is a vital consideration for many postgraduate students, and I have no doubt that this decision will signal to international students that Australia is once again hoping to attract them to study at its many excellent universities.”

The Minister has described the changes as putting Australia back on the map for international students after COVID-19 travel restrictions interrupted in-person study. “This is good for those students, good for universities and good for our economy,” he said.

The news has also been warmly welcomed in countries which have traditionally sent large amounts of students to Australia, such as India, with Indian Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan calling it “a most welcome move.”