Chinanews, September 21. According to Australia.com, on September 19, local time, the new regulations on work permit privileges for temporary graduates (485) in Australia were officially implemented.
The new regulations state that Australian students affected by the travel restrictions of the new crown pneumonia epidemic can apply for and obtain temporary (485) graduate visas abroad from now on.
Previously, international students could only apply for this type of graduate work visa within Australia.
On September 17, the Australian Federal Legislative Council issued a 2020 Immigration Amendment (New Crown Pneumonia Epidemic Concession) Regulations, which announced some of the latest legislation on the visa transition policy affected by the epidemic.
Among them, the update of the transitional policy for temporary graduates (category 485) work permit (hereinafter referred to as 485 work permit) has attracted much attention.
New work permit regulations bring benefits to international students
The new 485 work permit regulations stipulate that if due to the impact of the epidemic, from February 1, 2020 to September 19, the applicant stays outside of Australia for part or all of the time, and therefore cannot meet the original 485 work permit requirements, that is, upon graduation If the application is submitted in Australia within the next 6 months, it can be relaxed to submit a 485 work permit application within 12 months after graduation.
More importantly, eligible applicants can not only submit a 485 work permit outside of Australia, but can also issue a visa overseas.
In addition, the effective time of the 485 work permit will not be calculated until the visa holder enters Australia.
This also means that the duration of the 485 work permit will not be wasted and will not take effect until the visa holder enters the country.
“The 485 visa is of great significance to international students. Many international students choose to study in Australia for more than two years to obtain a work visa. Such holders can not only accumulate work experience through a work permit, but also prepare for subsequent immigration plans. "Sophie, an overseas study agency in charge of Australian visa and immigration services, told reporters.
Sophie introduced that due to the epidemic, Australia's entry ban this year has a huge impact on 485 work permit applicants.
"Previously, I had to meet my visa requirements in China and submit the application within 6 months after graduation. So a large number of graduate applicants stranded abroad cannot meet the conditions. I hope that relevant exemption policies will be introduced."
After graduation, returning to China or overseas online learning are eligible for visa submission
Phil Honeywood, CEO of the International Education Association of Australia (IEAA), has previously stated that he would very much like to see the details of the policy for returning to Australia, mainly about 485 work permits, online learning and their subsequent impact.
The official website of the Federal Office of Immigration has also made adjustments and explanations on the 485 work permit. "We have changed the requirements for temporary graduate (485) visas. Graduates subject to travel restrictions can apply for and obtain temporary graduate visas outside Australia. Online learning outside Australia due to travel restrictions will also be included in the learning requirements of existing and new student visa holders.
Sophie said, "The new regulations are still humanitarian and targeted to solve the problem of international students returning to Australia after graduation, taking into account the original visa rights of international students."
Different international students face different visa situations. Sophie said that for students who graduated and returned to China before the outbreak, they may be employed and can directly submit a 485 work permit application in their home country and sign in their home country without returning to Australia.
In another situation, students who are staying in the country due to the outbreak of the epidemic after returning home for the New Year, students who have completed their studies through online classes can also submit applications in their home countries, and online learning also meets the requirements of a 485 visa.
International students say they have a new choice
Hou Li from the University of Melbourne majoring in accounting and finance told reporters that the epidemic and international travel restrictions disrupted her original plan to work in Australia for a period of time after graduation.
"After graduating, my roommate and I returned to China for the New Year. I had an appointment to return to Australia after the new year to renew the lease together and look for work together. Even our mutual friends were still waiting for us in Sydney."
The plan has not changed quickly. Hou Li is now doing market sourcing work in a large imported supermarket in China. Since her work requires extensive foreign trade experience, her overseas work experience will be very useful to her.
"Regardless of whether you really choose to return to Australia, I think this is good news for our students who were delayed by the epidemic, and they can still be grasped." Hou Li said.
Sun Mengmeng was Hou Li’s roommate when she was studying in Australia. She was just one semester away from graduating. She has returned to China for distance learning online courses due to the epidemic.
Sun Mengmeng, who planned to graduate and work in Australia before studying abroad, has been worried that she will not be able to meet the work permit application requirements for completing two years of studies in Australia.
"My situation is a bit special. I was supposed to graduate in December this year. I caught up with the epidemic. My family asked me to return to China first. But fortunately, the introduction of this new regulation made me feel less burdened. At least I still have one. Chance to choose again." Sun Mengmeng said.
(Chu Li)