At Voyage, we want employers to be clear on the guidelines around hiring International Students.
Firstly, it is important to know that International students have the same workplace rights as everyone else in Australia. This means employers can:
access diverse skills and talent
boost innovation and productivity
diversify your organisation
enhance cultural capital
expand international networks.
Here are some helpful question picked from our FAQ section surrounding workplace rights for International Students -
Do international student graduates have full work rights?
International student graduates with Bachelor, Masters or PhD qualifications are in many cases eligible to apply for temporary post-study work visas (subclass 485), which allow international students to live, study and work in Australia after they have finished their studies.
How long can international student graduates stay in Aus after graduation?
The length of stay ranges from 2 to 6 years depending on the level and discipline of the student’s Australian study qualification. International student graduates with a degree from an Australian institution located in a regional area may be eligible for a second post-study work visa, which allows them to stay in Australia for an additional 1 or 2 years.
Further information is available on the Department of Home Affairs website.
Do employers have to sponsor an international graduate’s visa?
Temporary post-study work visas (subclass 485) do not require employer sponsorship.
If you would like to understand the other visa options, refer to IEAA’s Employing international students & graduates: Information and guidelines for employers.
Which industry sectors can international graduates work in?
The international graduate talent pool can fill vacancies across a range of industries, including but not limited to:
management and commerce – consulting, supply chain management, project management, marketing, human resource management, risk management
information technology – software development, data science, cyber security, artificial intelligence, network and systems, cloud computing, business and IT analysis, IT consulting
engineering and related technologies – construction, electronics and telecommunications, building services, manufacturing, transport, automation, power and energy systems
natural science – biochemistry, biology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, sustainability
social sciences and humanities – policy and planning, public relations, journalism, counselling, social research and analysis, design and architecture, linguistic and languages
It is also important to know that the NSW Government actively encourages employers to look at and hire International Students! Participating employers across Sydney and NSW can commit to the NSW Jobs Connect Charter.
If you are interested, click here to Register for NSW Jobs Connect
If you are located in VIC, check out this link for the Victoria Government's Commitment to Action plan!
If you are interested in joining the Commitment to Action or would like to know more, please send an email to studymelbourne@ecodev.vic.gov.au with the subject “Commitment to Action”.
For other states - we will update this document with more information as we get it, however, feel free to reach out to us using the chat bubble on the bottom right hand corner and we will help you out regarding any questions or concerns you have about hiring International Students, Legal aspects, or even any general questions about Voyage!