In late 2023, the Australian Government proposed significant updates to the Temporary Graduate visa program, including reducing the maximum eligible age from 50 to 35 years for most streams.
This announcement was met with backlash. In a joint media release from the Group of Eight and Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA), it was stated that:
Reducing the age limit for eligibility for the Temporary Graduate visa from 50 to 35 years will have significant consequences for Australia’s international PhD student intake – an important pipeline of highly skilled migrants – and negatively impact Australia’s permanent migration program.
Go8 Chief Executive Vicki Thomson said PhD students were integral to Australia’s research and innovation sectors.
“Maintaining a supply of highly skilled talent through international PhD students who choose to study, work and live in Australia, is essential to keep our domestic industries at the forefront of innovation and the nation competitive. It is also critical for the success of government priorities which depend on access to expert research and skilled talent in areas of high global demand.”
This reduction of the age cap has been backtracked by the Department of Home Affairs. The eligibility age will remain at 50 for certain streams of the Temporary Graduate visa once changes come into force on 1 July 2024. These are the ‘international PhD’ and ‘masters by research’ applicants. The 35-year-old age limit still applies to graduates of coursework masters, bachelors, associate degree and vocational programs. Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders will still be eligible through the visa stream if they are under 50.
For more information regarding your visa options, visit the Department of Home Affairs website.
