D1S3 Highlights: Engineering Occupations – Courses and PR Pathways

Welcome to Aussizz Conclave 4.0! Day 1, Session 3 Highlights:
In this session, we explored the nuances of the 485 Visa and its extension pathways, providing valuable insights for international students and graduates.

Key Points Discussed:

Health Insurance for 485 Visa:

• Critical Requirement: Hassan Ali emphasized the necessity of having specific 485 health insurance.
  • Student health insurance is not valid for the 485 visa application.
  • Failure to have appropriate 485 health insurance at the time of application will result in visa refusal.
  • The Department is stringent about this requirement, and non-compliance will lead to refusal at both the application stage and any subsequent appeals.

Post-Study Work Rights and Extensions:

• Current Rules: Students who study in regional areas and obtain a 485 visa can extend their stay by continuing to live and work in these areas.
  • Example: Students studying in Geelong and staying in the regional area can receive additional extensions.
• Upcoming Changes:
  • The Department of Education announced the end of the two-year extension for post-study work rights.
  • From mid-2024, the additional post-study work rights extension will no longer be available.
  • The Department of Education will update their website with the exact date when this change will take effect.

Pathways for Permanent Residency (PR):

• Gaining Work Experience: Smit Patel advised that gaining relevant post-qualification work experience is crucial for skills assessment.
  • One year of post-qualification experience in your nominated field is necessary for a positive skills assessment.
  • Continuous work in your field aligns your duties with the requirements for subclass 189, 190, and 491 visas.
• Employer Sponsorship: Working in a stable company can lead to employer sponsorship after a few years.

Specialist Skills Pathway:

• High-Demand Sectors: Safa Hajira highlighted the importance of specialist skills in IT, cybersecurity, and AI.
  • High packages in these sectors can open additional PR pathways in the future.

Case Study: IT Professional in NSW

• Requirements for 491 Visa:
  • A student from MIT working 24 hours a week in IT with four years of experience in India can apply for a 491 visa.
  • The salary should be $73,150 on a pro-rata basis for part-time or full-time work.
  • Ensuring part-time work aligns with these requirements is crucial for eligibility.

Stay tuned for more insights and updates from our experienced migration agents at Aussizz Group.