Opportunities for international students
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Australian citizenship or permanent residency (PR) status is required for many graduate programs in Australia. If you do not have your PR it is important to check on the eligibility requirements of individual employers.
The good news is that employment prospects for graduating international students have improved recently with changes to the Australian Government’s General Skilled Migration (GSM) program. In September 2007 the Government introduced a temporary Skilled-Graduate visa which allows eligible international students to pursue work options in Australia once they have completed their studies.
Temporary work visa for skilled graduates
The Skilled – Graduate (Temporary) visa (subclass 485) allows overseas students who are unable to pass the point test for a permanent GSM visa to remain in Australia for 18 months to gain skilled work experience or improve their English skills. There are no restrictions on work or study with this visa, so you are free to do any of the following during you’re the period of stay:
- Travel
- Work
- Study to improve English skills
- Complete a professional year
Holders of a 485 visa can apply for a permanent GSM visa (if they are able to pass the point test) or an employersponsored visa.
Who is this visa for?
This visa is for you if you are an overseas student who:
- Is under 45 years of age
- Is currently in Australia and holding an eligible visa
- In the last six months has completed an eligible qualification(s) that require at least two years study in Australia
- Is unable to meet the passmark on the points test for one of the onshore Skilled visas
- Has the skills and qualifications that meet the Australian standard for an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL)
- Has a nominated occupation classified as either a 60 point occupation or a 50 point occupation
Other visas which you can currently in Australia and include:
- Skilled – Independent (subclass 885)
- Skilled – Sponsored (subclass 886)
- Skilled – Regional Sponsored (subclass 487): Holders of this visa can apply Skilled – Regional visa (see below() once they have lived for two years and worked for one year in a specified regional are of Australia.
- Skilled – Regional (subclass 887): A permanent visa for holders of Skilled – Regional (subclass 487 and 475)
For more information about this options and processes please see www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/visa-options.htm
It is recommended that you make use of your University’s Career Service, as it is a useful source of information for International students.
Employers
Employers who recruit international students (with the required temporary or permanent visa) for Australian-based graduate or undergraduate programs:
Aurecon
Deloitte
Ernst & Young
ETSA Utilities
http://www.etsautilities.com.au/default.jsp?xcid=152
Georgiou Group
www.georgiou.com.au/2/44/1/graduate_vacat.pm
Hatch Associates
IBM Malaysia
Johnson and Johnson Medical
http://www.jjkickstart.com.au/
KPMG
kpmg.com.au
Leighton Contractors
Maunsell AECOM
Newmont Asia Pacific
www.newmont.com/australia
(minimum requirement: PR)
OneSteel
PricewaterhouseCoopers
Procter & Gamble
Victorian Energy Networks Corporation
(VENCorp)
http://www.vencorp.com.au/index.php?sectionID=7743&pageID=7759
Water Corporation
Western Power
www.highlychargedcareers.com.au
Westpac
Xstrata
Employers who recruit international students for overseas-based programs/careers
Credit Suisse
Economic Development Board Singapore
National Healthcare Group
www.healthprofessionals.nhg.com.sg
State Street Global Markets
TimePlan Teachers UK
Unilever
Employers who recruit international students for BOTH Australian-based AND overseas-based programs/offices
Arup
Castalia
http://www.castalia.fr/SITE_Default/opportunities/grad_details.asp
Deutsche Bank
Gold Fields Australia
http://www.careers.goldfields.com.au/
Weatherford
GCA would like to acknowledge the valuable assistance of the University of Melbourne in reviewing and editing the above content of this brochure relating to citizenship and permanent residency, particularly: Christine Enker, Manager International Careers & Employment Programs; and Robert Westerink, Migration Agent.
