A recent report by an independent think tank has proposed several changes and reforms to Australia's temporary graduate visa program to address labor market issues and ensure more favorable outcomes for international graduates. The report's recommendations include implementing stricter criteria for work visas, raising English proficiency requirements for Temporary Graduate visa holders, reducing the age limit for eligibility to 35, and limiting visa extensions to those earning an annual income of over $70,000.
The report also highlights the need to provide greater support to international graduates who choose to stay in Australia to pursue their careers. It notes that many graduates struggle to secure full-time employment, often ending up in low-skilled positions, with nearly half earning less than $53,300 per year. Additionally, the report points out that the transition rate from Temporary Graduate visas to permanent residency has declined significantly, with fewer than one-third of visa holders achieving permanent resident status, compared to two-thirds in 2014. As a result, a significant portion of graduates opts to return to further study, primarily in more affordable vocational courses, in an attempt to extend their stay in Australia. The report indicates that the Australian government's recent decision to extend the duration of Temporary Graduate visas has contributed to a projected doubling of the number of visa holders in the country, reaching around 370,000 by 2030. In response to these findings, some experts, such as Abul Rizvi, a former Deputy Secretary of the Department of Immigration, expressed concerns about the sustainability of the government's approach. He argued that the expansion of Temporary Graduate visas contradicts the government's stated goal of minimizing the reliance on long-term, temporary visas. Peter Mares, another immigration expert, concurred with the report's findings, explaining that the oversupply of international students compared to the migration intake quota could pose challenges for this group in obtaining permanent residency in Australia. In summary, the report emphasizes the need for reforms to the Temporary Graduate visa program to better align with labor market demands and the aspirations of international graduates who wish to contribute to Australia's economy and society. It underscores that effective and sustainable policies are essential to address labor shortages and promote positive outcomes for both international graduates and the Australian labor market.
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