AFTER GRADUATION

After graduation, the next step is yours to choose.

Studying further, staying on to work, or taking your Australian experience home are all serious choices. Here is what each path involves and when, so you can decide before you ask anyone for help.

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Students crossing the plaza at UNSW Sydney past yellow signs congratulating graduates

Keep studying: a master's or a second master's

Moving from a bachelor's to a master's, or adding a second master's in a new direction, starts here.

Worth thinking about early

Common reasons for a second master's: changing field, adding an area with better job prospects, or needing a closely related degree for a skills assessment.
Whether the new course gives you credit for past study changes how long it takes and what it costs.
Work out early whether you need a new student visa, and how it fits with the 485 graduate visa.

How we can help

Compare courses and universities that fit your direction
Work out what credit you may get
Prepare the application and follow up on offers
Arrange a new student visa

See which master's I can apply for

Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485)

If you want to stay and work in Australia for a while after graduating, the 485 is usually the first step.

Worth thinking about early

You generally need to apply within 6 months of finishing your course. Don't leave it to the last month.
Your study must meet the Australian study requirement (roughly two academic years of CRICOS-registered study).
There are requirements for English, age, health, character and insurance. Scores and age limits change, so check the official requirements before you apply.
How long the visa lasts depends on your qualification and stream; see the official site.

How we can help

Plan a timeline around your completion date, transcript and completion letter
Give you a checklist of the documents you need
Lodge the application and handle any requests for more information

For reference only. Policy changes; the Department of Home Affairs website is the authority for any application.

Skills assessment

Most skilled migration pathways start with an assessment for your occupation.

Worth thinking about early

Each occupation has its own assessing authority. Common ones: Engineers Australia for engineering, ACS for IT, CPA Australia, CA ANZ or IPA for accounting, AITSL for teaching, and VETASSESS for many other occupations.
How closely your degree matches the occupation, how you prove your work experience and whether your English results are still valid all affect the outcome.
Assessments usually expire, so the timing has to line up with your migration plan.

How we can help

Confirm your occupation code and the right assessing authority
Gather your qualification and employment evidence
Write your role descriptions and employment statements
Lodge the assessment and follow it up

Assessment criteria are set by each assessing authority; check their website. We do not represent any assessing authority.

Skilled migration: 189, 190 and 491

From points to invitation to visa, with each step timed right.

Worth thinking about early

The 189 is the independent skilled visa, the 190 is state nominated, and the 491 is a provisional regional visa with a pathway to permanent residence.
The usual order: skills assessment, English test, an Expression of Interest in SkillSelect, state nomination (190 and 491), then the visa application within the time allowed after an invitation.
Occupation lists, points rules and invitation scores change. We assess your case against the rules in force when you apply.

How we can help

Work out your points and the pathways open to you
Compare state nomination requirements
Lodge your EOI and state nomination
The visa application after invitation, handled by a registered migration agent we work with

Migration policy changes often and this page is not migration advice. The Department of Home Affairs and state government websites are the authority for any application.

Internship coaching for leading companies

One-to-one career planning, CV editing and three rounds of interview coaching, through to an internship offer at a leading company. No offer, and your deposit is refunded in full.

Limited places, ask early

About internship coaching

Not sure which path yet? Start with a conversation.

Many students weigh study, work and going home all at once. Tell us where you are and we will map out the timing of each path first. Whether you want help after that is up to you.