Like a kangaroo mob after good rain, the number of temporary visa holders in Australia has bounced back to a new record level.
The government has clearly set its sights on reducing the NOM, and the government has, until now, clearly thought international students have been the issue.
The recently published, 2024 Population Statement had one graph in it that stood out (page 14).
It caught our attention that the ‘other temporary visas’ category may be just as significant, in absolute number, when compared to student visas. This category held consistent numbers between September, 2012 and the beginning of the pandemic, at around the 400k mark. Post-COVID, however, this has grown significantly up to above 700k, a growth rate the international student sector would envy.
With the NOM being linked to the Accommodation crisis and four studies now decoupling international students from it, let’s explore the ‘other’ category.” This Koala has its tongue firmly held in its cheek as it sets out.
The ‘All Other’ category
So, what exactly are we looking at here and why is it important?
Here’s a breakdown of the ‘other category’.
This is an election year, and once again, migration will undoubtedly be a hot topic. The promise of a migration system that makes sense and provides Australia with the skills, expertise, and motivation for a sustainable future on a world scale is all too familiar. The focus has been squarely on international students and capping their numbers.
The rise of the other category may shed a new light on the NOM and how the government goes about managing it.
Temporary Activity (408) Visa
Utilised by many during the Pandemic, the 408 allowed an unprecedented number of temporary residents to remain in Australia, which would have had an ongoing ripple effect on applications and grants for other temporary visa categories. Application and grant rates have dropped substantially over the past few years, and the visa has all but returned to its primary function (think Novak competing in the Australian Open).
Work/Holiday Visas
The Working Holiday (417) and the Work and Holiday (462) show quite a significant increase in financial year 22/23, aligning with our overall trend. The program has been buoyed recently by the reopening of borders, an increase in eligible countries, and changes to International Trade Agreements (most recently allowing UK nationals the option of a third working holiday visa).
Temporary Work Visas
The 482-program enjoyed 61% growth in visa grants in the financial year 2022/23, equating to approximately 18,500 new visas granted. This growth was likely fuelled by additional workers remaining in the country during Covid, and the growth has plateaued substantially in the last couple of years (don’t get me started!!).
The Temporary Graduate Visa (485)
We can all agree that the traditional visa pathways for international students post-study have been cumbersome (to be very nice about it). Traditionally, 18 months to find relevant work experience and a two-year experience requirement for Australia’s most popular temporary work visa, the 482 (formerly the 457), probably resulted in many students diving headfirst into the too-hard basket. Thankfully, we now have a one-year work experience requirement for the 482 and post-study work options from 18 months to 5 years.
So, the more appropriate questions are “Can it make sense?” or “Is it starting to make sense?” Let’s delve deeper into this mysterious “all other temporary visa category.”
The trend clearly shows a substantial increase in these visas in financial year 22/23 beyond what is traditionally a relatively stable norm.
Based on the above, the TGV has substantially impacted the growth of the “other” temporary visa category. A decisive contributing factor was undoubtedly the two-year extension made available to graduates with degrees in areas of verified skills shortages in June 2023. This was another massive step towards a migration system that made sense.
The extension was reconsidered and made unavailable by mid-2024.
Since then, the TGV has been hit with a decrease in the age limit (35) and, in 2025, a price increase on February 1st, 2025, as reported by the Koala in December.
An interesting finding of our research was the recent increase in direct applications from a TGV to a Skilled Independent (189) Visa, a pathway that, as the name suggests, is independent of any sponsorship (employer/state/family) requirements. Perhaps, among the nonsense, students are increasingly taking matters into their own hands.
So, rather than waiting for the development of a more sensible migration system, our focus should be on giving students the best opportunity to navigate it as it currently stands.
We have written a new Successful Settler course about Australian visas to help students improve awareness about the options that are currently available. More on that later…
The reign of King Anthony
With an election looming, it would be easy to think that Canberra would be pouring the political potpourri over the highest-performing sectors of the economy. Instead, our sector appears to have caught the whiff of a different stench. So what options do our customers, our highly sought-after, and cherished future leaders, our future trading partners, and future fellow Australians have available to them in the visa shop today?
The relationship to employment
The TGV has been designed to allow international students who have recently graduated from an Australian institution to live, study, and work in Australia temporarily. This visa provides an opportunity for graduates to gain practical work experience in their field of study, enhancing their professional skills and increasing their competitiveness in the Australian job market.
If more students are looking for post-study employment opportunities in Australia, we should take a look at the employability scenario here for regional universities, some of which are finding the current policy environment tough to operate in. The Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream visa is for Temporary Graduates holding a Post-Higher Education Work, Post-Study Work or Replacement visa with a degree from an Australian institution located in a regional area.
Designated regional areas
It is always interesting to hear others’ understanding of “regional areas.” The natural perception is probably that of an area that the Department of Home Affairs would classify as remote. However, in Australia, mainly due to its sheer size, a designated regional area is almost anywhere outside Greater Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne CBD.
Let’s break that down in terms of Opportunity.
- 30+ Universities (two in the Top 100 globally)
- Headquarters for BHP, Rio Tinto, NIB and more
- Approximately 50% of the nation’s GDP
- Approximately 40% of the nation’s Small Businesses
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- Meanwhile, in terms of accessing and retaining this growing pool of global talent, Designated Regional Areas are provided with incentives that include; Access to occupations that aren’t usually available through the Regional Occupations List (ROL)
- Priority in negotiating region-specific Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs)
- A range of concessions to help regional Australia maximise the potential of International students, including of course
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- an additional year in Australia on a post-study work visa
Priority jobs for international graduates
The Australian Government says it encourages international graduates to seek employment in sectors experiencing skill shortages. While specific priority occupations can vary over time, areas such as allied health, education, ICT, advanced manufacturing, social services, hospitality, and tourism have been highlighted as critical sectors in need of skilled workers. For instance, initiatives in regional Victoria aim to attract graduates to these industries to address local skill gaps.
Are students starting to catch on and beginning to maximise their own opportunity?
The appeal of regional Australia?
We know that choosing to study and work in regional areas of Australia offers several benefits for international students beyond extending their post-study work rights.
Migration Incentives: The Australian Government provides additional migration incentives for international students who study in regional areas. These incentives can include extra points on the Immigration Points Test, which can be advantageous when applying for permanent residency.
Lower Cost of Living: Regional areas often have a lower cost of living compared to major cities, making it more affordable for students to live and study. Expenses such as accommodation, food, and services tend to be less expensive, easing financial pressures.
Relaxed Lifestyle and Community Engagement: Regional Australia offers a more relaxed lifestyle with a strong sense of community. Smaller class sizes in educational institutions provide personalised attention from tutors and lecturers, fostering a supportive learning environment. Additionally, students have the opportunity to immerse themselves in local culture and build meaningful relationships within the community.
By leveraging the Temporary Graduate Visa and considering opportunities in regional Australia, international students can enhance their employment prospects and potentially secure a more permanent future in the country.
Perhaps it is time to start marketing about the benefits of regional study more loudly.
Successful Settler Course
Regardless of their location, international students will soon have access to a new course on Successful Graduate installations. Visascape and Successful Graduate have teamed up to develop the Successful Settler Course. Knowing that international students have a range of study options available to them in different countries, this course has been designed to offer detailed tuition to students about each major visa category that may be available to them in Australia. Starting with the Student Visa, the course helps students to develop an action plan that will help them to address visa requirements, explore work experience options and develop resilience. Students can then explore the latest options available through 485 Visa streams, take advice on how to prepare a 485 Visa application, and finally complete Modules about employer sponsorship and general skilled migration.
The Successful Settler Course can support international students at different points in the student lifecycle. License agreements are available to Australian education providers who can use the course as part of a suite of Successful Graduate products that will support student enquiries, enrolment conversions, retention strategies, and graduate preparation.
Postscript
Having absorbed the sort of regulatory changes that would utterly devastate most other industry leaders (the wholesale assault on student recruitment, and public attacks from some of the most powerful members of either side of politics), you, dear reader, have stayed the course. We’re all in this together and no doubt look forward to some post – election policy clarity, if not a return to growth. Resilience – that’s what we love about this industry.
To learn more about the Successful Settler Course, contact Gordon Scott or Chris Pitt.
* All visa data in this article has been sourced from the Department of Home Affairs website.
