If you’re currently overseas and unable to enter Australia due to COVID-19, and you’re looking to enter on a student visa, which programmes can let youefficiently and cost-effectivelyobtain an Australian qualification while alsomeet the requirements to apply for the Subclass 485 Graduate Work visaand at the same time lay the groundwork for futuremigration pathwayssuch as state nomination?
Return to Australia on Student Visa and Other Temporary Visas — DelayNot Yet Confirmed
Updated 29 November 2021 (Afternoon)
Over the past week, the Australian government and the Department of Home Affairs have been releasing a string of new announcements.First, holders of Subclass 500 student visas and many other common temporary visas who hold a TGA-recognised international vaccination certificate may return to Australia — from 1 December, they can enter without needing to separately apply for a travel exemption(as the Omicron variant has since been detected among arriving passengers who have tested positive, all of whom have been sent into quarantine;the Prime Minister has indicated that the government is reconsidering the border opening policy scheduled for Wednesday;there is no official announcement yet — please refer to item three in today’s update for more details).
As for whether quarantine is required, whether it must be at home, and for how long —this is also subject to change due to Omicron. New South Wales and Victoria’s latest requirements are that all arriving travellers — including permanent residents, citizens, and holders of any visa category, regardless of departure country — must home-quarantine for 72 hours upon arrival. Note that this reflects the policy as of today, 29 November,and is subject to change at any time based on how the pandemic develops. If you’re planning to enter Australia, follow us to stay up to date with the latest entry information.
Three-Year Subclass 485 for Postgraduate Coursework — First Grants Confirmed
Updated 26 November 2021 (Afternoon)
Regarding the Subclass 485 visa,the visa duration for eligible postgraduate coursework applicants has been extended from two years to three — and this policy also applies to those who have already lodged a Subclass 485 application and are awaiting a decision.Three-year Subclass 485 grants for postgraduate coursework graduates have been issued from 25 November 2021!
The additional 1–2 year regional Subclass 485 extension policy also remains in effect. For those who have completed a two-year postgraduate coursework programme, this new policy provides significantly more time to work in Australia after graduation, while also creating greater opportunities for those planning to apply for state nomination or other migration pathways.
For those who have been stranded overseas due to COVID-19 and whose Subclass 485 visa expired after 1 February 2020, the current advice is that from 1 July 2022 they will be able toapply for a replacement visa and receive a new visa of equivalent duration to their expired Subclass 485.This resolves the frustration faced by Subclass 485 holders who have been waiting anxiously overseas for the border to reopen!!
TAFE graduates may apply for a two-year work visa,with skills assessment temporarily waived for the 2022–23 financial year.
The border will undoubtedly reopen soon. Regardless of whether the border opens to international students and other temporary visa holders as scheduled on 1 December,choosinga programme, institution, and field of study,preparing your application through topreparing your visa— all of this requiresearly planning,and cannot be done overnight.
With that in mind, based on recent student enquiries and current state migration policies across Australia, here is a guide to selecting the right study pathway to suit different academic and work backgrounds, coveringbachelor honours degree programmes, postgraduate programmes, combined bachelor-master programmes, and TAFE courses!
Bachelor Honours Degree Programmes
This edition features engineering
Who it suits: students who have completed or are about to complete secondary school in China
Programme highlights:An honours bachelor degree is a four-year programme, equivalent to completing a postgraduate degree in Australia
Career advantages: Engineering in Australia spans many disciplines, includingcivil engineering, materials engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, environmental engineering, structural engineering, and more.Engineering graduates command higher salaries than many other disciplines. According to Talent’s 2021 survey data,the median income reached AUD 100,000,while starting salaries for recent graduates can reach approximately AUD 90,000.
For other fields, or if you’re a bachelor’s graduate interested in learning more about honours degree programmes, feel free to contact us for more information.
Migration advantages
Engineering is one of the more stable migration-friendly fields, with various engineering occupations appearing on state nomination occupation lists across different states.The ACT invites engineering applicants in virtually every invitation round,with recent rounds typically inviting Subclass 491 applicants at 65 points; the more competitiveNSW Subclass 190 engineering stream — Engineering Technologist —has invited applicants at 95+5, which is high but comes with the advantage of abundant employment opportunities in Sydney.
South Australia’s state nomination occupation list also includes various engineering categories,and South Australia’s state nomination policy has consistently favoured local graduates, particularly high-achieving ones.
The basic requirements for South Australian graduates applying for state nomination are:
1) The South Australian programme studied must be a CRICOS-registered course of at least 46 weeks (one year) at bachelor level or above; the field of study in South Australia need not be in the same area as the nominated occupation
2) At least 50% of the course must have been completed in South Australia
3) You must have resided in South Australia for at least one year during your studies
4) You must reside in South Australia after graduation
5) After graduation, you must work in South Australia for at least three months, with a minimum of 20 hours per week (or at least 40 hours per fortnight) in your nominated occupation or a closely related one (some occupations have higher requirements)
University of South Australia
SA
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Civil and Structural)
Programme highlights:The University of South Australia’s programme combines core civil engineering content with structural engineering subjects. Graduates may have the opportunity to apply for migration through South Australia’s Subclass 190/491 pathway,subject to the requirements listed above under South Australian graduate state nomination criteria
Intakes:February and July each year
Entry requirements:Gaokao score of at least 63% of the total
English language requirements:IELTS overall 6.0, with Reading and Writing no lower than 6.0
University of New South Wales
NSW
Bachelor of Engineering(Honours) (Civil Engineering)
Programme highlights:The University of New SouthWales ranks first in Australia and 12th globally for engineering.The degree is accredited by Engineers Australia (EA) and recognised under the Washington Accord.
Intakes: February, May and September each year
Entry requirements:Gaokao score of at least 75% of the total
English language requirements:IELTS overall 6.5 with no band below 6.0, or PTE overall 64 with no component below 54
Postgraduate Programmes
This edition focuses on programmes with low entry requirements and affordable tuition fees
Who it suits: students who have completed bachelor or postgraduate studies in China or Australia
This edition recommends institutions and programmes with lower entry requirements or more affordable fees
Torrens University Australia
NSW
Master of Business Administration
Programme highlights:For students who have already completed a bachelor or postgraduate degree in China or Australia,and who also have relevant work experience,the institution may grant credit exemptions based on your academic background and work history,shortening the time needed to obtain a postgraduate qualification — from the standard 1.5 or 2 yearsto a significantly shorter duration, with a 20% scholarship available as well!!!
University of Canberra
ACT
Master of Information Technology
Master of Information Technology and Systems
Master of Business Information
Programme highlights: This programme is accredited by the Australian Computer Society (ACS). Graduates may apply for a 3-year Subclass 485 visa,and may have the opportunity to apply for ACT state nomination. The programme also offers a pathway from diploma to master’s level.
Intakes: February and July each year
Entry requirements: A bachelor degree in any field, or a bachelor degree in a related field
English language requirements:IELTS overall 6.5 with no band below 6.0, or PTE overall 58 with no component below 50
In recent ACT state nomination rounds, IT-related occupations have been invited for Subclass 491 at 65 points and Subclass 190 at 120 points (the majority of high-scoring invitees are local graduates).
Charles Darwin University
NT
Master of Information Technology (Information Systems and Data Science)
Programme highlights:Entry-level English requirements are relatively low, and this programme accepts diploma-to-master’s pathway students —students who have completed a three-year full-time diploma may enter the MQP bridging course based on their IELTS score, then progress to the postgraduate programme. The programme is accredited by the Australian Computer Society (ACS).
Intakes: February and July each year
Entry requirements:A bachelor degree in any field, or a bachelor degree in a related field
English language requirements:IELTS overall 6.5 with no band below 6.0, or PTE overall 58 with no component below 50
If you’re interested in any of the above programmes
feel free to add us on WeChat for a detailed consultation!
Entry policies are being updated frequently at the moment.
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please add our customer service account and include the note: Return to Australia
Combined Bachelor-Master Programmes
This edition features four-year combined bachelor-master programmes
Who it suits: students who have completed or are about to complete secondary school in China
Programme highlights: A shorter overall study duration. Most standard bachelor degrees take three years and master’s programmes two years; a combined bachelor-master programme typically takes just four years in total.
University of South Australia
SA
Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) (Pathway to Master of Finance)
Programme highlights:The programme is four years in duration. Graduates may have the opportunity to apply for South Australian state nomination through the graduate stream.
Intakes: February and August each year
English language requirements:IELTS overall 6.0, with Reading and Writing no lower than 6.0
University of Technology Sydney
NSW
Bachelor of Business+Master of Teaching in Secondary Education
Bachelor of Communication+Master of Teaching in Secondary Education
Bachelor of Science+Master of Teaching in Secondary Education
Bachelor of Economics+Master of Teaching in Secondary Education
Programme highlights: The combined bachelor and master’s programme is four years in duration,allowing you to develop expertise in a primary discipline while also studying secondary education(Years 7–12) and completing a postgraduate qualification. Secondary school teaching is one of Australia’s consistently in-demand migration occupations
Intakes: February and July each year
Undergraduate English language requirements:IELTS overall 7.5, with Speaking and Listening no lower than 8.0, and Reading and Writing no lower than 7.0(As this is a combined bachelor-master programme, the initial English requirements are slightly higher than average)
TAFE Vocational Training Programmes
This edition features TAFE NSW, which is currently offering scholarships
Who it suits: applicants who have completed secondary school, a vocational certificate, or a diploma in China, or who are already working
Programme highlights:For international students enrolling in Semester 1, 2022, TAFE NSW is offering a 25% tuition fee scholarship.TAFE NSW is part of the Australian government’s education system and is the largest educational institution in the Southern Hemisphere, offering vocational training and higher education across a wide range of disciplines and fields. TAFE graduates enjoy strong employment rates and are highly regarded by local employers.
Recommended TAFE NSW programmes:
–Nursing:Certificate III in Health Services Assistance + Diploma of Nursing — total duration 2 years
–Commercial Cookery (Western cuisine):Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery + Advanced Diploma of Hospitality Management — total duration 2 years
–IT Networking: Certificate III in Information Digital Media and Technology + Certificate IV in Information Technology Networking + Diploma of Information Technology Networking + Advanced Diploma of Network Security — total duration 2 years
If you’re interested in any of the above programmes
or would like a tailored recommendation for the course that’s right for you
feel free to add us on WeChat for a detailed consultation!
Study Abroad / Migration
Practical insights
Videos
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Subclass 489/491 Overseas Extension — 20,000 May Regain PR Pathway
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ACT State Nomination ‘Amnesty’ — Welcome Back as the Border Reopens! Matrix Scores Released!
ACT State Nomination ‘Amnesty’ — Matrix Scores Released!
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NSW Subclass 190/491 Frequent Invitation Rounds — Know Your Real Migration Opportunities!Click ‘Original Article’to watch the video for a detailed breakdown!
