Staying in Australia

If you’d like to stay in Australia after you graduate, you may be able to do so for a number of reasons – such as holiday, further study or work.

It's important to find out your options so you can plan ahead. Whether it be exploring further study or organising a visa, it's best to start early to ensure things go smoothly.

If you'd like to stay in Australia to keep studying, make sure you have enough money to cover your course fees and expenses. You'll also need to apply for a new student visa and extend your health cover.

Take a look at the graduate degree course offerings at Monash University for further study options. If you want to apply, just make sure you do so before the deadline.

If you’d like to stay in Australia for work or travel, but don’t plan to continue your studies, you’ll need to apply for the right visa. You won’t be eligible for a student visa, but there are many other temporary visa options you can apply for through the Department of Home Affairs.

If you plan to stay for work, our careers and employability site provides resources, services and information to help you plan your career. Make sure you also check our working on a student visa page.

If your student visa is set to expire before your graduation, you can apply for a Visitor visa (subclass 600) to stay in Australia to attend your ceremony.

You can use a copy of the graduation letter you receive six weeks before your ceremony to support a Visitor visa application for you or your family.

Extending your stay

If you want to extend your stay in Australia, you’ll need to have the right visa.

Visa options for extending your stay

If you’d like to extend your stay in Australia, here are some of your visa options:

• student visa
• visitor visa
• training visa.

Post-study visas

Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485)

Depending on your qualification, the Temporary Graduate visa allows you to stay in Australia for up to four years to gain valuable work experience. This visa does not restrict the type or amount of work you can do. However, it’s important to understand that finding a job is your responsibility.

Skilled migration

International students can submit an expression of interest for a skilled visa through SkillSelect. Points are available for studies in Australia, particularly when completing higher qualifications or studying in a regional area.

Company sponsorship

If you have a job offer from an Australian company, they may be able to sponsor you for either temporary or permanent residency.

Partner migration

If you have an Australian spouse, partner or fiancé(e), it may be possible for them to sponsor you for permanent residence. Your partner would need to be an Australian permanent resident, citizen or eligible New Zealand citizen.

For further advice, see partner category visa options on the Department of Home Affairs website.

General Skilled Migration Program

You may be able to apply for temporary or permanent residency under the General Skilled Migration Program.

Only the Department of Home Affairs (HA), and registered migration agents, have a licence to provide you with immigration advice. If you use a migration agent to lodge a visa with HA, make sure they are on the Migration Agents Registry.

Finishing your course early?

If you finish your course a month or more early, you’ll need to contact the Department of Home Affairs or leave Australia within 28 days of your finish date, even if your visa is still valid. You can contact Monash Connect for more information or advice.