The Australian Government is committed to supporting early career professionals who graduate with a selected vocational qualification or university degree in Australia. This support aims to help them develop the relevant work experience needed to progress to a skilled visa (permanent residency) or to use their education and skills in the global job market.
To strengthen the integrity of this program, the Government has announced the following major changes, which aim to provide students with clearer pathways to permanent residency and bolster the nation’s skilled workforce:
- English Requirement: The required English proficiency level has been increased from an IELTS score of 6.0 to 6.5, with a minimum skill score of 5.0. Additionally, the validity of the English test has been reduced from 3 years to 1 year.
- Age Limit: The age limit has been lowered from 50 to 35 years.
These changes will take effect from 1st July 2024.