Australia’s 485 Post-Study Work Visa Faces Scrutiny Amid Election Pledges
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Australia’s post-study work rights for international students have come under renewed scrutiny, as the Coalition pledges a rapid review of the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) if elected in the upcoming federal election on 3 May.
Opposition leader Peter Dutton announced the policy as part of a broader package targeting Australia’s international education sector. The proposal includes a potential cap of 240,000 international student arrivals per year and a new AUD $5,000 visa fee for applicants to the country’s top universities.
The Coalition claims the current 485 visa settings are being “misused” as a pathway to employment and eventual permanent migration, a stance that has sparked concern across the education sector.
Phil Honeywood, CEO of the International Education Association of Australia (IEAA), criticised the move, stating, “Everything the Federal Opposition has announced during this campaign has been anti-international students.” He warned the review could lead to shorter visa durations, reduced eligibility, and new restrictions for accompanying partners.
Honeywood also pointed out that the Coalition, during its previous term, had extended the 485 visa by 12 months for Indian students as a condition of the Australia-India Free Trade Agreement—raising questions about how the review might affect bilateral commitments.
Higher education policy expert Andrew Norton also weighed in, noting that Australia’s international student system is highly transactional. “Australia should uphold its side of the bargain when it entices students with post-study work rights,” he said.
Norton projected a sharp rise in 485 visa holders due to the high number of students enrolling in 2023 and 2024. As of February 2025, around one million people were on student-related visas, creating political pressure for tighter migration controls.
While the Labor Party and the Greens have largely avoided international education in their campaigns, the Coalition’s proposed overhaul of the 485 visa may significantly impact Australia’s appeal as a study destination—especially for students from South Asia.
Stakeholders are now urging meaningful engagement and policy consistency to avoid sudden disruptions in a key sector of Australia’s economy.
Source: THE PIE NEWS
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