1. Australia Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)
Under revised Australian regulations, the Post-Higher Education Work stream grants 2 years for Bachelor degree completions and 2 to 3 years for Masters degree completions.
Graduates who completed their studies and lived in designated regional areas (such as Adelaide, Perth, or Gold Coast) can apply for a secondary 1 or 2-year post-study work extension.
2. Canada Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
Canada's PGWP is an open work permit that allows you to work for any employer in any location across Canada. A program of 8 to 23 months yields a work permit matching course duration, while programs of 2 years or longer yield a full 3-year PGWP.
Masters graduates of programs lasting as short as 16 months are now eligible for the full 3-year PGWP under updated IRCC guidelines.
3. Direct Impact on Permanent Residency
In Canada, completing 1 year of full-time skilled work under TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 qualifies you for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), adding valuable Canadian work experience points to your CRS profile.
In Australia, working in your nominated skilled occupation for 1 year within Australia yields 5 additional migration points and frequently qualifies you for state-nominated PR invitations.
4. Accompanying Spouse Work Rights
Both Australia's 485 visa and Canada's PGWP allow your spouse to obtain unrestricted full-time open work authorization, allowing two partners to earn income and gain qualifying skilled experience simultaneously.
Conclusion & Next Steps
The post-study work visa is the single most valuable asset of an international education. Select your course and geographic location with your post-study work rights firmly at the center.