Effective 1 September 2007, new regulations regarding the issuing and awarding of working visas will come into effect - good news for some, bad news for others.

These modifications chiefly affect the General Skilled Migrants (GSM) class visa, and applications made before 31 August 2007 will not be affected by the changes.

Some of the changes (as indicated on the DIAC website):

increasing the English language threshold for GSM visa applicants

rewarding GSM visa applicants who have very good English language proficiency

greater emphasis on skilled work experience

introduction of a new temporary work visa for graduates

The new Skilled - Graduate Visa (subclass 485) is an 18-month unrestricted work/study visa, and seems like a bloody good idea for fresh (international) graduates who do not easily qualify for the employer-sponsored and independent subclasses, and wish to extend their stay to gain work experience or take language courses.

Update: It is recommended for students who graduate before 1 September 2007 and who think they will fare better under the modified visa subclasses to apply for a Graduate Skilled Temporary Visa (subclass 497) first, and apply for a more suitable visa once the changes have come into effect.

More information regarding the visa classes (and subclasses) can be obtained on the DIAC website (I am not going to get myself into legal trouble trying to explain them here - and hey, there are people paid to do that!)
http://www.immi.gov.au

Related posts:

1. Australian Student Visa Rules
2. A tongue not your own…
3. Uni students: this is your chance to think out loud and someone will actually listen
4. The Victorian Government’s “Working With Children” checks
5. Did you know …