Working Holiday Visa
For students holding a working holiday visa in Australia, the first step towards continuing to live in Australia long-term or even immigrating after their two-year visa expires is to convert to a student visa. This allows them to continue living and studying in Australia while also improving their English and academic qualifications, laying the foundation for future applications for a work visa or permanent residency.
Next steps for your Working Holiday Visa:
There are usually three ways to stay in Australia legally after your working holiday visa ends:
500 student visa: You can study English, TAFE vocational school, or university courses in Australia;
457 Temporary Work Visa (Employer Sponsored, now replaced by TSS Visa): Possess relevant professional skills, have an employer sponsorship approved by the Australian Immigration Department, and an IELTS score of no less than 5 in each section
If your English level is not yet 5.5, you should consider starting with an English course. If you already have an IELTS score of 5.5-6, you can consider directly studying TAFE vocational courses or university master's courses.
Issues to note and consider when switching from a working tourist visa to a student visa:
Should I choose a university master's or a TAFE vocational course? University is relatively expensive but also highly rewarding, while TAFE offers practical training and is relatively affordable. Which is right for you?
Should I apply for an English course or a vocational course (TAFE)? Vocational courses usually give you a skill, which is helpful when applying for a work visa. For those students with lower English proficiency, improving their English may be the most urgent thing. In this case, you can consider taking an English course for a period of time to improve your English.
When choosing an English course, is it better to take classes during the day or at night?
