Short version: plenty of international graduates stay on in Australia, but most of those with top-tier qualifications end up doing work that needs fewer skills. Here are the key figures and what you can do about them.
The research in one line
Jobs and Skills Australia tracked students who started in 2010–11 up to the end of 2023. The report came out in September 2025 and was back in the headlines during 2026. It covers rules before the Migration Strategy, not current settings.
Key figures at a glance
| Measure | International graduates | Domestic graduates |
|---|---|---|
| Highest-skill qualification, lower-skilled job | More than half | About 20 to 30 per cent |
| Chance of a job in their field | Lower | Higher |
| Average pay, same qualification | Less | More |
PR: 35 to 40 per cent of the early-2010s starters had it within 10 years. For university and VET graduates found in linked tax data, it was over half within a decade.
Field match: university graduates struggled more than VET graduates to get work in their area. Practical, job-linked training seemed to help people land relevant roles.
Six things in the way
- English level
- Thin local work history
- Hiring managers unsure what a temporary visa means for them
- Work done abroad going unrecognised
- Bias at the hiring stage
- Doubts about whether new graduates can hit the ground running
The bigger picture
Student intake: the planning level is 295,000 new international students for 2026, kept at that figure for 2027.
So far this year: commencements are down 8 per cent on 2025 and 13 per cent below 2019.
Economy: international education brought in more than $50 billion in 2023–24.
Politics: a minor-party senator wants a much smaller intake. The government says most students go home and that keeping some graduates in needed jobs, such as doctors and nurses working in Australian hospitals for a time, makes sense.
Why it matters: Jobs and Skills Australia says better moves into skilled work are critical if graduates are to help fill future shortages.
Fast moves for job seekers
- Aim for roles in your field early, even part-time or contract.
- Add local experience quickly: placements, internships, volunteering in your industry.
- Lift your English score before applying for skilled roles.
- State your visa status in one clear line so employers are not left guessing.
- Keep proof of overseas work ready: references, duty statements, pay records.
- Match your CV to each ad's duties, not a generic list.
Next step
Ready to look? Browse sponsored jobs in Australia on JobFinder, pick the ones that match your qualification, and apply with your CV up to date. Shortlist jobs with visa sponsorship that fit your field, and keep your documents in one place. You can also explore occupations and career tools on the government's Your Career site.
