The Guide to Employing International Students and Graduates is designed for employers who wish to recruit international employees but who may be unsure of the options available to enable this.

International students and graduates represent an important talent pool who are highly skilled, qualified and motivated to pursue career development opportunities in Australia.

Misinformation and misconceptions around their working rights and visa sponsorship can lead to employer resistance to hire international students or post-study visa holders.

The report notes: “With unemployment at record low levels, many employers across a wide range of industries are facing acute skills and labour shortages. International students can help bridge these gaps.”

“Many international students and graduates who are offered permanent employment demonstrate a long-term commitment to their employers.”

The recent Jobs and Skills Summit highlighted many issues in relation to skills shortages and talent recruitment, including the facilitation of international student and graduate hires.

This resulted in the federal government flagging changes to Temporary Graduate visas to provide longer term employment pathways for international graduates. There is now an opportunity for employers to explore new approaches to talent acquisition.

The full guide can be viewed here. It complements IEAA’s Employer White Paper on the matter.

Chamber endorsement

The Victorian Chamber encourages employers to include international students in recruitment strategies, utilising their talent and increasing the attractiveness of Victoria as a study destination.

Victoria would benefit from recognising a variety of different skills and qualifications, as well as better facilitating entrance into the state for skilled and unskilled migrant workers.

The Victorian Chamber has committed to Study Melbourne’s Victorian Commitment to Action to improve international student employment outcomes.

At the Chamber’s Victoria Summit 2021, which brought together thought leaders to create a vision to make Victoria the best place to live, learn, work and operate a business, actions to achieve this included:

• Make Victoria an attractive destination for international students to remain competitive in the international education sector
• Provide international students with employment opportunities to build their networks and gain valuable experience.

In line with IEAA guidelines, the Victorian Chamber encourages employers to rephase their recruitment messages from “only residents and citizens may apply” to “those with work rights encouraged to apply” or similar.

The Victorian Chamber also provides tailored migration service to members that experience skill shortages in their workplace. For more information, contact our registered migration agent on 03 8662 5234 or email ezhao@victorianchamber.com.au