Post-study work in Australia: how a Coalition proposal could reshape plans for Ugandan students

News · 2026-10-06 · 4 min read

Two Ugandan students chat beside a closed notebook at an outdoor table on an Australian university campus.

Students in Kampala and Entebbe often ask a practical question: after an Australian degree, can I stay and work? A proposal released on 6 October 2026 by the Liberal and National Coalition, the federal Opposition, puts that question in the news. This article lays out today against the proposal, so you can see what is real and what is not.

Today versus the proposal

Topic	Today	If the proposal became law
Rules for students and graduates	Unchanged	Only if the Coalition wins government and makes the changes
Temporary graduate visa	Exists	Abolished after a four-year transitional phase, falling from 271,200 to just 10,000 by 2031-32
Graduates who want to stay	Can use current pathways	Return home and apply for a separate temporary visa
Exceptions	Not applicable	Some graduates in priority areas such as health and education, and in some regional areas
New student commencements	Planning level of 295,000	Cut to 240,000

The plan also sits inside a bigger package that would cut net overseas migration to 100,000 for the first two years and up to 160,000 in year four, make major cuts to international student, bridging and temporary protection visas, and halve humanitarian places. The Government says the sector is tracking towards 250,000 commencements this calendar year.

Why the Opposition wants it

The Opposition argues that post-study work rights have been sold as a pathway to permanent residence or citizenship instead of as part of an education. In its view, ending the visa would let the migration program concentrate on the skills Australia needs.

Why others object

The peak body for universities said the changes risked lasting damage to the higher education sector and the economy. The Government said removing the visa would make Australia less attractive, stop it selecting the brightest skilled graduates, and hurt Australian employers. It added that comparable countries offer competitive post-study work, and that many top students would choose elsewhere, damaging Australia's fourth biggest export.

A separate dispute concerns India. An industry association said the plan could breach the free trade agreement with India, whose April 2022 side letter commits Australia to keep temporary post-study opportunities: up to 18 months for trade or diploma graduates, up to two years for bachelor graduates, up to three years for bachelor graduates in STEM courses and master's graduates, and up to four years for doctoral graduates. India is the second largest group of international students, behind China. The association also linked the rise in non-genuine students partly to a post-Covid decision by a former Coalition government to increase the hours students could work in key industries. The Coalition denies any breach and says it would work with partner countries on new pathways, including skilled ones.

What Ugandan students can do now

Study with a plan for a job, not only a visa. Look at the jobs listed here to see what employers ask for.
Keep papers ready: UNEB results, Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT) certificates and academic transcripts. A local qualification does not automatically equal an Australian licence, skills assessment or registration.
Prepare for an English test if a course or employer asks; PractiseNow has practice material.
If a police clearance is requested, the Interpol police clearance route is one to ask about early.
Choose advisers carefully. For Australia look for a MARA registration; for New Zealand use a licensed immigration adviser or someone lawfully exempt.

Common mistakes when the news changes fast

People commonly mix up a proposal with a decision. Others think the 271,200 to 10,000 fall applies next year, when the plan includes a four-year transition. Some forget that exceptions are described for health, education and some regional areas. A few pay deposits in a rush based on a rumour. A calmer approach is to follow the official visa pages and the posts on this site, such as the new New Zealand pathways for graduates and why universities are sounding the alarm.

Questions Ugandan readers ask

Is this the official government position?

No. The government criticised it. It is a proposal from the Opposition.

Does the proposal change the rules for current students?

Not today. Student and graduate visa rules remain unchanged unless a future government changes them.

What would the transition look like?

The plan describes four years before the visa is abolished.

Where should I check the rules?

Read the official visa listing rather than relying on social media posts.

Main points to remember

The plan of 6 October 2026 is a proposal only.
It would end temporary graduate visas after a four-year transition, with some exceptions.
Commencements would be cut to 240,000.
Plan under current rules and keep documents ready.

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