“I’ll study → get PSW → get job → get PR” Reality: PSW gives time, not employment

 

“I’ll study → get PSW → get job → get PR”

Reality:
PSW gives time, not employment.

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Why this pipeline breaks in real life

1. PSW is not a job guarantee
Post-Study Work visas only allow you to stay —
they do not ensure:

• Job interviews

• Employer sponsorship

• Skilled-role conversion

Many graduates spend PSW doing:

• Survival jobs

• Casual/part-time work

• Roles unrelated to their degree

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2. Employers don’t hire on “future PR potential”
Most employers ask:

• “Do you already have full work rights long-term?”
  Not:

• “Can you get PR later?”

Temporary visas = higher risk for employers.

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3. Skill shortage ≠ graduate shortage
Governments announce:

• “Skill shortages”

But employers want:

• Local experience

• Job-ready skills

• Immediate productivity

A fresh graduate on PSW often doesn’t match this.

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4. Time runs faster than skills grow
Typical PSW timeline:

• Year 1: adjusting, survival work

• Year 2: job search + rejections

• Year 3: visa pressure

Time expires before careers stabilize.

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5. Policy changes mid-journey
PR rules change without notice:

• Occupation lists revised

• Points thresholds raised

• State nominations tightened

PSW holders are the most exposed to these shifts.

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The uncomfortable truth

PSW is a breathing window, not a bridge.

It works only if:
✔️ You enter a shortage occupation
✔️ You build local experience early (during studies)
✔️ You have employer sponsorship potential
✔️ Your field isn’t oversaturated with internationals