Understanding the Experiences of Temporary Post-Study Work Migrants in Australia

Temporary migration is a defining feature of Australia that brings numerous economic and socio-cultural benefits. In recent times, temporary migration policy has increasingly targeted international students to stay and work in Australia after graduation via the Post-Study Work (PSW) Visa Stream. This shift in migration policy has been driven by four policy objectives. First, address labour shortages. Second, deliver greater fiscal outcomes through new residents who create increased spending but with low costs related to limited social welfare access. Third, enhance the protection of temporary work migrants from exploitative labour practices through a state sponsored visa program. Finally, strengthen Australia’s competitiveness in the global higher education sector by offering international students the opportunity to work in Australia after graduation. Consequently, PSW migration may play a critical role in the post-COVID-19 recovery of Australia’s economy. Yet these economically focused policies are often criticised for the superficial consideration of other important factors driving migration, specifically factors identified in leading theories of human migration. While the existing literature provides empirical evidence on barriers to employment for PSW migrants related to economic policies, little research exists on the impact of these policies on the employment and social experiences of these migrants. 

The aim of this thesis is to understand the motivations of South Asian migrants in the PSW visa program to migrate to Australia, explore their actual lived experiences and identify how migration policy influences those experiences. The research uses a phenomenological, qualitative research approach, through twenty-one individual semi-structured interviews conducted with PSW migrants from Nepal, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. The data is thematically analysed using a theoretical framework that combines economic and social-capital theories of human migration to classify the motivations and actual experiences of these migrants and describe how migration policy shapes actual experiences. 

This research contributes with empirical evidence to the scholarly knowledge of the PSW migration as a complex, multi-factor process. Findings reveal PSW migrants’ motivation to migrate is triggered by a desire to enhance career opportunities and life prospects. However, the selection of a destination is influenced by the existence of social networks and border legislation in the host country. 

Findings also contribute to the scholarly knowledge on the critical role of higher education in shaping the migration decision. Particularly, this research evidences the critical role of scholarships, curriculum, and international student agents in selecting a host country. 

Finally, this thesis identifies how current migration policies in Australia negatively impact on the experiences of PSW migrants in securing accommodation at arrival and finding a job in their chosen field of education. The thesis concludes with recommendations for future research to validate findings in the context of Australia, and identify similarities in competing markets such as Canada, the UK, and the US.