외국인 유학생 정책, 어떻게 발전시킬 것인가?:호주의 외국인 유학생 2단계 이민정책의 교훈 = How Should South Korea Develop Its International Student Policy? Lessons from Australia’s Two-Step Immigration Policy

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

(Purpose) This study analyzes the institutional structure, operational mechanisms, policy outcomes, and key issues of Australia’s two-step immigration policy for international students, through which students transition from temporary residence to employment and permanent residency, and draws policy implications for South Korea.
(Research methods) This study employs an integrated framework combining institutionalist and systems approaches. Australia’s two-step immigration policy is examined across three stages—policy input, process, and output—focusing on institutional structures, implementation capacity, and institutional change.
(Findings) First, Australia institutionalized the transition of international students to skilled migrants by introducing a graduate visa linked to the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program following the 1998 amendment to the Migration Regulations. Second, in 2013, the Post-Study Work (PSW) stream was incorporated into the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), offering differentiated employment and residence opportunities by qualification level and study location. Third, the Department of Education and the Department of Home Affairs regularly publish key indicators on employment outcomes and permanent residency transitions of graduate visa holders. Fourth, state governments, universities, and industry have established collaborative frameworks through state nomination, career support, and internship programs. Fifth, international education has become one of Australia’s three largest export industries, generating approximately AUD 51 billion and producing positive spillover effects across regional economies.
(Conclusion and recommendations) First, a clear pathway linking post-graduation employment to long-term settlement and permanent residency should be established. Second, graduate employment visas need to be expanded to support labor market entry. Third, a longitudinal data system is required to track employment outcomes and residency transitions. Fourth, visa transition rules and quality assurance for international education institutions should be strengthened. Finally, Korea should move toward a multi-level governance framework involving local governments, universities, and industry.