This means four for “select” bachelors and six for all doctoral degrees – and the student workright cap is up from 40 to 48 hours a fortnight

Ministers Jason Clare (Education) and Clare O’Neil (Home Affairs) announced the new caps yesterday, calling them, “a practical change that will increase the availability of a well-trained and highly capable workforce to help ease current pressures.”

And the working hours extension, “will help students to support themselves financially gain, valuable work experience and contribute to Australia’s workforce needs while they study.” It kicks in from July.

Plus for eligible students in regional/rural areas the extra two years is on top of the existing bonus of one or two years.

Eligible degrees are in health and medicine, teaching, engineering, ICT and ag and food.