Friday, 7 August
On 3 August, our PTV concession petition officially closed with 5,722 signatures.This is a fantastic achievement that demonstrates strong community support for extending public transport concession entitlements to gradaute students. The petition has now been presented to Ben Carroll and Vicki Ward.
While we didn't reach our initial target of 10,000 signatures, the campaign has achieved far more than a number. It has brought together student associations, trade unions, local councils and community organisations from across Victoria, helping to build a broad coalition of support for this long-overdue reform.
Together, we've raised the profile of this issue and ensured it is firmly on the radar of government decision-makers.
Thank you to everyone who signed and shared the petition over the past few months. Your support has helped build real momentum for change, and MGA will continue advocating for fair public transport concessions for graduate students in the lead-up to the Victorian election.
Follow our campaign progress here.
Monday, 3 August
We are proud to have meaningfully contributed to the Inquiry into Enhancing Victorian University Governance. Read our full response here.
Thursday, 23 July
The MGA welcomes the Federal Government's decision to extend Commonwealth Prac Payments to students undertaking mandatory unpaid placements across nine additional Allied Health disciplines. However, more needs to be done to address placement poverty and ensure that all students can complete their studies without experiencing financial hardship. Read our full statement here.
Wednesday, 1 July
The MGA heard the news of the further increase to the 485 visa application fee and share the deep concern felt by many students. We've prepared a statement outlining our position and calling for fairer, more accessible post-study pathways for international gradautes. Read our statement here.
Wednesday, 3 June
The MGA has lodged a submission to the Senate Inquiry into Australian University Graduates.
Thursday, 14 May 2026
The MGA has prepared a statement in response to Tuesday’s Federal Budget announcement, outlining its impact on graduate students and advocating for stronger support measures for the gradaute student community.
Thursday, 16 April 2026
We received an official response from Hon Julian Hill MP, Assistant Minister for International Education regarding the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) application fee increase. Read the letter here.
March 2026
We have been actively lobbying senior government figures to reverse the decision to increase the Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa application fee, including direct engagement with key ministers and Members of Parliament.
- Prime Minister, Anthony Alabnese
- Minister for Home Affairs, Tony Burke
- Minister for Education, Jason Clare
- Assistant Minister for International Education, Julian Hill
- Member for Melbourne, Sarah Witty
- Member for Macnamara, Josh Burns
- Member for Hotham, Clare O'Neil
- Member for Dunkley, Jodie Belyea
In addition to our lobbying efforts, we also developed a detailed policy briefing outlining the key flaws in the Government's decision to increase the Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa application fee.
Furthermore, we launched a parliamentary petition calling for the expansion of public transport concession entitlements to graduate students through the Parliament of Victoria.
Friday, 6 March 2026
We published a statement on Instagram opposing the doubling of the 485 Graduate Visa application fee increase.
Wednesday, 25 March 2026
We made a submission to Monash's Graduate Research Committee reviewing parental leave policies for RTP stipend recipients.
February 2026
In February 2026, the MGA made a submission to the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into Enhancing Victorian University Governance, arguing that graduate research and coursework students must have dedicated seats at the table alongside undergraduates.
The submission draws on MGA's national survey data and a sector-wide analysis of university council compositions to show that current governance structures -- which typically provide just one student seat -- are no longer fit for purpose given the size and diversity of the modern student body.
Graduate coursework enrolments have more than doubled over the past two decades, and graduate research students occupy a unique position as both students and contributors to university research and teaching. Yet, no Victorian university currently offers more than one student seat on its council.
MGA recommends three dedicated student council positions -- one each for undergraduate, graduate coursework, and graduate research students -- along with mechanisms to ensure student representatives can meaningfully contribute to council agendas and regular stakeholder feedback processes to strengthen accountability.
Read our submission here.