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The Clarté Forum brings you key information on relevant events and interesting insights to keep you in the loop on your EU study journey.

29 July 2026

What the Australia-EU Trade Deal Could Mean for Your Study and Career Plans

Thinking about completing part of your studies at a European university?

Wanting to secure career opportunities back in Australia with your EU qualifications?

Drawn to cutting-edge research and having lifelong connections between Australia and the EU?

The Australia-EU Free Trade Agreement (A-EU FTA) negotiations have just made your plans to study, research, and work in the EU more interesting. Here is what we know so far.

Where things stand

Negotiations for the A-EU FTA were concluded in March 2026 with expected signature late 2026 or early 2027. Once all legal review and domestic parliamentary processes are completed, Australian students and professionals will be able to benefit from two key changes:

1. Mutual recognition of professional qualifications

Certain professional qualifications will be mutually recognised, meaning you can practise these professions or be employed in that field in either Australia or the EU. These include certain legal, accounting, engineering, and health qualifications.

2. ‘Unprecedented access’ to the EU through the Innovation Mobility Pathway

This is where things get exciting, depending on who you are:

Uni student, researcher, innovator, or academic?

You will have greater access to exchange and joint-university programs, research funding, and academic connections through Euraxess EU, Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions, and Erasmus+.

Entertainment or creative arts professional?

You will be able to travel to the EU and supply your services in the Creative Arts as defined under the international CPC code 9619.

Researcher, engineer, or technician?

You (and your family) will be able to stay in the EU for up to nine months to job-hunt or establish a business.

What hasn’t changed

Thinking about applying for direct admission to a university in the EU? A few things to keep in mind. The A-EU FTA does not change current processes around:

Recognising educational and vocational and/or professional qualifications for university admission; and
Immigration.

In practice, this means:

Your Australian high school, university, and technical qualifications and experience will still be assessed through individual matriculation standards; and
Studying and living in the EU without EU citizenship will still require a visa and/or residence permit, arranged with the relevant individual EU country.

Ready to explore what this means for you? Want to know more about how these changes could shape your study or mobility pathway in the EU?

Contact Catherine for a free first call to see how Clarté can help you navigate the exciting possibilities ahead!