Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) - AECC

Temporary Graduate Visa ( Subclass 485 )

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Temporary Graduate Visa ( Subclass 485 )

Did you complete a two-year study program as an international student in Australia, and are you now seeking to extend your stay in the country? Well then, a Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) could be the ideal option for you. This transitory visa allows those who have received their education in Australia to stay onshore, study further and also gain employment. The length of time available depends upon your citizenship or nationality and educational qualifications – with some being able to remain for 2 years while others can stay up to 5 years - with this visa giving them the opportunity of gaining invaluable work experience during that period.

Visiting Australia as many times as desired and for any length of time is allowed while the visa remains valid. However, your total stay period will not be extended. Generally, a 485 visa extension is not provided to prolong your stay in Australia, but it might be possible to apply for another type of 485 visa stream or a skilled work visa from an alternative subclass. British National and Hong Kong passports holders are eligible to remain in the country for up to 5 years before applying for permanent residency (PR). Therefore the 485 visa can be seen as a passage towards PR after five years spent in Australia.

 

Eligibility Criteria for Temporary Graduate Visa ( Subclass 485 )

The requirements to be eligible for the 485 visa depend mainly on which stream you are applying for. That said, some of the Temporary Graduate Visa ( Subclass 485 ) requirements are the same for all the streams. Here, we will discuss the basic eligibility requirements and get to the specifics later.

The following Temporary Graduate Visa ( Subclass 485 ) requirements are applicable to any one stream.

  • You must not be aged above 50 years.
  • You must nominate a single visa stream, as the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) will not allow changing it after the submission of your application.
  • There must be adequate health insurance coverage* for you (more on this later).
  • You must satisfy the health requirement* of the Department of Home Affairs (more on this later).
  • You must satisfy the character requirement of the DHA while applying for this visa. As with the health insurance matter, many elements will dictate whether you can meet the requirement or not. So, check the website of the Department for those elements or contact one of our agents.
  • You must sign Australia’s Values Statement.
  • You and your relatives must not owe any amount of money to the Government.
 

Post-Study Work Stream

 

For international students who have achieved a higher education degree such as Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in Australia, there is an opportunity to stay within this nation for up to four years with a Post-Study Work visa. This special visa allows individuals to remain in Australia after completing their CRICOS-registered course. Not only does citizenship determine how long one can stay, but also your academic record in Australia can affect this duration, as depicted by this table.

If you possess any of the mentioned qualifications and hold a British National Overseas or Hong Kong passport, you are eligible to avail a visa that allows you to stay in Australia for a duration of five years. Initially, the visa period for the Master by Coursework option was limited to 2 years. However, the Australian Government has now extended it to a period of 3 years.

Besides meeting the basic visa requirements, make sure that you adhere to the following for a successful application.

Specific Requirements to Qualify for the Graduate Work or Post-Study Work Stream Visa,

  • You must have an active student visa that is not supported by either the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade or the Defence Minister or an expired student visa.
  • If you have an expired student visa, you must have had it during the past 6 months, and you must possess a substantive visa, a Bridging Visa A (BVA), or a Bridging Visa B (BVB).
  • You must have a qualification from an educational course registered on CRICOS that lasts at least two years. Alternatively, you can meet the 2-year part of the study requirement with multiple courses if each course is closely associated with your nominated job.
  • You must have an overall IELTS score of 6.0 alongside 5.0 or above in all bands or any equivalent English test result (TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, OET or Cambridge C1 Advanced Test). Alternatively, UK, US, New Zealand, Ireland, and Canadian passport holders do not have to present an English test.

 

 

Graduate Work Stream

The Graduate Work stream is for international students who completed a trade qualification or a diploma and has job-specific qualifications and skills (as per the DHA, the skills and qualifications do not apply to applications filed by June 30, 2023). You would have a 24-month stay period for this visa if you got it on December 01, 2021, or afterwards. The stay period was 18 months for the visas granted before that date but it has been changed.

Apart from the basic requirements, you must satisfy the points in the following Temporary Graduate Visa ( Subclass 485 ) checklist to qualify for the visa.

  • You must possess the qualifications and skills that the Australian Government requires for a job that comes on the Skilled Occupation List (the skills part does not apply to an application lodged by June 30, 2023). If required, you must produce the assessment of your skills from an Australian assessing authority.
  • The visa traditionally requires you to nominate the job as you apply for it, and you cannot change it afterwards. Your qualification must be closely associated with that job as well. A related assessing authority must have assessed your skills and found those to be appropriate for the occupation in question.
 

Replacement Stream

A replacement stream visa related to COVID-19 has become available for applicants from the middle of this year. The replacement visa is available for former and existing holders of the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) who were subject to the travel restrictions related to coronavirus disease. It allows an international student with a Temporary Graduate visa to make up for the time they were deprived of on the original visa because of coronavirus-related travel restrictions.

Applicants for this visa will need to meet specific requirements. There are some 485 visa changes 2022 updates that you should remember if you plan to apply for it soon, including the following. The applicants will get a grant period identical to their original visa unless:

  • Their visa was granted under the Post Study Work stream for the qualification Master of Coursework
  • Their 485 visa was granted on December 01, 2021, or later
  • They have British National Overseas passports or Hong Kong citizenship

Replacement Stream Visa Requirements

Besides the basic requirements mentioned above, you would have to meet the following to qualify for the replacement stream visa. You could apply for it before January 01, 2027, if:

  • You have had a subclass 485 visa in either the Graduate Work stream or the first Post Study Work stream that was not only granted before December 15, 2021, but that also became effective on February 01, 2020, or later.
  • Coronavirus-related travel restrictions deprived you of time on that visa. This would be the case if you got the 485 visa:
  • When you were in the country, and you had been overseas from February 01, 2020, to December 14, 2021.
  • When you were out of Australia, you entered the country with the visa, and you left it with the document before December 15, 2021.

Second Post-Study Work Stream

 

The Second Post-Study Work stream is for international student graduates who studied and graduated in a designated regional area and have completed their first 485 visa. Applying for this visa requires you to live, study and/or work in that area with a visa in the first Post-Study Work category. If granted, the visa will let you study, travel internationally, and/or do a job in Australia for 1 to 2 years.

The duration of your stay in Australia will hinge on the following:

  • Your living location as a person who holds the 485 skilled graduate visa that comes in the first post-study work stream or the replacement stream; and, 

485 Visa Requirements in the Second Post-Study Work Stream

  • You could only apply for this visa if you have:
    • The temporary graduate visa that came in the first post-study work stream; or,
    • The temporary graduate replacement stream visa on the basis that you held the post-study work stream visa.

In other words, one of the two aforesaid visas must be valid at the time of your application for the DHA to process it.

  • For this visa, you must have an educational qualification that contributed to you getting the first post-study work stream visa. As implied in the basic requirements above, the qualification must be from a CRICOS-registered education provider in Australia that offers degree-level courses. Besides, the campus where you studied must be situated in an area designated for immigration purposes. Almost every location in the country beyond major cities is categorised as a designated regional area. A designated regional area in Australia comes under one of the many categories. Please consult the website of the Department of Home Affairs or our migration agent for more information with regard to this.
  • You are required to have studied and/or worked in the aforesaid area as a post-study work stream visa holder. The Department may ask you to produce further evidence or information about your study or work there.
  • The location of your university as a student visa holder.

 

 

Application Process for Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)


Step 1:   Before you apply

  • Make sure you have a passport - You need a valid passport for this visa. If you plan to get a new passport, do so before applying for this visa.
  • Check your visa conditions.
  • Organise health exams
  • Contact us and get help with your application
  • Arrange a skills assessment

Step 2:  Gather your documents

Provide proof of your study, qualifications, skills assessment, identity and relationships. You will also need to provide documents for your family members.

Provide accurate information 

  • Identity documents
  • Study documents
  • English language requirement documents
  • Skills assessment documents
  • Health insurance documents
  • Character documents
  • Tell us you are getting help
  • Partner documents
  • Dependants under 18 documents
  • Dependants over 18 documents

Step 3:  Apply for the visa

You must apply for this visa online.

Step 4: After you apply

Once the application and accompanying documents are submitted, you will receive a notification from the authorities acknowledging the receipt. It is important to closely monitor status updates provided throughout the processing period. If health examinations are required, you will be informed accordingly. Additional information may need to be attached if requested. It is also important to maintain lawful status and comply with immigration regulations. If intending to include family members, proper procedures and documentation should be followed. Any mistakes or errors on the application should be promptly addressed and rectified. In case of any changes in circumstances or information, it is crucial to inform the authorities to ensure accurate and smooth processing of the application.

Step 5: Visa outcome

No matter your current location, whether inside or outside of Australia, a decision on your visa application will be made, excluding those in immigration clearance. Subsequent entrants (family members) may likewise have their applications assessed regardless of where they are situated. All decisions concerning visa applications will be communicated to the applicants in writing.

If the visa is granted, you will be provided with:

  • your visa grant number
  • the date your visa starts
  • your visa conditions.
  • If your visa is reduced, you will be informed why it is refused and whether you have a right to a review of the decision.
  • The visa application charge will not be refunded if the visa application is refused.
Do you find it tiring to arrange all these documents on your own? If you contact AECC, our experts can ease the entire process for you!
 

Visa Conditions and Duration

 

Generally, the grant period of a visa lasts from 18 months to 5 years. However, some exceptions apply. Those who hold a Post Study Work visa for two years due to their Master's qualification will be eligible for three years. Likewise, those who had been granted the Graduate Work Stream visa for 18 months may receive a two year duration - this measure is only temporary and applicants should check prior to lodging their application. As for individuals in possession of Hong Kong or British National Overseas passports, they are allowed to stay up to 5 years.

 

Bridging Visas and Other Considerations

 

As a Subclass 485 Visa holder, it is important to be aware of bridging visas and other crucial considerations. Here is some relevant information:

Bridging Visas:

In certain situations, when your Subclass 485 Visa is about to expire, you may be eligible for a bridging visa. Bridging visas can help you maintain lawful status in Australia while you await the outcome of a new visa application or appeal. It is crucial to understand the conditions and limitations of the specific bridging visa you are granted.

Other Conditions

  1. If you wish to continue staying in Australia after your Subclass 485 Visa expires, it is important to explore and apply for an appropriate visa before the expiry date. Research and seek advice to determine the most suitable visa pathway based on your circumstances and goals.
  2. Subclass 485 Visa holders are typically granted full work rights during their visa validity period. However, it is essential to review and comply with any work conditions specified on your visa, as they may have restrictions or limitations.
  3. While holding a Subclass 485 Visa, you may still have access to further study opportunities in Australia. Research and explore options to pursue additional qualifications or educational courses that align with your career objectives.
  4. Maintaining adequate health insurance coverage during your stay in Australia is important. Make sure you have appropriate health insurance to meet the requirements set by the Department of Home Affairs.
 
 

How Can AECC Help in Your Visa Application?

 

Navigating the path to a Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) Visa can be a complex journey, but you do not have to go it alone. Our dedicated team of educational counsellors and migration agents can serve as your guiding light, streamlining the entire application process for a smoother transition to the Australian workforce.

Seeking expert guidance is essential when applying for a visa in Australia, including the one we talk about here. Our experts are well-versed in the immigration intricacies and ever-changing nature of the Australian workforce. This allows them to help you ensure your application is accurate, complete, and ready to go out on time. Moreover, our experts offer invaluable insights and advice, helping you make informed decisions every step of the way. They can provide guidance on choosing the right visa stream for you by assessing your eligibility and help address any potential challenges that may arise during the application process.

By entrusting this task to capable and reliable expert professionals like AECC, you free yourself from the intricacies of paperwork and procedures. You can focus on the more significant aspects of your journey.

Frequently Asked Questions
 

If it is the Graduate Work Stream, 18 months would be the duration of your stay here. It is 24 to 48 months in the Post-Study Work stream. On the other hand, the Second Post-Study Work stream visa expires in 1 to 2 years.

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