485

What is Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) – All you need to know about 485 Visa!

Topic:

Introduction 

Why Australia is the attractive destination for international students around the globe? One of the answers is the opportunity after the graduated, including jobs, visa and migration opportunity. 

Department of Home Affairs has offered the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) to international students who are graduates of an Australia institute if they satisfy certain requirements. 

What is Temporary Graduate Visa ?

Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) is the temporary visa that allows international students to live, work and/or undertake further studies in Australia from 2-4 years. 

There are two streams for the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485), including the Graduate Work Stream, and the Post-Study Work Stream which both streams have different requirements. 

What is the difference between two streams of the Temporary Graduate Visa?

Temporary Graduate Visa – Graduate work stream

A visa duration for Graduate work stream is 18 months, however, it is temporarily increased to 24 months for visas granted from 1 December 2021. To be eligible to apply Gradate work stream, students need to meet these criteria. 

  • Finished at least 2 years course of study in Australia, which can be a bachelor degree, a master degree or a VET program.  
  • Have a qualification relevant to an occupation on the skilled occupation list. 
  • Student need to pass a skills assessment in your nominated occupation on the skilled occupation list (this requirement only applies to new applications lodged on or after 1 July 2023). 
  • Provide evidence of adequate health insurance for all applicants when you apply 
  • Provide evidence you have applied for an AFP check when you apply 
  • Provide evidence of the required level of English with the application 

Post-study work stream

A visa duration for this stream is usually between 2 and 4 years, depending on your qualification. However, the applicants with a select degree may be eligible for an additional 2 years in Australia. Contact SOL Edu, one of the best education and migration agencies in Brisbane at [email protected] or 07 3003 1899 to know if your qualification is on the list eligible for a 485 visa extension.  

To be eligible to apply for a Post-study work stream, students who have: 

  • Hold an Australia student visa on or after 5th November 2011 
  • Finished at least two years studies in Australia  
  • Recently graduated from a Bachelor Degree, Master Degree or Doctorate degree from an Australian institution

Who is eligible to apply for the temporary graduate visa (subclass 485)

To be eligible to apply for the temporary graduate visa (subclass 485) student must

  • be under 50 years of age
  • have held a student visa in the last 6 months
  • have completed your study in the last 6 months
  • meet the Australia Study requirements
  • meet the English requirements
  • provide evidence of adequate health insurance
  • meet the character requirements

How long can I stay in Australia with the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485)?

  • If you recently completed a Bachelor Degree, you can get 2 years to live and work in Australia.  
  • If you recently completed a Bachelor Degree in select area, you can get 4 years to live and work in Australia.  
  • If you completed a Master by course work or research, you can get 3 years to live and work in Australia 
  • If you have completed masters by research and masters by coursework in select degree, you can get 5 years to live and work in this country. 
  • If you completed a Doctoral degree, you can get 6 years living and working in Australia 

What is the work right for eligible Temporary Graduate Visa Holders in Australia? 

  • Temporary Graduate Visa holders are allowed to work with no limitation.

Can I include my family members in 485 Visa application?

You can include:

  • Spouses, de facto partners
  • Dependent children

How long for the Temporary Graduate Visa process?

The processing time for the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) is depends on the stream. 

According to the Department of home affairs, for the Graduate Work Stream application will take around 2 – 8 months, and the Post-Study Work stream is takes between 2 – 8 months. 

How much for the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) ?

Fees for a Temporary Graduate Visa for Financial Year 2022/23 

  • Base application charge A$1,895 
  • Additional application charge (18 and over) A$950 
  • Additional application charge (under 18) A$475 

Do I need an English test for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) ?

You may require an evidence of your English proficiency to submit your visa application.

You may require evidence of your English proficiency to submit your visa application. 

  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) – Overall score of at least 6.5 with a minimum score of 5.5 for each of the 4 parts.
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT) – Total score of at least 83 with a minimum score of:7 for listening8 for reading

    18 for writing and

    16 for speaking.

  •  (TOEFL iBT – only accepted if taken on or before 25 July 2023)
  •  Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) – Overall score of at least 57 with a minimum score of:43 for listening48 for reading

    42 for speaking and

    51 for writing.

  •  Occupational English Test (OET) – At least B for each of the 4 parts
  •  Cambridge C1 Advanced test – Overall at least 176 with a minimum score of at least 162 in each of the 4 test components

What is the criteria to apply Second Post-Study Work Stream?

From 1 July 2023, Post-Study Work stream applicants who have a select degree that is in an area of verified skills shortage may be eligible for an additional 2 years on their 485 visa. To learn if you have a eligible qualification for this, check on this website https://www.education.gov.au/extended-poststudy-work-rights-international-graduates/resources/cricos-courses-eligible-extended-poststudy-work-rights  

Do I need an insurance to support my Temporary Graduate Visa application ?

  • You must have a health insurance (OVHC) before lodging for a visa application.
  • If you have your family members, you require an appropriate insurance for you family members.

What documents do I need to support my application for a temporary graduate visa (subclass 485)?

Here is checklist for Post Study Work stream applicants

  1. Essential forms
  2. Identification documents
  3. Evidence of skills and qualifications
  4. Health cover

All documents need to be translated to English by NAATI

If you not sure about what documents need to submit with visa application, feel free to contact SOL Edu & Migration for free consultation.

What are the criteria for 485 visa extension (Second Post-Study Work Stream)? 

If you are an international student who graduated from regional institutions in Australia and have lived in regional areas, you may be eligible for another 1 – 4 years living in Australia. 

To be eligible for the 485 visa extension, students need to:  

  • be under 50 years of age 
  • be in Australia when you apply for this visa 
  • hold a Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) – Post Study Work Stream 
  • completed your studies a regional institution with a higher education or postgraduate qualification; and 
  • stayed in the regional area for at least two years before applying for their second Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485). 
  • The regional definition is comprised of 2 categories as below: 
  • 1 year additional if you study and live in Category 2 regional areas – ‘Cities and Major Regional Centres’ of Perth, Adelaide, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Canberra, Newcastle/Lake Macquarie, Wollongong/Illawarra, Geelong and Hobart. 
  • 3 years additional if you study and live in Category 2 regional areas plus hold a select degree. 
  • 2 years additional if international students study and live in Category 3 regional areas – ‘Regional Centres and Other Regional Areas’. 
  • 4 years additional if international students study and live in Category 3 area plus hold a select degree. 

You can check a list of postcode here 

The second Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) will require ongoing residences in a regional area. 

Not sure if you are eligible to apply for a second Temporary Graduate Visa, please contact SOL Edu & Migration at [email protected] or 07 3003 1899 for free eligibility check.