IT ALLOWS:

The Temporary Graduate subclass 485 visa is a work visa for international students who have graduated with either skills and qualifications, or who have completed a degree from an Australian institution.

This visa does not restrict the type of work you do or the numbers you work.

A number of temporary changes have been announced for this visa that include an extension the the duration of the visa and allowing recent graduates to work in any industry. This is to assist Australian businesses who are facing workforce shortages.

Graduate Work stream

This visa allows student who have completed a course that resulted in a degree, diploma or trade qualification and allows you to live, work and study in Australia temporarily.

You can stay in Australia for 24 months (recently increased from 18 months temporarily).

Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders may stay for 5 years.

Post Study Work stream

This visa is for students who have graduated with a degree or above. It allows you to live, study and work in Australia temporarily.

You can stay in Australia for between 2- 4 years depending on the level of your qualification:

• bachelor degree (including honours): 2 years
• masters by research and masters by coursework: 3 years
• masters (extended): 3 years
• doctoral degree: 4 years
• Hong Kong and BNO passport holders who successfully complete a bachelor, masters or doctoral degree: 5 years

Current and future temporary graduate visa holders from Hong Kong will also have a pathway to permanent residency after 5 years.

As a Post Study Stream visa holder, you may be eligible for a number of skilled work visas which could offer permanent residency.

 CHANGES TO TEMPORARY GRADUATE VISA (SUBCLASS 485)

Graduate Work Stream Changes

Temporary removal of requirement for skills assessment and qualification related to occupation on the skilled occupation list (for subclass 485 – temporary graduate visa) for applications lodged between 1 July 2022 – 30 June 2023.

From 1 December 2021, stay for 24 months (increased from 18 months).

Post Graduate Work Stream Changes

On 2 September 2022, the Government announced that it would increase the duration of work rights in Australia to fill the gaps in the skilled labour sector.

Post study work rights for select degrees in areas of verified skill shortages will be increased from:

• Two years to four years for select Bachelor’s degrees
• Three years to five years for select Masters degrees
• Four years to six years for select PhDs.

See Department of Home Affairs announcement here

ELIGIBILITY & CRITERIA:

There are a number of criteria which are common to both the PSW (Post Study Work) stream and the Graduate Work Stream (GWS):

• The main applicant must be under 50 at the date of lodgement.
• The main applicant must demonstrate their English language ability, either through holding certain types of passport or by undertaking an English test. Evidence of threshold English must be provided at date of lodgement
• You must meet a study requirement depending on the stream and have completed qualifications within six months of applying for the visa.
• The Temporary Graduate subclass 485 visa is not points-tested.

*The requirement to nominate an occupation from the skilled occupation list and obtain a skills assessment has been removed for Temporary Graduate visa (Graduate Work stream) applications lodged between 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023.

WHERE CAN I APPLY FROM:

Normally, the primary applicant must be in Australia when they make their application for a 485 visa and must have held an eligible student visa within the 6-month period prior to lodgement.

Eligible prospective subclass 485 visa applicants can make their visa application outside Australia during the concession period and be granted the visa while they are outside Australia.

CAN I INCLUDE FAMILY MEMBERs:

You can include members of the family unit in your application when you apply.

Family members who apply for the visa must meet the health and character requirements.

You can add your children to the application until a decision on your application is made. You can’t add any other member of the family unit to your application during that period.

Your family can also apply to join you in Australia as a subsequent entrant after your visa is granted.

If you already hold a 485 visa, you can apply for family members to join you in Australia on 485 visas.

PERMANENT RESIDENCY PATHWAYS:

Once you have obtained an Australian qualification, There is a possibility to extend your stay in Australia to improve your chances of being eligible for a further provisional visa or permanent residence. you may be able to use this to gain points for a general skilled migration visa application or apply for an employer sponsored visa should you find a company willing to sponsor you. Speak to us early to determine your pathways to permanent residence.