Temporary Graduate Visa Subclass 485 - Learn How It Works?

After completing 2 years of study in Australia, most international students decide to stay back in this country and explore different pathways. The main reason is that besides being one of the most liveable countries globally, Australia has a lot to offer overseas individuals. If you belong to this group of students, gaining a Graduate Visa 485 should be your top priority. This visa allows the holder to stay for 18 months to 4 years, depending on their academic qualification and the stream they choose. If you have decided to apply for it, read this blog to understand how it works.

What is the Temporary Graduate Visa 485, and what are its two streams?

The Australian Department of Home Affairs has designed the Temporary Graduate Visa Subclass 485 to allow overseas students to extend their stay in Australia for a specific period. As long as their visa stays valid, they can pursue further studies or take a full-time job role for an Australian employer. Though this visa is temporary, the work and study experience will benefit your Australian permanent visa application.

Under this visa, there are two streams - the Graduate Work Stream and the Post-Study Work Stream. Eligibility requirements are different for these two streams, so it will be important to check the details before you apply carefully.

The Graduate Work Stream Visa is granted to overseas students who have graduated in a qualification relevant to a specific skilled occupation with a high requirement in the Australian job sector. You must view the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills Test (MLTSSL) to check whether your occupation is eligible. The qualification may be a Diploma or Trade Certification. In addition, you must also make sure you have gone through the relevant skills assessment test before the application. The Graduate Work Stream will allow you to stay, work, and study for 18 months in Australia. However, the period of stay has been made 24 months from 24 months 2021. But note that this is a temporary change.

The Post-Study Work Stream Visa, on the other hand, is granted to overseas students who an Australian institution has recently awarded a degree. So, to apply for this stream, you must hold a Bachelor, Master, or Doctorate. Depending on your academic qualification, you can live for 2 to 4 years.

• 2 years for Bachelor candidates
• 3 years for Masters candidates
• 4 years for candidates with a Doctorate

Apart from longer periods of stay, another key benefit of the Post-Study Work Stream Visa is that it does not require any skills assessment documents.

Another important point you must note is that if you are a British National Overseas or a Hong Kong passport holder, you will be allowed to stay for 5 years, regardless of the stream you choose.

What eligibility criteria must you satisfy while applying for the visa?

For a successful application of the Graduate Visa 485, meeting the eligibility criteria will be a mandatory requirement. We have already discussed the stream-specific eligibility requirements in the previous section. But there are some general requirements, too, which you must satisfy.

• First of all, make sure your age is under 50.
• At the time of your application, you must hold an eligible visa. This visa may be your Australian Student Visa 500. Alternatively, if you have held a student visa in the past 6 months, holding a BVA or BVB is necessary at the time of your application. Instead of a bridging visa, you may also hold a substantive visa. But whatever visa you hold, make sure you are the main holder.
• You must have the required English language skills. If you take the IELTS exam, a minimum overall band score of 6 with 5 in each band will be required. Scores of other internationally recognized English tests like TOEFL, OET, PTE Academic, and CAE are also valid. However, you will be exempt from this condition if you hold a passport from any native English-speaking country like the United Kingdom, the United States, Ireland, Canada, and New Zealand.
• Holding valid health insurance is another important requirement. Keep in mind that you and all your family members included in the application will be liable for every healthcare cost that may arise while staying in Australia. Having health insurance will help you financially. As a student, you have held the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), which will be eligible when you apply. But, at the time of the visa decision, you must have any other health insurance, preferably Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC).
• All the applicants have to meet specific health requirements. You should ask the Department of Home Affairs whether you and your family members must undertake health examinations or not.
• In addition to health requirements, you must also satisfy relevant character requirements. At the time of application, you must prove to have applied for the check by the Australian Federal Police (AFP).
• There are some other requirements, too, common for any Australian visa application. These include having no outstanding debts to the Government of Australia, signing the Australian values statement, and not having any records of visa cancellation.

What are the Australian study requirements for this visa?

For the Visa Subclass 485, you must meet these particular Australian study requirements.

• An Australian VET institute or university must have awarded you a Diploma, Degree, or Trade Certification.
• Make sure the course was registered with the CRICOS (Commonwealth Register of Courses and Institutes for Overseas Students)
• All the course requirements must be completed successfully.
• Make sure the language of the course is English.
• You should have studied for a minimum of 2 academic years. According to CRICOS, 2 academic years is equivalent to 92 weeks of study.
• During the course, you were physically present in Australia and have studied for at least 16 months to complete your study.
• You held a valid Australian student visa to study.

Follow these steps to make a successful application

There are some definite steps that you must complete to make a successful application.

Step 1: Steps before the application

Before starting the application procedure, check if your passport is still valid and there is no ‘no further stay’ condition attached to your current visa. If you choose the Graduate Work Stream, arrange your skills assessment at this step. Also, if you have to hire a visa agent Adelaide for professional assistance, hire them now.

Step 2: Gather the documents

The next step will be vital. Gather all the documents in proper order. Your checklist will include:

• Identity documents
• Australian study documents
• Skills assessment documents (for Graduate Work Stream)
• English language documents
• Health insurance documents
• Health and character documents
• Documents related to taking assistance
• Partner and other dependent applicant documents

Step 3: Make the application

Once all the documents are uploaded, you may apply and pay the fees.

Step 4: Steps after the application

After application, you may have to provide further information if asked. Make sure you stay lawful while the application is under process.

Step 5: Wait for the decision

The Department will take some time to process the application. Regardless of the decision, they will let you know via email.