Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)
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Overview
Graduates who have recently concluded their academic programs with the requisite qualifications and skills aligned with the demands of Australian job opportunities now have the option to seek a visa for Australia under the Subclass 485 category, commonly referred to as the Graduate Temporary Visa Subclass 485.
A fundamental prerequisite for this visa is that applicants must have completed a minimum of a 2-year graduation course. Depending on the individual student’s circumstances and suitability, the duration of this visa can span from 18 months to a maximum of 4 years.
The Subclass 485 visa allows candidates to engage in work or further studies within Australia following the completion of their enrolled program. This visa is divided into two distinct streams: the Post-study work stream, which holds a validity ranging from 2 to 4 years, and the Graduate work stream, valid for 18 months. Multiple regulations, stipulations, and technicalities must be met prior to submitting the application. Seeking guidance from a competent and experienced migration agent can be advantageous in comprehending the advantages associated with the application and the acquisition of this specific visa subclass.
Temporary Graduate visa 485 Requirements:
English Requirement For Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485):
The student needs to fulfill the prerequisites and attain the prescribed scores in one of the following English language proficiency exams to be eligible for the graduate visa Subclass 485. The mandatory scores and standings to qualify for the Subclass 485 Visa are outlined below:
| Test for English | Lowest overall Score | Total overall score | Minimum scores for English test components | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | Reading | Speaking | Writing | |||
| IELTS | 6 | – | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| OET | B | – | B | B | B | B |
| TOEFL iBT | – | 64 | 4 | 4 | 14 | 14 |
| PTE Academic | 50 | – | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 |
| Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) (taken on or after 1 January 2015 | 169 | – | 154 | 154 | 154 | 154 |
In conjunction with these records, the candidate might be required to furnish supporting evidence of their citizenship from the United States of America, the Republic of Ireland, Canada, or New Zealand. The specified scores should have been attained within a three-year period prior to the application.
Health Cover Requirements for the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485):
You might find it necessary to obtain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) when applying for the graduate temporary visa. However, if you currently hold a valid Student visa when submitting your graduate visa application, you are already covered by an OSHC as a mandatory part of your Student visa obligations.
Evidence of your health cover must be included with your 485 visa application.
Nevertheless, you will eventually need to secure health coverage for your 485 visa application to progress successfully.
The Department of Home Affairs will contact you to confirm that you have acquired health coverage meeting the 485 requirements prior to visa approval.
Should your Student visa expire during the 485 visa application period and a bridging visa is granted, your health cover becomes inactive. It’s important to obtain a new health coverage policy aligned with the healthcare standards for 485 visa holders before your student visa and its associated health cover lapse.
Even after receiving the graduate temporary 485 visa, it remains necessary to uphold appropriate medical coverage throughout your stay in Australia.
subclass 485 Visa ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:
In order to be considered for the Subclass 485 Visa and access its benefits and support, there are certain rules and regulations that the applicant must adhere to before contemplating the application process. Failure to meet these eligibility criteria for the 485 visa may result in the applicant not being granted the visa. The requirements are as follows:
- Age Criteria: The applicant’s age must not exceed 50 years at the time of application.
- Course Validity: The applicant should have recently completed a course that is registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).
- Course Duration: The course undertaken must have a minimum duration of 2 years; any course of lesser duration disqualifies the candidate from applying.
- Visa Eligibility: The applicant must have held a student visa in the last 6 months
- Skill Match: The applicant’s skills must align with a specific job on the skilled occupation list.
- Health Insurance Obligation: Comprehensive health insurance must be held for the entire duration of the stay.
- Insurance Provider: The health insurance provider must be recognized and based in Australia.
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In essence, the Visa Subclass 485 offers a range of advantages to those who have successfully completed a CRICOS-registered course lasting for at least 2 years in Australia. Both streams of this visa grant temporary rights to travel, reside, study, and work in Australia. The summarized benefits of the Subclass 485 Visa, which essentially grants temporary residency, are outlined in the following list:
Unrestricted Work, Stay, and Travel: Visa holders can freely engage in work, stay, and travel to and from Australia without limitations.
Family Dependents: Holders of this visa can apply to bring their eligible family members to Australia as dependents under their visa.
Graduate-Level Study: Applicants who have concluded a graduate-level study in Australia can stay for 18 months under this visa.
Post-Graduate Study: Individuals who have completed a post-graduate study can stay for a period of 2 to 4 years based on their qualifications, as detailed below:
- 2 years: Bachelor Degree, Bachelor Degree with Honours, Masters by Coursework Degree, or Masters (extended) Degree
- 3 years: Masters by Research Degree
- 4 years: Doctoral Degree
Post-Study Work Stream (PSWS):
The PSWS is intended for international students who have recently completed a degree at an Australian higher education institution. This visa allows temporary residence, enabling you to reside, work, and study within Australia. Moreover, you have the opportunity to bring close family members and relatives to join you during the visa’s validity period.
Graduate Work Stream (GWS):
The GWS is designed for international students who have recently graduated with qualifications featuring sought-after skills in Australia. This stream permits temporary residence, enabling you to live, work, and study within the country.
Including Family Members in a Graduate Temporary 485 Visa Application: You can incorporate close family members and relatives into your application, such as:
- Dependent children
- Spouses and marital partners
- De-facto partners
- Same-sex partners
Your dependents and partner(s) can be included in your visa application at the time of submission, or you can apply for their inclusion in Australia after you have been granted the visa.
The duration of 485 visas is contingent upon various factors. For Graduate Work stream visas, the validity extends to a year and a half starting from the application date.
The length of the PSWS visa varies based on the specific qualification and whether your studies were completed in a local zone within Australia. For studies conducted in Brisbane, Melbourne, or Sydney, the PSW duration is as follows:
2 years for qualifications such as Bachelor’s degrees or Bachelors with Honors. Similarly, Masters (extended) and Masters by coursework degree holders can also anticipate a 485 visa validity of 2 years.
3 years if your qualification is a Masters by Research.
4 years if you hold a doctorate degree.
The processing duration of the short-term 485 visa varies depending on several factors, including the selected course of study. The application fees must be paid upfront, as failure to do so will result in the processing delay of both the application and the 485 dependent visa. The processing times for this visa are outlined as follows:
| 485 Visa Processing Time According to Streams | 25% of applications processed in | 50% of applications processed in | 75% of applications processed in | 90% of applications processed in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Work Stream | 9 Months | 9 Months | 10 Months | 12 Months |
| Post-study Work Stream | 4 Months | 9 Months | 10 Months | 11 Months |
Our experts specializing in the student visa subclass 485 can assist job holders in navigating the immigration process once they have completed their studies in Australia. For further information and detailed insights, it is advisable to contact a suitable Migration Agent.
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