There is no denying that engineering can be a tough nut to crack. And, rightly so! After all, it is considered as one of the most difficult degrees to acquire. The degree not only demands an impeccable sense of logic but also a great deal of patience when things go south. If you are choosing to opt for engineering, be prepared for the fact that there are going to be times when you really would want to scream at the top of your lungs. This is all because engineering stands synonymous with becoming a professional problem-solver in essence and such a privilege comes with some price.
But what if we tell you that at the end of the day all of this struggle and effort is going to be worth it? Wondering why? Keep on reading because you are in for a real treat!
Well, The Australian Government has launched a type of visa in 2018, namely, Australia Subclass 476 which can be a game changer for all the fresh engineering graduates. Therefore, if you are someone who is looking for some international exposure in terms of some hands-on experience in your field, that too in Australia, then you are at the right place. In this article, we are going to discuss this visa type in detail, so you need not fret about all that nitty-gritty things.
Without any further ado, let’s delve right into it!
Australian Subclass Visa 476:
The reason behind we call this Australian Visa 476 a major treat is because it allows students to enjoy quite a posh lifestyle in Australia. In addition to gaining a worthy professional experience in an economically sound country, the students can also enjoy the advantage of being able to apply for permanent residency (PR) while residing there. This is one reason we believe it is evidently an opportunity that can easily be termed as futuristic as it is a gateway to a chance of having a stable professional career as well as a comfortable life.
However, it is pertinent to mention that this special program initiated by the Australian government allows you to work on a temporary visa for the duration of 18 months. Once you have successfully rendered services for 18 or at least 12 months, you are eligible to apply for an Australian skilled visa; a permit which is called Subclass 476 Visa. Additionally, we would like to clarify that the process to acquire this visa can be tedious and long. This is because it requires a list of documents, such as IELTS certification, Passport copy amongst various others, out of which some might take weeks or perhaps months to secure. On the other hand, if you are someone with an engineering degree accredited by Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC), this makes you eligible to put in an application for subclass 476 and avail yourself the opportunity to kick start your career.
Once you have met all the requirements necessary to secure the visa, you are all set to start your dream career in the field you have a degree in.
Pros of Applying for the Visa 476
Now that we have discussed what Visa 476 entails, let’s further dive into the advantages it comes with.
When we talk about its advantages, allow us to tell you that it comes with a worth so significant that it can change the track of one’s life; only for good. The significance of this visa in itself is more than enough to opt for engineering as a major subject for graduation.
Speaking of the advantages, the graduates with Visa 476 get to enjoy the liberty of working on a full-time basis. Not only this, but this visa is possible to obtain even if you don’t have a bank statement to show. Other than this, this visa also paves way for the possibility to secure Australian PR. This, by far, is one of the most important advantages and one that we considered as a golden one. Rest, the visa obviously comes with the fruitful benefit of dwelling in one of the most splendid states of the world, Australia. Additionally, you get to render your services to reputable Australian companies which is another cherry on top.
Let’s move ahead and see what makes you eligible for this visa.
The Eligibility Criteria for Visa 476
First and foremost, your age needs to be below 31 years old. Speaking of your degree, your Bachelor’s should be two or less years old from the time you apply for the visa. Since we are on the topic, it is important to note that your Bachelor’s degree should and must be from a recognized university.
Other than this, it is of paramount importance that you meet the health and character standards laid by the authorities. Last but not the least, you have to present a certification that endorses your English proficiency. You can opt for either IELTS, PTE or TOEFL.
This brings us to our next point of discussion, which is how much of the score do you need in your English proficiency test in order to be eligible.
English Language Requirement:
Below we have simplified the requirements for both your clarity and ease.
| IELT (Academic or General) | You are required to have an overall score of 6 with 5 being the minimum one. |
| PTE | An overall score of 50 is what you need while the minimum score should be at least 36. |
| TOEFL | You must land an overall score of 64. The breakdown should be such that you have a 4 in listening and reading while 14 in writing and speaking |
Marital Status
Another requirement that this visa entails is that the one applying for it is single. This visa doesn’t come with a spouse benefit so keep in mind before applying that you need to be single to be eligible for this visa
We are now sure you must be wondering about the processing time and the costs involved. Well, we have got you covered! Keep reading to find out.
Who Can Apply for Subclass 476?
Your degree should be in one of the following disciplines:
- Civil Engineering
- Structural Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering
- Mechanical, Production, and Plant Engineering
- Mining and Material Engineering
You have completed one of these degrees in the last two years from a recognised university:
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Master’s Degree
- Doctoral Degree
- Postgraduate Degree
Document Checklist
We have put together a checklist for you to tick off as and when you prepare your application. Please take note that all the documents are certified copies derived from the original documents.
- Identity documents
- Qualifying credential records
- Skill assessment report
- Language proficiency score
- Proof of character
- Medical history report
- All documents must be in English. If not, make sure to attach the translation.
- Degree from a PEC-affiliated university and PEC registration card
- Financial Statement (there is no specific requirement regarding it)
Processing Time and Cost for the Australia Visa
A rough estimate of the processing time is 3 to 4 months as mentioned by the Australian Embassy. However, if your paperwork has clearly demonstrated your eligibility, then rest assured you are likely to get your hands on the visa way earlier than a full year. As for fees, the Visa 476 involves a cost of AUD$ 425. Please note that this is the cost that the primary applicant has to pay. If there is a dependent involved, it comes with an additional charge.
This is it! What are you waiting for now? Apply away and live the life of your dreams!
