If you are an international student who wishes to stay in Australia after graduation then you can apply for the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485). This visa allows international graduates to live, study and work in Australia for up to 6 years.
The visa is a great way to gain work experience and also provides you with a pathway to other visas, such as skilled visa subclass 189 or 190. It could also be your stepping stone to permanent residency. In this blog, we explore subclass 489, its eligibility criteria and how it can lead to permanent residency.
Introduction to the 485 Visa: Understanding its Significance for Graduating Students
International students who have completed at least two years of education in Australia are eligible for the Temporary Graduate subclass 485, a temporary work visa that allows them to live, study, and work in Australia. You can stay and work for up to four years depending on your circumstances. To apply for this visa, you must be present in Australia at the time of application and have had a valid student visa six months prior to filing.
There are four types of streams that fall under Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485):
- Graduate Work Stream: The Graduate Work Stream is for international students who have recently graduated with qualifications that are relevant to specific occupations that are in demand in Australia. It allows you to live, study and work in Australia temporarily.
- Post-Study Work Stream: The Post-Study Work Stream is for international students who have recently graduated from an institution in Australia. This stream also allows you to live, study and work in Australia temporarily
- Secondary Post-Study Work Stream: This visa is for holders of a Temporary Graduate visa (first Post-Study Work stream or Replacement stream) who have graduated from a regional Australian higher education institution. It allows you to temporarily live, work, and study in Australia.
- Replacement Stream: This stream is for current and temporary graduate visa holders who lost time on their original visa due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.
Eligibility Criteria: Navigating the Requirements for the 485 Post-Graduation Visa
Like for any other visa, as an international student applying for a Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485), you need to fulfil some requirements set by the Australian government. To be eligible for subclass 485, you must:
- Be under the age of 50
- The stream is only available to those who held their student visa on or after 5 November 2011.
- Must have held a student visa in the last 6 months
- Hold an eligible qualification at degree level or above.
- Meet the Australian study requirements: must be an international student who has recently graduated from an Australian institution
- Demonstrate proficiency in English ( IELTS: overall score of at least 6 with a minimum score of 5 for each of the 4 bands)
- Have adequate health insurance
- Meet health requirements
- Meet character requirement
- Not had a visa cancelled or an application refused.
For the Secondary Post-Study Work Stream, there are some additional requirements you must fulfil:
- Lived in a designated regional area
- Work and study in a designated regional area
Duration: Exploring the Validity of the 485 Visa
As this is a temporary visa, the length of your stay in Australia depends on the level of your Australian qualification.
- If you have a bachelor’s degree (including honours), you can live, study and work in Australia for 2 years
- Bachelor’s degree (including honours) in select degree – 4 years
- Masters by research and masters by coursework – 3 years
- Masters by research and masters by coursework in selected degree – 5 years
- Master (extended) – 3 years
- Masters (extended) in select degree – 5 years.
- Doctoral degree – 6 degree
You may be able to stay and apply for a second Post Study Work stream visa. In order to obtain a 485 visa extension, you need to live, work or study in a regional area while holding your first post-study work visa. the visa must have been granted on the basis of a degree or higher from an Australian institution located in a regional area.
Cost of Visa
The cost of a temporary graduate visa is AU$1,895 for the main applicant for both streams. If you have applied for post-study work stream and have a family member or members who are applying for the visa with you then there will be additional charges for each family member
Transitioning to Permanent Residency: Exploring Pathways Beyond the 485 Visa Period
If you have graduated from an Australian institution and have been granted the Graduate visa 485 visa and now you are thinking about what should be your next step then read on. You need to start planning ahead to obtain permanent residency. You have a range of options you can apply for, to turn your 485 visa into permanent residency:
Temporary Skill Shortage 482 visa
To qualify for the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) 482 visa, it is essential to have a minimum of two years of work experience in the nominated occupation or a closely related field. The 485 visa presents a valuable opportunity to meet this requirement.
Skilled visas (489, 190, 189 visa):
The professional experience acquired during your period on the 485 visa can enhance your points for point-based visas like the Skilled Independent 189 visa, State Sponsored 190 visa, and State Regional Provisional 489 visa.
Professional year: Professionals in accounting, engineering, or IT have the option to undertake a professional year, earning an additional 5 points in the points test and contributing to their skills assessment.
Employer Sponsored 186 visa and Regional Sponsored 187 visa
The 186 visa is a permanent option that needs employer sponsorship. To qualify, a minimum of three years of relevant work experience in the specific occupation is required. The duration spent on the 485 visa can contribute to fulfilling this work experience requirement. The 187 visa is similar to the 186, but the job needs to be in a regional part of Australia.
If you are looking for assistance in applying for a Graduate Temporary Visa or looking for someone to help you with turning your 485 visa into permanent residency then contact Edvise Hub. They will provide you with advice, and assistance and help you ensure that you obtain the PR you are aiming for.
