What is a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) & Its Application Process?

Are you one of those overseas students who want to work in Australia right after your completion of higher studies from an Australian educational institution? If your answer is yes, it is good to be well familiar with a Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485). The visa allows international students who have recently graduated in the country to stay here up to 4 years. However, the visa duration depends on the qualification of students. We discuss about it.

 

Length of Stay Based on Your Level of Qualification –

Bachelor’s Degree	2 years
Masters by Course Work	2 years
Masters by Research	3 years
Doctoral Degree	4 years

(The Australian Government is thinking of increasing the duration of stay for graduates with selective Bachelor and higher-level degrees by 2 years.)

Basic Eligibility of Subclass 485 Visa

The study visa has several streams, and each stream has some specific requirements to meet. Below are some basic eligibility criteria for every stream under this visa.

• Your age must not be above 50 years. 
• You are a holder of an eligible visa, such as a substantive visa, a Bridging Visa A, a Bridging Visa B, or an eligible Student Visa. 
• You have had a student visa in the last 6 months. 
• You have completed a CRICOS-registered course recently. 
• You cannot change your stream after applying for it. 
• Gather your study documents, skills assessment, and other documents as evidence to submit with the visa application.

Types of Streams under the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)

Graduate Work Stream & Post-Study Work Stream

The eligibility criteria for these streams are almost the same.  

Ensure that you have met the Australian study requirements around 6 months before applying for any of these streams. You will meet the educational requirement if-

• You are awarded at least one degree with a CRICOS-registered course

• Your course is in English

• You program has finished in not less than 16 calendar months and at least two academic years

If you are from a non-English speaking country, you must show your proficiency in English. International-level tests like IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or OET demonstrate your English proficiency. For instance, the overall score for IELTS must be at least 6 with a minimum score of 5 for each category.

Second Post-Study Work Visa

If you have applied for the first Post-Study Work stream or Replacement stream and hold a degree from an Australian institution located in a regional area, you can apply for the Second Post-Study Work visa. 

• As a holder of the first Post-Study Work stream or the Replacement stream, you must have shown evidence of living in a designated regional area for around 2 years before applying for this stream.
• Ensure that before holding your first Post-Study Work stream or the Replacement stream, you have the work history for the designated regional area.

Replacement Stream

Are you one of those overseas students who want to work in Australia right after your completion of higher studies from an Australian educational institution? If your answer is yes, it is good to be well familiar with a Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485). The visa allows international students who have recently graduated in the country to stay here up to 4 years. However, the visa duration depends on the qualification of students. We discuss about it.

Length of Stay Based on Your Level of Qualification –

Bachelor’s Degree	2 years
Masters by Course Work	2 years
Masters by Research	3 years
Doctoral Degree	4 years

(The Australian Government is thinking of increasing the duration of stay for graduates with selective Bachelor and higher-level degrees by 2 years.)

 

Basic Eligibility of Subclass 485 Visa

The study visa has several streams, and each stream has some specific requirements to meet. Below are some basic eligibility criteria for every stream under this visa.

• Your age must not be above 50 years.

• You are a holder of an eligible visa, such as a substantive visa, a Bridging Visa A, a Bridging Visa B, or an eligible Student Visa.

• You have had a student visa in the last 6 months.

• You have completed a CRICOS-registered course recently.

• You cannot change your stream after applying for it. 

• Gather your study documents, skills assessment, and other documents as evidence to submit with the visa application.

Types of Streams under the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)

Graduate Work Stream & Post-Study Work Stream

The eligibility criteria for these streams are almost the same.  

Ensure that you have met the Australian study requirements around 6 months before applying for any of these streams. You will meet the educational requirement if-

• You are awarded at least one degree with a CRICOS-registered course

• Your course is in English

• You program has finished in not less than 16 calendar months and at least two academic years

If you are from a non-English speaking country, you must show your proficiency in English. International-level tests like IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or OET demonstrate your English proficiency. For instance, the overall score for IELTS must be at least 6 with a minimum score of 5 for each category.

Second Post-Study Work Visa

If you have applied for the first Post-Study Work stream or Replacement stream and hold a degree from an Australian institution located in a regional area, you can apply for the Second Post-Study Work visa. 

• As a holder of the first Post-Study Work stream or the Replacement stream, you must have shown evidence of living in a designated regional area for around 2 years before applying for this stream.

• Ensure that before holding your first Post-Study Work stream or the Replacement stream, you have the work history for the designated regional area.

Replacement Stream

The stream is suitable for current and former Temporary Graduate visa holders who have lost time on their original visas owing to the pandemic restrictions. The length of stay of the stream is usually between 18 months  and 5 years. You can apply for the visa if you -

• Are a Temporary Graduate visa primary holder or

• Are a Temporary Graduate visa primary holder and have currently hold a substantive visa, a Bridging Visa A or a Bridging Visa B.

• Can apply from in or outside Australia but not after immigration clearance

 

Application Process 

Here is a general application process applies for all three streams.

• Try to begin these steps as early as possible right after completion of your course.
• Ensure you have a valid passport
• Go through your visa conditions
• Prepare yourself for health exams
• Get help for your visa application form from a visa specialist
• Don’t forget to arrange a skills assessment (you need a positive skill assessment)
• Gather all your necessary documents, including identity documents, study documents, English language documents, health insurance documents, character certificates, etc
• Ensure that the provided information is 100% accurate
• Apply the visa application online

Remember, while applying for a Subclass 485 Visa, you can be in or outside Australia, but should be in immigration clearance while the Department is deciding on your visa. For subsequent entrant (family members), they can be in or outside the country when the authority is taking the decision. The Department will inform you in written. If the visa is in your favour, you will get your visa number, the date the visa starts, and the conditions to follow. If your visa is not approved, the Department will tell you the reason for it. If you think that it is not a valid reason for rejection, you can go for an AAT appeal. The AAT is an independent merit review committee to provide review on a wide range of administrative decisions made by the Australian Government. Australia is one of the best destinations to embark your career if you have graduated from the country. It would open the door of opportunities.