Frequently Asked Questions – Graduate Temporary Subclass 485 Visas
International students finishing their studies in Australia can apply for the Temporary Graduate Subclass 485 visa.
Depending on the student’s circumstances, it permits them to stay in Australia for 18 months to four years. They enjoy full working rights in Australia throughout this period.
Some of the most commonly asked questions concerning Subclass 485 visas are included here.
See how the most recent regional visa changes influence this visa. see: International graduates from regional universities are eligible for a one- or two-year extension of their visa.
What sorts of Temporary Graduate Subclass 485 visas are there?
The Temporary Graduate Subclass 485 visa has two “streams”:
- Post Study Work Stream:
International students who graduate with a higher education degree from an Australian education provider, regardless of their subject of study, are eligible for the Post Study Work Stream. Only students who applied for and were granted their first student visa to Australia on or after November 5, 2011, are eligible for this stream. Depending on the visa applicant’s qualifications, a visa in this stream can be issued for up to four years from the date of issuance.
- Graduate Work Stream:
For overseas students who graduate with skills and credentials related to an eligible skilled occupation on the list of eligible skilled occupations. This type of visa is valid for 18 months from the date of issuance.
What are the requirements for the Graduate Work Stream?
The following are the requirements for this visa:
- On the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List, you nominate an occupation (MLTSSL).
- Evidence indicating you applied for a skills assessment for your specified skilled profession by an appropriate assessing authority was included in your immigration application.
- A competent assessing authority has determined that your abilities are acceptable for your specified skilled employment (‘suitable skills assessment’).
- In the last six months, you’ve completed the Australian study requirement. Each degree, certificate, or trade qualification you’ve completed to complete the Australian study requirement is closely connected to your nominated skilled vocation.
What are the requirements for a PSWV (Post-Study Work Stream)?
The following are the primary prerequisites for the PSWV (Post Study Work Stream):
- On or after November 5, 2011, you applied for your first student visa.
- Have completed a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or Ph.D. within the past 6 months Have completed a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or Ph.D. within the last 6 months Have finished a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or Ph.D. within the last 6 months
- Have had a student visa in the previous 6 months and a substantive visa, bridging A or B visa at the time of application.
- If you have a passport from the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States, Canada, or New Zealand, you will not be required to take an English exam. Otherwise, you’ll have to take one of the following English tests: IELTS, OET, Pearson (PTE Academic), TOEFL iBT, or Cambridge are some of the tests available (CAE Advanced).
- At the time of application, you must be under the age of 50.
What is the duration of the Temporary Graduate Visa?
The Graduate Work Stream 485 visas are valid for 18 months from the date of issuance.
Depending on the type of qualification achieved, Post Study Work Stream (PSWV) visas might be valid for 2 to 4 years from the date of the award.
The following are the validity periods:
- 2 years: completion of Bachelor Degree, Bachelor with Honours, Masters by Coursework or Masters (Extended)
- 3 years: Masters by Research
- 4 years: Doctorate
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Qualifications required
The course(s) must have resulted in a degree, certificate, or trade certification to apply for a subclass 485 under the Graduate Work stream. For example, a student may meet the Australian study requirement under the Graduate Work stream by completing two consecutive Diploma level courses, providing the other components of the requirement are met.
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Qualifications must be directly relevant to the vocation being considered.
The completed qualification(s) must be connected to the student’s chosen skilled vocation. The abilities that support your qualification must be immediately transferrable to your specified occupation for it to be regarded closely connected to that occupation. This is true for both the subject matter and the qualifying level. If you choose ‘physiotherapist’ as your occupation, for example, a degree in physiotherapy will suffice, but a degree in commerce would not.
Examples of acceptable study and nominated employment pairings include:
a candidate who declares ‘Physiotherapist’ as their skilled vocation and obtains a physiotherapy degree in Australia
an applicant who has earned a Certificate III in Plumbing and a Diploma of Plumbing and Services in Australia and nominates ‘Air-conditioning and Mechanical Services Plumber’ as their skilled occupation
Example: The following is an example of a non-acceptable combination of studies and nominated occupation:
The nominated occupation of a candidate is Registered Nurse, although they met the Australian study requirement by completing a Bachelor of Commerce.
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Evaluation of abilities
You should schedule the skills evaluation. Because each evaluating authority has its unique evaluation methods, deadlines, and fees, contact the relevant assessing authority well before you apply for this visa.
Assessing Authorities’ contact information is available on the department’s website.
Before submitting your application, you must apply to the appropriate assessing authority for a valid skills assessment.
Proof of your complete medical registration is acceptable as evidence of a skills assessment if your nominated occupation is a medical practitioner.’ More information about medical practitioner migration under the general skilled migration program may be found here.
Even if you are presently registered to work as a nurse in an Australian state or territory, you must get a skills assessment from the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC).
A skills assessment is only valid for three years from the date of issue, or until the expiry date mentioned on the assessment.
