Subclass 485 Visa in Australia
Explore the pathway to extend your stay, gain valuable work experience, and step closer to your career goals with expert guidance from us.
Subclass 485 Visa in Australia
Explore the pathway to extend your stay, gain valuable work experience, and step closer to your career goals with expert guidance from us.
Subclass 485 Visa Australia
The Australian government has recently introduced significant changes to the country’s visa policies, expanding opportunities for international students, particularly those from India, to pursue careers after completing their higher education. These new regulations, which took effect on July 1, 2024, provide enhanced flexibility by extending work rights to students.
In this article, we will delve into the specifics of the post-study work permit in Australia, with a particular focus on the subclass 485 visa—also known as the temporary graduate visa.
What is Subclass 485 Visa Australia?
The Subclass 485 Visa, also known as the Temporary Graduate Visa, is a temporary visa designed for international graduates from Australian institutions. This visa allows graduates to live, work, and study in Australia after completing their studies, offering a crucial opportunity to gain professional experience in their field of study.
With this visa, graduates can:
- Work full-time in any occupation
- Enhance their career prospects
- Gain valuable work experience
- Build professional networks
- Transition to permanent residency
Introduced on July 1, 2024, this visa aims to retain talented international graduates and support Australia's workforce needs. It is intended for students who have completed a bachelor's degree or higher from an Australian university.
The classifications under this visa are as follows:
- Post-Vocational Education Work Stream: Designed for graduates with a diploma or trade qualification in an occupation listed on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
- Post-Higher Education Work Stream: Available to international students who have completed a higher education degree (Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctorate) in Australia.
- Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream: Targeted at graduates who studied in a designated regional area of Australia, this stream provides an additional 1 to 2 years of stay beyond the initial post-study work period.
Post-Vocational Education Work Stream
The Post-Vocational Education Work Stream visa is tailored for recent graduates who have qualifications in occupations that are currently in demand in Australia. This visa grants the opportunity to live, work, and study in Australia on a temporary basis.
The steps to apply are as follows:
- Start Early: Initiate the process as soon as your education provider confirms that you’ve successfully completed your course.
- Gather Your Documents: Collect proof of study, qualifications, skills assessment, identity, and relationships. Ensure to include documents for any family members who are applying with you.
- Apply for the Visa: Submit your application online. If you face any issues, refer to the common problems section for troubleshooting.
- After You Apply: The officials will notify you upon receiving your application and documents. Follow up on any required actions after submission.
- Visa Outcome: You can be either in Australia or outside Australia (but not in immigration clearance) when a decision on your application is made. Family members applying with you can also be inside or outside Australia at the time of the decision.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Be 35 years or under when you apply.
- Be in Australia when you apply.
- Hold an eligible visa.
- Have held a Student visa within the last 6 months.
- Possess a qualification relevant to an occupation on the skilled occupation list.
- Have applied for a skills assessment in your nominated occupation on the skilled occupation list.
- Provide evidence of adequate health insurance for all applicants.
- Provide evidence of applying for an Australian Federal Police check.
- Provide evidence of the required level of English proficiency with your application.
Stay Duration:
- Up to 18 months for most applicants.
- Up to 5 years for Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders.
Visa Cost:
- INR 106,975.00 (AUD 1,945.00).
Post-Higher Education Workstream
The Post-Higher Education Work Stream visa is specifically designed for recent graduates who have completed a degree from a CRICOS-registered course in Australia. This visa allows you to live, work, and study in Australia on a temporary basis, providing a valuable opportunity to gain work experience that can enhance your career prospects.
The steps to apply are as follows:
- Before You Apply: Start these steps as soon as your education provider confirms you’ve completed your course.
- Gather Your Documents: Collect all necessary documents to support your application. Provide as much information as possible to avoid delays. Some documents might take time to obtain, so have them ready when you apply.
- Apply for the Visa: Submit your application online. If you encounter issues or error messages, check the common problems section for help.
- After You Apply: The officials will inform you when they receive your application and documents. Check what actions you need to take after submitting your application.
- Visa Outcome: You can be either inside or outside Australia (but not in immigration clearance) when officials decide on your application. If you’re applying as a family member, you can also be inside or outside Australia at the time of decision.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Aged 35 years or under at the time of application.
- Must be in Australia when applying.
- Hold an eligible visa.
- Have held a Student visa in the last 6 months.
- Completed a recent degree from a CRICOS-registered course.
- Provide evidence of adequate health insurance.
- Provide evidence of applying for an Australian Federal Police check.
- Provide evidence of the required level of English proficiency.
Stay Duration:
- 2 to 3 years, depending on your qualifications.
- Up to 5 years for Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders.
Visa Cost:
- INR 106,975.00 (AUD 1,945.00).
Second Post-Higher Education Workstream
The Second Post-Higher Education Workstream visa is for Temporary Graduates who hold a Post-Higher Education Work, Post-Study Work, or Replacement visa and have a degree from an Australian institution located in a regional area. This visa allows you to live, work, and study in Australia on a temporary basis.
The steps to apply are as follows:
- Before You Apply: Start the process once you’ve lived for at least 2 years in a designated regional area while holding a Temporary Graduate visa in the Post-Higher Education Work, Post-Study Work, or Replacement stream. Ensure you’re in Australia when applying.
- Gather Your Documents: Collect all necessary documents to support your application. Provide comprehensive information to facilitate the decision-making process. Some documents may take time to obtain, so have them ready to avoid delays.
- Apply for the Visa: Submit your application online. If you face any issues or error messages, refer to the common problems section for assistance.
- After You Apply: The officials will notify you when they receive your application and documents. Follow the instructions for what to do next after applying.
- Visa Outcome: You can be either inside or outside Australia (but not in immigration clearance) when officials decide on your application. If you’re applying as a family member, you can also be inside or outside Australia at the time of decision.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Aged 35 years or under at the time of application.
- Must be in Australia when applying.
- Hold a Temporary Graduate visa in Post-Higher Education Work, Post-Study Work, or Replacement stream and have held it as the main applicant.
- Completed a degree from a CRICOS-registered course in an eligible designated regional area, leading to the first Temporary Graduate visa.
- Lived in an eligible designated regional area for at least 2 years before applying for the Second Temporary Graduate visa.
- Provide evidence of adequate health insurance for all applicants.
Stay Duration:
The Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream of the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) permits a stay of between 1 and 2 years. The exact duration depends on:
- The regional location of the educational institution from which you graduated, leading to the grant of your first Temporary Graduate visa.
- The regional area where you reside while holding your Temporary Graduate visa in the Post-Higher Education Work, Post-Study Work, or Replacement stream.
Visa Cost:
- INR 42,075.00 (AUD 765.00)
Who is Eligible for a Temporary Graduate 485 Visa Australia?
The subclass 485 visa is designed for international students who have completed their Australian Study Requirements and earned a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a recognised Australian university. This visa is available only to those who were granted a student visa for Australia. The duration of the visa depends on the level of your qualifications:
- A bachelor’s degree, including honours, or a master’s degree without linked industrial training, qualifies you for a visa lasting 2 years.
- A master’s degree with a research component allows for a visa of up to 3 years.
- A doctoral degree (PhD) grants eligibility for a visa of up to 4 years.
What are all the Documents Required for Temporary Graduate 485 Australia?
When applying for a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) in Australia, submitting accurate and complete documentation is crucial to avoid delays or rejections. The required documents serve to verify your identity, qualifications, and eligibility for the visa.
Here’s a comprehensive list of all necessary documents:
- Passport: A valid passport, including copies of all pages with personal details and any Australian visa stamps.
- Identity Documents: Birth certificate or national identity card to confirm your identity.
- Proof of Qualifications: Academic transcripts, degree certificates, and evidence of completion from an Australian institution. These should be certified copies if not in English.
- Skills Assessment: For relevant visa streams, a skills assessment report may be required, showing that your qualifications match an occupation on the skilled occupation list.
- Health Insurance: Evidence of adequate health insurance for the entire duration of your stay, covering all applicants.
- English Proficiency Evidence: Test results from recognised English language tests (e.g., IELTS, TOEFL) if applicable.
- Australian Federal Police Check: Evidence of applying for or obtaining an Australian Federal Police check.
- Visa Documents: If applicable, provide documents related to your current or previous Australian visas, including visa grants and refusals.
- Proof of Residence: For specific streams, evidence showing that you have lived in a designated regional area (e.g., rental agreements, utility bills).
English Proficiency Requirements for 485 Visa Australia
For the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) in Australia, demonstrating English proficiency is a key requirement. Applicants must provide evidence of their English language skills to ensure they meet the visa criteria.
|
Test |
Minimum Score |
Validity |
|
IELTS (Academic) |
6.5 overall with no band less than 5.5 |
2 years |
|
TOEFL iBT |
83 overall, with minimum scores of 8 in reading, 7 in listening, 16 in speaking, and 18 in writing |
2 years |
|
PTE Academic |
57 overall with minimum scores of 43 for listening, 48 for reading, 42 for speaking, and 51 for writing |
2 years |
|
Cambridge C1 Advanced |
176 overall with no skill below 162 |
Lifetime valid |
However, there are exceptions based on specific visa streams or applicants who may be exempt from these requirements.
- Australian Citizens and Permanent Residents: Generally, these applicants are exempt from the English language requirement.
- Recent Graduates: If you have completed a degree from an Australian institution taught in English, you may not need to provide additional proof of English proficiency.
- Other Exceptions: Certain applicants may qualify for exemptions based on their specific circumstances or qualifications.
How to Apply for a Subclass 485 Visa for Australia?
Applying for the Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa involves several steps. Here’s a clear, step-by-step guide to help you through the process:
Check Eligibility
- Ensure you meet all the eligibility criteria, including age, qualification, and English proficiency requirements.
- Confirm that you hold a valid visa and have lived in an eligible regional area if applying for the Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream.
Gather Required Documents
- Collect all necessary documents such as your passport, identity proof, qualification certificates, English language test results, health insurance, and Australian Federal Police check evidence.
- Ensure all documents are certified and translated into English if necessary.
Complete Skills Assessment (if applicable)
- If required for your stream, obtain a skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your nominated occupation.
Prepare for Health Insurance
- Obtain evidence of adequate health insurance for yourself and any family members applying with you.
Create an ImmiAccount
- Register for an ImmiAccount on the Australian Department of Home Affairs website. This account will allow you to submit your visa application online.
Submit Your Application
- Log in to your ImmiAccount and complete the online visa application form.
- Upload all required documents and pay the visa application fee. Before submission, double-check that all information is accurate and complete.
Monitor Your Application
- After submission, you will receive a confirmation receipt. Keep track of your application status through your ImmiAccount.
- Be prepared to provide additional information or attend an interview if requested by the Department of Home Affairs.
Await Decision
- The processing time for the Subclass 485 visa can vary. You will be notified of the decision via your ImmiAccount. Ensure you monitor your email and account regularly for updates.
Post-Decision
- If your visa is granted, carefully review the visa conditions and requirements. Ensure compliance with all conditions during your stay in Australia.
Takeaway
Subclass 485 in Australia allows international students with a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a recognised Australian university to stay and work in Australia for 2 to 4 years. The visa provides full work rights, allows travel in and out of Australia, and permits family members to join or apply as subsequent entrants.
Looking to explore study and work opportunities in Australia? AECC can guide you through the process of securing your Subclass 485 and help you make the most of your international experience. Contact AECC today to start your journey!
