The Subclass 485 visa, commonly referred to as the Temporary Graduate visa, is an important pathway for international students who have completed their studies in Australia. This visa allows graduates to remain in Australia temporarily, providing them with an opportunity to gain practical work experience, enhance their skills, and potentially pave the way for permanent residency.
The Subclass 485 visa is divided into four streams: the Graduate Work stream, the Post-Study Work stream, the Second Post-Study Work stream, and the Replacement stream. Each stream caters to different categories of graduates, ensuring that a wide range of international students can benefit from this visa program. The Graduate Work stream is designed for graduates with qualifications related to occupations in demand in Australia, while the Post-Study Work stream is available to graduates with a higher education degree from an Australian institution. The Second Post-Study Work stream is for those who graduated from an institution in a regional area, and the Replacement stream is for those who lost time on their original visa due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.
Importance for International Students
The Subclass 485 visa is crucial for international students for several reasons. It provides a valuable opportunity to gain work experience in Australia, which can significantly enhance a graduate’s resume and increase their employability both in Australia and internationally. The experience gained during this period can be instrumental in developing a deeper understanding of the Australian work environment and culture, which is beneficial for those seeking to build a long-term career in the country.
The Subclass 485 visa acts as a bridge to permanent residency. Many international students aspire to make Australia their permanent home, and this visa can be a stepping stone towards achieving that goal. By gaining relevant work experience and building a network of professional contacts, graduates can improve their chances of securing employer sponsorship or meeting the requirements for other skilled migration visas.
Moreover, the Subclass 485 visa allows international students to live in Australia for an extended period, giving them more time to explore the country and career opportunities. This extended stay can make the transition from student life to professional life smoother and less stressful.
Changes to the Temporary Graduate Visa Program (Effective 1 July 2024)
The Australian Government has announced changes to the Temporary Graduate visa program, effective from 1 July 2024. These changes aim to streamline visa categories and align them more closely with levels of study. These are part of the new rules for 485 visa in Australia.
Key Points to Remember
- The re-alignment of visa streams is intended to better match visa categories with the level of education.
- The maximum eligible age for Post-Vocational Education Work stream & Post-Higher Education Work stream applicants will reduce to 35 years of age or under at the time of application. Masters(research) and Phd students are exempted and are eligible till 50 years of age .
- Duration of stay varies based on the level and type of qualification.
- Specific agreements exist for Indian nationals, providing different stay durations under the AI-ECTA.
- The Replacement Stream will no longer be available from 1 July 2024.
Streams of the Subclass 485 Visa
Graduate Work Stream – Existing eligibility criteria till 30th June 2024
The Graduate Work stream is designed for international students who have recently graduated with qualifications relevant to occupations on Australia’s Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). To be eligible for this stream, applicants must:
- Have completed a qualification (degree, diploma, or trade qualification) closely related to an occupation on the MLTSSL. Applicants who have graduated with a Bachelor degree or higher should consider if the Post-Study Work stream visa is more appropriate for them .
- Have obtained a skills assessment in their nominated occupation from a relevant assessing authority.
- The applicant must have completed at least two academic years (92 weeks) of study in Australia.
- Have held a student visa within the last six months before applying.
- Meet the English language requirements, which usually involve achieving a minimum score in an approved English language test.
- Be under 50 years of age.
- Satisfy health and character requirements.
Duration and Costs
The Graduate Work stream visa is generally granted for up to 18 months. However, Hong Kong and British National Overseas (BNO) passport holders may stay for up to five years. The application fee starts from AUD 1,895, and applicants should also budget for additional expenses such as health assessments, police certificates, and English language tests.
Changes to the Post-Vocational Education Work Stream (formerly Graduate Work Stream) - From 1st July 2024
This stream is for those with an associate degree, diploma, or trade qualification. According to the 485 visa update, qualifications must be closely related to a nominated occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). The maximum eligible age is 35, except for Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders, who can be up to 50 years old. Applicants can stay for up to 18 months. Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders may stay for up to 5 years.
Post-Study Work Stream - Existing eligibility criteria till 30th June 2024
The Post-Study Work stream is available to international students who have graduated with a higher education degree from an Australian institution. This stream is particularly popular among graduates with a Bachelor, Master, or Doctoral degree. Key eligibility criteria include:
- The applicant’s first student visa application must have been lodged on or after November 5, 2011.
- The qualification must be CRICOS-registered.
- The applicant must have completed at least two academic years (92 weeks) of study in Australia.
- The applicant must have held a student visa within the last six months before applying.
- The applicant must meet the English language requirements.
- The applicant must be under 50 years of age and meet health and character requirements.
Duration and Costs
The duration of the Post-Study Work stream visa depends on the qualification level:
- Bachelor or Master by coursework degree holders typically receive a visa for two years.
- Master by research degree holders receive a visa for three years.
- Doctoral degree holders receive a visa for four years.
Additionally, applicants with a degree in specific fields may be eligible for an extra two-year extension. The application fee starts from AUD 1,895, and as with the Graduate Work stream, there may be additional costs for health assessments, police checks, and English language tests. Hong Kong and BNO passport holders may stay for up to five years under this stream as well.
Changes to the Post-Higher Education Work Stream (formerly Post-Study Work Stream) - From 1st July 2024
This stream is for those with a degree level qualification or higher. The maximum eligible age is 35, except for Masters (research), doctoral degree graduates, and Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders, who can be up to 50 years old. For Master’s research students, there is no reduction in the maximum eligible age. Stay periods are up to 2 years for bachelor’s degree holders and masters (coursework and extended), and up to 3 years for masters (research) and PhD graduates. Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders may stay for up to 5 years.
Indian nationals have specific stay periods under the Australia India – Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA):
- Up to 2 years for bachelor’s degrees, 3 years for bachelor’s degrees with first-class honours in STEM, and 3 years for master’s degrees.
- Up to 4 years for doctoral degrees (PhD).
Second Post-Study Work Stream - Existing eligibility criteria till 30th June 2024
The Second Post-Study Work stream is designed for graduates who have completed their degree at an Australian institution located in a regional area and who have held a Temporary Graduate visa in the Post-Study Work stream or the Replacement stream. Eligibility criteria include:
- The applicant must have graduated from an Australian institution in a designated regional area.
- The applicant must have lived, worked, and studied only in a designated regional area for the duration of their first Temporary Graduate visa in the Post-Study Work stream.
- The applicant must hold a valid Temporary Graduate visa in the Post-Study Work stream or the Replacement stream.
- The applicant must meet health and character requirements.
Duration and Costs
The length of the Second Post-Study Work stream visa varies based on the regional location of the educational institution and the area where the applicant lives:
- Applicants who studied and live in Category 2 (Cities and Major Regional Centres) areas may receive a one-year visa.
- Applicants who studied and live in Category 3 (Regional Centres and Other Regional Areas) areas may receive a two-year visa.
Moreover, applicants with a degree in specific fields may be eligible for an additional two-year extension. The application fee for this visa starts from AUD 745, making it more affordable compared to other streams. Processing times can vary, so applicants should refer to the visa processing time guide tool for the most current information.
Changes to the Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream (formerly Second Post-Study Work Stream) - From 1st July 2024
This stream retains its structure with no changes except the name.
Replacement Stream – Existing eligibility criteria till 30th June 2024
The Replacement stream addresses the disruptions caused by COVID-19, offering relief to Temporary Graduate visa holders who lost time on their original visa due to pandemic-related travel restrictions. Eligibility criteria include:
- The applicant must have held a Temporary Graduate visa affected by COVID-19 travel restrictions.
- The Replacement stream is available to those who held their initial Temporary Graduate visa between February 1, 2020, and December 15, 2021.
- The applicant must not have used the full duration of their original Temporary Graduate visa due to travel restrictions.
- The applicant must meet health and character requirements.
Duration and Costs
The Replacement stream visa grants the same period as the original Temporary Graduate visa, typically between 18 months (about 1 and a half years) and six years. However, applicants with a degree in specific fields may be eligible for an additional two-year extension. The cost of this visa starts from AUD 1,895, with additional potential costs for health assessments, police checks, and English language tests. Hong Kong and BNO passport holders may stay for up to five years under this stream as well.
Changes to the Replacement Stream - From 1st July 2024
The Replacement Stream will cease operation.
Stream | Duration | Fees (AUD)
|
Graduate Work Stream | Up to 18 months (5 years for Hong Kong and BNO passport holders) | From $1,895
|
Post-Study Work Stream | 2 to 4 years depending on qualification (5 years for Hong Kong and BNO passport holders) | From $1,895
|
Second Post-Study Work Stream | 1 to 2 years depending on regional area (up to 2 additional years for select degrees) | From $745
|
Replacement Stream | Same period as original visa (18 months to 6 years, 5 years for Hong Kong and BNO passport holders) | From $1,895
|
Bringing Family
Graduate Work Stream:
- Applicants can bring their family with them under this stream.
- Family members include spouse, partner, and dependent children.
- Your family members can live, study, and work in Australia while the applicant holds this visa.
Post-Study Work Stream:
- Applicants can bring their family with them under this stream as well.
- Family members eligible for inclusion are spouse, partner, and dependent children.
- They are permitted to live, study, and work in Australia for the duration of their visa.
Second Post-Study Work Stream:
- Family members, including your spouse, partner, and dependent children, can accompany the applicant under this stream.
- They have the right to live, study, and work in Australia during the validity of their visa.
- The length of stay for the family members may vary depending on the regional location of the educational institution graduated from and the regional area the applicant lives in.
Replacement Stream:
- Like the other streams, the applicant can include their family members – spouse, partner, and dependent children – in their application.
- They are entitled to live, study, and work in Australia for the duration of the visa, which may vary based on the circumstances of the applicant’s previous visa.
Subclass 485 Visa Extension
It has been confirmed that eligible visa holders whose visas expire after July 1st can apply for an extension. According to the 485 visa update, this extension comes without an application fee. The extension duration varies based on the level of qualification obtained. Bachelor degree holders are eligible for an additional two years, while master’s degree holders can extend their visa for an extra two years, making it a total of five years. Similarly, Ph.D. holders are eligible for a six-year extension.
With the new rules for 485 visa in Australia taking effect soon, staying informed is crucial for international students and graduates planning their future in the country. Understanding the changes to 485 visa Australia can help ensure a smooth transition and maximize the benefits of the 485 visa extension eligibility.
New rules for 485 visa in Australia provide clarity and updated guidelines that align with the current educational and occupational landscape, ensuring that graduates can continue to contribute meaningfully to Australia’s workforce.
