Temporary Graduate Subclass 485 Visa - A Detailed Overview

Temporary Graduate Subclass 485 Visa is a temporary visa that allows international students who have recently graduated from an Australian CRICOS-registered course to live, work, and gain valuable work experience in Australia. It also provides a pathway to other visas, such as the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) or Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190), which could lead to permanent residency. Some of its benefits are:

• You can bring your family members with you.

• You and your family members are eligible to live, work, and study in Australia.

• You can travel in and out of Australia freely throughout the duration of your visa.

Post-Vocational Education Work stream (previously called Graduate Work stream)

This visa is for international graduates with relevant qualifications for specific occupations that are in high demand in Australia. With this visa, you can live, study, and work in Australia temporarily.

Quick Overview:

• You can work both full-time and part-time in Australia.
• You can bring family members with you.
• You must hold a qualification that matches an occupation listed on Australia's Skilled Occupation List (SOL).
• This stream is for applicants who meet the Temporary Graduate 485 Visa study requirement and have completed an associate degree, diploma, or trade qualification.

Post-Higher Education Work stream (previously called Post-Study Work stream)

This visa is for overseas students who recently got a degree from an Australian institution. With this visa, you can live, work, and study in Australia temporarily.

Quick Overview:

• You are eligible to work in Australia.
• You can bring family members with you.
• You must complete your degree through a CRICOS-registered course.
• This stream is for applicants who meet the Temporary Graduate Visa study requirement and have a degree-level qualification or higher.

Also, read about the Job Ready Program in Australia.

Second Post-Higher Education Work stream (previously called Second Post-Study Work stream)

This visa is for temporary graduates who have a degree from an Australian Institution in a regional area and are currently holding a Post-Higher Education Work, Post-Study Work, or Replacement visa. You can live, work, and study in Australia temporarily through this visa stream.

Quick Overview:

• You can work in Australia.
• You can bring family members with you.

The fees for applying for the 485 visa depend on the number of dependents and visa stream, generally:

To qualify for the 485 visa, one must meet the following requirements:

• You should be under 35 years of age (exceptions apply).

• For Hong Kong or British National Overseas passport holders, the age limit is 50 years.

• You must meet Australia's qualification requirements.

• You must be residing in Australia at the time of lodging your visa application.

• You must meet the eligibility criteria of each 485 visa stream.

• Must have held a student visa within the last 6 months.

• Your course must be registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).

The processing time for the 485 visa varies depending on factors such as application volume, visa stream, individual circumstances, and updates in immigration policies. But generally:

It is important to prepare all necessary documents before lodging the 485 visa. Continue reading for some of them:

• A valid passport and other qualification documents.

• A good English proficiency test score (IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL).

• Must provide proof of sufficient health insurance for all applicants when applying.

• Medical certificate (if including family members, their certificates are also required).

• You must provide proof that you have applied for an Australian Federal Police clearance before lodging your visa application.

Note: Australian visa policies and eligibility requirements may change over time.

The application process for the 485 visa involves several key steps, such as:

STEP 1: Check your eligibility status for the 485 visa with Search Education.

STEP 2: Prepare all the required documents.

STEP 3: Create and sign in to your ImmiAccount.

STEP 4: Complete all the online application forms.

STEP 5: Upload your documents and pay the application fee.

STEP 6: Wait for the Australian Department of Home Affairs to review your visa application.

STEP 7: If approved, you will be granted the 485 visa.

Note: Applying for the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) can be challenging, even if you've recently completed your studies in Australia.

Search Education is an established migration agent in Sydney, Australia, providing professional advice and support for the 485 visa.

Assistance with Visa Transitions

Search Education can advise on what to do once your Subclass 485 visa expires, whether to pursue further study or apply for permanent residence through the skilled migration route. For instance, if you want to transition from a Temporary Graduate to another visa, we can advise on how to proceed with the application and meet eligibility criteria for those visas.

Skills and Assessment Preparation

For the Graduate Work Stream, you can be asked to undergo a skills assessment. Search Education can assist you with the process and the documentation needed for a successful application.

Visa Application & Documentation Support

Our certified migration agent will assist you in preparing and lodging a 485 Visa application to ensure that your documents are accurate. We assure you that your documents meet Australian immigration requirements to avoid processing delays.

Migration Consultation with a Registered Agent

We are registered with the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA) and have in-depth knowledge of what it takes to secure a visa approval from the Australian Immigration Department. Our authorized agents have thorough knowledge of all three categories of the 485 visa and provide information on the current visa rules and processing times.