Temporary Graduate Visa 485 – Work Opportunities In Australia

If you want to stay in Australia after graduation, the Temporary Graduate Visa (Visa 485) is one of the essential pathways you need to explore. In this article, ATS will introduce you to different streams of the Visa 485, the essential Visa 485 requirements, and the latest updates. We will also answer frequently asked questions such as “Can a 485 visa lead to PR?”, “Who is eligible for TR in Australia?”, and “How much is a Temporary Graduate Visa in Australia?” Let’s dive in!

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1. What is a Temporary Graduate Visa (Visa 485)?

The Temporary Graduate Visa (Visa 485) allows international students to stay and work in Australia for 2 to 4 years or more after completing an eligible course at a recognized Australian institution. The duration depends on the qualification level and the field of study.

From mid-2022, the Temporary Graduate Visa also serves as a replacement for the COVID-19 Temporary Graduate Visa. Those eligible for this extension had their visa validity extended until September 30, 2022.

2. What are the different streams of Visa 485?

2.1 Post-Study Work Stream

This stream is designed for international students who recently graduated from an Australian institution with a CRICOS-registered qualification.

Key requirements:

• Your student visa must be valid for at least 6 months before applying for the Visa 485.
• Your student visa must have been granted on or after November 5, 2011.
• You can bring your family members to live, study, and work in Australia.
• Graduates affected by COVID-19 travel restrictions can now apply for this visa from outside Australia if they previously held an eligible Student Visa.

Stay duration for Post-Study Work Stream:

• Bachelor’s Degree (including Honours): 2 years
• Master’s Degree (Coursework): 2 years
• Master’s by Research: 3 years
• PhD: 4 years
• Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) passport holders: 5 years

Cost of Post-Study Work Stream Visa: From $1,730 AUD

Processing time:

• 25% of applications: 4 months
• 50% of applications: 9 months
• 75% of applications: 10 months
• 90% of applications: 11 months

2.2 Second Post-Study Work Stream

If you have already held a Post-Study Work Stream Visa 485 and want to extend your stay for 1-2 more years, you can apply for the Second Post-Study Work Stream Visa.

Eligibility:

• You must have held a Post-Study Work Stream Visa.
• You must have graduated from an Australian regional institution and lived in a designated regional area for at least 2 years before applying.
• You can include family members in your application.

Stay duration for Second Post-Study Work Stream:

Cost of Second Post-Study Work Stream Visa: From $680 AUD

Processing time: Currently being updated.

3. Essential Visa 485 Requirements

To apply for a Visa 485, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Hold appropriate health insurance for all applicants.
• Provide an Australian Federal Police (AFP) clearance certificate.
• Meet the Visa 485 English requirement, which includes:
  • PTE Academic: Overall PTE 58 (no band below 50)
  • IELTS: Overall 6.0 (no band below 5.0)
  • Other accepted tests: OET, TOEFL iBT, and CAE.

4. Updates to Visa 485 in 2024

• Extended stay duration for selected graduates:
  • Bachelor’s graduates: 4 years (previously 2 years)
  • Master’s graduates: 5 years (previously 3 years)
  • PhD graduates: 6 years (previously 4 years)
• Newly eligible occupations added to skilled occupation lists for PR pathways.
• Graduate Work Stream applications now require a skills assessment aligned with Australia’s skilled migration program.
• Higher English proficiency requirements:
  • IELTS: Overall 6.5 (no band below 6.0)
  • PTE Academic: Overall PTE 58 (no band below 50)
• Changes to regional area definitions, benefiting graduates who studied and lived in designated regional areas.

5. Frequently Asked Questions About Visa 485

5.1 Can my Visa 485 application be rejected?

Yes, common reasons for rejection include not meeting course duration requirements, expired English test results, or not fulfilling other visa conditions.

5.2 Can I apply for Visa 485 twice?

Since January 20, 2021, students who:

• Graduated from a regional Australian institution.
• Lived in a regional area for at least 2 years.

Are eligible to reapply for Visa 485 and extend their stay by 1-2 more years.

5.3 My course in Australia is less than 2 years. Can I extend my study period to meet the requirement?

No. Your Completion Letter and Academic Transcript must clearly show your course duration. Extending studies due to failed subjects or reduced coursework load will not be accepted by the Department of Home Affairs.

5.4 Can a 485 Visa lead to PR?

While Visa 485 does not directly grant permanent residency (PR), it provides a pathway to PR by allowing you to gain work experience in Australia. This experience can enhance your eligibility for skilled migration visas.

The Temporary Graduate Visa (Visa 485) is a valuable opportunity for international students to extend their stay in Australia, gain work experience, and explore permanent residency pathways.

If you’re interested in studying and settling in Australia, choosing the right institution and course is just as crucial as securing a visa.

Don’t miss the Study Abroad & Scholarship Festival organized by ATS this September! This major event will feature over 30 top universities from Australia, the USA, Canada, and more.