We’re a team of Migration Specialists who advise daily on visa applications for temporary graduate visas (subclass 485). Understanding your visa and pathway options can be confusing and lead you down the wrong path. That’s why we created this definitive guide for those wanting to apply for the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485).
Beginning with International Students studying in Australia, the graduate visa (or post-graduate visa as it is also known) is the Department of Home Affairs (Immigration) telling you they want you to stay in Australia!
That’s great right! Wait, but why?
Because this visa is available for international studunts that have either studied at an Australian University or undertaken a study that is on the MLTSSL (Medium and Long Term Strategic Skills List).
Key points to be made about this visa are
- Must be under 50 years of age
- Meet the English Requirement of Competent English (see more here)
- Your study must have lasted 2 years (full-time) or 92 weeks of study in total
- The course was held in an Australian educational institution
- You have 6 months to apply for the visa from the date you finished your course
- There are two “streams” of this visa for which you can elect to choose
1. Let’s look at the first option, being the Graduate Work Stream:
This visa is valid for 18 months and applicable to those international students who have:
- Finished 2 years of study in Australia
- Have a study for an occupation listed on MLTSSL (Medium and Long Term Strategic Skills List)
- Have the appropriate Skills Assessment in that occupation
Generally speaking, the Graduate Work Stream is much more appropriate for students that have studied a Vocational Course or VET study. These are courses such as Certificate III or IV or even Diploma studies in subjects related to trade, construction or other areas. Examples of courses are; carpentry, welders, bricklayers, or even some technical engineering roles that only require an Advanced Diploma.
2. The second option is the Post-Study Work Stream
This visa is for international students who have recently graduated with a degree from an Australian institution.
- Finished 2 years of study in Australia
- Graduate with either a Bachelors, Masters or PHD
The above requirements allow you to be granted a visa for 2 years, or in some cases up to 4 years if you undertake a PHD. There is also the chance to extend the visa if the studies were undertaken in a Designated Regional Area, and you continue to remain in a Designated Regional Area.
Read more about Designated Regional Areas here
3. Why is this a good idea or pathway?
After applying for the Graduate Visa you are also granted a bridging visa which will allow you to work full-time while the visa is being processed.
Once the Graduate Visa is granted you can continue to work full-time without work restrictions, anywhere in Australia! This is great news for graduates needing to build up their professional experience or looking for a sponsored business. It provides pathways for international students to ultimately obtain their permanent residency.
While each case is unique, we would always encourage you to book an appointment to speak to one of our migration agents to understand which visa may suit you.
Do you have any other questions? Via our home page and make sure you book in a 15 minute conversation where we can answer any questions you might have directly relevant to your situation.
Please note that the above information is general and not exhaustive nor specific to your case. We always advise that you firstly speak to a migration agent or lawyer prior to making any migration related decision.
