Good News! For applicants applying for a Subclass 485 visa between July 1 2022, and June 30 2023, inclusive, the Department of Home Affairs has temporarily removed the requirement for applicants to nominate an eligible skilled occupation and to obtain a skills assessment. This aligns the Graduate Work Stream with the Post Study Work Stream.
These changes would encourage a broader range of graduates with degrees, diplomas, and trade qualifications to stay in Australia for longer.
The COVID-19 pandemic forces many international students to remain abroad and study online. At the same time, state governments and universities have plans to bring international students back to Australia.
If you have held a student visa (subclass 500) and completed your studies in Australia, you may be eligible to apply for a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485). This temporary visa will allow you to stay in Australia after you have finished your studies to live, work or study. You can apply for this visa even if you do not complete a skills assessment or nominate an occupation on the skilled occupation list.
To be eligible, you must have completed your studies no more than six months before you apply, and your course must have lasted at least 92 weeks (two years).
What is a Temporary Graduate Visa 485?
The Temporary Graduate Visa 485 is for international students who have recently graduated from an Australian university. This visa is granted to those students with specific skills and qualifications that Australia needs. The Temporary Graduate Visa 485 allows graduates to live, work and study in Australia temporarily after they have completed their studies.
This visa subclass has the following streams:
- Graduate Work stream
- Post-Study Work stream
- Second Post-Study Work stream
Who can get a visa 485 extension?
If you want to apply for a replacement Temporary Graduate visa, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must be below the age of 50.
- You must be inside Australia at the time of lodging a visa application.
- You must meet the Australian study requirements.
- You must have applied for the visa within six months of receiving the results.
- You must meet the specific needs of each stream.
- You must have health insurance for the duration of your stay in Australia.
- You must have at least competent English.
- You can apply for this visa once in a lifetime.
Applications will be accepted beginning July 1, 2022. Using your ImmiAccount, you can apply onshore or offshore.
To learn more, please refer to the Temporary Graduate Visa 485
How to apply for a 485 visa online?
To apply for a Temporary Graduate Visa 485 Australia, you will need to:
– Login to your ImmiAccount or create an account if you don’t have one.
– Fill out the form and attach all the required documents.
– Pay your visa application fee.
What are the new changes made to the 485 visas?
Home Affairs confirmed the stay period for 485 Visas would be increased from 18 to 24 months. This change, announced by former Minister Alex Hawke, will be implemented for those affected by the Covid-19 pandemic from July 1, 2022.
Here is the list of changes that The Australian Department of Home Affairs has updated:
- Removal of Occupation Nomination & Skills Assessments
Starting July 1, 2022, Temporary Graduate Work Stream visa applicants will no longer need to nominate an occupation from the skilled occupation list or apply for a skills assessment. An extension of 24 months may be granted to a Graduate Work Stream visa.
- Replacement Stream
If you were a 485 visa holder impacted by the Australian travel restrictions, you might be eligible for a replacement stream. To be eligible, you must:
-Hold or have held a Subclass 485 visa that expired on or after February 1, 2020
-Have been outside Australia at any time between February 1, 2020, and December 15, 2021
If you meet the criteria above, you may be able to regain the full validity of your initial 485 visas.
How can Indeedvisa help you with your applications?
When you come to Indeedvisa for help with your Visa 485 application, we will assess whether your occupation and current profile fit the requirements. We will prepare and submit all the necessary paperwork, and follow up on your behalf.
We are registered with MARA (Migration Agents Registration Authority) and have processed thousands of cases successfully, so we know exactly what it takes to get a visa from the Australian Immigration Department. With Indeedvisa, you will be benefited from constant updates and an extensive knowledge base.
Need further assistance understanding these requirements? Call us at +61 430 575 574 | (08) 6102 100 to schedule a consultation with one of our Registered Migration Agents or e-mail us at info@indeedvisa.com.au; we will be glad to assist you.