Temporary Graduate visa

Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) allows the graduates of Australian vocational and higher educational institutions to stay after completion of studies to live and work in Australia for a period of 1.5 years or more. The graduate and their family members have full working rights for the period of their visas.

The Graduate visa has two main streams:

- For graduates of vocational educational institutions - Post-Vocational Education Work stream

- For graduates of universities - Post-Higher Education Work stream

Common requirements for both streams are that:

- Six months have not elapsed between the date of completion of studies and the date of application for a visa.

- The graduate completed a course at an Australian institution registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).

- The applicant must be not older than 35 years of age at the time of application.

- The requirements for the holders of Hong Kong and British National Overseas passports are more favourable - the visa period is up to 5 years and the age limit is 50.

An important difference between the streams is that graduates of VET institutions must have a qualification in an occupation that is in demand in Australia and they must undergo through the formal skills assessment process. The graduates of the universities can have a degree in any field and are not required to have their skills assessed for the visa.

The graduates of the regional Australian universities who stay to work in regional Australia have an advantage - they can apply for the second graduate subclass 485 visa via the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream.

AUMA professional assistance in immigration to Australia

We will assist you in selecting an educational institution, a field of study, and a course considering your capabilities and preferences versus the skills shortages in Australia. Our expertise will ensure your migration strategy will lead not only to a permanent residency but to your employability in Australia.

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Let's take a closer look at the two main streams of the subclass 485 graduate visa.

This temporary visa is available for a period of 2 to 3 years (up to 5 years for holders of Hong Kong and British National Overseas passports) with the option to extend for 1 to 2 years if the applicant studied and lived in regional Australia. This visa is intended for graduates who have obtained a bachelor's degree or higher from an Australian education provider, with a total study period of at least 2 academic years (92 weeks). Multiple closely related qualifications are permitted, provided the total study duration is 92 weeks.

This visa can also be granted to immediate family members of the graduate, who can apply jointly with or separately from the main applicant. The applicant must demonstrate English language proficiency (IELTS 6.5 overall/5.5 in each band or equivalent) or be eligible for an exemption. The main visa holder and all dependents must have health insurance covering them for the entire period of stay in Australia.

A visa in this stream can be granted for up to 18 months (with the exceptions mentioned above). The total duration of studies (one course or multiple courses) must be not less that 2 academic years (92 weeks). The applicant must nominate an occupation listed on the Medium and Long Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) and which is closely related to the applicant's qualification. The applicant also must have skills formally assessed or be able to provide evidence that they have applied for the formal skills assessment.

The applicant must demonstrate a required level of English proficiency (IELTS 6.5 overall/5.5 in each band or equivalent) unless they are exempt as a holder of a passport of the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand or Ireland.

An adequate health insurance covering the applicant and all accompanying family members must be maintained for the duration of visa period.

Expert advice

Please note that the Skills Assessment process can sometimes take up to a a few months. If you intend to apply for graduate visa in the post-vocational education stream, you may need to start preparing for skills assessment before you complete you course.

We will help you assess your eligibility for the postgraduate visa and your prospects for transitioning to permanent residency via professional and work visas.

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The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), although not a permanent resident visa, provides an excellent opportunity for young professionals to prove themselves in the professional field. It allows them to gain experience working for an Australian employer and understand the requirements and principles of the Australian labor market. This experience will be invaluable for the next step: applying for a professional visa or a visa sponsored by an employer.

The graduate visa is suitable for:

Earning money in a country with one of the world's highest income levels
Recognition and advancement of professional qualifications on an international scale
Increasing competitiveness of the applicant in the professional visas
Finding employer willing to sponsor you for a temporary or permanent work visa

The graduate visa limits:

Duration of your stay in Australia
Access to social benefits

Let's take a closer look at the two main streams of the subclass 485 graduate visa.

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