Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)
This visa is for international students who have recently graduated from Australian institution(s). This visa allows the international students to live, study and work after finishing their studies for a period of 18 months to 4 years. This visa has two streams: Graduate work stream and Post-study work stream. Here are the key checklist for 485 Temporary Graduate Visa:
General requirements for main applicant for both streams
- You must be 35 years of age or under when you apply, unless you hold a Hong Kong or British National Overseas passport. Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders must be aged under 50 years when they apply.
- hold an eligible visa
- be in Australia
- meet the 2-year Australian study requirement
- hold adequate health insurance
- meet health and character requirements
- meet English language requirements
- meet specific requirements of the stream
Like other countries, the education system of Australia is mainly divided into three broad areas – Primary School, Secondary/Senior Secondary School and Tertiary Education.
The Australian study requirement
The Australian study requirement can be satisfied if the visa applicant has completed CRICOS-registered, one or more degrees, diplomas or trade qualifications in the past 6 months, which meet the following conditions.
- The total CRICOS registered duration of the course/s is at least two academic years (92 weeks)
- The study was completed in at least 16 calendar months
English requirements
The visa applicant must satisfy the English language requirement with either of the following test formats:
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) – an overall score of at least 6.5 with a minimum score of 5.5 in each of the four test components
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic – Overall score of at least 57 with a minimum score of:
- 43 for listening
- 48 for reading
- 42 for speaking and
- 51 for writing.
- Occupational English Test (OET) – a score of at least B in each of the four test components
- Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based test (TOEFL iBT) – Total score of at least 83 with a minimum score of:
- 7 for listening
- 8 for reading
- 18 for writing and
- 16 for speaking.
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) – an overall test score of at least 176 with a minimum score of at least 162 in each of the four test components
The visa applicant must have sat the English language test in the last 12 month before applying and the results should be provided with the visa application.
Health, character and insurance requirements
- The visa applicant and dependant family members included in the application must meet health requirements by completing the required health examinations as part of the visa application process.
- All visa applicants who are in Australia and 16 years of age or older must satisfy character requirements. S/he must provide evidence of clearance or should have applied for an Australian Federal Police check, in the 12 months prior to application date.
- All visa applicants must have adequate health insurance.
VISA PROCESS
Graduate work stream
This is for international students who have recently graduated and possess the skills and qualification for one of the occupations in Skilled Occupation List (SOL). This visa is valid for 18 months from the date of grant.
The applicant must meet the following requirements for the grant of the visa:
• Nominate an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) and provide evidence that s/he holds a successful skill assessment outcome in the nominated skilled occupation from a relevant assessing authority.
• Prove that degree(s), diploma(s), or trade qualification(s) used to meet the Australian study requirement is closely related to nominated skilled occupation.
Post-study work stream
This visa is for international students who applied their first student visa on, or after, November 5, 2011 and have graduated with higher education degree(s) from Australian education provider(s). This visa is valid for 2 to 4 years, depending upon the highest qualification obtained in Australia.
Post-study work visa duration
• bachelor degree (including honor’s): 2 years
• masters by coursework: 2 years
• masters by research: 3 years
• doctoral degree: 4 years
• Hong Kong passport holders who successfully complete a bachelor, masters or doctoral degree: 5 years
Including family members in the application
The following family members can apply for this visa to join the main applicant in Australia:
- partner (married or de facto)
- dependent children
These family members must meet the requirements for including family members in the application and provide documentary evidence of their relationship to the main applicant. They must meet the health, character (if applicable) and insurance requirements necessary for the grant of the visa.
If the family members are onshore, the main applicant can include family members in the visa application at the time of lodgement. However, if the family members are offshore, they can apply for this visa as subsequent entrants upon the grant of the visa of the main applicant.
Visa entitlements
This visa allows the visa holder/s to stay in Australia temporarily for the duration of the visa with full work, study and travel rights.
Visa obligations
Main applicant and family members must hold adequate health insurance and comply with the Australian law throughout the visa period
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