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The 485 visa is divided into two streams which relate to different qualifications. The shorter term stream, called the Graduate Work Stream, relates to qualifications at the diploma or trade qualification level. This stream has additional requirements when compared to the longer term stream, including the requirement to nominate an occupation on the medium to long term skilled occupation list, and the requirement to have a skills assessment in order to apply. The nominated occupation must be closely related to the completed course. The maximum period for a visa in this stream is 18 months.
The longer term stream, called the Post Study Work stream, relates to qualifications at the bachelor degree level or higher, and does not require you to have a nominated skilled occupation or have a skills assessment. The visa in this stream can be granted for up to two years, or four years for select qualifications. It is also possible for an international student in both streams who are British National Overseas or Hong Kong passport holders to apply for a five year visa. A doctoral degree is also eligible for an extended graduate visa.
In either stream, the eligible qualification must meet the Australian study requirement. The basic eligibility criteria for the study requirement can be summarised as follows:
The key criteria for a 485 Temporary Graduate visa can be briefly summarised as follows:
The 485 visa can provide a stepping stone toward a further skilled visa, such as the subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage or subclass 189/190 skilled visas. For example, the 482 requires a minimum of two years relevant work experience, so a graduate could apply for a two year 485 visa, gain the relevant work experience, apply for a 482 and continue on to permanent residence with the subclass 186 visa.
Further benefits for Temporary Graduate visa holders include:
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The documents that you will need to provide for this visa are closely related to the qualifications that you have received from an Australian education provider. To support you, we have developed a comprehensive checklist to meet all the criteria. Here is a snapshot of some of the documents that you will be asked to provide:
International students will generally apply for the Temporary Graduate visa once they have completed their course and are still holding their student visa, however you do not need to be holding a student visa to apply. You need to be currently onshore and holding an eligible visa or bridging visa, and must have held a student visa within the previous six months. You must not have previously held a graduate visa if you are applying for your first temporary graduate visa.
The application for this visa is done online, during which time you will need to specify which stream you are looking to apply for. You will also need to attach all the required evidence and details of your qualification and, if applying under the Graduate Work stream, details of your nominated occupation and assessment from the relevant assessing authority.
Once the visa has been approved, you will be able to live, work and study in Australia for a period of 18 months or two years depending on the stream. You are also free to travel in and out of Australia while holding this visa.
There are no direct pathways to permanent residence from this visa, however it is possible to make an application for a further work visa subject to meeting the eligibility criteria. Some of the most common visas that Graduate visa holders will apply for include the 482, 494, 189 or 190 visas.
It is possible to apply for a second 485 visa in the post study work stream if your studies were completed in an Australian institution located in a regional area and you have lived in a regional area for at least two years before applying for the second visa. The second visa can be granted for between one to four years, depending on the area that you lived and studied in and the nature of your eligible degree.
At Australian Migration Lawyers, we provide valuable guidance and support to make the entire process as seamless as possible. We have a high success rate with our applications, and have dealt with a wide array of complex occupations and situations.
There are two main costs associated with a 485 visa application.
Our fees will vary depending on the circumstances of your visa application. Some applications will be more complex than others and our fees will be quoted accordingly. We work on a fixed-fee basis rather than billing hourly to provide our clients with certainty about what the total costs associated with their visa application will be. We strive to be flexible, so we offer payment plans based on financial need.
Book a consultation with one of our qualified lawyers to get a quote.
The relevant fees for the Department of Home Affairs in relation to a Temporary Graduate visa application are as follows:
Applying for a visa to Australia can be complex. With help from an Australian Migration Lawyer, we can untangle this complexity, and help you apply for the right visa.
Organise a consultation time to speak with one of our lawyers. You can meet with us in person, via Zoom or telephone. Following this, we will send you paperwork that confirms our engagement to represent you.
We will prepare written submissions in support of your visa application. This will be based on your individual circumstances, and supported by evidence where appropriate.
We submit your application to the relevant body (Department of Home Affairs, courts or tribunal). We will continue to update you concerning the status of your application.
We will keep you informed about your application, and notify you of the outcome. If you receive an unfavourable outcome and we can reapply, we will!
The processing time for a 485 visa can take between five to six months for the graduate work stream, and two to four months for the post-study work stream. Processing times are subject to the complexity of the case, the completeness of your visa application and the caseload being processed by the Department. At Australian Migration Lawyers, our goal is to submit high-standard, comprehensive applications that are as complete as possible to help reduce delays and to seek a successful outcome.
Our legal team at Australian Migration Lawyers are skilled lawyers practising in Australian migration law.
As lawyers, we cannot issue guarantees that your Graduate visa will be granted. The decision rests with the Department of Home Affairs, not any one representative, lawyer or migration agent. However, our sound understanding of the law means that we are able to put the best case forward to seek a successful outcome.
We offer professional migration advice and support, no matter where you are based. Those located in Australia have the choice of meeting with us at one of our offices or online, and for those offshore, we are available to you online.
Read our most frequently asked questions.
This Temporary visa can be granted for a maximum period of two years for the post-study work stream, and 18 months for the graduate work stream. Applications made in the post-study work stream can be extended for select degrees contained in a list published by the Department of Education.
The below extract from the Department’s website outlines the visa grant period in different circumstances:
The 485 visa itself is a temporary visa that does not provide a pathway to permanent residency, however it is possible to apply for international students to apply for a further visa after the 485, such as a 482 or 494, in order to gain a PR pathway subject to meeting the requirements for those visas.
The Department have announced a two year extension for select qualifications which will automatically apply to eligible applications lodged after the first of July 2023. This applies in addition to the existing extensions that were available, meaning that a select bachelor degree can be extended from two years to four years, and select masters degrees will be extended from four years to six years.
Tell us a little about your situation, and one of our migration lawyers will get back to you as soon as possible.