The Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa allows international students who have recently graduated from an Australian educational institution to live, work, and study in Australia temporarily. The visa has two main streams: Graduate Work Stream and Post-Study Work Stream. Know the requirements, benefits, and process to obtain.
The 485 visa Australia allows students to live, study, and work in the country after completing their qualification. It is a temporary visa for international students. The students should have completed 2 years of study in the country. As an applicant, you must be in the country to apply for a 485 visa. You should have held an eligible student visa before the lodgement of your application. This should be within the 6 months before submitting the application. Therefore, a temporary graduate visa in Australia is a good way to extend your stay in the country and improve your chances of getting a skilled visa or permanent residency. You can also include your family members in the application.
 

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Benefits Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)

This will provide you with a unique opportunity to build a professional network in Australia.

  • The holders of a Subclass 485 visa can get employment in their field of study and put to hands their professional skills. This will improve their chances of a Visa and long-term employment in the country.
  • Once you get a 485 visa in Australia, you can gain a significant amount of experience and skills in your occupation. This will strengthen your profile for a permanent residency application. Your work experience will be very useful for you in getting a PR in the country.
  • As an international student who has recently graduated from an Australian educational institution, you will be able to apply for a 485 visa in one of the two streams:
  •     * Graduate work stream
  • * Post-study work stream
  • Using these, you will be able to graduate with the qualification within the skilled occupation list.
  • You will be able to move your family to Australia.
  • You will be able to gather valuable experience and skills in your new profession that will add to your job profile.
     

Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) Requirements

There are a number of eligibility criteria requirements for a 485 visa in Australia.

  • The main applicant should be 35 years of age or under.
  • You can also be under 50 years of age when you apply if you have used a Master's doctoral degree to meet the requirement for the grant of your post higher education work or post study work stream visa.
  • You should have studied with an Australian education provider in a designated regional area. Your qualification should be in the post higher education work or study work stream from an Australian education provider who is registered on CRICOS. The campus that you have studied in must be based in a designated regional area.
  • As the holder of a temporary graduate visa, you should have lip only in the designated regional area for at least 2 years before applying for a second post higher education work stream visa.
  • You should have adequate health insurance for yourself and your family members. You should be able to meet all the health and character requirements as desired by the department. You will need to provide a police certificate and get a health examination.
  • If you are above the age of 18 years, you should be aware of life in Australia and should sign the Australian values statement, which will confirm that you respect the Australian way of living and will obey the laws in the country.
  • Ensure that you owe no debts to the Australian government. In case any debts are owed, you will have to pay them back, or your application will be refused.
  • It is also important to have a clean immigration history. You may not be eligible for a 485 visa if you have had cancellations or refusals previously.
     

We can classified work visas as per duration and stay time - temporary work visas and permanent work visas

Temporary Work Visas

Temporary working visas in Australia allow you to live there for a certain period. For an individual, this offers an opportunity to live for a short-term duration. If you want to get an experience for work and more want to in Australia, go ahead. From the below information, you will learn examples of work visas.

If you get the temporary skill shortage visa (subclass 482), you can live for up to 2 years. It is specially designed for skilled workers in Australia. The time duration can be up to 2 to 4 years, as you feel suitable to work there. Generally, this visa fulfills a shortage of employers in Australian companies.

This visa allows young people to come and work in Australia for up to 2 years. If you are amongst them, you can have this chance. Working holiday visa (subclass 417 & 462) is designed to encourage tourism and trade. So, if you get a chance to work in Australia, you can have it.

Temporary graduate visa (subclass 485) allows students who have recently completed their studies. If scholars have finished their graduation from an Australian institution, they can work here. This rule applies to all international scholars, they can live and work for up to 4 years after their studies.

From the above details, you have an idea for overall temporary work visas Australia. Now, we will discuss some of the permanent visas you can obtain.

Permanent Work Visas

When you want to live for a long in another country, you require a visa accordingly. Especially, when we talk about Australia, so many options are available here. So, if you want to choose a pathway of permanent residence in this country, move ahead. Also, learn how you can work and live your life independently in Australia.

You must know that a skilled independent visa (subclass 189) allows you to live for a long. To become eligible for this, you must have specific skills to work where you want. This is a points-based visa in Australia, that allows you to stay permanently. For this, you have to be skilled in work, language, and education.

A skilled nominated visa (subclass 190) allows individuals to stay for a long. To obtain this visa, you must be nominated by the state or territory govt. Also, to become eligible your age must be under 45, and aware of the English language is needed. An individual should have skills for the work of an occupation.

When people want to move to Australia, they get sponsored by their employers. This visa allows you to work and live for as long as you want. Generally, for working employees with job offers, it is suitable in Australia.

Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) Processing Time

The processing time varies from 9 months to one year. This delay can be due to the following reasons:

  • Errors in your application.
  • Incorrect information.
  • Prompt response towards answering to requests from the department.
  • Missing supporting documentation.
  • Delays from external agencies.

If you are ready to begin your Australian journey, then letting us help you with your visa application will be the right choice for you. We have a qualified team of immigration agents at Immigration Buddy. It does not matter which stream you choose to apply for. Our team will guide you every step of the way. We understand the uniqueness of our clients and work accordingly to help them achieve the desired results for their visa applications. Right from providing customized checklists to following up on your visa application even after it has been filed, we take care of it all. So, don’t wait up longer and take the first step towards securing your future. Contact us today to book a free consultation!!
 

Visa Application Costs

Applications of the Subclass 491 visa on behalf of the main applicant will have an approximate cost of visa processing of AUD 4,910. Moreover, the other visa applications by the visa applicants aged 18 years and above will incur an estimated cost of AUD 2320, and the dependent children under the age of 18 years will incur an estimated cost of AUD 1,160.

Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) Application Process

Step 1. Before the application

If you have resided in a regional designated area for at least 2 years while still holding a temporary graduate visa in post higher education work, post study work or replacement stream, then you are ready to apply for the visa for the 485 visa. You have to be present in the country to apply for this visa.


Step 2. Gathering documentation

You will need a lot of paperwork to work on the application. The department will make a decision on your application using all the information that you provide while lodging it. You will have to ensure that all your documents are in order before submitting your application. This is important to avoid any delays in the processing of your visa.
You will need to provide accurate information regarding your identity, age proof, marriage, change of name, and residence documents showing the evidence of residence. The evidence of residence can be provided by the following:

 

  • Drivers license
  • Utility bills
  • Tenant agreements
  • Bank statements, etc.

The department will also ask about your work and study documents. This will be needed to establish that you have worked or studied in the regionally designated area. Your health insurance documents, such as a Medicare card, a letter from the insurance provider, will act as evidence of your health insurance.
In order to prove your good character, you may require an overseas police certificate from your home country. Your partner’s documentation, which will show your relationship with your partner, also needs to be attached to your documentation. The relationship can be a marriage or a de facto relationship.


Step 3. Online application

You must apply for this visa online by creating an ImmiAccount. You will attach all your documents supporting evidence along with your application. If you are applying for your family members, then each family member must have paid their visa application fee, and the documents should be attached to the application.
After all the documentation is complete, you will then pay the visa application charge. No applications are processed until the fee has been paid.


Step 4. Visa Result

The department will let you know giving your application and the documents are received. You can be in or outside the country when the decision on your application is in process. If any additional documentation is required, you will need to produce it immediately to avoid any delays in the processing.
 

  • Gather Documents

    The foundation of a successful application lies in robust documentation. Accuracy in this phase prevents lengthy delays or refusals.

    Identity Proofs: Valid passport and certified birth certificates.

    Proof of Relationship: Documentation proving your link with the sponsor.

  • Online Application

    Complete the digital lodging via the official Department of Home Affairs (DHA) portal.

  • Wait for Processing

    During this time, the DHA may request additional information, health checks, or police clearances. It is imperative to respond to these requests promptly to avoid further delays or potential application closure.

  • Final Notification

    The Department will notify you in writing of the outcome of your visa application. This formal letter will contain crucial details regarding your future status.

Frequently Asked Questions

The three streams are: Post-vocational education work stream, Post higher education work stream, and Second Post higher education work stream

Yes, if you provide incorrect information or incomplete or false evidence, then you will have to face rejection.

The age limit has been lowered for the 485 visa. The age of the applicant should be less than or up to 35 years.

With a graduate work stream visa, you can stay in the country for up to 10 months. The post-study work stream will allow you to stay in the country for 2-4 years.

Yes, you can work full-time in Australia with any of the streams of this visa.

Yes, you can include your family members in your application.

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