Introduction to Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485): Graduate Stream & Post Study Work Stream
Temporary graduate visa (subclass 485) has largely two streams; namely, graduate work stream and post-study work stream. The visas allow international students, who have recently graduated with skills and qualifications (or a degree from an Australian institution for post-study work stream) that are relevant to specific occupations Australia needs, to stay and work in Australia temporary between 18 months and 28 months (up to 5 years for Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders). More specifically, an SC485 visa is valid for as follows:
SC485 visas granted under the Graduate Work Stream are valid for 18 months from the date of grant.
Post Study Work Stream (PSWV) visas can be valid for between 2 and 4 years from the date of grant, depending on the type of qualification completed. Validity periods are as follows:
2 years: Completion of Bachelor Degree, Bachelor with Honours, Masters by Coursework or Masters (Extended)
3 years: Masters by Research
4 years: Doctorate
Difference between the temporary graduate visa stream and the post-study work stream?
Graduate stream:
For international students with an eligible qualification who graduate with skills and qualifications that relate to an occupation on the list of eligible skilled occupations. A visa in this stream is granted for 18 months from the date of grant.
Requirements for the graduate stream are as follows:
Nominate an occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
Show evidence that you had applied for a skills assessment for your nominated skilled occupation by a relevant assessing authority.
Your skills have been assessed by a relevant assessing authority as suitable for your nominated skilled occupation.
Meet the Australian study requirement in the past six months.
Each degree, diploma, or trade qualification used to meet the Australian study requirement is closely related to your nominated skilled occupation.
Nominate an occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) – Note: only one occupation can be nominated and you cannot change that occupation after you apply.
Post Study Work Stream:
For international students who graduate with a higher education degree from an Australian education provider, regardless of their field of study. This stream is only available to students who applied for and were granted, their first student visa to Australia approved on or after 5 November 2011. The Post Study Work stream visa can be granted up to four years from the date the visa is granted and depending on the visa applicant’s qualification.
Requirements for the stream are as follows:
Must be under 50 at the time of application.
You applied for your first student visa on or after 5 November 2011.
Have completed 2 years of study in Australia at the bachelor's level or higher.
Have completed a bachelor's degree, master’s, or PhD within the last 6 months.
Have held a student visa within the last 6 months, and hold a substantive visa, bridging A or B visa at the time of application.
English requirement: if you hold a passport from the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, or NZ, you will not need to undertake an English test.
Otherwise, you must complete one of the recognised English tests: IELTS, OET, Pearson (PTE Academic), TOEFL iBT, or Cambridge (CAE Advanced).
What is the Processing Time for a Temporary Graduate Visa (SC485)?
To date, the processing time for a short-term 485 visa depends on different factors that include the chosen course. You need to pay the fees along with the visa application; if not, the application will be incomplete and it will take longer.
The processing time for the graduate work stream to date is 70% of visa applications are processed within eleven (11) months, and 95% are processed in 13 months.
What are the most common mistakes to avoid when applying for a 485 Visa?
Missing the application lodgement deadline
You must submit your 485 visa application within six months after completing your course. Graduates frequently make these mistakes by thinking that the graduation date is the same as the completion date of their program.
It's a good idea to check and confirm the graduation date as it may differ significantly from the course completion date. This might add days to your visa application if you do not have the correct dates, which can result in a visa refusal.
Failure to submit all required documents
Supporting documents must be submitted with your 485 visa application at the time of lodgement. If the documents are incorrectly submitted, or if the documents are missing, you might not be notified to provide the correct documents. You need to make sure to double-check that you have all the correct supporting documents and all are formatted according to the Department’s standards.
How can Agape Henry Crux Help You?
In addition to what the law does and doesn’t allow you to do, there are also practical considerations that may mean that travelling overseas jeopardises your visa application. If you want to find out more about the risks of travelling overseas, do not hesitate to contact us. You can book a Migration Planning Session with one of our immigration lawyers to seek professional advice by calling 02 8310 5230 or email us to book a time at info@ahclawyers.com.
We speak fluent English, Korean, Japanese, Mandarin, Cantonese, Indonesian, Burmese and Malay. If these aren’t your language, we can also help you arrange an interpreter.
This article/presentation (“publication”) does not deal extensively with important topics or changes in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you find this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances, please contact our office.