Overview
The Temporary Graduate Visa Subclass 485 is an Australian visa that allows overseas graduates to stay for a few years more in Australia to work or pursue higher studies. The work experience holders acquire with this visa plays a key role in their permanent residence visa applications.
Thus, meeting success with the application will undoubtedly give you a great opportunity to go one step ahead in fulfilling your dream to settle down in Australia. Read this blog to know about the key factors you must keep in mind while making your application.
Select The Graduate Visa Stream Properly
There are two streams under the Temporary Graduate Visa 485, and while lodging your application, you have to select the correct stream. Requirements are different for the two streams, and thus, you have to be very careful when making the application. Details of both streams are discussed here.
Graduate Work Stream
To be eligible to apply for the Graduate Work Stream, you have to meet the following requirements.
- You must have skills in an occupation listed on the MLTSSL (Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List).
- For the nominated occupation, you must get your skills assessed by relevant skills assessing authority.
- Applicants holding a Diploma or Trade Certificate can receive this visa.
- The Australian study requirement should be met within 6 months of submitting the Graduate Visa application.
Post-Study Work Stream
You will be eligible for this stream if you satisfy the following eligibility criteria.
- You should have applied for and granted your first Australian student visa on or after 5 November 2011.
- The course you have attended to receive your degree should be registered under the CRICOS (Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Course for Overseas Students).
- Applicants with a Bachelor’s, Masters’s, or Doctorate are allowed to apply for this stream.
- For this stream also, the Australian study requirement must be met within 6 months of submitting your visa application.
Which stream is more beneficial?
Ideally, the Post-Study Work Stream seems to be more beneficial than the Graduate Work Stream because of the following factors.
This stream allows the holders to stay for 2 to 4 years, depending on their qualifications. On the other hand, you can stay for only 18 months with the Graduate Work Stream.
You will not have to nominate an occupation from a Skilled Occupation List. For the same reason, no skills assessment is necessary.
Keep In Mind The Application Lodgement Deadline
For any visa application, the deadline is a crucial factor. Your Visa Subclass 485 application will be considered valid if you complete it within 6 months of holding an Australian visa. If you fail to maintain this deadline, you will need to check for other visa options. You will need to leave Australia if other options are unavailable.
You will also need to apply within 6 months of your graduation. Note that completion of graduation means the date of publication of your final results.
Submit All The Necessary Documents At The Time Of Admission
The Australian Immigration Department is highly strict with visa applications, and thus, missing a single document can lead to eventual rejection. So, while applying online for the Visa 485, gather all the documents much prior to your application and get scanned copies of them.
- Documents proving your identity
- Documents that prove that every applicant over 16 have at least applied for an AFP (Australian Federal Police) check
- Evidence of making sufficient arrangements for a valid Australian health insurance
- Evidence of having adequate English language skills
- Skills assessment documents (applicable only for Graduate Work Stream applicants)
The visa application procedure may appear complex, and thus, you may consult any migration agent from Adelaide for professional assistance.
Make sure you meet specific Australian study requirement
A Subclass 485 Visa application requires the applicant to meet the Australian study requirement. It demands that you have successfully finished your studies and have received a Diploma, Trade Qualification, or a Degree. The course you have completed must meet the following requirements.
- It was registered with the CRICOS.
You were physically present in Australia to complete the course, and the course duration was at least 16 months. - It covered at least 2 years of academic study.
- You had held a valid Australian student visa while attending the course.
Each of these conditions is specially mentioned on the website, and you have to confirm this information while assessing your eligibility for your Graduate Visa 485 application. Many applicants get confused with the ‘2 years of academic study’ requirement. According to CRICOS, 2 years equals a minimum of 92 weeks.
Confirm your eligible family members, whom you will include in your application
Like many other Australian visas, the Subclass 485 Visa Australia allows applicants to add specific family members to the application. If you plan to include them, you must confirm this information beforehand.
According to the rules set by the Australian Department of Home Affairs, the following members of your family can be added as dependent applicants.
- Your de facto partner or your spouse (if you are in a marriage relationship)
- Your child or step-child
- Child or step-child of your de facto partner or your spouse
Note that only dependent children can be added to the application. Thus, if you have children under 18 years of age, you can easily add them to your Graduate Visa Australia application.
If you want to add children above 18, make sure they are under 23. However, in that case, you will need to meet some additional requirements, too. Your children:
- be a student and financially dependent on you or your spouse or partner, and
- Not be engaged or married.
Documentary evidence of your family relationships should be submitted at the time of application. It will reduce any chances of delay in the 485 Visa processing time.
Hire An Immigration Agent In Adelaide
A registered immigration agent in Adelaide will be the perfect person to help you with a successful application. Australian migration agents are easily available worldwide, and thus, contacting them is not a problem. Only you have to check if they have proper registration and adequate experience to guide you throughout the process.