Requirements | Processing Time | Duration | Entitlements | Cost | Refusal | Permanent Residency
The Australian Temporary Graduate Visa subclass 485 visa is a temporary visa for international students who have completed two years of study in Australia. It can last from 18 months to four years depending on your situation.
As there is no restriction on study or work whilst holding a subclass 485 visa, it is a good way to extend your stay in Australia to improve your chances of becoming eligible for a permanent or a provisional skilled visa.
At the time you apply for this visa you must:
Yes, you must be onshore.
You can include dependent family members such as spouse/partner and dependent children who are in Australia with you, at time of application.
You can find updated information about graduate processing time at DOHA processing times.
You must apply for your graduate visa within six months after completion of your studies.
Exemptions may affect your graduate visa application; it is best to contact us directly to find out your eligibility.
Graduate Work Stream | 18 Months | |
Post-Study Work Stream | Bachelor Degree Bachelor Degree with Honours Masters by Coursework Degree Masters (extended) Degree |
2 Years |
Masters by Research Degree | 3 Years | |
Doctoral Degree | 4 Years |
Whilst on a 485 visa you have unrestricted work rights in Australia.
You must maintain private health insurance whilst on a skilled graduate visa.
A subclass 485 visa is not available to applicants who have previously been the primary visa holder of a Subclass 476 (Skilled-Recognised Graduate visa) or a Subclass 485 visa.
Current from 1 July 2021 government charges for Subclass 485 visa applications are as follows:
$1,680 for primary applicant;
$840 for each secondary applicant aged 18 or above;
$425 for each secondary applicant aged under 18
If your 485 visa application is refused or cancelled, you might be able to have the decision reviewed by a merits review tribunal, the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT). For further information, please access ‘Visa Problems‘ .
The 485 visa is designed for an overseas student to obtain some work experience in Australia relevant to the visa holders’ field of study; it may not necessarily provide a pathway to permanent residency.
However, if the 485 visa holders can nominate an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list and meet the migration points test, the candidates can consider a general skilled visa, such as Skilled Independent Visa, Skilled Nominated Visa, or Skilled Work Regional Visa in the future.
Once the 485 visa holders have obtained sufficient employment experience, subject to the availability of their occupations, the visa holders may also have access to temporary and/or permanent employer sponsored visa options.
Eligibility is the most important step in determining whether a person may meet the legal criteria for a visa application and one consultation could save you money.
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