Many International Students apply, receive and hold a 485 visa……valid for 18 months or up until four (4) years depending on the stream.
We often see individuals not making the most of their Subclass 485 visa by missing the opportunity to gain experience in their chosen field of study.
If you’re finding it challenging to secure a job, it might be time to consider approaching things a little differently. Tap into your existing network and don’t overlook the connections available through your education provider. Many institutions have affiliations with employers who may offer opportunities for work experience — a great way to get your foot in the door. It not only allows potential employers to see your capabilities and assess how well you’d fit within their team, but it also gives you the chance to gain valuable hands-on experience.
Gaining employment in Australia Is all about your employability. Often employability is confused with employment – getting a job – but in fact employability is much more than that.
Employability as the capabilities and mindsets that empower you to perform effectively in the workplace, generate opportunities, and create a positive impression on future employers. It’s about having good communication skills, presenting well and fitting in with the culture of the business.
So, what makes you desirable to a future employer? Strong communication skills are essential, so it’s important to have a good command of English as well as strong interpersonal and presentation skills.
The way to gaining permanent residence for those who have studied in Australia is all about obtaining high-quality paid employment experience.
Holding a qualification, such as a Diploma or Degree, is an important first step — but to be considered ‘skilled,’ you also need relevant work experience. Gaining hands-on experience not only makes you more attractive to potential employers, but it can also lead to opportunities for employer sponsorship or independent permanent residency pathways.
So don’t let your Graduate 485 visa expire before you gain that necessary work experience relevant to your field of study.
There is no longer an opportunity to revert back to a student visa at the end of your Graduate 485 visa as the government have closed that loophole. You have one shot and one shot only on your 485 visa of obtaining the relevant experience that is necessary if you wish to springboard to a more permanent visa to allow you to remain in Australia indefinitely.
There is a huge emphasis by the government, in stopping people from ‘visa hopping’ simply prolonging their stay in Australia without any real way of progressing further.
Australia doesn’t want to lose the talent of those who have studied in Australia; however, you require more than qualifications to be considered ‘skilled’ in your area of study.
It’s all about becoming skilled with the relevant work experience.
How do you go about finding that employment?
- Focus on roles relevant to your field of study
- Leverage your network – don’t under estimate personal connections as it’s often ‘who you know’ rather than ‘what you know’
- Gain local experience – volunteer roles or short-term internships to gain industry experience
- Improve on communication and presentation skills
- Register with online job sites such as Seek, Indeed and Linkedin
- Approach employers directly
Once you’ve secured employment in your relevant field of study, this will open up your opportunities of securing your Australian permanent residence.
If you’d like to understand about the different visa options beyond your Graduate 485 visa, don’t hesitate in getting in touch with one of our experienced Migration Agents who can walk you through the different pathways specific to your individual circumstances.
An informed start is the best investment—just one consultation could help you avoid unnecessary costs and delays.
