Every international student yearns to prolong their Australian residence period after finishing their academic program. The Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) functions as a major contributor to this process. Under the Work & Stay in Australia program, students who obtain this visa can continue studying and working in the country after completing their qualifications. This post will reveal all necessary knowledge about the Temporary Graduate Visa subclass 485, including its selected updates as well as eligibility guidelines, application instructions, advantages, and other crucial details.
Key Takeaways
- The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) allows international graduates to live, work, and study in Australia after completing their studies.
- It offers two streams: Graduate Work and Post-Study Work, with varying eligibility and stay durations.
- Recent changes include stricter English proficiency requirements, a lower age limit, and reduced post-study work opportunities.
- The visa serves as a pathway to permanent residency through employer sponsorship or skilled migration programs.
Temporary Graduate Visa & Its Types
The TGV (Subclass 485) is a roadmap for international students to gain valuable experience in AU Post-graduation. Visa is for students who’ve recently graduated from an institution in Australia. The visa duration depends on the stream under which the graduate applies.
In Australia, the Subclass 485 visa is divided into two categories.
- Graduate work visa
- Post-study work visa
What Does the TGV Visa Include?
Your temporary graduate visa tenure depends upon the qualification and the stream you apply for. Undoubtedly, the visa permits one to work, pursue further education, travel, and employment opportunities in Australia.
Let’s check out the duration and conditions which took effect on July 1, 2024.
| WORK STREAM | |||
| Details | Post-Vocational Education | Post-Higher Education | Second-Post Higher Education |
| Stay Duration | Up to 18 months | Typically, 2 to 3 years, depending on qualifications. British National Overseas and Hong Kong passport holders may stay for five years. | Between 1 to 2 years, depending on the applicant’s residency as a Temporary Graduate visa holder and the regional location of their educational institution. |
| Eligibility | Applicants must hold a qualification listed on the skilled occupation list that aligns with their profession and has a positive skills assessment. Only those with an associate degree, diploma, or trade certification are eligible. | Requires a recent degree from an Australian institution that meets the study requirements, is CRICOS-registered, and is at a degree level or higher. | Available to Temporary Graduates who completed their studies at a regional Australian institution and hold a Post-Higher Education Work, Post-Study Work, or Replacement visa. |
| Cost | From AUD 1,945.00 | From AUD 1,945.00 | From AUD 765.00 |
What are the Benefits of TGV 485
Now it’s time to look for graduate visa subclass 485 benefits:
Work Experience
Among the most significant benefits of the Graduate Visa, Subclass 485 is gaining useful working experience in Australia. The experience can:
- Enhance your CV
- Boost your chances of getting permanent residency
- Provide opportunities for local and foreign job openings.
Many graduates secure positions in trade jobs in Australia, particularly in industries like construction, electrical work, and plumbing, where skilled workers are in high demand.
Extended Stay
This visa provides graduates with a longer Australia stay, between 18 months and four years, depending on the stream and qualification. That means you have:
- The time to pursue career choices
- Establish professional networks
- Possibly obtain employer sponsorship for a long-term visa.
Pathway to Permanent Residency
The Visa 485 can act as a stepping stone towards permanent residency. The working experience you acquire under this visa may qualify you for other visa alternatives, e.g.,
- Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS)
- Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189).
Study Opportunities
Australian student visas allow international graduates to pursue both short-term educational courses to upgrade their skills and specialized degree programs. Australian graduates have the opportunity to improve their qualifications because of this process.
Family Inclusion
Your visa enables you to establish eligibility for bringing your relatives as part of your application. The duration of your visa permits your spouse or partner, together with dependent children, to immigrate to Australia for living, working, and studying activities.
Eligibility Criteria for the Temporary Graduate Visa
If you want to apply for Graduate Visa 485, you must meet the eligibility criteria:
- You must be 35 years old or younger at the time of application.
- You must be in Australia when applying.
- You must meet the Australian study requirements.
- You must have completed an eligible qualification from a CRICOS-registered Australian institution.
- You need to demonstrate the required English language proficiency.
- You must meet the specific criteria for your chosen stream (Graduate or Postgraduate).
- You must have held a Student visa within the last six months and completed your qualification during that period.
- You must satisfy the health and character requirements set by the Australian government.
Steps for Applying TGV 485
Applying for the Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) Visa involves a few key steps. Here’s what you need to do:
Gather Your Documents
Your document preparation for application should include all required paperwork. Your documents for admission must include your passport, your academic transcripts, English test outcomes, and your health insurance information.
Apply Online
Applications must be submitted through the Department of Home Affairs website by using their ImmiAccount portal. Make an account through the Department of Home Affairs website before you begin using the platform.
Pay the Application Fee
The visa fee must be paid at the time of submission, so a valid payment method must be ready.
Complete a Health Examination
The necessary medical examination depends on your current health condition. The best time to get a health check started is immediately because delays can occur.
Wait for a Decision
The application processing duration extends between 7 to 14 months after you complete the required steps after submitting your application. The process of applying before the deadline is advised because it reduces late-stress situations.
By following these steps, you can ensure a smooth application process!
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What are the Changes to the TGV 485
December 2023 brought major changes to the Temporary Graduate Visa subclass 485 by the Australian government, which affected both current and potential applicants. What has changed is as follows:
Enhanced English Language Proficiency
Stricter English language proficiency requirements must now be met by applicants in order to receive higher scores on exams like the TOEFL, PTE, or IELTS.
Renewed Visa Streams
To better reflect their purpose, the visa streams have been renamed, and the Replacement stream has been eliminated to streamline the application process.
Reduced Post-Study Employment Opportunities
Post-graduation stay in Australia is limited, so students face decreased job opportunities.
Lower Age Limit
Older graduates no longer have options because the upper age limit has been lowered to 35 years old.
Tighter Visa Transfers
Tighter requirements limit the options available to applicants seeking to switch from a Temporary Graduate Visa to another kind of visa.
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Conclusion
Overall, Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485) Visa offers many opportunities for international graduates to stay in Australia, gain real work experience and explore pathways to permanent residency. Even with new rules making it harder to be eligible, this visa is still a crucial enabler for graduates to take that next professional step.
This visa allows you to make your resume look better, grow your networking, and open doors for long-term work. And the fact you get to bring your family with you means that you’re not going to have to do it alone—you can do it with the people you love.
Since visa laws are constantly changing, you need to do your research and talk to some experts. If planned and strategized appropriately, you can go on to make the best use of this opportunity to build a better future for yourself in Australia.
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