485 Temporary Graduate Work Visa

This visa is designed for students who have completed two years of study in Australia but have not yet met the immigration points requirement. The purpose of this visa is to give students enough time to improve their skills to meet immigration criteria. In early 2013, the Australian Department of Immigration split the 485 visa into two streams: the Graduate Work Stream and the Post-Study Work Stream (PSW).

GRADUATE WORK STREAM (Temporary Graduate Visa)

This type of visa is commonly referred to as TR.

Basic Application Requirements:

  1. The first student visa application must have been submitted before November 5, 2011 (Note: this refers to the application date, not the approval or arrival date).
  2. The applicant’s field of study must be listed on the current Skilled Occupation List (SOL) for Australian skilled migration (http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/pdf/sol.pdf).
  3. The applicant must have obtained an IELTS score of at least 6 in each band before submitting the visa application, which can be either the Academic or General Training module.
  4. The applicant must have completed at least two years of study in Australia (a CRICOS registered course of at least 92 weeks in length) with at least 16 months of actual study time.
  5. The applicant must hold a valid student visa at the time of application submission and must apply from within Australia.
  6. The application must be submitted within six months of graduation (as stated in the completion letter, not the formal graduation certificate).

Students who receive the 485 visa can stay in Australia for 18 months after graduation. During this period, they can work, study, travel, or complete a Professional Year (a 44-week professional training program that adds 5 points to the immigration score).

If the student’s immigration criteria meet Australian standards, they can apply for permanent residency at any time. This visa does not require a points test, but the applicant must meet some basic conditions.

POST-STUDY WORK STREAM (Post-Graduate Work Visa)

This type of visa is commonly referred to as PSW.

Basic Application Requirements:

  1. The first student visa application must have been submitted after November 5, 2011 (Note: this refers to the application date, not the approval or arrival date).
  2. The applicant must have completed a higher education qualification (bachelor’s degree or higher) in Australia, with at least two years of study (a CRICOS registered course of at least 92 weeks in length) with at least 16 months of actual study time.
  3. The applicant must have obtained an IELTS score of at least 6 in each band before submitting the visa application, which can be either the Academic or General Training module.
  4. The applicant must hold a valid student visa at the time of application submission and must apply from within Australia.
  5. The application must be submitted within six months of graduation (as stated in the completion letter, not the formal graduation certificate).

IELTS Requirements for the 485 Visa

For both the PSW and TR streams, applicants must have obtained an IELTS score of at least 6 in each band (Academic or General Training) before submitting the application.

Eligibility for the 485 Visa

Students who receive the 485 visa (either PSW or TR) can stay in Australia for 18 months after graduation. During this period, they can work, study, travel, or complete a Professional Year (a 44-week professional training program that adds 5 points to the immigration score). If the student’s immigration criteria meet Australian standards, they can apply for permanent residency at any time. This visa does not require a points test, but the applicant must meet some basic conditions.

485 Visa Application Fees

  • Main applicant: AUD $1,470
  • Dependent over 18 years old: AUD $735
  • Dependent under 18 years old: AUD $370

485 Visa Application Process

  1. Preliminary assessment by professional consultants.
  2. Development of a tailored plan for each applicant.
  3. Signing of the agency service agreement.
  4. Assistance with obtaining a skills assessment and achieving the required IELTS score.
  5. Submission of the application materials and payment of the application fee.
  6. Waiting for visa review.
  7. Scheduling a medical examination.
  8. Visa approval.