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485 Visa Australia

Temporary Graduate Visa

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Are you looking for a temporary graduate visa for Australia? Get your temporary graduate visa through Stepping Stones Careers Solutions, Melbourne’s leading visa consultancy. 485 Visa Australia is primarily known as a temporary graduate visa. It is a pathway offered by the Australian government for international students who have recently completed their studies in Australia. It allows eligible graduates to live, work, and study in the country temporarily. 

This visa is designed to help graduates gain practical experience and explore opportunities in their chosen sectors. The visa is available in different streams for specific qualifications and work scopes. The 485 visa age limit is 35 years old or under when applicants apply.

 

Overview of 485 Australia Visa 

The Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) is an Australian visa program created for international students who have recently graduated from Australian educational institutions. It grants them the opportunity to temporarily live, work, and further their studies in Australia, enabling them to gain practical experience in their chosen field.

Major Types of 485 Visa

This visa is divided into two primary streams: the Graduate Work Stream, designed for those whose qualifications align with occupations on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), and the Post-Study Work Stream, which caters to graduates of higher education degrees.

485 Visa Requirements

  • Applicants must be aged 35 years or under when they apply
  • Hold an eligible visa
  • Have held a student visa in the last six months
  • Qualification in CRICOS-registered course
  • Apply for your eligible stream
  • Attach the required evidence when you apply

485 Visa English Requirements

  • Must have a valid passport holder from the UK, USA, Canada, Ireland, or New Zealand; or
  • IELTS: overall average of 6 and at least 5 in each band; or
  • OET: B Pass in each band; or
  • PTE Academic: Overall average of 50 with at least 36 in each band; or
  • TOEFL iBT: Total score of 64, with at least 4 in listening and reading, and at least 14 in writing and speaking; or
  • Cambridge: 169 overall average with at least 154 in each band

485 Visa Australia Validity 

Depending on the stream, the visa’s validity can range from 18 months to four years, with possible extensions in specific scenarios. The 485 Australia visa acts as a stepping stone for international graduates, offering them a chance to advance their careers and explore pathways to permanent residency while contributing to Australia’s economy and workforce.

485 Visa Processing time

  • The processing time of a 485 Australia visa depends on the stream of the application.
  • Processing times by stream;
  • 10 to 12 months for graduate work,
  • 9 to 11 months for post-study work, and
  • 1 to 8 months for the second post-study.
  • To get an idea of how long your visa might take to process, you can also use the visa processing time guide tool. This tool provides an estimate based on recently finalized applications. Keep in mind that it serves as a general reference and does not reflect the exact processing time for your specific application.

485 Visa Fee

  • Post Vocational Education Work Stream: From AUD 1,945
  • Post Higher Education Work Stream: From AUD 1,945
  • Second Post Higher Education Work stream: From AUD 765

485 Visa Document Checklist

  • Copy of your current passport
  • National ID Card (if applicable)
  • Birth Certificate (showing both parent's names)
  • Prove of completed qualification in Australia
  • Completion letter (including the date of completion and CRICOS code)
  • Australian Study Requirement Evidence
  • Result of English Test (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE)
  • Health examination
  • Health insurance
  • Police clearance certificate
  • Work experience documents (if applicable)
  • Relationship evidence (if including dependents)
  • Bridging visa documents (if applicable)
  • Application specific forms

Post-Vocational Education Work Stream

This visa is designed for international students who have recently graduated and hold qualifications in occupations that are in high demand in Australia. It allows you to temporarily live, work, and study in the country. With this visa, you can work here, you can bring your family as well. This stream is for applicants meeting the Temporary Graduate visa study requirement with an associate's degree, diploma, or trade program only.

Stay duration

  • Up to 18 months
  • Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders may stay for 5 years

Eligibility

  • Be 35 years old or younger at the time of your application (*with some exceptions).
  • You must be in Australia when lodging your visa application.
  • Hold a valid eligible visa at the time of applying.
  • Have previously held a Student visa within the last six months.
  • Possess qualifications aligned with an occupation listed on the skilled occupation list.
  • Submit evidence of a skills assessment for your nominated occupation from the skilled occupation list.
  • Provide proof of adequate health insurance coverage for all applicants at the time of application.
  • Include documentation showing you have applied for an Australian Federal Police check to meet character requirements.
  • Demonstrate the required proficiency in English by providing valid evidence with your application.

Post Higher Education Work Stream

Post Higher Education Work Stream (485 visa Australia) is for international students who have recently completed a graduation degree from an Australian institution. This visa allows you to live, work, and study in Australia on a temporary basis. You can bring your family with this visa. Applicants need a fresh degree in CRICOS registered course.

Stay duration

  • Generally from 2 to 3 years depending on your qualification. Passport holders from British National Overseas and Hong Kong may stay for 5 years.

Eligibility

  • You must be physically present in Australia when submitting your application.
  • Ensure you hold an eligible visa at the time of application.
  • Applicants should have held a Student visa within the last six months.
  • Applicants must be 35 years old or younger at the time of applying (*exceptions may apply).
  • A recent qualification from a CRICOS-registered course is required.
  • Proof of adequate health insurance covering all applicants must be provided at the time of application.
  • Submit evidence of having applied for an Australian Federal Police check.
  • Demonstrate the required level of English proficiency by including valid documentation with your application.

Second Post Higher Education Work Stream

The second Post Higher Education Work Stream is for temporary graduate applicants holding a post-higher education work, post-study work, or replacement visa with a degree from an Australian institution located in a regional area. This visa allows you to live, work, and study in Australia on a temporary basis.

Stay duration

  • The duration, ranging from 1 to 2 years, depends on:
  • The regional location of the educational institution where you completed your studies, which qualified you for your initial Temporary Graduate visa.
  • The regional area where you reside while holding your Temporary Graduate visa under the Post-Higher Education Work, Post-Study Work, or Replacement stream.

Eligibility

  • Be 35 years old or younger at the time of your application (*exceptions may apply).
  • Be physically present in Australia when submitting your application.
  • Hold a Temporary Graduate visa under the Post-Higher Education Work, Post-Study Work, or Replacement stream and have previously held a Temporary Graduate visa in either the Post-Higher Education Work or Post-Study Work stream as the primary applicant.
  • Possess a degree earned through a CRICOS-registered course from an educational institution located in a designated regional area, which was the basis for your initial Temporary Graduate visa in the Post-Higher Education Work or Post-Study Work stream.
  • Have resided in a designated regional area for at least two years before applying for your second Temporary Graduate visa in the Post-Higher Education Work stream.
  • Provide proof of adequate health insurance coverage for all applicants at the time of application.

485 visa new rules 2024

Age Limit: 35 years (50 years previously)

English Language Proficiency: Required IELTS score 6.5 (6.0 previously)

Duration of Stay:

  • Bachelor's degree holders: 2 years
  • Master's by coursework: 3 years
  • Master's by research: 3 years
  • PhD holders: 3 years

Stream Renaming:

  • The Graduate Work Stream renamed to the 'Post-Vocational Education Work' stream
  • Post Study Work Stream renamed to 'Post-Higher Education Work' stream

Elimination of Replacement Stream: The Replacement Stream of the Temporary Graduate Visa was removed.

How to Apply for a 485 Visa

  • To apply for a 485 visa, you need the aid of the best visa consultancy in Melbourne.
  • Stepping Stones Careers Solutions is the best platform for visa and immigration assistance.
  • Our team is well aware of 485 Australia visa rules in 2024.
  • Visit our official website and drop your query over there. Our team will immediately contact you. You can also call us at +61 1300 288 472.

Why Stepping Stones Career Solutions?

The Subclass 485 Visa offers recent graduates the opportunity to live, work, and gain valuable experience in Australia. This temporary visa is a stepping stone for those aspiring to build a strong foundation for their future and explore pathways toward permanent residency.

At Stepping Stones Career Solutions, we simplify the complexities of the visa application process. Our team is committed to guiding you every step of the way, ensuring your journey to success in Australia is smooth and stress-free.

Ready to take the next step? Contact us today to book a consultation and let us help you turn your Australian dream into a reality!

FAQs on Skilled Graduate 485(TR)

 
The Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) allows international students to live, work, and study in Australia after completing their studies. It is designed to give graduates an opportunity to gain practical work experience in Australia. Message @warda
While the 485 visa itself is temporary, it can act as a pathway to permanent residency. You can use the work experience and qualifications gained during this time to meet the eligibility criteria for skilled migration programs like the Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189) or Employer-Sponsored Visas.

The duration depends on the stream:

  • Graduate Work Stream: Up to 18 months.
  • Post-Study Work Stream: 2–4 years, depending on your qualification level.
  • Extended Graduate Stream (Regional): Additional time may apply if you meet certain conditions.
 
No, the 485 visa is not a bridging visa. It is a standalone temporary visa. However, if your student visa expires while waiting for your 485 visa decision, you may be granted a Bridging Visa to stay lawfully in Australia during the processing period.

You are eligible if you:

  • Have recently completed a CRICOS-registered course in Australia.
  • Hold an eligible visa (such as a student visa).
  • Meet English language proficiency requirements.
  • Are under 50 years of age.
  • Apply within six months of completing your studies.
Yes, the 485 visa allows unrestricted full-time work rights in Australia. It’s a great opportunity to gain professional experience in your field or explore other employment opportunities.
485 visa extensions are not typically available for the 485 visa. However, if you’ve studied in a regional area, you may qualify for an additional Temporary Graduate Visa or other pathways.

After your 485 visa expires, you can explore options like:

  • Skilled Migration Visas (e.g., subclass 189 or 190).
  • Employer-Sponsored Visas.
  • Regional Visas (e.g., subclass 491 or 494).
  • Enrolling in further studies to meet the requirements for another visa.
Yes, you can include your partner (spouse or de facto partner) as a dependent on your 485 visa application or add them later as a subsequent entrant. They will have the same work and study rights as you.
Yes, you need 485 visa health insurance for a 485 visa in Australia. When you shift from a student visa to a graduate visa, you will need to switch from your Overseas Student Health Cover to a Working Visitor Health Cover.

For Australian Migration We Provide the Best in Class Services

Call: +61 1300 288 472

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We are your trusted partner in migration and visa consultation. With years of experience, we guide overseas students and professionals through course selection, applications, and visa processes, ensuring expert support every step of the way.

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