A majority of International students who study in Australia look for options to continue living in the country after their graduation. While there are options such as opting for higher studies or applying for visas through the General Skilled Migration program, not every student can afford to study further or becomes eligible to apply for skilled migration visas right after their graduation. For those students who are unsure of what to do next after course completion, a Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) gives the much-needed breathing space to plan their future. When a student obtains this visa, they can use the extended stay period to find a job or acquire skills and experience to become eligible for general skilled migration visas later. Here is everything you need to know about the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485).
The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) has two streams that one can apply for.
- Post-study Work stream
- Graduate Work stream
Post-Study Work stream
International students who have recently graduated from an Australian institution with a Bachelor's degree or above (Masters, PhD) in a CRICOS* registered course are eligible to apply for this stream.
With this visa, students can stay in Australia between 2 and 4 after their graduation year, depending on their qualification.
Graduate Work stream
This stream is for international students who have graduated recently with at least a diploma or a trade certificate in a course that features in the Skilled Occupations List of Australia.
This visa lets students stay back in Australia for 18 months.
Eligibility*
| Post-Study Work stream | Graduate Work stream |
| Be under 50 years of age | Be under 50 years of age |
| You held a student visa within the past 6 months before your application and you now have a Bridging Visa A or Bridging Visa B, granted on the basis of a valid application for a visa | You held a student visa within the past 6 months before your application and you now have a Bridging Visa A or Bridging Visa B, granted on the basis of a valid application for a visa |
| You successfully completed a CRICOS* registered course (at least a Bachelor's degree) | You successfully completed a CRICOS* registered course (at least a diploma or a trade certificate) |
| The course duration was at least 2 years (92 weeks) | The course duration was at least 2 years (92 weeks). |
| You were physically in Australia for at least 16 months to complete the course | You were physically in Australia for at least 16 months to complete the course |
| You studied with a CRICOS* registered education provider in Australia. | You will nominate one of the skills in the Medium and Long Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) and be assessed by a relevant skill assessment authority. |
| English proficiency requirement is the same for both streams. To prove your English proficiency, you either hold a valid passport from one of these countries - the UK, the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland. (or) in the last 3 years, you achieved the required scores in one of the following English tests. IELTS - overall score of 6 with a minimum of 5 in each of its 4 parts TOEFL iBT - total score of 64 with a minimum score of 14 for Writing and speaking and 4 for listening and reading PTE Academic - overall score of 50 with a minimum score of 36 for each of the 4 parts Occupational English Test - at least B in all the sections Cambridge C1 advanced test - an overall score of 169 with at least 154 in each of the 4 components. |
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Visa benefits for studying in Regional Australia
International students who study in institutions from regional Australia get an extra 1 to 2 years extension to their post-study work stream 485 visas. Regional Australia is an initiative from the government of Australia to fill the skill shortage and boost the economy in the regional areas of Australia. The government incentivizes international students and skilled immigrants with exclusive regional visas and extension to post-study work visas when they choose to study or work in the regional areas.
Under this initiative, all the locations in Australia have been classified into three categories.
| Category 1 | Major cities | Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane |
| Category 2 | Cities and Major Regional Centres | Perth, Adelaide, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Canberra, Newcastle/Lake Macquarie, Wollongong/Illawarra, Geelong and Hobart |
| Category 3 | Regional Centres and Other Regional Areas | All other locations in Australia sans Category 1 & 2 |
International students graduating from the institutions in the ‘category 2’ locations get a one-year extension to their post-study work visa while the category 3 locations offer a two-year extension.
| Levels of qualification and their current stay back period | Extension under Regional Australia initiative (in years) | |||
| Degree | Stay back period | Major cities | Cities and Major Regional Centres | Regional Centres and Other Regional Areas |
| Bachelor's degree | 2 | None | 1 | 2 |
| Master's by coursework | 2 | None | 1 | 2 |
| Master's by research | 3 | None | 1 | 2 |
| Doctoral research | 4 | None | 1 | 2 |
For instance, if you successfully complete your doctoral research from an institution located in a Regional centre and other regional areas (category 3), in addition to the current stay back period of 4 years, you will get an extra 2 years to stay in Australia on the 4 years post-study work visa.
The application fee for the Temporary Graduate Visa is AUD 1650 for both streams and the processing time (the period within which 90% of all the applications are processed) is 4 months and 5 months for the Post-Study Work stream and the Graduate Work stream respectively.
AECC Global helps thousands of students across the world achieve their study abroad goals every year. Right from discovering the right university, till permanent migration, we help students at every step. Talk to our expert consultants today and seek answers to your questions related to studies, visas and PR pathway.
* Eligibility - The purpose of this section in the blog is to give you only a fair idea of the eligibility criteria for the 485 Temporary Graduate Visa. It is not exhaustive. For more detailed and latest information on the same, always visit the website of the Home Affairs Department, Australia or seek help from a certified migration consultant.
* CRICOS - Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students is a register of education providers that offer courses to overseas students in Australia.
September 13, 2022: To bridge the skill shortage in Australia, Education Minister - Jason Clare announces extending post-study work rights for international students for up to six years. Applicants who are currently studying at an Australian University or have graduated from one recently can apply for this post-study work visa.
