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The Graduate Temporary Activity Visa (Subclass 485) offers international graduates an invaluable opportunity to work, gain experience, and enhance skills in Australia after completing their studies. This visa is designed to help recent graduates kickstart their professional journey in Australia and offers a pathway to explore further employment or residency options.
The Graduate Temporary Activity Visa (Subclass 485), often referred to as the SC485 visa, allows international students who have recently completed their studies in Australia to live, work, and study in the country for a temporary period. This visa is ideal for graduates seeking practical experience in their field, especially those who aspire to extend their stay in Australia and explore options for permanent residency.
✔️ Work Experience: Gain hands-on experience in your field of study, which can be critical for career advancement.
✔️ Temporary Residency: Live in Australia for an extended period and explore the country’s diverse job market.
✔️ Pathway to Permanent Residency: Use the skills and experience gained to improve your eligibility for other skilled visas, such as Subclass 189, 190, or 491.
✔️ Family Inclusion: Bring eligible family members, including a partner or dependents, under your visa.
The Graduate Temporary Activity Visa offers two primary streams, each with specific eligibility requirements based on the graduate’s qualifications:
✔️ Purpose: This stream is tailored for international graduates who possess skills that relate to an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List.
✔️ Visa Duration: Valid for up to 18 months.
✔️ Eligibility:
👉 Completion of a course that relates to an occupation listed on the Skilled Occupation List.
👉 Qualifications must be relevant to the nominated skilled occupation.
👉 English proficiency and character requirements.
✔️ Work Rights: Full work rights for the visa duration, providing a chance to gain valuable work experience in a related field.
✔️ Purpose: Designed for recent graduates with higher education degrees from Australian institutions.
✔️ Visa Duration: Valid for 2 to 4 years, depending on the qualification level (Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctorate).
✔️ Eligibility:
👉 Completion of a degree-level qualification or above from an Australian institution.
👉 The qualification must meet the Australian study requirement, with a minimum study duration of 2 years.
✔️ Work Rights: Offers full work rights, allowing graduates to gain experience in their industry or explore multiple job opportunities.
To qualify for the Graduate Temporary Activity Visa (SC485), applicants must meet specific criteria:
✔️ Age: Applicants must be under 50 years old.
✔️ English Language Proficiency: Demonstrate sufficient English language ability (usually through IELTS, TOEFL, or similar tests).
✔️ Australian Study Requirement: Must have completed an eligible course within the last 6 months that is registered on CRICOS and has a study duration of at least 2 years.
✔️ Health and Character Checks: Pass health and character assessments, including medical exams and police clearance.
✔️ Health Insurance: Maintain adequate health insurance coverage throughout the visa duration.
The Graduate Temporary Activity Visa (Subclass 485) duration and conditions vary depending on the visa stream you apply under. Here’s a breakdown of the current durations and conditions for each stream:
✔️ Graduate Work Stream: Up to 2 years for graduates with skills aligned with the Skilled Occupation List.
✔️ Post-Study Work Stream: Duration varies based on the level of qualification:
👉 Bachelor’s Degree: Up to 2 years
👉 Master’s Degree (Coursework or Research): Up to 3 years
👉 Doctorate: Up to 4 years
✔️ Second Post-Study Work Stream (Regional): Graduates who studied in regional areas may be eligible for an additional 1 to 2 years.
Conditions for Subclass 485 Visa Holders
✔️ Full Work Rights: Visa holders are allowed to work full-time for the duration of their visa.
✔️ Study Rights: You can undertake further study or training, but the main purpose is to gain work experience.
✔️ Residence Requirements: For visa holders under the Graduate Work Stream, living in a regional area may be required if applying for an extension.
The Subclass 485 visa allows eligible family members to be included, providing them with the same work and study rights as the primary visa holder.
Eligible Family Members
✔️ Partner: Spouse or de facto partner of the primary visa holder.
✔️ Children: Dependent children of the primary visa holder.
Requirements for Family Members
✔️ Health and Character: Family members must also meet health and character requirements.
✔️ Relationship Proof: Evidence of the relationship is required, including marriage or partnership documents and proof of cohabitation (for partners).
✔️ English Proficiency: While not required for family members, some educational or occupational pathways may still require English proficiency.
Applying for the Graduate Temporary Visa (Subclass 485) involves several steps, and applicants are encouraged to carefully follow each stage for a successful outcome.
Step 1: Gather Required Documents
✔️ Proof of Identity: Passport, birth certificate, and other identity documentation.
✔️ Australian Qualification Proof: Degree certificate, transcripts, and evidence of meeting the Australian study requirement.
✔️ English Language Test Results: Provide proof of English language proficiency.
✔️ Health Insurance: Evidence of having adequate health insurance for the duration of your stay.
Step 2: Submit the Application Online
✔️ Applications for the Graduate Temporary Visa are submitted online via ImmiAccount on the Department of Home Affairs website. Ensure you complete the application form accurately and attach all required documents.
Step 3: Await Decision and Processing
✔️ Once submitted, the processing time for the SC485 visa can vary. It’s essential to check the Department of Home Affairs website for up-to-date processing times. You may also be contacted for additional information during this period.
Step 4: Visa Outcome
✔️ If granted, you will receive information about your visa conditions, including the validity period and work rights. Keep a copy of the visa grant notice for your records.
The fees for the Graduate Temporary Activity Visa (Subclass 485) vary based on the number of applicants included in the application and the processing time:
✔️ Primary Applicant: $1,920
✔️ Additional Applicant Over 18: $960
✔️ Additional Applicant Under 18: $485
These fees cover visa processing costs and are subject to periodic updates by the Department of Home Affairs. It’s essential to check the latest fees before applying, as they may change due to annual budget adjustments.
The SC485 visa offers valuable post-study opportunities and a pathway toward permanent residency. By gaining work experience in a relevant field and enhancing your skills, you may be well-positioned to apply for skilled visas, further solidifying your future in Australia. Additionally, meeting the requirements of a state-nominated skilled visa can improve your eligibility for permanent residency under the Subclass 888 or other relevant skilled migration visas.
The Graduate Temporary Activity Visa (Subclass 485) provides international graduates with an opportunity to work in Australia post-study, helping them gain valuable work experience and potentially set the stage for future migration opportunities. Here’s an updated guide for 2024 on the changes, conditions, and specifics related to the Subclass 485 visa.
In 2024, Australia introduced changes to the Graduate Work Stream of the 485 visa. Key updates include adjustments to the duration of stay, requirements, and processing times to make the visa more accessible and beneficial for international graduates.
✔️ Increased Duration of Stay: Graduates can now stay for up to 2 years under the Graduate Work Stream, depending on the field of study and occupation. Some fields of study, especially those aligned with high-demand occupations, may allow for longer stays.
✔️ Eligible Qualifications and Skills: The qualification requirements have expanded, allowing more graduates from diverse fields to apply. Graduates must demonstrate skills relevant to occupations listed on the Skilled Occupation List.
✔️ Simplified Application Process: The 2024 updates include a streamlined application process to reduce processing times, helping applicants start their work experience sooner.
