Temporary Graduate Visa 485: Fees, Duration, Documents, Process

Are you a recent graduate dreaming of starting your career in the land Down Under? If you answered yes, the first step is to obtain a temporary graduate visa 485. Did you know by July 2023, nearly 200,000 people had obtained a prolonged stay in the country? Visa 485 is the ticket to study and work in this beautiful country for up to 4-5 years. It is also a stepping stone to becoming eligible for a permanent or provisional skilled visa. So, let’s understand the ins and outs of the 485 Visa in Australia.

Temporary Graduate 485 Visa Checklist 

As the name suggests, this is a temporary visa allowing international students to live, study, and work in Australia after finishing their studies. However, the length of your stay will depend on the stream you apply for. It includes four streams: 

Graduate Work Stream (up to 18 months)- 

for international fresh graduates with required skills and qualifications relevant to the Australian list of occupations.

Post-Study Work Stream (2 to 4 years)- 

for international graduates with Australian education with a recent degree and a CRICOS-certified course.

Second Post-Study Work Stream (1 to 4 years)- 

for temporary graduate visa 485 holders who graduated from an Australian institution.

Replacement Stream (18 months to 6 years)- 

for present and previous graduate visa holders who lost time on their original visa due to COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions.

The temporary graduate 485 visa checklist includes the following documents and details. 

• First and foremost, provide proof of completion of studies. You can present a completion letter, which displays the start and end dates of the study period. 
• Prepare all your study records involving the school transcripts copy and course grades documents.
• You must provide a copy of your passport pages covering all necessary details.
• If you are not from native English-speaking countries (the UK, the US, Canada, New Zealand, or Ireland), you must mention your English proficiency test scores.
• Evidence of having health insurance coverage while living in Australia.
• Offer documents that show you undertook a skill assessment for the job you're applying for with a graduate stream visa. Remember, you don't need this assessment if you're applying for a post-study work visa.
• Ensure you have gone through the Australian Federal Police (AFP) through documentary proof and provide other documents to ensure you have no history of violence or criminal activities. Also, include Form 80 and Form 1221 for extra information. 
• As this visa allows you to bring your family, you need their documents. 
  • For your partner or spouse, give copies of their IDs and, if applicable, your marriage certificate. If you’re unmarried, you should provide evidence of your registered relationship.
  • If you intend to take adult dependent children, submit proof of dependency and form 47a. You must also submit their identification documents.
  • If you plan to take a minor child, a birth certificate or a family book, along with a parental consent form 1229 or a statutory declaration, is necessary.

Eligibility Criteria for Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)

To be eligible for the temporary graduate visa, you must nominate one stream only. Also, note that you can’t change visa streams after you apply. Here are some other eligibility criteria to attain a 485 visa in Australia. You must:

• Be below the age of 50 years.
• Have had a student visa (subclass 500) within six months previous to the application. 
• Be enrolled in courses registered with CRICOS (Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students).
• Have mandatory skills and qualifications according to Australian work requirements.
• Proof of English proficiency by including IELTS, OET, TOEFL, PTE, etc., scores. Otherwise, if you’re a resident of the United States, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, or Ireland, submit your passport details.
• Have suitable health insurance coverage - Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC).
• Completed an Australian Federal Police (AFP) check for character requirements. 
• Have no visa rejection before applying for a new one.

How to Apply for Temporary Graduate Visa 485

You can apply for the subclass 485 visa in Australia by visiting the official government website and following the below steps:

Open an ImmiAccount

To apply for the Australian visa online, the applicant must have an active ImmiAccount. If you have never created this account, create a new one and follow the instructions on the website. Once you open the account, applying for the visa is easier. You can even find necessary documents lists for visa applications. 

Attach your documents

Select the 485 streams carefully and attach your documents. Remember to provide scanned copies of your original documents. Check all the requirements and prepare your documents beforehand to upload.

Submit your application

The application fee for the visa application depends on the stream you choose. So, check the details in advance. You must pay the fee online through your ImmiAccount.

Australia 485 Visa Processing Time and Estimated Fee

The 485 visa processing time varies depending on two main visa streams:

You can check the status of your visa application through the ImmiAccount on the official website. 

Similarly, the 485 visa fee is categorized as follows:

*as of November 2023

Remember that there will be additional visa fees for every other applicant you bring along (your partner or other family members).

Conclusion

The temporary graduate visa 485 can be your gateway to gaining valuable international work experience. It also allows you to secure skilled permanent visas, such as subclass 189 or 190, and get permanent residency. You must, therefore, be careful while providing all the necessary details for the visa application. Ensure you submit all the updated and valid documents on time. 

Read more about study in Australia:

• How to study in Australia from India
• How much Gap is acceptable for study in Australia
• Masters in Australia
• MS in Australia Cost
• Australia Post Study Work Visa
• Jobs after MBA in Australia
• Study in Australia
• MBA in Australia
• MBA in Australia without GMAT