After the completion of your study in Australia, you can stay to live, study, or work with a temporary graduate visa in Australia (subclass 485). The visa has further streams. One is for graduates and the other is for post-study work rights. The stream for which you will apply will determine how long you remain in Australia.
Temporary graduate visa in Australia: Eligibility
For an applicant to have a temporary graduate visa in Australia issued, they must possess:
- A valid visa
- Younger than 50 years of age
- A recent degree from a course that is registered with CRICOS
- Extra requirements for the appropriate stream
Temporary graduate visa in Australia: English proficiency test
For applicants for a temporary graduate visa in Australia, you will have to provide proof of your English language proficiency as part of your visa application process. You need to pass the proficiency test within acceptable Band Score limits. It is to make sure that you can communicate effectively in Australia.
You can take a proficiency test that is recognized in Australia, which measures your English language proficiency for study, work, and immigration. Some of the proficiency tests are:
- IELTS: Academic
- PTE: Academic
- TOEFL ibT
- Cambridge: Advanced (CAE)
Temporary graduate visa in Australia: Overseas student health coverage
It is necessary to have overseas student health coverage (OSHC) for you to get a temporary graduate visa. This is a requirement for your student visa. If you have a current student visa, then you must be covered by an OSHC insurance policy at the time of application, you should include documentation of your current OSHC.
In order for your 485 visa application to be approved, you will still need to get health insurance during the period that your visa is being processed. The Department of Home Affairs will get in touch with you because, before issuing your 485 visas, they need proof that you have purchased a policy that conforms to those standards.
Temporary Graduate Visa in Australia: Streams
According to the Department of Home Affairs of the Australian Government, here are two streams of this visa
Graduate Work Stream
This visa is intended for international students who have just graduated and possess the knowledge and credentials necessary to fill certain jobs in Australia. It enables you to temporarily reside, study, and work in Australia.
Benefits
- Graduates who were affected by COVID-19 travel restrictions can now apply for and be granted a Temporary Graduate visa outside Australia. You must hold an eligible student visa.
- You can work in Australia
- Have a qualification relevant to an occupation on the Skilled Occupation list
- You can bring your family with you
Duration of stay
You can stay up to 18 months if you hold a temporary graduate visa in Australia. But it has been increased to 24 months for visas granted on 1 December 2021. Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders may stay for 5 years.
Cost
The cost of the visa is around AUD 1,680.
Processing time
- 25% of applications take 10 months
- 50% of applications take 10 months
- 75% of applications take 11 months
- 90% of applications take 13 months
Also Read: How long does it take to get PR in Australia for students?
Post-Study Work Stream
International students who just received a degree from an Australian institution are eligible for this visa. You can temporarily reside, work, and study in Australia. You need to have a recent degree from a CRICOS registered course to be eligible for this visa stream.
Benefits
- Graduates affected by COVID-19 travel restrictions can now apply to be granted a Temporary Graduate visa outside Australia. You must hold an eligible student visa.
- You can work in Australia
- You can bring your family with you
Duration of the stay
You can stay between 2 and 4 years, depending on your qualification. Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders may stay for 5 years.
Cost
The cost of the visa is around AUD 1,680.
Processing Time
- 25% of applications take 7 months
- 50% of applications take 8 months
- 75% of applications take 12 months
- 90% of applications take 14 months
Second Post-Study work Stream
This visa is available to those who have previously held a first Temporary Graduate Visa under the post-study work stream and have earned a degree from a regionally situated Australian institution. It enables temporary residence, employment, and academic pursuits in Australia.
Benefits:
- You can work in Australia
- You can bring your family with you
- Duration of Stay
- You can be between 1-2 years depending on the regional location of the educational institution that you graduated from that led to the grant of your first temporary graduate visa in Australia in the post-study work stream. It also depends on the regional area that you live in as the holder of your first Temporary Graduate visa post-study work stream.
Cost
The visa costs around AUD 660.
Processing time
The processing time for this visa type varies and is not available.
How StudyWise can help you?
StudyWise is an Authentic study abroad platform that helps all aspirants who wish to study in Australia. We recommend that you contact our agents for complete counseling on your Study in the Australia process. We will provide your best visa options based on your situation and educational background.