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The 485 visa Australia is officially called the Temporary Graduate visa, which is also known as subclass 485 visa. It is a temporary visa specially created for foreign students who have newly 

Completed their graduation in Australia via a CRICOS. This 485 Visa lets eligible graduates to reside, study, and work in Australia temporarily after completion of their qualification. 

The 485 visa aims to offer opportunities for new graduates to gain practical work experience in their relevant field of study. This significantly increases the applicant's employability, and based on the individual's situation and immigration goal, it also provides them a pathway to permanent residency in Australia. Hence, the 485 visa Australia acts as an important bridge between skilled employment and international education in the Australian labour market.

Streams of the 485 Visa

Various streams are available under the 485 Visa or Temporary Graduate visa. Each stream structure is customised to different levels and qualification types. The different streams under this visa include.

Post-Vocational Education Work Stream:

• This is created for international students who have newly completed their vocational-level education in Australia. The qualification includes a Trade Certificate, a diploma, etc. 
• To get qualified in this stream, the applicant’s qualification must be relevant to the highly demanded occupations stated in the MLTSSL (Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List) of Australia. 
• The main aim of this stream is to enable the skilled vocational graduates to gain practical work experience in their relevant field. 
• The applicants can reside in Australia for up to 18 months. The Cost of this visa starts from AUD 2,235. 

Post-Higher Education Work Stream:

• This stream is designed for students graduated with a degree-level qualification or more from any of the Australian institutions. This visa allows the applicants to study, reside, and work in Australia temporarily. Based on the applicant's qualifications, you can stay in
• Australia for 2 to 3 years, based on your qualification. 
• You should qualify for a CRICOS-registered course, like a master’s degree, doctoral (PhD) degree, or bachelor’s degree.
• If you are a Hong Kong or British National Overseas passport holder, then you may stay for 5 years. 
• Adding to this, the indian candidates are eligible to stay in Australia for 2 to 4 years under the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA). 

Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream:

• This visa is available for the Temporary Graduates who have already been held under the Post-Study Work or Replacement stream and Post-Higher Education Work, and for those who have completed their graduation at a campus in Australia. 
• To fulfil the criteria, the applicants must have graduated and must live in an Australia regional area.
• This visa allows graduates can stay and work in any Australian area. They can extend their study if the candidates meet the requirements. 
• This visa encourages graduates to stay and work in the regional parts of Australia. Once the applicants are qualified, they can extend their stay up to 1 to 2 years additionally. 

Eligibility Criteria

The international applicants must meet the various criteria to acquire the 485 Visa.  

1. While making the application, you should be under the age of 35 years, and those who have a PhD qualification or a Hong Kong or British National Overseas passport are eligible till 50 years of age.
2. Candidates must have a CRICOS-registered course for a minimum of 92 weeks and 16 months.
3. The main requirements to secure the 485 Visa in Australia are to fulfil the English Language proficiency. The candidates must demonstrate their English speaking ability through any of the English language tests. You score 6.5 in IELTS.  
4. Before making an application, candidates must hold or already held a valid student visa within the previous 6 months. 
5. Applicants must meet the health and character requirements to undergo health examinations and submit police clearance certificates along with their application. You should demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to cover your health insurance during your stay in Australia.

Benefits of the 485 Visa

485 visa Australia offers several benefits for worldwide applicants. This visa offers an outstanding option and helps international graduates to gain experience and enjoy their Australian life after their graduation. 

• Work rights:  you should have full work rights, there are no restrictions on working hours and work type. 
• Opportunity to study further:  Candidates benefit from studying further; they can take up professional development programs and additional courses or gain professional experience.
• Include family members:  You can include your family, partner, and dependent children to stay, work, and study in Australia along with you. 
• Unlimited travel: Candidates are allowed to travel in and out of and to Australia during the visa period. 

Application Process and Costs

The process and its costs for a 485 visa include: 

• Online Application:

Applicants must submit their application online in the official registration platform of the Department of Home Affairs’ ImmiAccount. Before making the application, ensure that all the required documents are accurate and complete. You should complete your course within 6 months. 

• Visa Cost

The cost of a 485 visa application is AUD 2,235 for the primary applicants. If you include your family members (partner or dependent children) in your application, you should pay additional visa charges for each accompanying person. For the most recent fee details, make sure to check the Department of Home Affairs website.

• Processing Time

The application Processing Time may differ depending on your visa type and country of residence. The Approximate processing time for a 485 visa will take 8–10 months based on your stream.

• Required documents:

Ensure to submit all the necessary documents along with your application. The documents include proof of study, English language test results, adequate health insurance, police checks, and health examinations. And your relationship Evidence if you include your family members. 

Pathways to Permanent Residency

The 485 visa Australia offers an excellent opportunity to move towards permanent residency (PR) to international graduates. This visa offers time and opportunities to gain local work experience and help them to enhance their English proficiency, and strengthen their eligibility for various PR pathways. 

Points-Based Skilled Migration Visas: 

This visa includes Skilled Independent Visa or Subclass 189- and Subclass 190 or Skilled Nominated Visa. The 485 visa helps you to gain work experience, increase your points, and allows you to secure a state or territory nomination. 

Employer-Sponsored Visas:

This visa has 2 subclasses, including Subclass 482(Temporary Skill Shortage Visa) and Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme Visa). This visa offers a transition to get a PR from any of the authorised employers in Australia in a relevant skilled occupation. 

Partner Visa:

This visa is available if the applicants are in a genuine relationship with a Citizen or permanent resident of Australia. 

Recent Changes and Updates

Age limitation for most applicants has been reduced to 35 from 50. There are some exceptions for passport holders of Hong Kong/British National Overseas and PhD graduates, they are still eligible up to 50 years.  Applicants are not able to switch from a 485 visa to a student visa while staying in Australia. The English language test results validity have been reduced from 3 years to 1 year. 

Conclusion

The 485 visa Australia offers excellent opportunities to foreign graduates. it supports them to gain work experience, explore further study, and gain permanent residency in Australia.  The various streams of Temporary Visa (Subclass 485 visa) and clear benefits, serving as a major route to study and skilled migration, supporting long-term career and settlement goals in Australia.