Subclass 485 Visa Graduate Work Stream

Subclass 485 Visa Graduate Work Stream

Subclass 485 Visa grant in Graduate Work stream for study related to occupation in demand in Australia.

Temporary Graduate Visa 485 – Graduate Work Stream Eligibility Criteria

The Graduate Work Stream under the Temporary Graduate Subclass 485 visa is designed for international graduates who nominate a skilled occupation specified by the Minister. Applicants must meet certain criteria to qualify for this visa, as outlined below:

  1. Australian Study Requirement

To be eligible for the Graduate Work stream, the applicant must have met the Australian Study Requirement within a specific timeframe. The criteria are as follows:

  • Timeframe: The applicant must have completed an eligible qualification in Australia either:
    • Within 6 months immediately before submitting the visa application, or
    • Within 12 months immediately before the application if the applicant was outside Australia during all or part of the period from February 1, 2020, to September 19, 2020, due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.
  • Eligible Qualifications: If multiple qualifications were completed, any of them that were completed within the 6- or 12-month period before the application may be used to meet the Australian Study Requirement.
  1. Completion Date

The date of completion is critical, which refers to when the applicant is notified that all academic requirements for the qualification were met. This date, rather than the date of conferral, triggers the start of the application period. Evidence of completion can include a notification of final exam results, which may appear in various forms (e.g., a letter, online notification, or institutional bulletin).

  • If there were delays due to withheld results (e.g., unpaid fees), the date when those issues were resolved is not considered the completion date.
  • Submission of a thesis alone does not qualify as completion unless the thesis has been accepted and all course requirements are satisfied.
  1. Study and Nominated Occupation Must Be Closely Related

To qualify for the Graduate Work stream, the applicant’s qualification must be closely related to their nominated skilled occupation. Acceptable qualifications include degrees (e.g., Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD), diplomas, and trade qualifications.

  • Examples:
    • A Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering for a Biomedical Engineer occupation.
    • A Certificate III in Plumbing and Diploma in Plumbing Services for an Air-conditioning and Mechanical Services Plumber occupation.

The alignment between the qualification and the tasks associated with the nominated occupation is assessed using the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) list, ensuring that applicants are equipped with the skills necessary for their nominated role.

  1. Skills Assessment

Applicants must have applied for a skills assessment from a relevant assessing authority for their nominated occupation at the time of visa application. The application must include evidence of this, such as an acknowledgment letter or a reference number.

  • Important Notes:
    • The nominated skilled occupation cannot be changed after the application is submitted.
    • A suitable skills assessment must be obtained at the time of the visa decision.

If the applicant does not meet the skills assessment requirement or their skills are found suitable for a different occupation, they may need to withdraw their application or appeal the assessment outcome.

  1. Validity of Skills Assessments

Skills assessments may have a specified validity period. If no expiration date is provided, the skills assessment must have been completed within the three years preceding the visa decision date.

  1. Additional Considerations
  • Professional Memberships: Memberships in professional organizations or provisional registrations do not substitute for a formal skills assessment, except for specific occupations like solicitors, barristers, and general medical practitioners.
  • CRICOS Courses: Skills assessments based on qualifications obtained while holding a student visa must be from CRICOS-registered courses.
  1. Overseas Qualifications

A positive skills assessment for the Graduate Work stream can be based on qualifications obtained overseas. However, the applicant must still meet the Australian Study Requirement using qualifications earned in Australia in a closely related field to their nominated occupation.

Disclaimer: Aussie Migration Services Pty Ltd is an independent consulting entity, unaffiliated with the Department of Home Affairs (DOHA). Information provided does not constitute personal migration advice. For tailored migration guidance, please contact one of our Immigration Consultants or register your interest with our Associates.