Graduation season is here, and students with a solid plan will be familiar with theSubclass 485 Graduate Work visaand what it involves.
Due to the impact of COVID-19, the Department of Home Affairs has made many adjustments to the Subclass 485 requirements, so it is still important toproceed carefully and avoid common mistakeswhen applying.
“
First — Match Your Circumstances to the Right Stream
The Subclass 485 visa has two streams: Graduate Work Stream (GW) and Post-Study Work Stream (PSW). When lodging your application, you need to select the appropriate stream based on your individual circumstances, to avoid a refusal caused by selecting the wrong stream.
The key difference between the GW Stream and the PSW Stream is whether the applicant’s first Australian student visa was applied for and granted on or after 5 November 2011 (inclusive).
Because very few applicants held a student visa prior to that date,the GW Stream is now primarily for graduates of Diploma or Trade Qualification (VET) programmes.Graduates of these programmes who lodge a Subclass 485 GW Stream application in the current financial year (1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023) are temporarily exempt from the skills assessment requirement,and the visa duration has been extended from the original 1.5 yearsto 2 years.If you would like to find out whether you are eligible to apply, please feel free to contact us directly.
The PSW Stream is for applicants whose first student visa was lodged after 5 November 2011 and who have completed a bachelor’s degree or higher qualification.
“
Second — Meet the ‘Two-Year’ Study Requirement to Avoid an Invalid Application
Under migration law, the two-year study requirement is defined as ‘completing at least 92 weeks of CRICOS-registered courses (English language courses excluded)’, but it is equally important to note that applicants must also have completed at least 16 calendar months of study while physically present in Australia.
Therefore, for applicants whoreceived credit exemptionsit is important to carefully confirm whether you meet the requirement.
In addition, due to the two years of COVID-19 restrictions, many studentsstudied online from outside Australia for a period of time,and whether the ‘studied in Australia’ requirement can be met under various circumstances is a nuanced question.
Feel free to bring your specific course details and questions when you come in for a consultation.
“
Third — Remember the ‘6-Month’ Window and Don’t Miss Your Chance
We regularly see graduates who miss out on the Subclass 485 simply because they did not lodge within the required timeframe. After receiving your graduation certificate and before your student visa expires, make sure you plan your application timeline carefully.
First, the Subclass 485 must be applied for within 6 months of graduation,and this 6-month period is calculated from theCompletion Date stated in the Completion Letter issued by your institution., andwithin the 6 months prior to your visaapplication, you must have held a student visa,otherwise the application cannot proceed.
“
Fourth — Don’t Let an Expiry Date Catch You Off Guard — One Misstep Leads to Another
Many applicants only discover when lodging their visa thattheir English test results have passed the 3-year validity period, leaving them scrambling to rebook the exam,and ultimately failing to lodge within the 6-month window after graduation. Please be aware thatthe 3-year validity period for English test results is calculated from the date you sat the exam,so check your documents carefully and make arrangements early when preparing your visa application.
485 Replacement
One more matter worth mentioning: a number of students have recently been asking about applying for the 485 Replacement Stream.
For example: before the Subclass 485 automatic extension policy was introduced,some applicants’ original Subclass 485 visa was overridden by a new student visa application, but during the period they held the Subclass 485, they were outside Australia between 1 February 2020 and 14 December 2021 —are they still eligible to apply for the 485 Replacement Stream? For applicants in this situation,we believe this should meet the eligibility requirements for that Stream.
Therefore, if you are unsure whether you meet the eligibility criteria for the 485 Replacement Stream, we encourage you to get in touch with us early for an assessment.
Finally, despite appearing straightforward to those on the outside, the Subclass 485is sometimes jokingly called one of the ‘most complex’ visas we deal with. It is also one of themost common visa types sought for appeal after a refusal.
The first reason is thatthere are actually many requirements that need close attention,and it is very easy to run into problems with details and key deadlines. The second is thatevery applicant’s background and circumstances are different,and the past two years of COVID-19 have added an extra layer of complexity with all the special policies— ultimately resulting in invalid applications or refusals, and missing out on this ‘golden’ visa that helps build valuable work experience.
With graduation season in full swing and many students asking about the Subclass 485, we strongly recommend not cutting corners to save a little — it could cost you far more in the end. Contact us now and we will also include four weeks of graduate work visa insurance, plus exclusive discounted rates for our Professional Year (PY) programme!
►►►
Study Abroad and Migration Tips — Video Edition
Click the image to read featured articles
Previous Recommendations
How long does a visa decision usually take — 1 to 3 years — and why are some processed within 6 months?
Why should you at least lodge a Subclass 103 queue application for your parents after you get PR?
Visas granted en masse in the early hours — a ‘downpour’ of work visa approvals. How should you prepare for migration during this 2–5 year golden window?
Visas granted en masse in the early hours — a ‘downpour’ of work visa approvals. How should you prepare for migration during this 2–5 year golden window?
Visas granted en masse in the early hours — a ‘downpour’ of work visa approvals. How should you prepare for migration during this 2–5 year golden window?
More overseas migration opportunities in the new financial year! Invitations issued / applications open / occupations expanded
More overseas migration opportunities in the new financial year! Invitations issued / applications open / occupations expanded
Migration News Sharing and Q&A Group
Step 1: Long-press to add our customer service contact
Step 2: After adding, please
Attention!Please verify you are speaking with agenuineNewstars consultant!
New policies from Queensland, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory!Clickthe ‘Original Link’ — ‘Migration Weekly — Video Edition’
