It’s that time of year again — graduation season. Where should you go after graduation? Stay in Australia, or head straight back home? Just as everyone was feeling lost, the Prime Minister came through with some exciting news.
Two weeks ago, the Prime Minister held a press conference announcing that, with double-vaccination rates having reached the target proportion, Australia would reopen its borders on 1 December. Holders of Subclass 500, 485, 491, 489, 482, and 462 visas stranded overseas would all be able to return — including student visa holders, work visa holders, temporary skilled migration visa holders, working holiday makers, and temporary employer-sponsored visa holders.
PM: High likelihood of opening on the 15th as planned — no further delays!
Just as everyone was packing their bags and getting ready to travel over, the Omicron variant caused the border reopening decision to be pushed back to 15 December,and most current reports show no signs of a further postponement.
One week into the extension,Australian Prime Minister Morrison, speaking to the media this Wednesday, 8 November, stated that all information to date indicates the delay from the 1st to the 15th was simply pressing pause,and Australia would in all likelihood open its borders on 15 December with no further delays.
The Australian Government will continue to move forward (on reopening the border),as they consider it to be a priority.
This is a signal coming directly from the Prime Minister himself,but given the pandemic remains fluid and policy adjustments cannot be entirely ruled out, a 100% guarantee is simply not possible at this stage,though further confirmed information is expected following the national cabinet meeting this weekend.
Follow Newstars’ official platform — we will continue to share the latest border entry updates.
Below, this article primarily summarises last week’s most significantSubclass 485 policy updatesand covers the most frequently asked questions over the past period.
The currently known Subclass 485 new benefit policies!
– Subclass 485 visa holders stranded overseas may apply for an alternative Subclass 485 visa. This applies to applicants whose visa expired on or after 1 February 2020 (specific details and applications will commence in mid-2022)
– For coursework master’s graduates, the Subclass 485 visa duration has been extended from 2 years to 3 years, equivalent to a research master’s (already in effect)
– For VET graduates and holders of older Subclass 485 temporary residence visas, the Subclass 485 visa has been extended to 2 years upon graduation (already in effect; additionally, no skills assessment is temporarily required for the 2021–22 financial year)
– Time spent studying online from overseas will be counted towards the Australian study requirement; a student visa must be held during the online study period
New policy: hope and hesitation
The pandemic has disrupted many people’s migration plans.The alternative Subclass 485 visa policyhas sparked hope for the many visa holders who have been stuck outside Australia for two full years. According to the Department of Home Affairs’ updated policy, current and former Graduate visa holderswhose visa expired on or after 1 February 2020, and who were outside Australia at any time between 1 February 2020 and 1 December 2021, will be eligible.
This alternative visa will allow applicants to apply afresh for a new Subclass 485 visa,with a duration matching that of the original visa. The visa application fee is AUD$1,680.
However, the Department of Home Affairs has also confirmed that applications for this alternative visa will not open until mid-2022.
Follow Newstars’ official platform for specific details, or contact our consultants to find out more!
Master’s 3-year & VET 2-year485
The very next day after the new policy was announced, coursework postgraduate students had already received 3-year Subclass 485 visas
Students who first entered Australia before 5 November 2011 and applied under the Graduate Work Stream received 2-year visas (previously 1.5 years under the old policy)
Frequently asked questions about the Subclass 485 new policies
1. I currently hold a Subclass 485 visa and I’m already in Australia — can I apply for an additional year?
A: Those who have already been granted a Subclass 485 visa while in Australia cannot benefit from the new 3-year visa, and there is currently no news that a renewal is possible.
2. I am currently overseas and my Subclass 485 visa has already expired — can I apply for the alternative Subclass 485?
A: It depends on when your visa expired,if your visa expired on or after 1 February 2020, you are eligible to reapply for a Subclass 485.
3. My Subclass 485 visa has not yet expired and I only left Australia last month — can I apply for a new Subclass 485?
A: Yes, you can. As long as you were outside Australia at any time between 1 February 2020 and 1 December 2021, you are eligible to reapply
4. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree this year — can I apply for a 3-year Subclass 485 visa?
A: No, you cannot — the new in-Australia 3-year Subclass 485 does not cover bachelor’s degree graduates.
5. I have already lodged my Subclass 485 visa application and it is still pending — when it is granted, will it be for 3 years or 2 years?
A: If you are acoursework master’s graduate, you will receive a 3-year visa.
6. I studied a cookery course — how many years will my Subclass 485 be?
A: If you are anew VET course graduate, you will receive a 2-year Subclass 485 visa.
7. I completed a 1.5-year master’s — can I apply for a Subclass 485 after graduating?
A: A 1.5-year master’s does not meet the 92-week CRICOS-registered course requirement and is therefore not eligible for a Subclass 485 visa.You would need to complete a related master’s degree or a related Graduate Diploma to meet the registered course requirement. If granted after the new policy takes effect, it would also be for a 3-year period.
Finally, here is the Subclass 485 application eligibility criteria and basic document checklist
Please read on ↓↓↓
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Subclass 485 Application Eligibility
Post Study Work Stream (PSW):
This stream currently has the highest number of applicants
For those who first applied for an Australian student visa after 5 November 2011
– Qualification level of bachelor’s degree or above
–IELTS overall band 6 (no component below 5; Academic or General Training accepted; PTE also accepted)
– Completion of a CRICOS-registered Australian bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree programme
–The registered programme duration must be at least two academic years (92 weeks), and actual study time in Australia must not be less than 16 months (those with gaps, failed subjects, transfers, or other special circumstances are welcome to contact us for an individual assessment)
– Under current pandemic conditions, time spent studying online from overseas is accepted;
– Application must be lodged within 6 months of graduation (based on the graduation date shown on your Completion Letter)
Graduate Work Stream (GW):
For applicants who obtained an Australian student visa before 5 November 2011
– At the time of lodging the visa application, a skills assessment application must have been lodged at minimum;
– The nominated occupation must be on the MLTSSL occupation list;
– The registered programme duration must be at least two academic years (92 weeks), and actual study time in Australia must not be less than 16 months; under current pandemic conditions, time spent studying online from overseas is accepted;
– The degree, diploma, or qualification must be closely relevant to the nominated occupation;
– The programme studied must be a CRICOS-registered course;
– IELTS overall band 6 (no component below 5; Academic or General Training accepted)
– Application must be lodged within 6 months of completing the course (based on the graduation date shown on the Completion Letter)
Subclass 485 Graduate Work Visa Document Checklist
– Application fee: AUD$1,680 for the primary applicant
– Passport
– Passport photo: taken within the past 6 months
– Birth certificate (certified): required from all applicants.
– English language test results
– Australian academic transcripts and Completion Letter
– Skills assessment letter: required for Graduate Work Stream applicants
– Australian police clearance
–For applications including secondary applicants, the following are also required:Proof of relationship and marriage certificate; for de facto relationships, a statutory declaration and supporting evidence of cohabitation (e.g. joint tenancy agreement, joint bank account, relationship development statement)
– Health insurance: applicants must purchase Subclass 485 work visa insurance, not student health insurance.
The Subclass 485 Graduate Work visa may seem straightforward, but there are quite a few details worth paying close attention to.
For any questions about the Subclass 485 new policies, you are welcome to contact our consultants for a one-on-one consultation.
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Latest news on border reopening and Subclass 485 new policies!Click ‘Original link’to watch the video for a detailed explanation!
