Following yesterday’s announcement of the Subclass 485 extension policy (Breaking: Graduates in IT, Engineering, Healthcare and many more fields could qualify for an extended Subclass 485 — at least 4 years!), many questions have come up. Today we are running a follow-up session to address as many as we can.

First, a word of caution —

-Visa processing is, strictly speaking, governed by the relevant legislation and, secondly, by the internal PAM (Processing and Procedures Manual used by visa officers). Neither of these has yet been released.

All answers below are therefore based primarily on two Australian Government documents. The one on the left is a report in nature, while the one on the right is more of an official announcement. Comparing the two, the official announcement largely reproduces the relevant sections of the report verbatim. Errors cannot be ruled out, and adjustments may be made in coming months. Please treat this as a reference only.

-The entire policy and associated documents apply to higher education. References to the 485 below therefore relate primarily to obtaining a Subclass 485 Post-Study Work stream via a qualifying bachelor’s degree or higher

1. Which programmes qualify for the extended Subclass 485?

At this stage, the government has published only a list of qualifying fields and qualification levels (e.g. Master of Engineering / Bachelor of Computer Science, etc.).The specific programmes eligible for application will ultimately be determined by CRICOS course codes.

The Department of Education will publish the full CRICOS course code list before the new policy takes effect on 1 July 2023, at which point there will be a clear answer.

2. If the qualification meets the requirements, who is eligible and for how long?

Scenario 1 — New applications lodged on or after 1 July 2023: Full 4/5/6-year Subclass 485 PSW

Scenario 2 — Holding a Subclass 485 on 1 July 2023 (including PSW first grant, Replacement stream, and Regional second grant) or awaiting a decision on such an application: Full extended Subclass 485, or an additional 2 years on the 485

Scenario 3 — Subclass 485 already expired on 1 July 2023 (a separate document specifies: expired between 1 September 2022 and 1 July 2023): Eligible to apply for an additional 2-year Subclass 408

Scenario 4 — Currently holding a Subclass 485 but ineligible for the Replacement stream, AND was in Australia during the pandemic: Eligible to apply for an additional 2-year Subclass 408

3. If there is currently a Subclass 485 application waiting for a decision, does it need to be withdrawn?

This most likely falls under Scenario 3 from Question 1. It is recommended that no action be taken for now.

4. What if someone completed 2 years of a qualifying bachelor’s degree and is now studying a 1-year diploma, without ever having applied for a Subclass 485 — can they apply for a 4-year 485?

Almost certainly not — among other things, the window to apply for a 485 within six months of completing that bachelor’s degree has already passed.

5. Is this policy definitely going ahead?

A ministerial press release plus an official Australian Government document — by any reading this is a formal announcement, not merely a discussion. There may be minor refinements ahead, but the overall framework and core content have been confirmed.

6. Can applications be lodged now?

The document states that applications cannot be lodged until 1 July 2023.

Those most concerned about this question are likely applicants whose Subclass 485 has expired or will expire between 1 September 2022 and 1 July 2023. If their programme qualifies, they can apply for a 2-year Subclass 408. However, if applications can only be lodged from 1 July, there will be a gap during which the old visa has expired but the new one cannot yet be submitted.

This remains unresolved for now — the system does not currently allow lodgement of the new 2-year Subclass 408 for expired 485 holders. We will continue to monitor developments. Those whose visa is expiring but who do not wish to depart Australia may need to explore other bridging options in the meantime.

7. What about someone who transferred programmes — originally studying 2 years of IT (which qualifies for the extended 485), then switched to another field (which does not qualify)?

No. The qualifying programme must be completed to graduation.

The reverse, however, is fine: if the applicant originally studied another field but then transferred to a qualifying programme and completed it, that is acceptable — because the programme they graduated from meets the requirements.

8. The qualification was on the eligible list when enrolment began, but it was removed by graduation — what then?

The occupations and qualification list is reviewed annually based on labour market needs. If the programme was on the list at the time of enrolment, or is on the list at graduation, the extended Subclass 485 can still be applied for.

There are still many details to be confirmed, and many questions that remain unanswered — the Department of Home Affairs is no doubt working through them internally. The spirit of this new policy is clear: to give higher education graduates more time in Australia after completing their studies, whether to work, pursue migration, or both. The aim appears to be to give as much as possible. We also hope the Australian Government will continue to smooth the migration pathway for international graduates step by step.

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