Temporary changes to the 485 Temporary Graduate Visa in 2022
The Australian Department of Home Affairs has implemented important changes to the 485 Temporary Graduate Visa in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic and its effects on migrants. The changes aim to benefit students who were onshore during the pandemic, and those who lost time on their visas due to travel restrictions.
Changes in eligibility requirements for the 485 Graduate Work Stream
Until July 1st 2022, graduates were only eligible to apply for a 485 Graduate Work Stream visa if they had a qualification relevant to an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list and had applied for a skills assessment on their nominated occupation.
However, between 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2023, these requirements are suspended. In practice, this means students who have graduated from any course or set of courses will be eligible to apply, just as long they meet the remaining eligibility requirements:
Meet the Australian Study requirement (92 weeks of registered study based on the duration of the course as registered by CRICOS);
Be under 50 years of age;
Have held a student visa within the past 6 months before the application;
Meet the required level of English.
The change in requirements aims to encourage more international VET graduates to stay and work in Australia as it has opened this visa option to a broader range of graduates, including those with qualifications that are not relevant to occupations on the skilled occupation list.
Even though applicants no longer need to provide evidence of skills assessment, it is still advisable to undertake a skills assessment if you intend to apply for a skilled visa in the future.
New 485 Replacement Stream
The DHA has created a new 485 stream, available until 1 January 2027, directed to graduates who applied for a 485, left Australia and were unable to return due to travel restrictions.
To be eligible you must:
Hold or have held a Graduate Work stream or Post Study Work stream 485 Visa that was granted before 15 December 2021 and in effect on or after 1 February 2020;
Have lost time on your visa because of Australia’s Covid-19 travel restrictions; and
Have not had your 485 visa cancelled, unless if it was cancelled because you requested it to be, or the decision to cancel was set aside by the Tribunal.
Eligible applicants can apply at any time before 1 January 2027, so even if you already hold another substantive visa, you might still be able to apply after that visa is expired.
To better understand your options, it is essential to consult an Immigration Lawyer and discuss your eligibility. You can book a consultation with our Immigration Lawyer here.
