If you are an international student currently studying in Australia, there are opportunities under the 485 visa for you to work in Australia and find a path to permanent residency.

The pathway for permanent residency in Australia has indeed become increasingly difficult for international students, but sometimes when one door closes, another one opens. The 485 Graduate visa presents lots of opportunities to improve your chances of becoming an Australian permanent resident If utilised it’s fullest!

What are the two streams in the 485 Visa?

There are two streams that you can choose from when applying for this visa, each with different time lengths:

• Graduate Work Stream:​ This stream grants you a visa for 18 months if you graduate with skills related to an occupation on the Medium And Long -Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
• Post-Study Work Stream: ​You can obtain a visa for up to four years, regardless of your field of study, but as long as you have completed two years towards at least a degree-level qualification from an Australian higher education provider. The duration of your Graduate visa will depend on the level of your higher education qualification and will range from two to four years.

Spoiler Alert: Extra 1 year visa for international graduates from regional institutions

The Department of Home Affairs has announced a new initiative for an additional Temporary Graduate visa with an extra year of post-study work rights for international students who:

• Graduate from the regional campus of a registered university or institution with a higher education or postgraduate qualification; and
• Maintain ongoing residence in a regional area while holding their first Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa

The second Temporary Graduate visa will require ongoing residence in a regional area.

The definition of regional Australia for this purpose will be the same as the definition for skilled migration – all of Australia except Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

What are the benefits of being on the 485 Visa?

No matter which stream of the Temporary Graduate Visa you are eligible for to extend your stay in Australia with, there are numerous benefits on top of gaining valuable career experience that can increase your chances of being eligible for permanent residency.

Get sponsored by your employer:

Having the opportunity to spend up to four years working with an employer in Australia gives you precious experience and a chance to make your mark within a company. If you can prove your value to your employer, they may consider you for employer sponsorship so that you can stay in Australia long term.

Improve your English language skills:

With the pass mark for the points system raised from 60 to 65 points, a higher IELTS score (or equivalent test) has become imperative not only for skilled migration purposes but also to succeed in the Australian workplace.

Get work experience points:

Another benefit in addition to the practical work experience you will gain is the fact that you can claim additional work experience points for your SkillSelect application for permanent residency (the avenue that all applicants for skilled migration must now use).

This gives you a chance to level the playing field with non-student applicants who have significant work experience and gain work experience points.

Be able to meet skills assessment requirements:

Since completing a skills assessment is a requirement for Australian migration purposes, gaining valuable work experience can help boost your level of expertise, and make you more attractive to the assessing authorities in your industry. Depending on If you have studied a trade or at higher education level will determine the work experience requirements for your occupation. For example, If you have studied a trade, whilst on the graduate visa you can undertake the Job Ready Program to achieve your skills assessment. If you have studied at Bachelor or higher level, depending on whether your course Is an accredited course by the relevant skills assessing authority will determine whether you will need additional work experience to meet skills assessment requirements. For Engineering, ICT and Accounting graduates, they can also complete professional year

What do you need to do?

If you would like to identify the most suitable pathway for your future visa plans or maybe you are currently studying a program and wish to confirm if the 485 visa is an option for you after graduation. Questra Immigration, can give you specialty advice on making your path towards a 485 visa and permanent residency.

Bill Mitroulas

Head of Migration at Questra Immigration. Managing and overseeing the growth and performance of Questra’s team of migration agents, while maintaining a client-centric and quality-driven approach. A registered migration agent since 2015 and a member of the Migration Institute of Australia, with over 15 years’ experience in international education and 11 years in Australian Migration law.