Subclass 485 Visa Australia from Pakistan - Eligibility, Fees and Application Process

What Is 485 Visa Australia?

International students who have finished their studies in Australia are eligible to apply for the 485 Visa, also called the Temporary Graduate Visa. They can use this to their advantage by staying on a temporary basis after graduation to obtain work experience or enroll in graduate school.

485 Visa Australia Streams

The Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) in Australia has two main types;

Graduate Work Stream:

This category is for international students who have finished their education and possess credentials in high-demand fields in Australia’s economy. The typical duration of a visa issued through the Graduate Work Stream is 18 months.

Post-Study Work Stream:

Foreign nationals who obtained a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral degree in Australia are eligible to apply for the Post-Study Work Stream. The length of time you are granted this visa is subject to your level of education:

Bachelor’s degree: Up to 2 years
Master’s by coursework degree: Up to 2 years
Master’s by research degree: Up to 3 years
Doctoral degree (Ph.D.): Up to 4 years

Second Post-Study Work Stream:

This visa is for holders of a Temporary Graduate visa (first Post-Study Work stream or Replacement stream) who graduated with a degree from an Australian institution located in a regional area. It lets you live, work and study in Australia, temporarily.

Replacement Stream:

This visa is for current and former Temporary Graduate visa holders who lost time on their original visa due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. It lets you live, work and study in Australia temporarily.

Recent Changes in 485 visa Australia

Here are the key changes for the 485 graduate work stream.

Occupation Nomination Requirement: Starting July 1, 2023, applicants must nominate an occupation from the specified list outlined in Schedule 1, Item 1229(3)(k) and (ka). Unless a new legislative instrument is introduced to extend the deadline, applicants must select an occupation from the current designated list.
Mandatory Skills Assessment: As per Schedule 2, Reg485.223, a skills assessment will be required for individuals applying for the 485 Graduate work stream. This assessment ensures that applicants possess the necessary qualifications and competencies for their chosen occupation. The requirements may vary depending on the occupation and the assessing authority responsible for conducting the skills assessment.

Benefits of 485 visa Australia

The Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) in Australia offers several benefits to international students who have completed their studies:

Work Experience

It allows graduates to obtain meaningful work experience in Australia, which can help them advance their careers and use their talents in a real-world context

A longer Stay/ Extended Stay

Graduates can stay in Australia for an extended period of time, providing them more time to pursue work prospects, further study, or other personal aspirations.

Pathway to Permanent Residency

Depending on their circumstances, some graduates may utilize the 485 Visa to apply for permanent residency in Australia via skilled migration paths.

Flexibility

The 485 Visa has two streams (Graduate Work Stream and Post-Study Work Stream), which provide flexibility for graduates with varying qualifications and professional ambitions.

Family members

Eligible family members can also be added in the visa application, granting them the right to live, work, and study in Australia.

Networking

It provides the opportunity to network and create professional relationships in Australia, which can help with future career opportunities.

Post-Study Support

Some Australian institutions and areas provide post-study support programs to help graduates transition into the workforce or extend their education.

Quality Education

Australia is known for its high-quality education system, and this visa allows graduates to fully utilize their degree

Eligibility Criteria of Australia 485 visa

Here are the eligibility criteria for the Australia 485 Visa:

The age requirement for this is that individuals must be under the age of 50.
In order to submit a visa application, it is a requirement that you are physically present within the borders of Australia.
In order to comply with the Australian study requirements, it is necessary for you to meet certain criteria.
The visa application must be submitted within a period of 6 months from the date of receiving the results.
Each degree program (Bachelor’s, Master’s, etc.) has its own set of prerequisites you must fulfill.
For the duration of your stay in Australia, you must obtain health insurance.
A minimum level of proficiency in the English language is required.
The visa application can only be submitted once during an individual’s lifetime.

Here are the 5 types of English certificates approved by the Australian Government

IELTS

At least score 6.0 in overall.

At least score 5.0 in each of 4 parts.

TOEFL IBT

At least score 64 in total.

Listening: 4

Reading: 4

Writing: 14

Speaking: 14

PTE Academic

At least score 50 in total.

Each skill must be at least 36.

OET

At least score B in each of 4 parts.

Cambridge C1 Advanced test

At least score 169 in total.

At least score 154 in each of the 4 parts.

Requirements for 485 visa Australia from Pakistan

Some other requirements of subclass 485 visa conclude:

You studied at an Australian university.
You did not hold a previous 485 visa or a 476 visa (for a graduate stream).
You meet the skills requirements (for a graduate stream)
Your occupation is listed in the skilled occupation list (for a graduate stream)

Study Requirements

In order to be eligible for a 485 visa, it is imperative that the study program pursued in Australia fulfills the necessary study requirements.

The course that you have completed was registered under CRICOS (Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students).
The individual possessed a valid student visa.
The individual has successfully fulfilled all the necessary course requirements.
The course that was studied was instructed in the English language.
The individual engaged in a minimum of two years or a total of 92 weeks of study.
The study program was completed within a minimum duration of 16 months.

What are the OSHC Requirements for Visa 485?

The Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) requirements for the Subclass 485 visa were as follows.

Mandatory Health Insurance: OSHC is a mandatory requirement for international students in Australia, including those holding a Subclass 485 visa.
Coverage Period: OSHC must cover the entire duration of your stay in Australia under the Subclass 485 visa. It is recommended to purchase OSHC for the entire visa duration at the time of visa application.
Approved OSHC Providers: OSHC must be obtained from one of the approved OSHC providers. These providers are recognized by the Department of Home Affairs, and their policies meet the visa requirements.
Family Members: If you are applying for the Subclass 485 visa with family members (dependents), they also need to have OSHC coverage for the same period as the main visa holder.
Comprehensive Coverage: OSHC should provide coverage for hospital treatment, medical services, pharmaceuticals, and ambulance services (if applicable).
Visa Application Requirement: Evidence of OSHC coverage is required at the time of lodging your Subclass 485 visa application. This evidence usually involves providing the policy details from an approved OSHC provider.

485 visa Processing time from Pakistan

The short-term 485 visa processing time differs in different aspects, including the course chosen. In order to ensure the processing of the application for a 485 dependent visa, it is imperative that the fees are settled at the time of application submission. Failure to do so will result in a delay in processing time for the visa. The processing times for this visa are as follows:

485 Visa Processing Time According to Streams	25% of applications processed in	50% of applications processed in	75% of applications processed in	90% of applications processed in
Graduate Work Stream	9 Months	9 Months	10 Months	12 Months
Post-study Work Stream	4 Months	9 Months	10 Months	11 Months

Australia 485 Visa Fees for Pakistanis

The Visa 485 fee for Secondary applicants is A$1895 if they lodge independent applications. The 485 visa fee for secondary applicants who is at least 18 will be A$950, and for applicants who are less than 18 the 485 visa cost will be A$475; if they apply as combined applicants with the primary applicant.

How Can I Apply for Subclass 485?

Check the list of Skilled Occupations and whether your own occupation is there in this tally.
Get your skills assessed by the relevant authority.
Check the points system since you need a score of at least 65 points.
Write your EOI to the Australian Department of Home Affairs via SkillSelect. The latter will analyze your points and thereafter invite you to apply.
The Home Affairs department will ask for the application after acceptance of the EOI. You will have to provide all documents within a period of 60 days.
Submit after applying through ImmiAccount and pay the applicable charges within this period.
After submission of your application, find the email with the ImmiAccount login for tracking status.
Biometric scans and medical examinations are vital for each applicant so keep this point in mind.
After visa approval, an email will arrive with the grant number, starting date, terms and conditions, etc.

485 Visa Extension

The post-study work stream will offer an extension of work rights, allowing graduates to continue working in Australia for an additional two years. This extension provides valuable opportunities for graduates to gain work experience, contribute to the local economy, and explore career advancement options.

Conclusion

The 485 Visa, or Temporary Graduate Visa, provides international students in Australia the chance to gain work experience or continue their education. To apply successfully, candidates must follow a step-by-step process, ensuring they meet all necessary criteria and adhere to the visa’s terms and conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a 485 visa lead to permanent residency?

Yes, the Subclass 485 visa in Australia can serve as a pathway to permanent residency. It allows temporary graduates to gain work experience, which may contribute towards meeting the eligibility criteria for certain permanent residency visas.

What IELTS score is required for visa 485?

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score requirements for the Australian Subclass 485 visa may vary depending on the specific stream of the visa and the level of education completed. For the Post-Study Work stream, a minimum overall IELTS score of 6 is typically required, with a minimum score of 5 in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing, and speaking).

How Long Is My Temporary Graduate Visa Valid For?

Subclass 485 visas granted under the Post-study work stream are valid for between 18 months and 4 years, depending on the applicant’s qualifications

Does Visa 485 also require a police check?

Yes, the Australian Subclass 485 visa generally requires a police check. Applicants must provide a police clearance certificate from each country they have lived in for a specified period to meet character and security criteria.

Which health insurance do I need for 485 Visa?

For the Australian Subclass 485 visa, you are required to have adequate health insurance known as Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). This insurance must cover the entire duration of your stay on the 485 visa. You can choose an OSHC provider from those approved by the Department of Home Affairs.

How to Convert 485 into PR?

To convert a 485 Visa to Permanent Residency (PR) in Australia, you generally need to gain relevant work experience, obtain a positive skills assessment, and apply for a suitable PR visa through SkillSelect, meeting the specific eligibility criteria for the chosen visa subclass. Consulting with an immigration expert is recommended for personalized guidance.

Can I Bring My Family Members on a 485 visa?

If you already hold a 485 visa, you can apply for family members to join you in Australia on a 485 visa.

How can I check my occupation is on the list?

To check if your occupation is on the skilled occupation list for migration purposes in Australia, you can refer to the relevant list known as the “Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List” (MLTSSL), “Short-term Skilled Occupation List” (STSOL), or “Regional Occupation List” (ROL). The specific list depends on the type of visa you are interested in.

Visit the official Australian Department of Home Affairs website here:

Can I Apply for an Australia Temporary Graduate Visa Without Having a Skill Assessment?

Yes, you can apply for an Australia Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) without a formal skill assessment. Skill assessments are typically required for skilled migration visas, but the 485 Visa is designed to allow recent international graduates to gain work experience in Australia, and it does not have the same skill assessment requirement. However, you must still meet the visa’s other eligibility criteria, such as completing a relevant course, meeting English language requirements, and having health insurance.

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