Introduction to the 485 Visa
The 485 Graduate Work Visa is designed specifically for international students who have completed their studies in Australia, providing a convenient pathway to employment after graduation. As long as students have completed at least two years of study in Australia and obtained the relevant qualifications, they can apply for this visa without any work experience requirement.
After successfully obtaining the 485 visa, holders will enjoy the rights to work full-time, continue further studies, or travel for leisure in Australia, with no restrictions on residential location or other aspects (exceptions may apply for second-time applicants).
Whether you are a bachelor's or master's graduate, as long as you meet the requirements, you have the opportunity to apply for the 485 visa. However, it is worth noting that each applicant has only one opportunity to apply. This visa is not only a legal work permit for international students in Australia but also a valuable opportunity to accumulate overseas work experience.
01. Applications for the 485 visa must be submitted from within Australia.
02. The language requirement has been increased from 6.0 to 6.5, with no band score below 5.5.
03. The validity period of language test scores has been reduced from 3 years to 1 year. Students should prepare and update their language scores in advance to avoid missing the best application window.
04. For applicants wishing to develop in regional areas, the second visa policy remains. The condition is that applicants must choose to study in a regional area and continue to live in a regional area after successfully obtaining the 485 visa to be eligible for a second visa.
New 485 Visa Policy Changes
For many graduates who have completed their studies, they typically hold the PSW visa, also known as the Post-Higher Education Work Stream visa. This visa grants holders the right to freely work, study, and live within Australia, while enjoying the convenience of unrestricted entry and exit.
The Australian government's new policy for Visitor Visa and Temporary Graduate Visa holders is that these visa holders will no longer be able to apply for Student Visas from within Australia. This change will take effect from July 1, 2024.
This policy change is one of a series of measures introduced by the Australian government this year to reduce immigration numbers. These measures aim to curb the so-called 'visa hopping' phenomenon, where foreign citizens continuously apply for different types of visas to achieve long-term residence in Australia.
1. Age limit lowered: Except for applicants holding Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) passports, the age requirement has been adjusted to 35 years old or below (inclusive).
2. Visa duration shortened: Coursework master's degrees reduced from 3 to 2 years; Research master's and PhD reduced from 4 to 3 years; Holders of Hong Kong and BN(O) passports maintain their visa duration.
3. Cancellation of 'Extended Work Visa': The policy allowing special course graduates from July 1, 2021, to extend their visa by an additional 2 years will be discontinued.
Visa Name Changes
The 485 Graduate Work stream will be renamed to Post-Vocational Education Work stream (PVEW).
① The maximum eligible age for vocational education course applicants will be lowered to under 36 years old.
② Applicants can stay for a maximum of 18 months.
The 485 Post-Study Work stream will be renamed to Post-Higher Education Work stream (PHEW).
① The maximum age limit for applicants will also be lowered to 35 or below. However, Hong Kong SAR or BN(O) passport holders are not subject to this age restriction and can still apply under age 50.
② Higher education 485 visa durations: Bachelor's degree (including honours) — up to 2 years; Master's (Coursework and extended) — up to 2 years; Master's (Research) and PhD — up to 3 years.
③ The previous policy allowing certain specific courses to extend the 485 visa by an additional 2 years has been cancelled.
485 Replacement Visa
During the pandemic, the Australian government provided a new replacement visa (485 Replacement stream) for international students whose work visas were affected by COVID-19. Under certain conditions, applicants could apply for a visa of the same duration as their original one. However, after the new policy on July 1, the 485 replacement visa will be discontinued.
485 Visa Application Requirements
1. Complete a CRICOS-registered Australian bachelor's degree or above;
2. Meet the Australian two-year study requirement (course registration period of at least 92 weeks, and actual study time of no less than 16 months);
3. Provide valid English test results within one year (IELTS 6.5, no band below 5.5);
4. Must submit within 6 months after graduation (based on the Completion Letter date)
Q&A
1. What are the study requirements for the 485 visa?
Most Australian graduates tend to apply for the PSW visa, one of the conditions for which is completing a CRICOS-registered Australian bachelor's degree or above. Additionally, applicants must meet the requirement of studying in Australia for at least two years. To confirm whether their program meets this requirement, graduates can check their school's official website to verify that their program's CRICOS registration duration is at least 92 weeks and the actual study time is no less than 16 months.
2. How many times can you apply for the 485 visa?
The 485 visa can only be applied for once as a primary applicant in a lifetime. However, if your spouse meets the 485 visa application requirements, you can obtain the 485 visa again as a secondary applicant. The 485 visa is a visa that each primary applicant can only apply for once in their lifetime. However, there is a special circumstance: if the primary applicant's spouse meets the 485 visa eligibility, the primary applicant can obtain this visa again as a secondary applicant.