Information about Subclass 485 Visa (Skilled Graduate Visa)

 

The 485 visa is for international students that have studied in Australia and want to live and work within Australia.

Who can apply for the 485 Visa?

If you are younger than 50 years of age and hold a student visa (subclass 572, 573 or 574) and in the past  6 months have completed a minimum of a two year degree you are most likely eligible for this visa.
The key question is which 485 visa stream you can apply for:
1) Graduate Work Stream
The graduate work stream allows graduates to work for up to 18 months within an occupation listed on the  Australian Shortage Occupation List.
To be eligible the graduate must have completed studies related to the job (eg an individual who completes a pharmacy degree can work as a pharmacist).

2) Post-study work stream

Individuals who complete at least a bachelor’s degree from an Australian university (or other qualifying educations institutions) are eligible for this steam.
The length of the visa is determined by the degree completed:

  • Bachelor’s Degree = 2 Year Validity
  • Masters Degree (Coursework) = 2 Years Validity
  • Master Degree (Research) = 3 Years Validity
  • Doctorate = 4 Years Validity.

What are the other requirements of the 485 visa?

Adequate Health Insurance
Visa condition 8501 states that all 485 visa holders must maintain adequate arrangements for health insurance.
The level of health insurance for this condition  is not  the same as OSHC (that of a student visa).

View our  485 visa health insurance comparison table  to view a comprehensive list of compliant 485 visa policies.

Competent English

The applicant must have at least competent English.
This is automatic if the individual comes from the UK, USA, Canada, NZ or Ireland.
If this is not the case you will need to pass (or proven in the past to years) an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test.

Character & Health Requirements
Applicants need to provide a police certificate from each country you have lived in for 12 months or more (since turning 16 years old) and provide evidence of having applied in the past 12 months for an Australian Federal Police check.
The applicant should also complete a health examinations (depending on your circumstances and where you have lived) to ensure they meet the health requirements of the 485 visa.

Age Requirement
To apply for this visa you must be under 50 years old.

Other Useful 485 Visa Information

Combined application
If you want to have your partner or children stay with you or join you within Australia a combined application is possible.
Family members must still pass health and character requirements.

485 visa Processing Times
DIAC keeps applicants up to date with current processing times which for the 485 visa stands at 12 months.
As of May 2013 it stands at 12 months as you can view on  DIAC’s processing site.

processing time service standards for 485 visas. See the department’s website for processing times. Please note, as 485 visas are exempt from priority processing, they are processed in the order in which they are received. The current processing time is 12 months.

Fees
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s form 990i highlights that the fee is currently $1,250 for the 485 visa.

(sourced from 457visacompared.com.au)

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