Introduction
The Temporary Graduate Visa Subclass 485 is a type of Australian visa designed for international students who have recently completed a course/s from an Australian educational institution. This visa allows these graduates to study, work and live in Australia for a certain time after graduation.
From 01 July 2024, Australian Government may apply new rules for visa 485, mainly about age limit for applicants and the visa duration. The proposed changes are as per below.
Changes in Graduate Work Stream
The name of Graduate Work Stream will be changed to “Post-Vocational Education Work Stream”. The new name reflects the requirement that the applicants need to complete a qualified vocational course in Australian before applying.
A significant update is that the age limit to apply for this stream will reduce to 35 years old or under, except for Hong Kong or British National Overseas passport holders. Hong Kong or British National Overseas citizens can still apply for this visa until they reach 50 years old.
The visa duration for this stream remains the same, which is 18 months from the date your 485 visa is granted. However, if you are holding Hong Kong or British National Overseas passport holders, you can stay up to 5 years.
Changes in Post-Study Work Stream
The Post-Study Work Stream will be renamed to “Post-Higher Education Work Stream”. The previous “select degree” 2-year extension will no longer apply for this stream. As a result, the stay periods for Australian higher education degree holders will be changed as follows:
- Bachelor’s degree (including honours): Eligible to stay up to 2 years
- Master’s degree (coursework and/or extended): Eligible to stay up to 2 years.
- Masters (by research) or PhD: Eligible to stay up to 3 years
If you are holding an India passport, your stay duration will be adjusted to:
- Bachelor’s degree (including honours): Can stay up to 2 years
- Bachelor’s degree (with first class honours in STEM, including ICT): Can stay up to 3 years
- Masters (coursework, extended and research): Can stay up to 3 years
- Doctoral degrees (PhD): Can stay up to 4 years.
Hong Kong or British National Overseas passport holders are exempt from the stay period changes and can stay up to 5 years in Australia with this visa.
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Second Post-Study Work Stream
The Second Post-Study Work Stream will be recalled as the “Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream”. Apart from the new name, no other changes apply to this stream.
Discontinuation of Replacement Stream
The Replacement Stream will be discontinued.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What are the new 485 visa requirements in 2024?
From 01 July 2024, the age limit to apply for a 485 visa is 35 years old. Apart from this, you also need to meet other requirements in order to apply for a 485 visa.
- The age limit to apply for a 485 visa is 35 years old
- You need to have completed an eligible course from an approved an Australian education institution.
- You must achieve an IELTS score of 6.5 overall (or equivalent), with no band score under 5.5.
- You must meet health requirement
- You must must meet character requirement
- Have no deb to the Australian Government
What is the 485 visa new rules age limit?
From 01 July 2024, the new age limit for visa 485 is proposed as 35 years old. However, Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders can apply for this visa until they are 50 years old.
How to apply for 485 visa extension?
If you have studied and lived in an eligible designated regional Australia for at least two years, then you can be eligible for the Second Post Study Work Stream (will be renamed as “Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream). You can extend your stay in Australia for another 1 or 2 years if you are granted this visa.
The 2 year extension for “select degree” will cease from 01 July 2024. So, you can’t extend your 485 visa under this scheme from July 2024.
Need any help with the TR (485) application? Contact our experienced registered Migration Agent on 07 3003 1899 or hello@solmigration.com.