If you’re tired of sifting through countless websites and just want to get started, book a chat with me. I’ll help you secure your 485 visa, also known as the Temporary Graduate Visa (TR).
In this article, we highlight common pitfalls to avoid. Discover where you might go wrong and how to ensure a smooth application process for your Temporary Graduate Visa.
Ensure you provide all required supporting documents at the time you lodge your 485 Visa application.
Upload the documents to your online IMMI account immediately when submitting your 485 visa application.
There is one problem that comes up over and over again about the subclass 485 application.
Do you meet the two-year study requirement? Have you studied the right courses for the right length of time and have you actually completed the course, not just completed your final submission for the course?
The second is whether you have lodged within the 6 months window allowed for lodgement of this visa. Be careful here. You need to lodge within 6 months of course completion.
First, it’s important to understand that CRICOS is the authority for”evaluating” the duration of a “course”.
The 2-year study requirement can include the completion of one or more courses.
The study must total “2 years”. But this “2-year” concept must be understood.
To meet this requirement, you must accumulate the equivalent of 92 weeks of study.
It’s essential to note that “92 CRICOS weeks” does not directly equate to “2 years” of study in Australia.
For example, if you complete Course A, which CRICOS evaluates as 46 weeks of study, but you took 18 months to finish due to failing 2 subjects, CRICOS will still evaluate it as 46 weeks.
In this case, you have only fulfilled 50% (46/92) of the required 92 weeks.
Consequently, you will need to remain enrolled and possibly reapply for a student visa to complete additional CRICOS courses.
The additional courses must make up the shortfall, which in this example is 46 weeks.
Some other reasons why your 485 visa could be refused are that you have failed to meet the English Language test evidence requirement at the time of application or you have failed to meet the requirement to provide evidence of your police check at the time of your 485 visa application.
Not doing so, risks a 485 visa refusal!
Firstly, be aware that evidence of health insurance and evidence of an application for an AFP certificate within 12 months of the application date must be provided at the time of lodgement.
Secondly, remember that you must provide (among other things) the following documents to the Department:
* Evidence of English Language Ability;
* Evidence that you meet the Australian Study Requirement; and
* A valid Skills Assessment from a Skills Assessing Authority….depending on the stream you are applying for. A skills assessment is not normally required for the “post-study work stream” of the 485 visa but is required for the “graduate work” stream of the 485 visa.
If the Department refuses your 485 visa then you may have limited options, especially if you do not hold a substantive Visa.
Depending on when you lodged your and when you receive your 485 visa refusal, you might forever be prohibited from getting any 485 visa granted.
You need to decide if you can make another application while you are inside Australia. If so, determine which type of application is appropriate. You will also need to decide whether or not to exit Australia to make your next visa application from outside Australia.
You might face the “section 48 problem.” In such cases, you could apply for a protection visa, partner visa, subclass 491, subclass 494, subclass 190, or a medical treatment visa. Seek advice if you receive a refusal.
If you feel the decision you have received is incorrect, then there is an opportunity to apply for a review of your 485 visa refusal decision, at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. You’ll need to make an application for appeal within 21 days and you will need to be physically present in Australia.
If your visa application is invalid it is as if no application was made and if an earlier visa has since expired, you could be unlawfully present in Australia. Note that a bridging visa will only be granted to you if you make a valid application for your 485 visa and you were and are onshore at the relevant times.
Let’s consider this question from a visitor/client recently:
The starting point is to note that two (2) academic years of study is a measure of the amount of study successfully completed, not the length of time taken to complete the study.
You cannot extend one year of study or 1 1/2 years of study into 2 years of study in order to satisfy the 2-year rule.
For example, if you enroll part-time and take two years to complete a 78-week course, it doesn’t count as 2 years. You’ve completed only 1.5 academic years, extending the duration but not the total study time.
It all comes down to the “registered duration” of your course.
In simple terms: you cannot artificially extend your study in order to satisfy the Australian study requirements. If your course is registered for 1-year full-time study, it will be counted as 1 year.
Case officers will evaluate whether you meet the 2 academic year requirements. They will consider the standard duration of your course as registered on CRICOS.
What other questions do you have about your 485 graduate skilled visa application?
Let me know what questions you have in the comments section below or book a consultation with me.
“Hi,
I have some questions about applying for the Temporary Resident 485 visa.
Currently, I hold a Student Visa 500 and have just graduated. My student visa will expire at the end of next month.
Although I can apply without the IELTS test, I’ve heard this might lead to rejection. Can I submit my IELTS results after applying? Due to the pandemic, I can’t book an IELTS test soon, with the earliest test available at the end of next month. I’m unsure if the results will arrive before my student visa expires.
I have lived in English-speaking countries for over 5 years and didn’t need an IELTS for my master’s degree. I’m not sure if this information is relevant here.
Thank you.”
Migration Regulation 485.212 requires 485 visa applications to include English test results. Late IELTS submissions may result in a visa refusal.
Even though you have lived in English-speaking countries, this information does not exempt you from the requirement. Unless you hold a passport from a few specific countries, you will need to satisfy the language requirement.
In your situation, you might consider applying for a subclass 600 visa first. This approach could give you additional time to obtain the necessary English results.
I hope this clarifies your question. Mistakes in this process could result in permanently losing the chance to obtain a 485 visa. This visa is quite a treasured visa for most international students choosing to study in Australia.
Please share your comments with me.
I’d love to know more about your experience with applying for this visa subclass!
View Comments
Hi Nilesh,
I was hoping you can help me with a question. I am planning to apply for a 485 - graduate stream. I am on a bridging visa A waiting for my student visa to be approved. I have gone ahead and attended all my classes whilst waiting and it has been a year that I am on a bridging visa. I am certain that the course I am completing meets the 2 year requirement. When I finish my course, can apply for a 485 straight from a bridging visa A? The immi website seem to mention that I should have held a student visa in the past 6 months before lodging a 485 application.
Hi Nilesh , i already lodge my 485 visa but now i got to know my DOB in police check wrong , what can i do in this situation???
Wow! This is potentially very serious because of strict and forgiving 485 criteria and the operation of pic 4020.
You need to get the right police check done and uploaded ASAP and incorrect answers corrected in earlier submitted information.
You should also consider other steps now in the event you'll get a refusal later.
Let me know how things work out here.
Myvisa.com.au/10-min-chat
HI,
May I ask, I have finished my pastry cert 3 and 4 accompanied with diploma and advanced diploma of hospitality management may of 2020, then i didn't get my ielts result to lodge my applicant for 485.
So in that case i have to reapply student visa 500 to valid my stay in Australia, So with the new student i applied Cookery cert 3 and 4 so its like a year of study but do i still eligible for 485 visa since my advanced diploma have time that more that 6month that. Because I remember I was adviced to long 485 within 6month after the time diploma had finished
Use this link to access our 7-day detailed MIGRATION OPTION ADVISORY service. Your answers are emailed directly by our skilled migration experts. https://myvisa.com.au/7-day
HI, I go an urgent question. Is the Ielts test valid for 3 years if I want to apply for the 485 visa. ?
Thank you!
Hi I came over from England I studied as an enrolled nurse the course was 90 weeks but I failed a subject taking me to 97 weeks of study I applied for the 485 visa and was refused on the grounds that I did not meet the education requirements I have appealed the decision I have a job as nurse but I am worried I will not win my case I can’t leave Australia die to COVID do you have any advise I am I likely to win my appeal ?
Hi, I'm currently on a student visa and transitioning to the 485 graduate visa. My course is completed, so just wanted to know that will my bridging visa have the same work rights as my existing student visa (20 hr) or will it be unlimited?
Hi, am an international student doing masters and am at last semester. I wrote pte exam on April 2019. It got expired on april 2021 . Can i apply 485 visa using this pte test report or else to take a new test? Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Kind regards
Is it possible to lodge my 485 visa without having the result of PSA ??
Hi Nilesh,
I graduated post masteral degree (coursework) last November 4. I overlook the expiration date of my student visa, it expired last March 15, 2021. I only noticed it on March 17. I was told to apply for another student visa to remain lawful. I enrolled in a one year diploma course and now on a bridging visa C. I worry that I will miss the 6 months window after the completion to apply for visa 485. If I continue my study for another year of another course. Can I combine my Masteral and Diploma as a result of 3 years course? Thank you so much.
Hi, i have a question, i had my student visa until 30/08/2020 but due to needing an additional semester i applied for another student visa and i was granted bridging visa c while the application is being processed. They asked me for medical examination and i booked as earliest i could find which was 11/01/2021 but by this time i already graduated so i withdrew my student visa application ( it was still on process) and Lodge 485 visa application while being on bridging visa A. (I met all the requirements). So my question is that okay i Lodged 485 visa application while on bridging visa.
Thanks
Hi am Obie, am applying for my 485 visa today but my high commission have not sent in my new passport i have tried reaching them but it seems they are not ready yet. Can i proceed with my old passport. Urgent reply sir.
Yes. Try it!
You've got nothing to lose.
(I'm assuming you meet all of the other requirements of getting a valid application in for a 485 as well as the application criteria required at the time of application and at the time of decision).
If you would like me to make the 485 visa application for you then please do let me know.
Best regards
Nilesh Nandan
https://myvisa.com.au/
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