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 in relation to 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 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 years requirement. 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,
I am applying for a 485 regional extension visa and in the health insurance section it is asking me for the end date of my cover but I do not have an end date as my policy is on a monthly basis. What should I enter as the end date? It is a mandatory field so I can't skip
Hi,
I am applying for a 485 regional extension and in the health insurance section, it is asking for the end date of my overseas visitors cover but I don't have an end date as I pay on a monthly basis as a direct debit. It is a mandatory field and I'm not sure what to say. Please let me know.
I have a question I finished my 14 courses/ units in Australia and 2 left for masters of biotechnology. I already did Masters of science in home country and there are 2 units which are similar so, I am trying to take credit for those one. However, I am confused in if I got credit is I am eligible for TR . Because 2 courses I did online and other 12 in Australia onshore and 2 left. I have 16 courses in total and I finished 14 from them and want to take for remaining ones. Can please some on let me know that is I am eligible for TR visa 485. My visa is valid until January 2023. Please let me know
Hello,
If I complete a 200-credit (2 year/92 weeks equivalent) Master's course but in 1.5 years (i.e. take more classes during one semester), will I still be eligible for the TR 485 visa?
Thanks!
Hi, my Subclass 485 Visa got refused as I did not follow-up with the mandated health check-up within the timeframe provided (did not see email and was unfortunately unaware of following procedures). Am I able to re-apply for the visa? Or should I apply for an appeal/review at the AAT?
Hi
My 485 visa was refused in 2019 and the appeal as well from AAT. The reason is I mistakenly select the wrong occupation and because of that my occupation doesn’t match the assessment. My question is am I eligible for 485 replacement visa now? I am offshore. Hope to receive a reply.
Thanks
Thank you very much for your post and your patience. Here are the first three (3) things that come to my mind. There may also be other important issues that arise from your particular circumstances. Please seek specific immigration law advice before taking any further steps.
1. You should certainly appeal. Assuming the middle of the other criteria, then you can expect a belated grant of the 485 Visa and this may be more advantageous to you then getting in early Grant.
2. If you are still within six months of your student Visa, expiry and course completion, then holders of a substantive Visa can make another application while they are still in Australia. Otherwise your baby necessary to go offshore and make an offshore application.
3. Money and you appetite for risk are the two factors you must consider, and deciding whether to appeal or to reapply or to do both.
Regards Nilesh Nandan Immigration Lawyer & Special Counsel MyVisa® Immigration Law Advisory http://myvisa.com.au/
*In the interest of speed, my communications are transcribed and transmitted using voice-to-text software – please ignore any unintended typographical or interpretation errors. Please also see the standard Notes and Disclosures which apply to my communications. These are located at the footer of my work emails.
For greater clarity about your immigration issue you can book in a quick 10-minute-chat with me here: https://myvisa.com.au/10-Minute
Hi
I have completed Graduate diploma in management learning (2years 104 weeks study) can I apply for 485 visa
Thank you so much
Hi Alex
Thank you very much for your post. Here are the first three (3) things that come to my mind. There may also be other important issues that arise from your particular circumstances. Please seek specific immigration law advice before taking any further steps. It could be that I have misunderstood you :).
1. You need to meet the to your study requirement, which you appear to do given the information you have provided above, but additional you must make the application for the Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa within six months of course completion.
2. You should also be careful to make sure that you meet the requirements for this subclass of Visa in terms of what is required on the day that you apply for the Visa.
3. the Department of Home Affairs has no discretion to waive any stipulated requirements which are specified as being necessary to be satisfied on the very day you apply. These include having an appropriate English language test completed as well as having made an application for an Australian Federal police clearance among other things.
For greater clarity about your immigration issue you can book in a quick 10-minute-chat with me here: https://myvisa.com.au/10-Minute
Regards Nilesh Nandan Immigration Lawyer & Special Counsel MyVisa® Immigration Law Advisory http://myvisa.com.au/
*In the interest of speed, my communications are transcribed and transmitted using voice-to-text software – please ignore any unintended typographical or interpretation errors. Please also see the standard Notes and Disclosures which apply to my communications. These are located at the footer of my work emails.
I have supplied a wrong kind of AFP for my 485 VISA and I just realized this...I have now supplied a correct one and uploaded.
What should I do now? Will I get refused?
Ellen
Hello! I would like to ask a question, please. Like the example you gave above, I studied 69 weeks of a diploma-level course, I was disapproved in 2 units. The school is refusing to give me the completion letter for the units that I passed, claiming that I don't have the right because I didn't complete 100% of the course, because of those 2 units that I disapproved of. This is correct ❔ If I only have the completion letter for the units I passed and add it to another diploma-level course I studied, at another institution, I complete the 92 weeks and manage to apply for the graduate visa. However, this school in question is making it difficult... can you guide me please ❔
I have completed certificate IV and diploma in cookery but didn't apply for 485 visa within 6 months .And now enrolled in advanced diploma in hospitality(46week course).Can I apply for TR after completion of advanced diploma
Is there any better options
I am really not getting any information concerning this:
If someone wants to do diploma of nursing for 1.5 years (78 weeks only), how will that person get a stay back to work and apply for PR later? I can see that both PSGW and GSW both minimally require 2 years of study. Can someone explain this to me please?
Hello. I did certificate III and IV in patisserie, I finished in 2021 but I did not apply for post graduate. I currently hold 408 which expire in November. Can I re enrolled in another course(get another student visa at the end of this year) in order to apply later to the post graduate visa or I already lost my opportunity? If it is possible, which course should I take?
Thanks