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,
Firstly, you seem extremely knowledgeable and I m confident that I will get answer to my query.
My brother had done his Masters in information system and his final exams were in November 2020. He got his results in Dec 2020.
For some family reasons, he had to go to India in February 2021. His student visa was expiring on 25 March 2021. So, he applied for TR 485 on 16 March 2021. He file got recently opened and he was asked to do medical and supply letter of completion from his Uni. When he uploaded his letter of completion and medical. He visa got refused dues the completion date from Uni was 22 April 2021 and he filed his visa on 16 March 2021. He was unaware of the fact that it was incorrect because he finished his studies in December.
I m wondering what will be next step . Can we reapply for his 485?
Just because he is overseas his refusal has no review rights. Please guide the next step to this issue. All his hard work will go in vain if he will not get his TR. please help.
Thanks Nidhi
Hi nilesh, My student visa expired in august 30 and applied for visa extension but didnt get my visa yet but my study completed in november how can i apply for tr 485.
Thanks
HI I am Danish i have recently graduated from Torrens University but my case is with Federal review division and i am holding bridging visa A. my question is someone told me that i can lodge my TR 485 visa and let immigration know that due to not getting and dates or response from them. since i finished my degree i can lodge TR Visa and withdraw my application from FRD.
please guide me
Hi "Danish"
In order to make application for subclass 485 Visa you need to meet the two year study room as well as apply within a prescribed window. If you fail to apply within that time window, your application will be refused.
As you are currently appealing a matter then it could be that you won't be out of time. You'll need to check this.
I recommend you book in a quick chat with me to discuss your options.
Book a quick 10 minute chat with me here: https://myvisa.com.au/10-Minute-min
*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.
Regards
Nilesh Nandan
BBus(Accy) LLB(QUT) MBA(IntBus)
Immigration Lawyer | Special Counsel
MyVisa® Immigration Law Advisory
Hope this helps. Please help me answer more questions like these by leaving an honest review here: https://g.page/r/CfBw8UcKreaaEAg/review
Hi,
I am an offshore graduate and recently decided to apply for visa 485, how ever the earliest day of feasible English test I can book passes the deadline of application. Can I still apply for the visa with just evidence of booked test in stead of result?
I'll be very reluctant to suggest that you make application without a suitable English language test result.
*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.
Regards
Nilesh Nandan
BBus(Accy) LLB(QUT) MBA(IntBus)
Immigration Lawyer | Special Counsel
MyVisa® Immigration Law Advisory
Hope this helps. Please help me answer more questions like these by leaving an honest review here: https://g.page/r/CfBw8UcKreaaEAg/review
Hello Nilesh,
I have completed my Masters from CQU university with some exemptions from previous college which was in Sydney. I am on 485 visa now, am I eligible for the second 485 visa? thanks.
Hi Suman
You must:
-be under 50 years of age
-be in Australia when you apply for this visa
-hold a Temporary Graduate visa in the post-study work stream as the main applicant
have a recent degree in a CRICOS-registered course from an education institution based in an eligible designated regional area, that led to the grant of your first Temporary Graduate visa in the post-study work stream
-have lived in an eligible designated regional area for at least 2 years before applying for the second Temporary Graduate visa in the post-study work stream
-have evidence of adequate health insurance for all applicants when you apply
*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.
Hope this helps. Please help me answer more questions like these by leaving an honest review here: https://g.page/r/CfBw8UcKreaaEAg/review
Regards
Nilesh Nandan
BBus(Accy) LLB(QUT) MBA(IntBus)
Immigration Lawyer | Special Counsel
MyVisa® Immigration Law Advisory
I have lodged the 485 visa and wanted to know what they mean by 'certified' documents. I have submitted scanned copies of my original documents. Two primary causes of the refusal mentioned in the article do not seem to be an issue in my case. I have a valid English test score and cleared AFP checking document. If the documents need to be 'certified' (notary attested is what I am guessing) will the immigration department contact me regarding that and ask me to submit attested documents again? Or is there a chance of refusal?
My got my 485 visa rejection. Actually I’m overseas and lodged my visa offshore during covid, the government announced the policy that offshore students now have 12 months to lodge their visa after graduation instead 3 months now in the refusal letter they said I took too long around 8 months which does not meet the requirements and being offshore I don’t have right of merit review. Now what should I do in this case, if I re apply for student visa, will I get 485 again once rejected?
Sagar
Complicated!
Book a quick 10 minute chat with me here: https://myvisa.com.au/10-Minute
Regards
Nilesh Nandan
BBus(Accy) LLB(QUT) MBA(IntBus)
Immigration Lawyer | Special Counsel
MyVisa® Immigration Law Advisory
Hi,
So I just received refusal on my 485 visa. I'm on bridging visa (whihc I'm preusiming will expire soon now that i havent received my tr). Upon checking of my details I got to know that I actually wrote the wrong date in the date of completion section. It was supposed to be September and I for some reason wrote June.
And this is the only reason that was stated in my refusal letter.
So can stupid mistakes like these be corrected by the AAT or a new application or what is the way out?
Thank you.
I have a query.
I gave my pte 4 days ago but haven’t got results yet. So my migration agent asked me to book ielts because My pte was pending and at that I can’t book another test. So, I booked ielts and he uploaded that receipt and lodged my tr.
Now I am confused that do I need to give ielts?
Mine pte score probably will come by tomorrow and I lodged my tr with ielts receipt today.
So can we put that pte score in my application?
I have a query.
I gave my pte 4 days ago but haven’t got results yet. So my migration agent asked me to book ielts because My pte was pending and at that I can’t book another test. So, I booked ielts and he uploaded that receipt and lodged my tr.
Now I am confused that do I need to give ielts?
Mine pte score probably will come by tomorrow and I lodged my tr with ielts receipt today.
So can we put that pte score in my application?