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 there,
I graduated high school in Au, then left back home and came back to pursue study. Studied 5 years altogether ever since coming back (changed courses 1x). Do I still need to submit a IELTS test for my 485 visa application?
Thanks lots!
Hello,
I've been desperately trying to get specific information as I'm about to lodge my visa 485. My student visa is expiring in 2 days (yes it's last minute but the school took months to send me my Diploma and other very precious documents). I have all the documents needed...except for my birth certificate and proof of residential address.
Can I lodge now and add those documents within a few days (the time it would take for my parents to email me a copy of my birth certificate) or would it really be bad if I didn't attach those documents at the time of the lodgement? I have all the other documents necessary (IELTS results, police check, evidence of skills assessment application, health insurance and a certified copy of my passport).
Thank you
1. I am on student visa expires on 9/9/21.
I have got my police check but in that I forgot to mention my 15 days of living address in Australia when I arrived.
And I filled that correct address in 485 visa application. Does it impacts on application or I need to apply again for clearance?
2.I had changed my university after first semester and transfer credits to CQU to CSU so which date I have to mention in my study duration. Start date from CQU or CSU completion letter date.??
Thank
Jay
If I pay montly for my OVHC insurance, what should I put down as my insurance coverage period when applying for the visa? The end period would logically be when my visa expires, but I don't know that date beforehand and I pay the insurance monthly.
Thank you
Greetings Nilesh!
When applying for 485 visas from within AU, does the “Usual country of residence” refer to Australia or your home country?
I have been in AU on a student visa for 4 years.
The further details link on the application says “For student visas, this means your home country” but I’m not sure whether this refers to someone who already is on a student visa, or someone who is applying for a student visa.
Hie. i applied for 485 visa in march 2021. and applied for AFP before visa lodgement. and attched it as required with my application.. My visa hasnt been processed yet.. but someone is saying i applied for the wrong AFP.. ( my AFP is written immigration/citizenship ( name check only)..i selected code 33 when applying for the AFP.. i am panicking and think i will get a visa refusal.. which one is the correct AFP..will i get a rejection
Hello Nilesh,
I’ve finished my undergrad in Australia and I’m about to apply for the post-study 485 Visa, onshore (my student visa expires on the 30th of September).
The application form states that a passport that’s valid for at least 6 months is “strongly recommended”. However, my passport expires in early October. Is it necessary to renew my passport before submitting the 485 application? I’m inclined to apply using my existing passport because it’s still valid, is linked to most of my documents (like my IELTS results) and because passport renewal from another country is lengthy.
I agree. Use existing.
My ielts got expired at the time of my 485 application and I was unaware of that. Today I got an email from immigration asking to take a new test and to provide a evidence of English test prior to lodgement.
I understand you'll be speaking with me more about your matter today. The general position is that immigration will only accept the current English language test or evidence that you have booked one in AND this evidence is provided at the time of application.
I look forward to talking more about your case when you we speak later today.
If other visitors to the site wish to book in a consultation with me, I offer a short consultation.
Use this link to book your consultation with me: https://myvisa.com.au/10-Minute-Chat/
Hopefully waiting for your call
Hello
M’y wife is offshore while am onshore . Previously l was on a student visa , then l got married overseas and returned to Australia . I wasn’t able to add my wife to my student visa because it was expiring then . I applied for a 485 visa and listed my wife as a non accompanying family member . My intention was to bring her on’subseqent entrant visa but now Dépt of Home affairs has asked me to provide her health insurance, passport and evidence of relationship. Am not sure what to do about the health insurance as l did not include her as an accompanying family member in my 485 application
Use this link to book your consultation with me: https://myvisa.com.au/10-Minute-Chat/
Hi Nilesh,
I have recently finished my two years trade course and currently have further two years of student visa. I am going to apply for 485 visa.
My question is, should i have to study a bachelor level course till i get my 485 to maintain study requirements or enrolling in diploma course should be fine. Please help me answering this question as im very confused. Provided i don’t want breach any viaa conditions. Thanks in advance
“Hi, I want to ask some questions about applying for a temporary resident 485 visa.
Currently, I'm holding a student visa 500, and I'm going to graduate in December. But my visa is going to expire next week.
I have gathered material for the 485 visa and one thing is that my overall band score is 5.5. It is possible to apply for the 485 visa, or will I get reject from it.
Tun
You need to have made a valid application for a further visa immediately prior to the exportation of your current visa... that should be your focus if you have not already done so.