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 applied 485 visa by my self and I am on bridging visa now, I received email from immigration department regarding medical documents. I received mail on 12 October with 90 days time period. But the earliest date available for medical is in March 2022. I still booked that date and uploaded that document in immigration portal.
My question is that should I have to inform immigration with any email or call about this also, is that okay to book medical date in march ?
I've completed my bachelor degree 3 years in December 2020, then I took a diploma course 1 year ending December 2021. Can I apply 485 after finish this course?
Hi Nilesh
I have been here in Australia for 8 years with student visa, would be completed my bachelor of IT in 2023 which is would be 10 years. My friend said that you cannot apply for graduate visa if you in students visa more than 10 years, is that true?
Hi Nilesh,
Hope this finds you well. I got my 485 application visa refused because I did not attach the Policheck. Is there I way I can apply once again?
Hii i applied for 485 visa and that time i submit AFP NPC receipt as an evidence. But i did not get certificate from AFP and when immigration requestion for AFP NPC then i get to know AFP can not issue that again because its more then three mongh. Now i applied for another Afp npc but the receipt check id what i submit at the time of application was different. So my enquary is what decision immigration can give. Do they consider those receipt. What are the chances of visa grant or refusal.
Hi Nilesh,
Can I apply for 485 visa Graduate stream even if I didn't complete my course yet? I am on my third year of nursing but I failed a subject now it pushed me back to another year to complete, which is gonna be 4 yrs by the time I finish. My visa will expire March 2022, so can I just apply for 485 instead of extending my student visa?
Hi, I'm about to apply for my 485 Visa. I have my IELTS certificate which is more than 2 years but less than 3 years. However there's a clause in the certificate that it should be re-assessable in 2 years. But in the 485 requirement it requires the test within past 3 years. Will I be able to apply 485 with my previous IELTS certificate..?
I am a bit confused with the different narrations I have heard about work rights with bridging visas and the type of bridging visa that is granted when we are already on bridging visa A.
Actually, my student visa is expiring soon while my Ph.D. thesis is under examination. If I don't finish my studies by the time the visa expires, I have to apply for an extension. Then, I get a bridging visa (presumably type A). If I would be conferred the degree shortly afterward and I apply for visa 485, I have heard that I get bridging visa C without work rights. However, I need a bridging visa with work rights to get a postdoctoral position which is already offered to me.
Are what I have heard correct?
Is there any solution to avoid this situation or there is no hope to work afterward in the worst-case scenario?
Given that granting visa 485 takes 8 months (for 75% of applications), it doesn't make any sense to get a bridging visa and stay in Australia with no work rights.
Thanks in advance for the clarification.
Hi, please I would like to know if my partner overseas would need an Australian National police check even though he has not travelled to Australia before? Also can i add him as an accompanying family member to my visa 485 lodgement even though he has never held a student visa before or is best to apply for him as a subsequent entrant after my visa 485 has been granted? please advice me. Thank you
Hi Nilesh,
Completed certificate III and certificate IV in trade courses and it meet 92 weeks requirement of study. However could not apply 485 due to not having placement and skill assessment.
Later 6 months has passed after the course completion date and student visa was getting expires and had to lodge 408 visa. During bridging visa I applied for diploma and targeting to complete course before 6 months after student visa expires.
Could you please tell me if I will be eligible to apply for 485 in future with additional diploma course.
Thanks