Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa extension : Here’s a Quick Guide
Effecting from 1 July 2022, a Replacement stream is introduced to allow some temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa holders to extend their visas due to the lost time on visas because of Australia’s COVID-19 travel restrictions.
What is a Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) Visa?
Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa is a temporary visa that allows international students to live, study and work after they have finished their studies. Currently, there are two streams under Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa, Graduate Work stream and Post Study Work stream.
Temporary Graduate Streams:
The Graduate Work stream is for international students who have recently graduated with skills and qualifications that are relevant to specific occupations Australia needs. It lets you live, study, and work in Australia temporarily.
The requirement to nominate an occupation from the skilled occupation list and obtain a skills assessment will be removed for Temporary Graduate visa Graduate Work stream applications from 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023. In addition, the length of the visa has been increased from 18 months to 24 months from 1 December 2021.
The Post-Study Work stream is for international students who have recently graduated with a degree from an Australian institution. It lets you live, work and study in Australia, temporarily. This visa is usually granted for between 2 and 4 years, depending on your qualifications.
What is the Replacement stream?
The replacement stream is for current and former Temporary Graduate visa holders who lost time on their original visa due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. It lets you live, work, and study in Australia temporarily.
To apply for the Replacement stream, you must:
make an application before 1 January 2027 (between 1 July 2022 and 31 December 2026).
have held a relevant Temporary Graduate visa that was granted before 15 December 2021
have lost time on your visa because of Australia’s COVID-19 travel restrictions.
not have had your Temporary Graduate visa, or any visa granted after you held your Temporary Graduate visa, cancelled, unless it was cancelled because you asked for it to be.
You will receive the same grant period as your previous visa, with the exception of:
If you were previously granted a Post Study Work visa for 2 years as a result your Master of Coursework qualification, you will now receive 3 years.
If you were previously granted a Graduate Work Stream visa for 18 months, you will now receive 2 years. This is a temporary measure. Applicants should check the current period that applies when they lodge their application.
How Can You Apply for a Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) Visa Extension?
Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, foreign students have been severely impacted. Many students had to leave Australia and their visas got expired. The Australian government is working hard to fix the damage caused by Covid-19 in various ways. for this reason, the Australian government has temporarily extended the period of Temporary Graduate Visa 485.
Students who are affected by the Covid-19 pandemic can now apply for a Temporary Graduate Visa 485 extension in Australia. International students may remain in Australia for up to 24 months on a 485 visa. This extension is only available for visas granted after December 1, 2021.
How much does it cost to apply for a Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) Visa Extension?
The visa extension is a free service that will be provided automatically. You do not need to contact the Department of Immigration.
Family members who were included in the original Temporary Graduate visa will be eligible for a visa extension.
The Australian government is taking steps to help the students who have been impacted by Covid-19. One way they are doing this is by extending the period of time that international students can stay in Australia on a Temporary Graduate Visa 485. This extension is available to international students who have their visas granted after December 1, 2021. If you are an international student and your visa has expired, please contact us to find out more about how you may be able to extend your stay in Australia. We are here to help you through this difficult time and ensure that your education does not get interrupted.
How Can Agape Henry Crux Help You?
If you want to find out more about your visa or need advice on your Australian migration matter, contact us. You can book a Migration Planning Session with one of our immigration lawyers to seek professional advice by calling 02 8310 5230 or emailing us to book a time at info@ahclawyers.com.
We speak fluent English, Korean, Japanese, Mandarin, Cantonese, Indonesian, Burmese and Malay. If these aren’t your language, we can also help you arrange an interpreter.