Can I Get a 485 Temporary Graduate Visa After My Diploma?

Many international students wish to stay back in Australia after finishing their graduation. For them, the best option to go for is the Temporary Graduate Visa Subclass 485. This visa has two streams under it, each allowing a student to stay for a considerable period and gain relevant work and study experience. The essential requirement is earning graduation after studying for at least 2 academic years. So, whether you hold a diploma or a bachelor’s or a master’s, you can choose to apply for a temporary graduate visa. This post gives a detailed guide on this topic.

Which Stream Can You Apply for with a Diploma?

Australia is a country that offers excellent opportunities in the vocational education and training sector. That is why many local and international students choose to join TAFE (Technical and Further Education) institutes across Australia. The best thing about these vocational degrees is that they help students get relevant jobs more quickly than university degrees. Also, most of them cover a maximum of 2 years, which is also much shorter than university degree courses.

If you are one of them and have earned your diploma while holding the Student Visa 500, you can apply for the Graduate Work Stream of the 485 Visa Australia. This stream will allow you to stay for 18 months in Australia and explore full-time work opportunities.

However, remember that you will be required to go through a skills assessment for the nominated occupation present on the Short-term Skilled Occupations List (STSOL).

Can You Apply for the Post-Study Work Stream with a Diploma?

Another stream under this visa is known as the Post-Study Work Stream. While it allows the holders to stay for a longer period (2 to 4 years), you will need to hold at least a bachelor’s degree to apply for this stream.

What Will Make You Eligible for the Graduate Work Stream?

Because you are applying for a particular Temporary Graduate Visa 485 stream, it will be necessary to check whether you satisfy all of its requirements.

Age Requirement

Your age must be under 50.

Holding a Relevant Visa

The Department of Home Affairs will process your application if:

You currently hold Student Visa 500,
You currently hold a BVA or BVB and have held a student visa in the last 6 months of your application,
You currently hold a substantive visa and have held a student visa in the previous 6 months of your application, and
You are now abroad and hold a valid Australian student visa.

Required Academic Qualification

Apart from a diploma, holding a trade certification will make you eligible for the visa.

Skills Assessment

This eligibility requirement is mandatory for the Graduate Work Stream.

You have to nominate an occupation present on the Short-term Skilled Occupations List (STSOL).
Make sure that your academic qualification is closely related to the nominated occupation.
Also, keep in mind that a relevant assessing body should carry out the required assessment.

What Are the General Temporary Graduate Visa Eligibility Requirements?

In addition to the stream-specific requirements, you must also satisfy some general 485 Visa eligibility criteria.

Meeting the Australian Study Requirements

Holding a diploma is the main requirement for the Graduate Work Stream. However, you need to satisfy several other Australian study requirements for both streams.

Make sure your course was registered with the CRICOS.
You should have completed all the course requirements.
You should have earned your degree after studying for at least 2 academic years. As per the CRICOS, 2 academic years refer to 92 weeks.
You should have stayed for a minimum of 16 calendar months in Australia.
Make sure the learning medium is English.
You should have completed the course while holding a student visa.

English Language Requirement

You must have a certain English language proficiency level to apply for the Graduate Visa 485. In this case, it is necessary to score at least 6 with 5 in each band of IELTS. Equivalent scores are required for other tests.

However, if you are from an English-speaking country, this condition will not apply.

Having Relevant Health Insurance

Having an adequate health insurance cover is required throughout your stay in Australia. If your Overseas Student Health Cover remains valid during your 485 Visa application, you can provide the details.

But at the time of the visa grant decision, make sure that you have arranged for another Australian health cover. An Overseas Visitor Health Cover can be enough in this case.

Meeting Health and Character Requirements

You and your family members may have to undergo essential health examinations if the Department of Home Affairs asks you.

Also, keep in mind that every 485 Graduate Visa applicant aged 16 or above has to meet character requirements.

Take a Look at the 485 Visa Checklist for the Graduate Work Stream

Your Graduate Work Stream application will not be successful without submitting the documents according to the Visa Subclass 485 checklist.

Identity Documents

Bio pages of your passport
A national identity card
A name change proof, if required

Study Documents

Submit a completion letter issued by your institute. It should mention:

Course start and completion dates
CRICOS code of the institute

English Language Requirement Documents

You can submit your IELTS results, not more than 3 years old.

Skills Assessment Documents

The assessing authority will provide your skills assessment certificate. If you do not receive it before your Subclass 485 Visa Australia application, provide evidence that you have applied for it. Once you receive the result, attach it as soon as you can.

Health Insurance Details

When it comes to submitting health insurance details, submit:

A proof of your enrolment
A signed letter provided by your health insurance company

Final Words

You can consult migration agents in Adelaide who can give you the best guidance for a successful application. For contacts, you may get in touch with any top-rated migration firm.