Australia Visa Update: Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)

The DHA (Department of Home Affairs) Australian Immigration department has declared the latest changes for 485 Subclass Temporary Graduate Visa. As per the changes, the eligible candidates are allowed to apply for a Replacement Temporary Graduate Visa. The changes have been proposed by Mr. Alex Hawke, former Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services, and Multicultural Affairs, in November 2021.

Concessions For Offshore Temporary Graduate Visa Holders

The purpose of the changes is to address those current and former Temporary Study Visa holders who have lost the chance to apply for the further visa due to the Wuhan Virus COVID – 19 and travel restriction.

Basically, there are three streams for Temporary Graduate Visas under which candidates can apply for the further visas,

• The Graduate Work stream,
• The Post-Study Work stream
• The Replacement stream

However, as per 23 June 2022’s announcement the amendments will be applicable only to the graduate work stream and applicable to those international graduates who have Australian diplomas and trade qualifications. In addition, as per the DHA from 1 July 2022, both onshore and offshore candidates can apply for this replacement visa.

Update of Graduate Work Stream

The DHA has declared the migration amendment regulations 2022 which will be applicable from 1 July 2022.

• As per the updates, the new regulations remove the previous requirements. Now to apply for the Graduate Work Stream candidates do not require to nominate an eligible occupation from the MLTSS list.
• Furthermore, there will be no requirement for a positive Provisional Skills Assessment under the nominated occupation.
• The government has also removed the criteria under which candidates need to prove that their Australian education is closely related to the nominated occupation.

Latest Requirement for Graduate Work Stream

As per the latest changes the DHA has published the new requirements for the new subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) Visa Graduate Work Stream from 1 July 2022.

• The application should be done before 1 January 2027 and applicants must hold or have the Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) Visa that was granted based on satisfying all the primary criteria.
• Secondly, subclass 485 must be granted before 15 December 2021 and was in effect on or after 2 February 2020.
• Now if applicants were outside of Australia, while their first visas were granted
  • Then they must have an entry into Australia on a day when their first visa was in effect and the date must occur before 15 December 2021.
  • They must have later departed Australia on their first visa was in effect and issued before 15 December 2021.
• If applicants were in Australia while their first visa was granted then
  • They must have been outside Australia between 1 February 2020 and 14 December 2021

Conclusion

The above concession of the visa can be applied from 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023. However, the duration of the application may be extended based on the DHA’s decision and if the labour market shortage remains. In addition, as per the 25 November 2021’s media release, the stay period for the Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa Graduate Work stream will increase from 18 months to 24 months. The update will not streamline the application requirements but also enhance the chances to obtain Australia Permanent Residency.