485 Post Study Work Stream visa

The Subclass 485 visa, also known as the Temporary Graduate visa, is a temporary visa that allows international students who have recently graduated from an Australian educational institution to live, study, and work in Australia temporarily after completing their studies. There are two streams under the Subclass 485 visa: the Graduate Work stream and the Post-Study Work stream. Here, I'll focus on the Post-Study Work stream:

  1. Purpose: The Post-Study Work stream of the Subclass 485 visa is designed to provide eligible graduates with the opportunity to gain valuable work experience in Australia after completing their studies. It allows graduates to remain in Australia temporarily to work full-time, travel, and possibly enhance their eligibility for other visa pathways.
  2. Eligibility Criteria: To be eligible for the Post-Study Work stream of the Subclass 485 visa, applicants must meet certain criteria, including:
    • Holding an eligible qualification from an Australian educational institution.
    • Having graduated from the qualification within the last six months at the time of application.
    • Meeting the English language proficiency requirement, unless exempt.
    • Applying for the visa within six months of completing the course.
    • Meeting health and character requirements.
  3. Duration: The duration of the Subclass 485 visa under the Post-Study Work stream varies depending on the highest educational qualification obtained by the applicant in Australia:
    • Bachelor's degree or higher: up to four years.
    • Master's by coursework degree: up to three years.
    • Master's by research degree: up to four years.
    • Doctoral degree: up to four years.
  4. Work Rights: Holders of the Subclass 485 visa under the Post-Study Work stream have full work rights, allowing them to work full-time in any occupation and for any employer in Australia during the visa validity period.
  5. Pathways to Permanent Residency: The Subclass 485 visa does not directly lead to permanent residency in Australia. However, it provides graduates with an opportunity to gain valuable work experience, which may enhance their eligibility for other permanent visa pathways, such as employer-sponsored visas or skilled migration visas.
  6. Application Process: The application process for the Subclass 485 visa involves submitting an online application, providing supporting documents, and paying the relevant visa application fee. Applicants must ensure they meet all eligibility criteria and provide accurate information to avoid delays or rejection of their visa application.

Overall, the Subclass 485 visa under the Post-Study Work stream is a valuable opportunity for international graduates to gain work experience in Australia after completing their studies, potentially leading to further opportunities for permanent residency.