Document Checklist for 485 Visa: Your Key to Securing the Temporary Graduate Visa
The Temporary Graduate Visa Subclass 485 is your gateway to staying longer and a pathway to start your career journey after your student visa expires. We understand that obtaining the 485 visa can be challenging due to the high competition and numerous requirements. But don’t worry! This article will cover everything you need to know about the visa and provide a comprehensive document checklist for 485 visa to ensure your successful visa application.
What is Temporary Graduate Visa Subclass 485?
The Temporary Graduate Visa Subclass 485 is a work visa that allows international students to work in Australia for up to four years. With subclass 485, you can extend your stay in Australia while gaining work experience.
It’s an excellent option, especially since the 485 visa increases your chances of becoming an Australian permanent resident (PR) by helping you secure a permanent work visa.
Learn more: How to Get Australian PR for International Students
Why is a Temporary Graduate Visa a Must-Have?
The 485 visa is vital for international students for several reasons.
- Gain Work Experience
This visa allows you to work in Australia, but make sure your occupation is listed on the Skilled Occupation List, as many work visas require your occupation to be on the list.
- Improve Your PR Chance
Work experience, especially in high-demand occupations, will improve your point score for securing a permanent work visa.
For instance, if you work in a field experiencing a skills shortage in Australia, such as healthcare or engineering, your chances of securing a permanent work visa are significantly higher.
- Extend Your Stay in Australia
With a 485 visa, you can extend your stay in Australia for four years with a chance for permanent residency.
- Pathways to Further Studies
In addition to working, the 485 visa allows you to continue your education, improving your qualifications for better job opportunities in Australia.
Discover: How to Secure an Australian Work Permit
Temporary Graduate Visa Eligibility Criteria
To obtain a subclass 485 visa, you must meet the eligibility criteria. Failing to meet these requirements will lead to visa refusal.
- Be under 35 years old
- Hold an eligible visa
- Have held a student visa for at least six months
- Have a recent qualification in a CRICOS-registered course
- Provide a skills assessment (if required)
- Meet the English language requirements
Temporary Graduate Visa Streams
There are three main streams available, each with specific criteria. Choose the stream that best fits your situation, as you won’t be able to change your stream after submission.
Post-Vocational Education Work Stream
This stream is designed for students who have completed at least a diploma degree with the specific skill and qualifications requirement. You can work, live, and study in Australia for up to 18 months. For Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders, this period extends to 5 years.
Post-Higher Education Work Stream
This stream is available for students with a bachelor’s degree from an Australian institution. You can stay in Australia for 2 to 3 years, depending on your qualifications. Like the post-vocational stream, Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders can stay for up to 5 years.
Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream
This stream is an extension for those in the first post-higher education work stream who hold a degree from an Australian institution located in a regional area. It allows you to extend your stay in Australia for one to two years.
Discover: How to Apply for Temporary Graduate Visa Subclass 485
485 Visa Application Document Checklist
Ensure you prepare the required documents based on your chosen stream and submit them accurately.
- Identity documents
For identity documents, you can submit the following documents:
-
- Passport
- National identity card (if applicable)
- Proof of change of name
- Study documents
Submit evidence that you can meet the Australian study requirements. However, you must not submit this document if you apply for the second post-higher education work stream.
- English Requirements
Provide evidence that you can meet the English requirements. However, suppose you are a citizen or passport holder from the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand, and The Republic of Ireland. In that case, you don’t have to provide them.
However, If you apply for the second post-higher education work stream, you do not need to provide these documents.
Read More: Detailed Information For 482 English requirements
- Skills Assessment
You must prove that you have taken a skill assessment from the relevant authority based on your nominated occupation. This evidence only applies if you lodge your visa through the post-vocational education work stream.
- Health Insurance
Provide evidence that you have adequate health insurance in Australia.
- Character documents
For the post-vocational and post-higher education work streams, you must provide a national police certificate from the Australian Federal Police, Form 80, and Form 1221. If requested, you must give an overseas police certificate and military service records if you serve in the armed forces.
Meanwhile, for the second post-higher education work stream, you must provide a national police certificate issued by the Australian Federal Police. If requested, provide Form 80, Form 1221. overseas police certificate and military service records if you serve in the armed forces.
- Migration agent-appointed documents
Provide Form 956 Appointment of a registered migration agent if you get assistance from a migration agent for your application.
- Partner documents
Your partner must provide the following documents:
-
- Identity documents
- Character documents
- Documents about other family members (if applicable)
If you are married, provide a marriage certificate. However, if you’re in a de facto relationship, provide proof of your de facto relationship, like relationship registration.
See more: Detailed information about evidence of a de facto relationship.
- Dependant documents
Provide the following documents if you have a dependant under 18 years old.
-
- Copies of birth certificate or family book which shows your name and your dependant child
- Copies of the adoption certificate (if applicable)
- Form 1229
Meanwhile, provide the following information if your dependant is over 18.
-
- Identity documents
- Document about your their relationship (if applicable)
- Character documents
- Birth certificate or adoption paper as proof of relationship
- Form 47a
- Proof of financial dependency, such as bank statements, money transfers, and rent receipts.
However, if your dependent is likely turning 23 when your application is being processed, you must provide a medical examination paper that shows they are depending on you due to disability.
- Residence documents
It only applies if you lodge your application through the second post-higher education work stream.
You must provide evidence that shows you lived in a designated region of Australia at least two years before you lodged your application. Such as
-
- Driver’s license
- Utility bills
- Mortgage documents
- Bank statements
- Your child’s schooling documents
- Work and study documents
If you apply through the second post-higher education work stream, you must provide the documents.
You need to provide evidence that you have worked or studied in the designated region of Australia with post-higher education work, post-study work, or replacement stream.
All documents in the 485 visa document checklist must be in English. If your documents are not in English, they must be translated, and both original and translated versions must be provided. The translator must be accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters.
Meanwhile, for overseas translators, accreditation is optional, but they must provide their full name, address, telephone number, qualifications, and experience in English. These details must be included in each document that they translate.
After preparing all the required documents, scan them in colour and ensure they are clear before uploading them to ImmiAccount. If a document has multiple pages, save it as one file.
Remember not to submit false documents, as submitting them will lead to visa refusal. If you’re unsure about any of the papers, our experienced migration agents are ready to assist you to ensure your visa application is successful. Click here to connect with them.
What If I Do Not Have One of the Requirements?
Not having one of the requirements can delay or even result in visa refusal. It indeed will jeopardize your plan to secure a work visa. But don’t panic! If you find one of the necessary documents from the 485 visa document checklist missing, we are here to help. There are options available based on your specific circumstances.
We have over a decade of experience handling thousands of visa applications, including complex cases. We will manage your case with the utmost care and provide the best solutions to secure your 485 visa on time. Click here to secure your 485 visa before it’s too late.
Seize Your 485 Visa with ONEderland Consulting
Applying for a Temporary Graduate Visa can be complicated. However, a document checklist for a 485 visa and the right guidance will make it effortless and straightforward. We at ONEderland Consulting will help you save time and make a secure process during your visa application and health insurance enrollment. Our team of highly qualified and experienced migration specialists is dedicated to putting in a lot of effort and planning ahead of time on your behalf. We pay close attention to every detail and apply our extensive knowledge to handle even the most complex cases.
We are committed to being open and honest with you, keeping you updated and involved at every stage. We will work tirelessly to secure the best possible outcome for your future in Australia, and you can rely on us to be your dependable partner and advocate.
We are complex visa specialists. As registered Australian migration agents with the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA), we are regulated in our professional practice and bound by the profession’s Code of Conduct issued by the MARA.
Take the first step and contact us. Our team members are professional and honest and speak various languages, such as Mandarin/Chinese, Bahasa Indonesia, Arabic, Japanese, and Thai. Contact us by email at [email protected] or by phone at 1300 827 159. Alternatively, you may book your consultation online, and it is backed by our 100% Money Back Guarantee Program.