What’s this visa all about?
The 485 Temporary Graduate visa has been around for some time, but thanks to Covid-19, it has undergone some temporary changes giving more people the opportunity to apply. So what does this visa actually involve? The 485 was designed especially for people who have recently graduated from a course within Australia and have new skills and knowledge that can benefit the workforce. There are a number of different streams, which give visa holders the right to live and work full-time in Australia anywhere from 18-months to 4 years, depending on your circumstances.
What are the changes?
Due to work shortages that resulted from a lack on immigration during Covid-19, the government has made some temporary changes to the eligibility criteria and restrictions for the 485 until June 2023. Applicants are no longer required to have an approved Skills Assessment to apply, and the requirement to nominate an occupation from a skilled occupation list has been removed. That means, people won't need to select an occupation in the MLTSSL to apply for this visa before June 2023. How good is that?!
How is this visa used?
Most students look forward to graduating and having the chance to move onto this visa. It means they can work full time and save some of what they earn, rather than having to pay for more courses. It can come as a great relief to many graduates, as they suddenly have a newfound freedom from the restrictions of student life. But what a lot of people don’t consider, is that this visa can become an integral part of your migration strategy - buying you a lot more than just time!
How can I use this visa to my benefit?
With the temporary changes that have been put in place, the 485 is even more powerful than it was previously! Let us explain why.
Until June 2023, you no longer need to have a Skills Assessment or nominate an occupation from the Skilled Occupations list, which means you have extra time to increase experience in your field and work on putting together these important documents. Rather than looking at this visa as a holiday from the stress of migration strategy, use it as a way to diminish the stress of your migration strategy. Find out what the requirements are for your next visa and use this time wisely to work towards them. It may be that moving to a regional area will help you reach your migration goals sooner, so you could use this as an opportunity to move and settle into a new community. Checking the state requirements is always useful, and you may find that some states prioritise people who have been living and working locally for a few years. If this is the case, you could make the move when you are granted the 485, find full time work in your new region, and work on your Skills Assessment and English test in the meantime.
If you need to do a Skills Assessment for your next visa, but don’t yet meet the requirements, you can use the time provided by the 485 to work in your chosen area. You may then be able to find an employer to sponsor you, or have enough experience to apply for a Skilled Visa. The possibilities are endless, but only if you plan for them.
How can I plan for the 485?
There are always unknowns in the migration process, and sometimes life does get in the way, but controlling what you can is the best way to reach your goals. If you have recently graduated, or are graduating before the end of this financial year, contact 4Migration to ensure you get the most out of the 485. If you aren’t expecting to graduate until mid or late-2023, you can still start planning your strategy now. Whilst there’s no guarantee these temporary changes will be extended, we can help you make a Plan A, Plan B and even a Plan C. With 4Migration, you can count on our support, even when the future isn’t clear.