Arrangements for Post-Study Work are now available. Amongst the many Recommendations of the Knight Review, these arrangements are proposed, but must yet be approved by the Governor-General. It is anticipated that they will commence in early 2013, possibly in March. The Subclass 485 visa will be renamed the Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485) visa, and it will have two streams: Graduate Work Stream - Will remain similar to the current Subclass 485 visa arrangements.
Post-Study Work Stream - Only available to those who applied for their first Student visas after the introduction of the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement on 5 November 2011. People who applied for Student visas prior to 5 November 2011 will have to use the Graduate Work Stream if eligible;
- Must have completed an Australian qualification with six months before applying for the Post-Study Work Stream visa;
- Must meet the Australian study requirement (ie, CRICOS course(s) for at least 92 weeks, completed in no less than 16 months);
- Must be less than 50 years old;
- Must be in Australia;
- Must have Competent English (ie, IELTS or OET test, or hold a passport from the UK, Canada, New Zealand, the US or the Republic of Ireland);
- Australian qualification must be at AQF Level 7 higher (ie, Bachelor. Masters, Doctorate)
- Can hold a packaged lower qualification such as Graduate Certificate or Diploma that articulated into a completed Masters degree;
- Does not require a nominated occupation.
Visa validity - Doctoral graduates: Four years
- Masters by research: Four years
- Bachelor and Masters by coursework: Two years
The Subclass 485 visa can only be held once, meaning current 485 visa holders cannot access the Post-Study Work stream. All current Subclass 485 visa holders will have work and study rights. For further information see |