485 Visa to PR Australia: A Detailed Guide

International students who complete their studies in Australia can apply for a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) to continue living and working in Australia temporarily after graduation.

Many temporary graduate visa holders aim to transition from their 485 visa to permanent resident status eventually. This article explores the options available to 485 visa holders seeking permanent residency in Australia.

What is a 485 Visa?

The Temporary Graduate visa 485 allows international students to remain in Australia for up to 3 years after completing their studies to gain work experience, improve English skills, and pursue migration pathways.

There are two streams under the subclass 485 visa:

Post-Vocational Education Work Stream: This is for international students who have completed vocational qualifications. Applicants must apply for this visa within 6 months of completing their Australian studies and can stay for up to 18 months.

Post-Higher Education Work Stream: For recent graduates of a bachelor’s degree, bachelor’s honours degree, master’s by coursework, or master’s by research. The duration depends on the qualification level:

• Bachelor’s degree or honours: up to 2 years
• Master’s by coursework: up to 2 years
• Master’s by research or doctoral degree: up to 3 years

They must apply within 6 months of finishing their studies.

Essential eligibility requirement: Applicants must be under 35 years old at the time of application (exceptions apply to Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) passport holders, who can apply up to age 50 for specific qualifications)

The Temporary Graduate visa enables holders to:

• Work full-time for any employer, in any occupation, in any location in Australia
• Study for up to 4 months
• Travel in and out of Australia any number of times within the validity period.
• Access full health care benefits and Medicare

Gaining skilled employment during the 485 visa period helps provide the local work experience and skills needed to be eligible for a permanent skilled visa or employer-sponsored permanent residence.

Visa to PR Options for 485 Visa Holders

Skilled migration is a popular pathway to permanent resident status in Australia from a 485 temporary graduate visa. The transition involves applying for a permanent skilled visa based on your qualifications, professional work experience, and other eligibility criteria.

Here are some of the main skilled visa options:

Skilled Visa PR Pathways

This is a permanent residence points-tested visa that leads to PR status without requiring any employer sponsorship. Applicants are selected solely based on their age, English proficiency, work experience, educational qualifications, and other factors.

Here are the popular skilled visa PR options to Australia:

Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)

The Skilled Independent Visa allows visa holders to live and work permanently in any part of Australia. To qualify, you must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) and get invited to apply. Also, you must:

• Attain at least 65 points in the points-based test
• Possess a suitable skills assessment
• Meet English, age, character, and health requirements

Note: While 65 points is the minimum threshold, actual invitation marks are typically higher due to competition in the skilled migration program.

Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)

This is also a permanent residence visa, but it requires nomination by a state or territory government. Applicants must submit an EOI to be invited and/or nominated.

With state nomination, applicants require fewer points than the Skilled Independent visa. They must agree to live in that state/territory for at least 2 years.

To be eligible for state nomination, applicants must:

• Have an occupation on the state’s skilled occupation list
• Meet the requirements for work experience and English skills
• Meet any additional criteria set by the state

Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491)

This is a provisional skilled visa that requires living and working in regional Australia. Applicants must be nominated by a state/territory government or be sponsored by an eligible family member residing in regional Australia.

Key requirements include:

• The nominated occupation must be on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)
• Meet the minimum points test pass mark
• Meet state/territory nomination requirements

Permanent Residence Skilled Regional Visa (Subclass 191)

This permanent visa pathway is open to 485 visa holders who have lived and worked in regional Australia for at least 3 years while holding a provisional Skilled Work Regional (491) visa.

To be eligible for this visa, applicants must:

• Have held a subclass 491 or 494 visa for at least 3 years
• Have complied with visa condition 8579 (living and working in regional areas)
• Worked full-time in regional Australia for at least 3 years in their nominated skilled occupation
• Provide three Notices of Assessment from the Australian Taxation Office
• Meet health, character and other requirements

This provides a route to permanent residency for 491 visa holders who have demonstrated a commitment to regional Australia.

Employer-Sponsored Visa Pathway to PR

In addition to skilled migration, 485 visa holders can achieve permanent residence through employer sponsorship if they find work in their field.

Skills in Demand (SID) Visa (Subclass 482)

This temporary visa allows businesses to sponsor skilled overseas workers to work in Australia for up to 4 years in occupations experiencing labour shortages. 485 holders may be able to obtain a 482 visa and then apply for an employer-sponsored permanent resident visa.

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Have an employer willing to sponsor them
• Have at least 1 year of relevant work experience (reduced from 2 years)
• Have the necessary skills, qualifications, and English language proficiency

Employer Nominated Scheme (ENS) Visa (Subclass 186)

This is a permanent residence visa for workers nominated by an approved employer. 485 visa holders who have worked for their nominating employer for at least 2 years in a skilled occupation may be eligible.

Applicants must:

• Be sponsored by an approved employer
• Have at least 2 years of full-time relevant work experience with the sponsoring employer
• Demonstrate Competent English
• Meet skill, age and other basic requirements

It allows applicants to live in Australia permanently after being sponsored by their employer.

Skilled Employer-Sponsored Regional Visa (Subclass 494)

This provisional visa requires 485 holders to be sponsored by an employer in regional Australia. They must work full-time for their sponsor for at least 3 years before being eligible for permanent residency.

To qualify, applicants must:

• Have an eligible employer willing to sponsor them
• Have the qualifications and skills required for the job
• Commit to living and working in regional Australia

After working for their sponsor in regional Australia for 3 years, 494 visa holders can apply for permanent residence through the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186).

Lodging an Application With Help From a Registered Migration Agent

Navigating Australia’s complex immigration system and applying for visas and permanent residency can be difficult for temporary graduate visa holders trying to remain in Australia permanently.

Using a registered migration agent or immigration lawyer in Sydney, such as Parish Patience, to assist with your visa application can significantly improve your chances of success.

Here are some key benefits of engaging an expert:

• They have extensive knowledge of Australian visas, including the laws and procedures.
• They can assess your specific circumstances and advise the most suitable pathways to permanent residency.
• They guide you in compiling all required documentation.
• They help ensure your application meets all criteria and has the strongest chance of approval.
• They represent you if more information is required or in visa interviews.
• They can assist with reviews, appeals, and ministerial interventions if a visa is denied.

With so much riding on your application, having an experienced agent by your side can remove much of the stress and uncertainty from the process.

Conclusion

For international students with a student visa hoping to achieve permanent resident status after their 485 visa, there are well-defined pathways via skilled visas or employer sponsorship. By gaining local work experience in a high-demand field during their 485 visa period, graduates can improve their eligibility for permanent migration.

Using a registered agent or a visa lawyer to navigate the complex process can help maximise their chances of success. With thorough preparation, temporary 485 visa holders can achieve their ultimate goal of making Australia their permanent home.

Turn your 485 visa into permanent residency. Book a consultation with Parish Patience Immigration Lawyers today!