Government Announces Graduate Visa (485) changes
The Australian government announced that it will make various changes to the Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) Visa to ensure that international students, affected by COVID 19 travel restrictions, will still be able to apply for their 485 Graduate Visa. The government also announced numerous extensions to the duration of Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visas to provide international students with more opportunities to apply their qualifications in the Australian job market.
The announced changes are part of the federal government’s, soon-to-be-released, Australian Strategy for International Education.
Three major Graduate Visa (485) Changes:
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Recognition of offshore online learning:
Time spent offshore studying online will be recognised and count towards qualifying for a temporary graduate visa (485).
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New Graduate Visas for COVID affected Visa Holders:
Anyone that held a temporary Graduate (subclass 485) and was unable to travel to Australia as a result of COVID-19 international border restrictions will be able to apply for a replacement graduate visa (485). These changes will allow current and former Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa holders whose visas expired on or after 1 February 2020 to re-apply for a new subclass 485 visa of the same duration as their original visa.
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Longer Duration New Graduate Visas (485):
The length of certain Temporary Graduate Visas (485) will be extended:
- Masters by Coursework: Will increase from two to three years, matching that of Masters by research graduates.
- Vocational Education and Training (VET): Graduates will increase from 1.5 to a two-year Temporary Graduate visa.
This announcement is great news for COVID 19 affected Graduate Visa holders and for international students intending to apply for a graduate visa upon completing their course.
We hope to share more details about these changes as updates are issued by the government. In the meantime, please feel free to Contact Us if you have any questions about studying in Australia or applying for a graduate visa.
