Starting from 20 January 2021, our kababayans who are holders of Subclass 485 Post-Study Work Stream visas will be eligible to apply for a second Graduate visa in the same stream if they have satisfied specific regional requirements. This visa will have a validity of one or two years from the date of grant.
Temporary Graduate Visa (SC 485) permits recent international graduates to Australia for the purpose of living, studying, or working temporarily in Australia. This visa subclass is exclusive only for international students who have finished their tertiary studies in Australia. There are two streams available under this visa subclass: Graduate Work Stream and Post-Study Work Stream.
The Graduate Work Stream is for graduates with eligible qualifications including those from Vocational Education and Training (VET) Sector that graduated with skills and qualifications relevant to an occupation regarded as in demand in the Australian labour market. On the other hand, the Post-Study Work Stream is only applicable to international students who have recently graduated from a Bachelor Degree, Bachelor (Honours) Degree, Masters by Coursework Degree, Masters by Research Degree, Masters (Extended) Degree or a Doctoral Degree regardless of the field of study or occupation.
One-year visa
A one-year visa validity will be granted to applicants who have finished their studies anywhere other than the major cities (Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane) and who, while holding the first Graduate visa, have lived, worked, or studied, only in areas outside those cities for at least two years before applying for the second Graduate visa.
Take note that this will include a condition that requires the holder to live, work, or study only in designated regional areas outside the cities of Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. If you have included family members with your application, then this condition will also be applicable to them.
Two-year visa
A two-year visa validity will be given to applicants who studied in a regional centre or other regional area and who, while holding the first Graduate visa, have lived, worked, or studied, only in regional centre or regional areas for at least two years prior to the application of the second Graduate visa.
This includes a condition that requires the holder to live, work, or study only in designated regional areas. If you have included family members with your application, this condition will also apply to them.
In addition to the given conditions, a new visa condition is imposed on the second visa subclass 485. It requires the visa holders to stay and remain in regional areas during the duration of the visa grant.
A “Designated Regional Area” refers to the following:
• Designated cities or major regional centres – Perth, Adelaide, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Newcastle/Lake Macquarie, Wollongong/Illawarra, Canberra, Geelong and Hobart.
• Regional centres or other regional areas – including all other regional areas of Australia except the ones listed above and the major cities of Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.
How much will it cost me?
The visa application charge for the second Graduate visa in the Post Study Work stream will cost:
• Base charge primary applicant: $650 (AUD)
• Additional applicant charge for a secondary applicant who is at least 18: $325 (AUD)
•Additional applicant charge for a secondary applicant who is less than 18: $165 (AUD)
The additional one to two-year stay for a Post-Study Work Stream Graduate visa surely gives an extended opportunity to its holders. Considering this new legislation, the future is bright ahead for the international graduates of Australia.
(Felix Carao is a Registered Migration Consultant (MARN 1069354), a Qualified Education Counselor (QEAC G028), and an Accredited Recruitment Professional (MRCSA 51889). For enquiries, call 0412 321 187 or email felix@allskills.com.au or visit www.allskills.com.au)