485 visa new rules

The 485 visa, also known as the Temporary Graduate visa, is a temporary visa that allows international students who have completed their studies in Australia to live and work in the country for up to 4 years. The visa is designed to help students gain work experience and improve their skills, making them more competitive in the job market.

Recently, the Australian government has introduced new rules for the 485 visa, which aim to improve the integrity and effectiveness of the program. Here are some of the key changes:

  1. New eligibility criteria: To be eligible for the 485 visa, applicants must now meet certain criteria, including:
    • Completing a degree or higher-level qualification in Australia (e.g., Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctorate)
    • Meeting the required English language proficiency (e.g., IELTS or TOEFL)
    • Meeting the required points-based system (more on this below)
  2. Points-based system: The new rules introduce a points-based system to assess applicants' eligibility. Points are awarded based on factors such as:
    • Qualification (e.g., Bachelor's degree = 15 points, Master's degree = 30 points)
    • English language proficiency (e.g., IELTS 7 = 10 points, TOEFL 100 = 10 points)
    • Work experience (e.g., 1 year = 5 points, 2 years = 10 points)
    • Study in a regional area (e.g., 5 points)
  3. Regional study requirement: To be eligible for the 485 visa, applicants must now have completed at least 2 years of study in a regional area of Australia (e.g., outside of major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane).
  4. Work experience requirement: Applicants must now have at least 1 year of work experience in their field of study or a related field to be eligible for the 485 visa.
  5. English language proficiency: Applicants must now demonstrate a higher level of English language proficiency, with a minimum score of IELTS 7 or TOEFL 100.
  6. Application process: The application process has been streamlined, with applicants able to apply online and submit supporting documents electronically.
  7. Processing times: The processing times for the 485 visa have been reduced, with most applications being processed within 6-12 months.

These changes aim to improve the integrity and effectiveness of the 485 visa program, ensuring that it benefits both international students and the Australian economy.