Latest Updates on Temporary Graduate Visa 485 Extension 2022

Posted by Immigration Agent Adelaide on April 19, 2022

The Australian Government has made a few significant changes in the regulations of specific visa streams. These measures have been taken to compensate for the time international students and workers lost due to the COVID-19 travel restrictions and recover the Australian economy. For instance, individuals could work full-time as per the ‘Graduate visa working hours’ regulations, but now even student visa holders will be able to work for more than 40 hours a fortnight as per new temporary relaxation.
Several other updates have been issued by the Government regarding the Temporary Graduate Visa 485 Extension, and a new COVID-19 replacement visa stream has also been announced. Read on to know everything about the latest changes to the Graduate 485 visa.

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What Is a Temporary Graduate Subclass 485 Visa?

The Temporary Graduate Visa Subclass 485 stream is for international students who have cleared their graduation recently, possessing qualifications and skills relevant to specific occupations Australia requires. The visa lets individuals live, work and study in Australia temporarily.
The stay period granted by this visa is usually up to 18 months. Individuals holding Hong Kong and British National Overseas passports may stay for 5 years.

Extension and Other Changes to the 485 Visa

On November 25, the Government of Australia announced new changes that are applicable to the Temporary Graduate visa. Eligible individuals who were unable to enter Australia due to the COVID-19 international border restrictions will have their Temporary Graduate 485 visas extended or enlivened to September 30, 2022. They will also have the opportunity of applying for a replacement visa from July 1, 2022.
Some other key changes are as follows:

• From December 1, 2021, the period of stay for Masters by Coursework/Masters extended graduates has been permanently increased from 2 to 3 years, same as Masters by Research graduates.
• From December 1, 2021, to compensate for the time individuals lost due to COVID-19, the stay period on the Temporary 485 Graduate Work stream visa has been temporarily increased from 18 to 24 months.
• The requirement for VET courses graduates to nominate an occupation from the list of skills occupation will be removed temporarily from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023. So, that means if anyone is pursuing any Diploma or Advanced Diploma course in Australia for at least 92 weeks and he/she finishes the course before June 2023, he/she can be eligible for a Graduate 485 work visa for 2 years.

Current COVID-19 Concessions

The current COVID-19 concessions will continue, and:

• Any online study undertaken outside Australia because of COVID-19 travel restrictions will count towards the Australian Study Requirement for new and existing student visa holders from the time of visa grant;
• Graduates can submit applications and be granted a Temporary Graduate visa outside Australia, provided they fulfil all the requirements.

Eligibility for Temporary Graduate 485 Visa Extension or Enlivening

Extension
The criteria for a Temporary Graduate 485 visa extension eligibility is:

1. The visa holder must’ve held a Temporary Graduate 485 visa on December 15, 2021
2. The current visa is to expire before September 30, 2022
3. The visa was not canceled since December 15, 2021
4. The primary visa holder was staying outside Australia for any period between February 1, 2020, and December 14, 2021 (inclusive)
5. The primary visa holder was present in Australia during the granting of the visa
6. The visa holder hasn’t been granted any further substantive visa since December 15, 2021.

Enlivening
As for the eligibility for the enlivening of a Temporary Graduate 485 visa, the criteria are:

1. The visa holder must have held a Temporary Graduate 485 visa which expired between February 1, 2020, and December 14, 2021 (inclusive)
2. The visa was not cancelled
3. The primary holder of the visa was in Australia when the visa was granted
4. The primary visa holder was present outside Australia for any period between February 1, 2020, and December 14, 2021 (inclusive)
5. The visa holder hasn’t been granted any further substantive visa.
6. Cost of Applying for 485 Visa Extension
7. The cost of applying for the Graduate visa 485 extension is zero, and the extension will occur automatically. Eligible candidates will be directly contacted by the Department of Home Affairs.
8. The visa extension will include the family members who were included in the original Temporary 485 Graduate visa.

Also Read: What Are The Latest Updates on Graduate Visa 485 In Australia?

The COVID-19 Temporary Graduate Subclass 485 Replacement Visa Stream

The Government of Australia announced the new COVID-19 Temporary Graduate SC485 replacement visa stream for certain eligible former and current Temporary Graduate 485 visa holders. The step has been taken to compensate for the negative impacts that international students faced due to the pandemic travel restrictions. Here is what you know about this visa stream:

• The replacement visa will allow individuals to stay in Australia for the same period as their original Graduate 485 visa.
• Candidates will be eligible to submit an application for the replacement visa only if they were outside Australia for any period between February 1, 2020, and December 14, 2021 (inclusive).
• Eligible candidates can apply for this visa both from onshore and offshore.
• The Visa Application Charge for the replacement visa for the primary applicant will be AUD 1,680.
• Additional fees will be applicable for each family member included in the visa application.
• Family members need not have to be included in the original Temporary Visa Subclass 485 to include them in the replacement stream visa.
• The Department of Home Affairs will accept applications from July 1, 2022.

It should be noted that the COVID-19 Temporary Graduate 485 replacement visa is only a replacement for the initial Temporary 485 Graduate visa. Therefore, this visa is not the same as the Second Post Study Work visa, which only eligible regional applicants can apply for currently.

Rebate on Application Fee of the Temporary Graduate Replacement Visa

There will be no rebate on the Visa Application Charge of the Temporary Graduate Replacement visa. Applicants will have to pay the full amount of AUD 1,680 for this visa.

Refund for Other Visa Holders

A refund of AUD 630 on the Visa Application Charge has been announced by the Government of Australia for fully vaccinated student visa holders and working holiday visa holders who will arrive in Australia between January 19, 2022, and March 19, 2022.

The Australian Department of Home Affairs will publish a form that candidates will have to fill in to receive the refund. The form will require information such as the candidate’s name, passport, date of birth, bank account details and visa application reference number. The refund application can be submitted until December 31, 2022.

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How Migration Agents Helps you?

Visa holders should have detailed knowledge of the changes and new updates introduced in the different visa streams. If you hold a Temporary Graduate 485 visa, you should know if you are eligible for an extension or enlivening and whether you can apply for a replacement visa or not.

That’s why it is essential you get in touch with a reputed immigration firm. They can help you clarify all your doubts about the new visa updates and confirm what you are eligible for. The Immigration Agent Adelaide is one of the top-rated companies, which is a one-stop solution for all your immigration requirements.