Services. What we offer.

Graduating Students

Students who held a student visa on the 8th February 2010 can apply for a a subclass 485 visa until Dec 2012. Once on a 485 visa, there are two pathways to apply for onshore Permanent Residence.

• (a)Apply under the Skilled Migration categories of subclass 885 and subclass 886. This will be either under the new points system but only if their occupation is on the new Skilled Occupation List (http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/_pdf/sol-schedule1.pdf) and they can reach the required 65 points. OR
• (b)Apply under Employer Sponsorship, such as a 457 visa and then an Employer Nominated Sponsorship or Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme.

Transitional Arrangements

• 485 Visa Holders, who held a subclass 485 visa on the 8th February 2010 or who had applied for a 485, will have until December 2012 to apply for an 885 or 886 either under the new points test and new Skilled Occupation List or  under the old Skilled Occupation List and old points test;

The migration programme allows graduating students from an Australian university, educational or training institution to apply for a Permanent or Provisional Residence visa in Australia, following completion of their course. The Australian Government has as an objective to break the link between students coming to Australia specifically to undertake courses that will specifically lead to Permanent Residence visas

The Skilled Graduate Visa (subclass 485) visa is for overseas students who have completed at least two years study in Australia and do not meet the requirements for a Permanent or Provisional General Skilled Migration visa an opportunity to remain in Australia to gain the additional skills and points they need to make an application. It also gives them an opportunity to find an employer sponsorship, especially for a 457 visa.

This visa is valid for 18 months and it cannot be extended beyond that. A visa holder will be eligible to apply for General Skilled Migration or an employer sponsored visa at any stage during the course of this 18 month visa.

Onshore

Two year Study Requirement:

To meet the two year study requirement, applicants will have to complete one or more degrees, diplomas or trade qualifications for award by an Australian educational institute as a result of a course or courses:

• Assessed by DIAC that the duration of the course is 104 weeks (DIAC will use CRICOS – Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students – to determine that the course is registered and what is the standard duration of a course)
• Completed as a result of at least two academic years’ study (fully equivalent) or completed in a total of no less then 16 calendar months that the applicant studied in Australia, while holding a visa that allowed study for which all instruction was conducted in English.
• Course duration will be calculated from the date classes begin to the date all academic requirements have been met for that qualification. If you are given credit from prior learning it will reduce the amount of study you have completed.

New Skilled Graduate Visa

What can I do on a new Skilled – Graduate (subclass 485) visa?

There is no restriction on work or study. Subclass 485 visa holders can:

• Work
• Complete a professional year to be able to score additional points
• Study to improve their English skills
• Travel

What do I need to do to apply for the Skilled – Graduate (subclass 485) visa?

At the time of application an applicant must:

• Hold an eligible student visa or have held an eligible student visa in the last 6 months;
• Have met the two year study requirement in the last 6 months
• Have applied for a suitable skills assessment in their nominated skilled occupation
• Have evidence that they meet the English language threshold. This is 6/9 in all 4 bands of the IELST test
• Have undertaken or booked to undertake a medical examination with Medibank Health Solutions;
• Have obtained or applied for an Australian Federal Police check in the last 12 months

What requirements do I need to meet to be eligible for the grant of the Skilled – Graduate (subclass 485) visa?

• Have received a suitable skills assessment in your nominated skilled occupation;
• Meet health and character checks. Character checks means police clearance from any country,
• including Australia, lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years.

Sounds complicated? It sure can be to see where you fit into the system. Call us on (02) 9411 6000 or email us on info@australiamigrate.com and lets discuss your best way forward