Are you hoping to apply for a Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) in Australia? If so, it’s important to make sure your application meets all the required criteria to avoid any issues that could result in refusal. The subclass 485 visa provides international students with an opportunity to live and work in Australia temporarily after they have completed their studies in Australia. If your course includes overseas study, you can still meet the Temporary Graduate visa study requirement provided you complete at least 2 academic years of study within a minimum of 16 months in Australia in a CRICOS-registered course. However, there are several common mistakes that can cause visa refusals. 

Please Note: This article serves as a general guide to help you understand the topic, with information accurate as of the publication date. We recommend consulting a registered migration agent or check The Department of Home Affairs for precise, up-to-date guidance tailored to your specific circumstances.

Understanding the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)

The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) is a temporary visa that allows international students to stay in Australia after completing their studies. It provides the opportunity to live, work, and study in Australia while gaining valuable experience in your field.

This visa has three different streams, each designed for specific types of graduates based on their educational level:

1. Post-Vocational Education Work Stream:

This stream is for students from overseas who have recently graduated with vocational qualifications relevant to occupations in demand in Australia. It allows you to live, work, and study in Australia temporarily.

2. Post-Higher Education Work Stream:

If you’ve completed a degree from an Australian institution, this stream is for you. It lets you live, work, and study in Australia temporarily, giving you the chance to apply your skills and gain further work experience.

3. Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream:

This stream is for graduates who already have a Post-Higher Education Work, Post-Study Work, or Replacement visa, and hold a degree from an Australian institution located in a regional area. It allows you to continue living, working, and studying in Australia temporarily, with the added benefit of living in a regional area.

Benefits

With the Temporary Graduate Visa, no matter which stream you choose, you get several benefits:

1. Live in Australia: Stay in Australia and experience the country’s diverse culture and lifestyle.
2. Work in Australia: Gain valuable work experience in your field of study and enhance your career prospects.
3. Bring Your Family: You can include your family members in your application, allowing them to live and work in Australia as well.
4. Travel: You get to travel to and from Australia as many times as you want during the validity of your visa.

These benefits are available to all applicants, regardless of which stream you apply for.

Now that you have a better understanding of the Temporary Graduate Visa and its benefits, let’s explore the most common reasons for visa refusals and how you can avoid them to ensure a smooth application process.

Most Common Reasons for 485 Visa Refusal

Many 485 visa applicants face refusals due to common mistakes or missed requirements. Let’s look at these causes of refusal and how to avoid them.

1. Choosing the Wrong Visa Stream

The Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) offers two main streams: the Graduate Work stream and the Post-Study Work stream. It’s crucial to select the right one based on your qualifications and career plans.

• Post-Vocational Education Work stream: This stream is for international students who have recently graduated with skills and qualifications that relate to an occupation on Australia’s Skilled Occupation List (SOL). If your qualification doesn’t align with an eligible occupation, your application could be rejected.
• Post-Higher Education Work stream: This stream is designed for graduates with higher education qualifications. To qualify for this stream, you must have completed a degree in Australia. If you select the wrong stream based on your course, your visa application could be refused.

Note: The Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream is designed for individuals who already hold a Post-Higher Education Work or Post-Study Work visa.

Choosing the right stream is essential for your 485 visa application. Moving forward, another critical aspect of your application is meeting the English language requirements.

2. Failure to Meet English Language Requirements

Proving your proficiency in the English language is one of the core requirements for a 485 visa application. Failure to meet these standards could result in the refusal of your visa.

• Language Proficiency Tests: To meet this requirement, you will need to provide results from recognised English language tests like IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL. Failure to achieve the minimum score required for your visa stream will put your application at risk.
• Test Scores: Each visa stream has specific requirements, so make sure to check the minimum scores required for your chosen visa. If you don’t meet the necessary language standards, it’s crucial to retake the test before applying.

While English proficiency is important, your application could also be refused if you neglect health and character requirements. Let’s explore this next.

3. Neglecting Health and Character Requirements

Health and character checks are mandatory for any visa application in Australia, and the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) is no exception.

• Health Requirements: As part of your visa application, you will need to take a medical examination to ensure that you don’t pose a health risk to the Australian community. Failing to meet these health standards will result in a refusal.
• Character Requirements: You will also need to provide a character certificate to prove you have no serious criminal history. If there are issues with your health or character, your visa application will be rejected.

Health and character are crucial, but another common issue that causes refusals is incomplete or incorrect document submission. Let’s take a look at how submitting the right documents is key to your application’s success.

4. Incomplete or Incorrect Document Submission

One of the most frequent reasons for Subclass 485 visa rejection is the submission of incomplete or incorrect documents. Ensuring your documents are accurate and up to date is vital for a successful application.

• Required Documents: You must attach several essential documents to your application, including your academic transcripts, English language proficiency, and health and character checks. If any of these documents are missing or incorrect, your application will not be processed correctly.
• Accuracy of Information: It’s essential to ensure that all the information you provide matches the requirements and is clearly legible. Missing documents or discrepancies can delay your application or lead to a refusal.

Ensuring your documents are in order is critical. Let’s now look at another common reason for refusal: missing application deadlines.

5. Failure to Meet Application Deadlines

Every visa application has specific deadlines, and missing these deadlines can result in an automatic refusal.

• Submission Deadlines: For the 485 visa, you need to submit your visa application within 6 months of completing your course. If you miss this deadline, your application will be rejected, and you may need to reapply or explore other visa options.
• Timely Submission: To avoid delays, it’s essential to submit your application well in advance, allowing time for any additional documentation or corrections that might be needed.

Timely submission is crucial, but understanding the legal restrictions you might face can also help you avoid refusal. Next, we’ll discuss how Section 48 regulations could affect your application.

6. Lack of Understanding of Section 48 Regulations

Section 48 of the Migration Act restricts visa applications for individuals who have had a visa refusal while in Australia. This is an important point to consider if your previous visa application has been denied.

• Impact of Section 48: If you’ve had a visa refused while in Australia, Section 48 may prevent you from applying for another visa while you remain in the country. Understanding this regulation is crucial to avoid complications during your 485 visa application process.
• How to Deal with Section 48: If you fall under this category, you may need to leave Australia before applying for the 485 visa again or seek professional advice on how to proceed.

Understanding Section 48 is vital, but your application could also fail if you don’t pass your skills assessment. Let’s now look at this common reason for refusal.

7. Failure to Pass Skills Assessment

The Post-Vocational Education Work Stream  of the 485 visa requires you to obtain a provisional   skills assessment in your nominated occupation. Failing to meet the skills requirements will result in your visa being refused.

• Skills Assessment Process: To apply for the 485 visa under the post-vocational stream, you must have your skills assessed by a relevant assessing authority. This process verifies that your qualifications match the standards for your nominated occupation.
• Consequences of Failure: If your skills assessment is unsuccessful or if you fail to provide the necessary documentation for this assessment, your visa application will be refused.

Failing the skills assessment is a critical issue, but by understanding the visa requirements and preparing your application carefully, you can significantly reduce the risk of refusal.

Final Thoughts

Applying for subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa is an exciting opportunity to stay and work in Australia after your studies. However, as we’ve discussed, there are several common reasons for visa refusal that you need to be aware of. By choosing the right visa stream, meeting English language, health, and character requirements, submitting complete documentation, and understanding regulations like Section 48, you can improve your chances of a successful application.

If you need help with your 485 visa application, Knowbal is here to assist you. Our experienced migration agents can guide you through the process, ensuring that your visa application meets all required criteria and stands the best chance of approval.

Contact Knowbal today to get expert advice on your Temporary Graduate Visa application.