The Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa provides international students with the opportunity to live, study, and work in Australia after completing their studies. It is a valuable pathway for gaining post-study work experience and, in some cases, preparing for permanent residency.
However, the Department of Home Affairs reports a significant number of 485 visa refusals each year, many of which could have been avoided with proper preparation. Below, we outline the most common reasons for refusal and tips to help applicants strengthen their application.
About the 485 Temporary Graduate Visa
The 485 visa offers two main streams:
- Post-Vocational Education Work stream: for international students who graduate with skills and qualifications that relate to an occupation on the skilled occupation list.
- Post-Higher Education Work stream: for students who have recently completed a higher education degree in Australia.
Common Reasons for 485 Visa Refusal
- Incorrect or late lodgement Applications must be lodged within 6 months of course completion. Lodging outside this timeframe almost always leads to refusal.
- Meeting the Temporary Graduate Visa Study Requirement Applicants must have completed a CRICOS-registered course in Australia. The course must have been at least 92 weeks (2 academic years) in duration and must have taken at minimum 16 calendar months in length, delivered in English, and completed on a valid student visa. Failing to meet this requirement (for example, by completing a shorter or non-CRICOS course) often results in refusal.
- English language requirements not met Applicants must provide valid test results (IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, etc.) at the required level. Expired or missing results are a frequent cause of rejection.
- Failure to provide police checks Applicants must provide an Australian Federal Police (AFP) clearance or evidence that you have applied for the clearance at least one day before lodging the application. Clearances or evidence of lodgement with the same date as the lodgement date can lead to the refusal of the application.
- Completion Letter Issue Date Applicants must submit evidence, for example a completion letter from the educational institute, that they have completed their course at least one day before lodgement of the application. Completion letters issued on the same day at lodgement can lead to the refusal of the application.
- Inadequate or incorrect documentation Missing documents such as degree certificates, transcripts, or proof of course completion. Providing documents in the wrong format or without proper certification.
Key Takeaways
- Start early: Prepare your documents and tests before course completion.
- Check dates: Ensure your completion letter date and the AFP Clearance are not issued on the same day as your lodgement date. Prepare these well in advance and check with the school on the date of issue to ensure it is before your visa expiry date.
- Double-check requirements: Even a small oversight, like uploading the wrong insurance document, can result in refusal.
- Refusals can have serious consequences: Because processing times can be lengthy, you may lose the chance to re-apply if the outcome is decided more than six months after you complete your course. This means a small mistake in your application could cost you the opportunity to extend your stay in Australia and gain valuable time to prepare for permanent residency.
- Seek professional advice: A migration lawyer or registered migration agent can review your eligibility and ensure all requirements are met.
Need Assistance?
If you’re planning to apply for the 485 visa or have concerns about your eligibility or don’t want the stress of dealing with the process, our team can guide you and help you avoid costly mistakes. You can book a consultation with our migration team via https://migrationaffairs.com.au/contact/
Changes to the relevant laws can occur without notice. The above information is not intended to be legal advice and is correct as of the date of writing this article.
Contact Migrations Affairs to speak with our experts for tailored advice on your circumstances and eligibility.
