2024 Updates to Australia’s Temporary Graduate Visa (485 visa): Key Changes Explained

Revised Overview of the Australian Temporary Graduate Visa (485 Visa) Changes Effective July 2024

The Australian Government is set to implement significant modifications to its Temporary Graduate visa program, following its latest Migration Strategy announcement. These updates are expected to take effect from 1 July 2024, pending the approval of necessary legislative amendments.

Updates to the 485 Visa – Graduate Work Stream

The Graduate Work stream will be renamed to the Post-Vocational Education Work Stream. Key changes include:

• Age Limit Adjustment: The maximum age for eligibility is reduced to 35 years. Exceptions include Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders, who remain eligible until under 50 years.
• Qualification Requirements: Eligibility now requires an associate degree, diploma, or trade qualification related to an occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). Degree holders must apply through the new Post-Higher Education Work Stream.
• Visa Duration: The allowable stay is maintained at up to 18 months, with an extended period of up to 5 years for Hong Kong or British National Overseas passport holders.

Changes to the 485 Visa – Post-Study Work Stream

The Post-Study Work stream will transition to the Post-Higher Education Work Stream. Adjustments in this category include:

• Age and Stay Duration: The age limit will be standardized to 35 years, except for certain passport holders as noted above. The stay duration will be adjusted to 2 years for Bachelor’s degrees, 2 years for Masters by coursework, and 3 years for Masters by research and doctoral degrees.
• Special Provisions for Indian Nationals: Under the Australian Indian – Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA), different durations apply, extending up to 4 years for doctoral graduates.

Termination of the Replacement Stream

The Replacement stream will be discontinued as part of these revisions.

These modifications are designed to streamline the pathways for international graduates to engage with the Australian workforce, particularly aligning qualifications with the nation’s strategic skills needs. Graduates and employers should consider these changes carefully to plan accordingly for future applications and workforce integration.

For detailed information and updates on the legislative changes, please refer to the official Department of Home Affairs website.