Subclass 485 Visa: Decoding the Australian Study Requirement
- sydney779
- Feb 26
- 5 min read
The Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa, part of the skilled migration visa options, is a temporary visa that allows international graduates, including international students who have completed their years of study in Australia at an Australian educational institution, to live, work, and gain practical experience in their field of study as a work visa. One of the key eligibility requirements for this migration strategy involving the temporary visa is meeting the Australian study requirement, which is outlined in regulation 1.15F of the Migration Regulations 1994. This also includes holding an eligible visa, specifically an eligible student visa, before application. It is important to note that British National Overseas passport holders can also apply for this visa under certain conditions. Additionally, this article explores the key elements of the Australian study requirement, including how to apply for your first Temporary Graduate visa, the importance of the completion date, and the necessity of a skills assessment on how an applicant’s qualifications must relate to their nominated skilled occupation.
Meeting the Subclass 485 Visa Australian Study Requirement
When the Study Must Have Been Completed?
According to Clause 485.221, a primary applicant must have completed their eligible Australian qualification from an Australian institution within a specific timeframe before lodging their Subclass 485 visa application through the Australian Department of Home Affairs website. The study must have been completed in one of the following periods, and it is important to meet the health requirements and character requirements, as well as have adequate overseas student health cover insurance, also referred to as health insurance, during this process. Additionally, the Australian Federal Police clearance is often a requirement for fulfilling character requirements.
Six months immediately before the visa application date, or
Twelve months immediately before the visa application date, if the main applicant or secondary applicant was outside Australia for any part of the period between 1 February 2020 and 19 September 2020, preventing them from applying within the six-month window and they are 18 to 35 years of age.
This means that:
If an applicant completed multiple qualifications, only the qualification completed within the six (or twelve calendar months) before lodging the visa application can be used to meet this requirement.
The completion date is the crucial date that determines whether an applicant meets this criterion.
Determining the Completion Date of Visa Application
The date of completion is the day the applicant is officially notified that they have met all academic course requirements. This is the date the final exam results or course completion notice was published, rather than the date of graduation or degree conferral.
Acceptable evidence of completion date includes:
A formal letter from the educational institution,
A notification on the university website,
A published result in a newspaper or bulletin board.
Note: The degree certificate (testamur) is not sufficient evidence because it typically shows the conferral date, which may be different from the actual completion date.
Example:
An applicant’s academic transcript states:"Admitted to the degree of Bachelor of Commerce on 18 May."Further proof is required if the applicant claims this is their course completion date. It is unlikely that the degree was completed and conferred on the same day. The applicant must provide evidence that their course was completed on 18 May, rather than this being just the conferral date.
If Results Are Withheld
If an applicant’s academic results were withheld due to unpaid fees or fines, the date they paid those fees does not count as the completion date. The completion date remains the day they met all course requirements, not the date their results were released due to administrative delays.
Thesis Submission Does Not Equal Course Completion
For postgraduate research students, simply submitting a thesis does not mean the course has been completed. The thesis must be accepted, and the university must officially confirm that the applicant has met all academic requirements.
Relationship Between Study and Nominated Occupation
Study Must Be Closely Related to Nominated Skilled Occupation
Under Clause 485.222(1), all degrees, diplomas, or trade qualifications used to satisfy the Australian study requirement must be closely related to the applicant’s nominated skilled occupation.
Exception: This requirement did not apply to applications lodged between 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2023, as per paragraph 1229(3)(ka) of Schedule 1.
Eligible Qualifications for the Temporary Graduate Visa Work Stream
Applicants for the Graduate Work stream of the Subclass 485 visa must have completed one of the following eligible qualifications, which a relevant assessing authority must assess:
Bachelor’s degree or Bachelor’s degree with Honours, including a Bachelor's Degree,
Master’s degree by coursework or research, Master’s extended degree,
Doctoral degree (PhD),
Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Associate Diploma, or Associate Degree,
A trade qualification.
The purpose of this requirement, which includes an age limit, is to ensure that applicants possess the necessary skills to work in their nominated occupation and contribute to the Australian workforce.
What Does "Closely Related" Mean?
Even if an applicant meets the Australian study requirement under Clause 485.221, their qualifications must still be directly applicable to the tasks performed in their nominated occupation.
Immigration officers assess this based on:
The Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO),
The skills and knowledge required for the nominated occupation on the skilled occupation list,
The level of training and how it aligns with job duties.
It is essential to compare the full qualification with the occupational tasks in the United Kingdom rather than just focusing on entry-level job responsibilities.
If an immigration officer is uncertain about whether a qualification is closely related to an occupation, they may seek internal guidance from the Temporary Graduate Visas Section regarding the application process.
Conclusion
Meeting the Australian study requirement is not just about completing a qualification—it is about ensuring that the qualification was completed in time, is properly documented, and is closely related to the nominated occupation.
Key Takeaways:
✅ The study must be completed within six (or twelve) months before applying.
✅ The completion date is the date when all academic requirements were met, not the degree conferral date.
✅ The qualification must be closely related to the nominated skilled occupation.
✅ Officers will use ANZSCO guidelines to determine relevance.
✅ If there are any doubts, applicants should provide additional supporting evidence.
For applicants who meet all these requirements, the Subclass 485 visa provides excellent work rights and an opportunity to gain work experience in Australia and progress toward potential permanent residency.
Would you like assistance in determining whether your qualifications align with a nominated occupation? Let us know! Also, we abide by our code of conduct.
Link References:
⚖️Migration Lawyer Ceren Guney +61 448 412 210
�� Registered Migration Agent Feriha Guney MARN 0960690 +61 477 524 039
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Disclaimer:
This information is for general understanding only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific advice tailored to your situation, consult a registered migration agent or legal professional.
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