A major change to the subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) visa program on 1 July 2024 will put a stop to Visitor Visa holders applying for Student Visas onshore.
The new Program Year will also see other changes to the subclass 485 visa program. Currently the subclass 485 visa program consists of four streams.
- Graduate Work stream
- Post-Study Work stream
- Second Post-Study Work stream
- Replacement stream
With effect on 1 July 2024, the Subclass 485 visa program will be trimmed to three streams with the removal of the Replacement stream.
Graduate Work stream renamed Post-Vocational Education Work stream
This Graduate Work stream will be renamed “Post-Vocational Education Work stream”.
International students who hold an associate degree, diploma or trade qualification can apply under this stream. Applicants with degree level qualifications or higher will not be eligible to apply under this stream.
The maximum eligibility age will be reduced to 35 years old. Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders will still be eligible if they are under 50 years of age.
The qualification used by the applicant must be closely related to their nominated occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
The stay period will remain up to 18 months. Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders will still be eligible to stay up to 5 years.
Post-Study Work stream renamed Post-Higher Education stream
The Post Study Work stream will be renamed “Post-Higher Education stream”. International students whose qualifications are of a degree level or higher can apply under this stream.
The maximum eligibility age will be reduced to 35 years old. However, the maximum age of 50 is still maintained for masters by research and doctoral degree graduates, Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders.
The existing restriction for applicants whose first student visa was granted because of an application made on or after 5 November 2011 will be removed.
Second Post-Study Work stream renamed Second Post-Higher Education Work stream.
Apart from the re-naming, there is no other changes to this stream.
The earlier change to the English language requirement occurred on 21 March 2024. The Legislative Instrument LIN 24/021 increased the required English language test scores. Unless the applicant holds a passport from Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, United Kingdom and United States of America, applicant must have undertaken a language test specified by the Minister. The test must have been taken within one year before the date on which the visa application was made. The English test scores for Hong Kong or British National (Overseas) passport holders remain unchanged.
| Cambridge English: Advanced test (the CAE) | International English Language Testing System (the IELTS) | Occupational English Test (the OET) | Pearson Test of English Academic (the PTE) | Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based test (the TOEFL iBT) |
| (a) an overall band score of at least 176; and (b) a score of at least 162 for each test component of the CAE. | (a) an overall band score of at least 6.5; and (b) a score of at least 5.5 for each test component of the IELTS. | a score of at least B for each test component of the OET. | (a) an overall band score of at least 57; and (b) for the listening component – a score of at least 43; and (c) for the reading component – a score of at least 48; and (d) for the speaking component – a score of at least 42; and (e) for the writing component – a score of at least 51. | (a) a total overall score of at least 83; and (b) for the listening component – a score of at least 7; and (c) for the reading component – a score of at least 8; and (d) for the speaking component – a score of at least 16; and (e) for the writing component – a score of at least 18. |
Table of required English language test scores.
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