| Introduction | | | | passed, this will mean you are outside the 6-months |
| The subclass 458 Graduate temporary visa is a visa | | | | time limit and you have lost your opportunity to work in |
| that allows international students 18 months in Australia | | | | Australia to gain the additional points to achieve |
| to get 10 points for 12-months Australian work | | | | permanent residence. |
| experience points to go towards satisfying the | | | | The Skills Assessment - A skills assessment should be |
| applicable general skilled migration points score and | | | | undertaken as soon as is possible after notification of |
| gaining permanent residence. The following points | | | | your results. This is because you cannot guarantee |
| highlight 3 of the key issues that may cost an applicant | | | | that you will get a positive assessment in the |
| the opportunity to be granted this visa. However, good | | | | occupation that you nominated and may find that you |
| organization and up-to-date immigration advice is the | | | | are in fact assessed positively in another occupational |
| key to a successful subclass 485 application. | | | | category: For example Engineers Australia do not |
| The 6-month Time Limit to Apply - Many myths and | | | | consider you an Engineer but they do decide you are |
| falsehoods circulate about this rule. The 6 months | | | | an Engineering technologist. |
| begins when you have met the requirements for the | | | | The issue is that if you have already lodged your |
| award of the certificate, diploma or degree you have | | | | application, the Government has recently indicated that |
| been studying for. This means the date you are | | | | they will not continue the policy of allowing applicant's |
| notified of your results (e.g. handed results in person, by | | | | to amend the application by changing the nominated |
| post, on a bulletin board or by your results are made | | | | occupation. |
| available on the internet - examples only). | | | | This strategic and timing error could lead to your |
| It is not 6-months from the ceremony or date you | | | | application being refused. Therefore, preparation and |
| were 'conferred' or awarded your certificate, diploma | | | | timeliness is all important. |
| or degree nor is it 6 months from when your last | | | | Conclusion - Students should prepare well in advance |
| course finishes. It is 6-months from notification of your | | | | of the completion of their studies to lodge their |
| results. This is because at once notified of your results, | | | | application. They should get expert advice from an |
| the skills assessment process can begin. | | | | immigration lawyer or experienced migration agent at |
| Again, it is essential to calculate this date accurately | | | | least on whether they satisfy the criteria for the grant |
| because if an application is not lodged with in the time | | | | of the visa and also if they even need to make the |
| frame, you will fail to satisfy a primary criterion for the | | | | temporary application first or can and should apply |
| grant of the visa and be refused. | | | | directly for permanent residence. |
| English - From 27 October 2008 an IELTS test result | | | | IELTS should be undertaken before studies are |
| (or equivalent) showing the necessary score for your | | | | completed and a skills assessment should be lodged |
| occupation must be provided with the application | | | | as soon as possible after being notified of the results. |
| (either 6 or 5 across all 4 bands depending on your | | | | This means that results on both the IELTS and skills |
| nominated occupation). The supply of a receipt for the | | | | assessment should be received well before the |
| booking of an IELTS test is no longer acceptable. If an | | | | application has to be lodged and you and your |
| IELTS result is not provided with the application, you will | | | | advisers can respond accordingly: for example, re-sit |
| fail to meet the English criteria and be refused the visa. | | | | the IELTS if you fail or appeal or amend your skills |
| The issue is, of course, everybody that has tried to | | | | assessment or your visa application if necessary. |
| book an IETLS place recently realises the waiting list | | | | This is not a simple visa and we do not recommend |
| can be up to 3 months long to sit the exam. | | | | students applying on their own without immigration |
| Remember you only have 6-months from completion | | | | advice and assistance, particularly due to the fact that |
| of your course (i.e. notification of results). | | | | if your subclass 485 visa application is refused, it may |
| Let's say you have left it 4 months since notified of | | | | be you have lost the benefit of your years of study in |
| your results before you booked your IELTS place, you | | | | Australia and your chance at gaining Australian |
| probably won't sit the exam and get the results for | | | | permanent residence. |
| another 3-4 months. In this case, 7-8 months have | | | | A well prepared and accurate application is the key. |