Major changes to 485 Temporary Graduate Visa (TR Visa)

This is not good new for many current or future international students in Australia.

The 485 Temporary Graduate Visa has undergone significant changes. Here are the changes as of July 16, 2024, as per the Department of Home Affairs website.

1. Maximum age of applications has decreased from 50 years old to 35 years old. The exceptions are (still under 50 years old at the time of application):

   1. applicants who completed a Masters by Research or PhD

   2. Hong Kong & British National Overseas (BNO) passport holders
      

2. Length of visa has been reduced in some cases:
   

   1. Bachelor - 2 years - staying the same

   2. Masters by Coursework - 2 years - decreasing from 3 years

   3. Masters by Research - 3 years - staying the same

   4. PhD - 3 years - decreasing from 4 years Hong Kong & British National Overseas (BNO) passport holders who study a bachelor, masters or PhD degree will receive a 5-year visa Due to the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA), Indian graduates will receive the following visa lengths:
      

• Bachelor/Bachelor (Honours) – 2 years

• Bachelor with first class Honours in STEM & ICT) – 3 years

• Masters (Coursework/Extended/Research) – 3 years

• PhD - 4 years 
  

1. English requirement has increased. Test score must be the equivalent of IELTS (General or Advanced) 6.5 overall - increased from 6.0.
   

2. An English test score (ie PTE or IELTS) will only be valid if the test was taken within 1 year of submitting the visa application.
   

3. Graduate Visa holders will no longer be allowed to re-apply for a student visa
   

Please note that this information on the 485 Temporary Graduate Visa changes is not migration advice. We are sharing what has been reported on the Department of Home Affairs website.

485 Temporary Graduate Visa (TR Visa) changes 2024