Further to my previous post regarding changes to permanent residency regulations, I received several enquiries regarding the Skilled – Graduate (subclass 485) visa, also known simply as Temporary Residency (TR) visa. As some of you might be aware of, current international students have more relaxed requirements in obtaining a TR if they lodge their application before 1 January 2013. This is in response to the major changes in permanent residency requirements that might have disqualified previously eligible candidates.
The more generous requirements—dubbed the “transitional arrangements”—are designed to allow more time for current international students to find work experience or improve their English language abilities in order to meet the requirements for permanent residency. In this post, I will expand on some of the TR criteria under transitional arrangements in more detail.
Applying for TR after completion of studies
First of all, please note that you have six months to apply for TR after the date of completion. This is very likely to be the last day of your final exam, not the day your degree is conferred. If this is the case, you have to lodge in your TR application as soon as you finish the last day of uni, hence make sure that you prepare all the required documents well in advance.
The preferred method for TR application is online.
Required documents
A full checklist is available on the immigration website.
Skilled Occupation List (SOL)
If you are covered by the transitional arrangements, you may nominate an occupation in the old SOL (Schedule 2). This SOL has over 400 occupations, as opposed to the new SOL (Schedule 3) which has only 181. If you find that your occupation is not listed in Schedule 3, nominate an occupation in Schedule 2.
Like permanent residency visa, you will need to apply to get your skills assessed by the appropriate assessment body. The list of occupations and the respective assessment authorities are listed in Schedule 2. All that is required is the receipt number—you may lodge in a TR application prior to the skills assessment result being determined by the assessment authority.
Please note that the occupations in Schedule 2 are for TR applications only. PR applicants must nominate an occupation in Schedule 3.
IELTS Test
You are required to sit an IELTS test before applying. The minimum IELTS score for eligibility is 6 in each band. More details here.
Health examination
Call up Medibank Health Solutions and request for a booking reference number. You will need to state that you are applying for a GSM visa. You do not need to specify a date at that time—the immigration officer will call up to ask you to sit a health checkup at a later date.
AFP clearance
You will need a statement of good conduct from the Australian Federal Police which they can produce at the cost of $43. More information on how to apply can be found here.
Atirak
on Feb 12th, 2011
@ 8:16 pm:
Hi Arimbun,
I found your blog while i was looking for health insurance that suits 485 visa applicants. Your blog is very well written and helpful, i should have found this few months ago :-)
I am wondering what type of health cover do you have? My OSHC is about to expire and they sent me an email regarding health cover extension. At this stage I think medibank is probably the best choice for the applicants but im not totally sure yet. If you have medibank did you go for cover called “basic hospital” ?
Thanks very much
Atirak
arimbun
on Mar 29th, 2011
@ 8:09 pm:
Hello Atirak,
I’m very sorry as I have not really been watching my blog lately. I had OSHC before and it expired in the beginning of this year. I haven’t gone for a new health cover yet, but if I do, I will most probably go for Medibank, as it is the most common option that most people use.
Kind Regards,
Arthur
Nicole
on Jun 3rd, 2011
@ 10:16 pm:
Hi Arthur,
Just wondering. Is it a necessity to get health insurance before I lodge my application? or do I only get it after I get an approved visa?
Kevin
on Jan 23rd, 2012
@ 11:39 am:
Hi Arthur.
Thanks for the helpful information on your blog.
I have one question, and was hoping you could help me with it.
Once you have TR can you apply for PR using the old SOL (Schedule 2) list? So i nominated interior design as my occupation to gain TR, however interior design has been omitted from the new SOL (Schedule3), Will I still be able to apply for PR as I already have TR? Or even if i have TR do i need to nominate an occupation from the new SOL to apply for PR?
Thank you
Kevin
Arthur
on Jan 23rd, 2012
@ 10:39 pm:
Hi Kevin,
Yes you will have to nominate an occupation from the new SOL for PR, regardless of whether you have applied for TR or not.
Kind Regards,
Arthur
Kevin
on Jan 24th, 2012
@ 9:42 am:
So, if my occupation is not listed on the new SOL list, then this “transitional arrangements” is all useless to people such as myself? and getting TR is their way of taking more money from you before they eventually kick you out?
Is there any alternative option you can recommend?
any help is welcomed, thank you
max
on Feb 12th, 2012
@ 7:29 am:
Hello
I have a just found according to new SOL i have my occupation in the sol 2 list i am worried as i cannot get TR 485 now. i am studying food science. can you help me out ? i know i must get regional sponsorship but wats the process ? thanks