Six essential documents for your subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa application

The first and perhaps most crucial step in your application involves establishing your identity. Your passport's biographical page is the primary document needed here, providing the authorities with details about your citizenship and identity.

If you have had any name changes, perhaps due to marriage or legal reasons, you should include proof of this, such as a marriage certificate or other legal documentation.

The Australian Study Requirement (ASR) forms a significant part of the Subclass 485 visa application. The ASR mandates that applicants must have completed a course or series of courses equivalent to two full-time years (92 weeks) of study including at least 16 months in Australia.

To provide evidence of this requirement, you need academic transcripts and completion letters from your Australian educational institution(s).

You must ensure that your completion letter contains the following information: (i) the date your course started; (ii) the date you completed the course; (iii) the degree awarded,: (iv) your education provider’s CRICOS code; and (v) the language of instruction.

English language proficiency is a critical aspect of the Subclass 485 visa application. You can demonstrate your English skills by providing an acceptable English language test score such as IELTS, PTE, TOEFL.

In order to be eligible for the subclass 485 visa, you must have an Overall IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each band or an equivalent English proficiency test scores.

You must also ensure that your English test was undertaken in the 3 years prior to lodging your SC 485 visa application.

However, if you are a passport holder from a select English-speaking countries, namely United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, the United States and the Republic of Ireland, you are exempted from the requirement to submit documents of your English language proficiency. 

Australia's commitment to maintaining public health standards extends to its visa applicants. As such, all Subclass 485 visa applicants must be covered by health insurance when they lodge their application and when a decision is made by the Department of Home Affairs. The health insurance cover that you must apply for is the ‘Overseas Visitor Health Cover’. You must submit proof in your visa application that you and any dependents applying with you for the Subclass 485 visa have a valid Overseas Visitor Health Cover policy.

Additionally, you are required to undergo health examinations conducted by approved panel physicians after the submission of your Subclass 485 visa. The general tests involves a medical and radiological examination, including a chest X-ray. Following the completion of these tests, your visa application will be updated.

Another vital set of documents pertains to character evidence. As part of this requirement, you will need to provide police certificates for each country you've resided in for 12 months or more during the past 10 years. This includes obtaining a police certificate from Australia known as the Australian Federal Police Check.

You must ensure that these certificates are issued by the respective national police authorities and cover the entire period of your stay in that particular country. 

If you are married or in a de facto relationship and/or have dependent children, you must include their details in your Subclass 485 visa application. You must do this irrespective of whether the members of your family unit (which includes your spouse/de factor partner and children) are migrating with you.

You need to integrate three fundamental documents into your application to verify your relationship status and the identity of the members of your family unit. These documents include:

(i) your marriage certificate or de facto registration certificate

(ii) the passports of your spouse/de factor partner and children

(iii) the birth certificates of your children

Additionally, you will need to submit health documents for all applicants and character documents only for applicants over 16 years of age.

To sum up, your journey to securing a Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa can be less daunting when you know which documents to prepare. By carefully compiling these essential pieces of evidence, you'll be on track to submit a valid and compelling application.

To schedule a consultation with our experienced immigration lawyers or to seek further assistance, please contact our law firm. We are here to support you in every step of your visa application.