Navigating Age Limitations & English Requirements: Alternatives to the 485 Visa
As of 1 July 2024, Graduate Work stream and Post-Study Work stream 485 Graduate TR visas will be subject to age limitations, presenting a significant concern for individuals over 35 seeking to pursue opportunities in Australia.
Graduate visa serves a critical role for the international students who intend to gain experience in their relevant fields enabling them to meet the experience or skills assessment requirements for their next visas, or even lawful temporary residence as they wait for an invitation to apply their skilled visas.
While these changes may seem restrictive, a viable solution exists for those facing age-related barriers: Subclass 407 Training Visa.
In this article, we will only compare the main features of the 485 and 407 visas. For more information about the Training visas, please refer to our article here：Understanding the Training Visa Subclass 407
Subclass 407 Training Visa: Unlocking Opportunities
Subclass 407 Training Visa provides an ideal starting point for acquiring essential Australian work experience and securing the licensing or registration required to work in Australia. By obtaining these prerequisites, individuals can position themselves to qualify for independent skilled visas, or work sponsored visas, thereby laying a solid foundation for their professional journey in Australia.
The Beneficial Features of the Training Visa against the Graduate Visa
Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa
No upper age limit: the Training visa does not have an upper age limit, which makes it a perfect visa to consider if you are not.
Lower English requirement: If you have studied for more than 2 years in Australia and completed a degree, a higher degree, a diploma or a trade certificate – you are not even required to prepare an English exam.
Otherwise, you only need IELTS average 4.5 or PTE overall 30 points to meet the English requirements.
Duration of Stay: Maximum visa period on the training visa is 2 years. Although legally there’s no restrictions in reapplying the visa, the Department will generally not accept that there is a need for more than 2 years’ training for the applicants.
The Unfavourable Features of the Training Visa against the Graduate Visa
Sponsor is required: the Training visa requires an Australian organisation to sponsor and nominate you for a training program.
Only in the field you studied: as the main purpose of the training visa is to allow you to enhance your practical skills or obtain licencing and registration in your occupation, you can only seek opportunities in the occupation that is directly related to the course you have studied in the last 2 years.
Only exception to this is if you have worked for 12 month full-time equivalent (or 2 years part-time) in a specific occupation in the last 2 years. You may then be eligible for the training visa under then enhancing skills stream.
Specific Occupations only: Unlike the graduate visa, where even one may be eligible even if no specific occupation is elected, the Training Visa in the enhancing skills stream is only available in specific occupations. The list of occupations are found here:
Migration (LIN 19/050: Specification of Occupations—Subclass 407 Visa) Instrument 2019
Work Limitations: Unlike the 485 visa, there will be work restrictions applied to both primary and secondary applicants.
Primary visa holders are not allowed to work outside their training programs.
Secondary visa holders are not able to work for more than 40 hours a fortnight.
In Conclusion
While age limitations and increase in English requirements within Graduate Work stream and Post-Study Work stream may present challenges, Subclass 407 Training Visa offers hope for individuals seeking opportunities in Australia.
Through strategic navigation of visa pathways and leveraging the avenues provided by Subclass 407 Training Visa, individuals can transcend barriers and unlock their full potential in the Australian professional growth and development landscape.
Disclaimer: Not Legal Advice
The information provided in this blog post/article is for general informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice or create a representative-client relationship. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, the content may not reflect the most current legal developments or specific circumstances.
Do not rely solely on the information presented here – but please book in a consultation with us to see how you this information applies to you and may benefit you. Any reliance on the material in this post is at your own risk.
Remember Australian immigration law is considered most complex laws in Australia. Seek professional legal advice tailored to your individual needs before making any decisions based on the content of this post.
