I’m a student in Australia looking to stay after my graduation – TR and PR?

Common Questions and Issues

I will finish my study course soon and want to continue to stay in Australia – what options are available to me?

Am I eligible for a temporary work visa (485) or TR?

Can I apply for permanent residency – how many points do I need and what is EOI?

What is a Temporary Work Visa (485)?

If you have graduated by studying in an Australian course for at least 2 years, you will be eligible for a temporary work visa, commonly referred to as a 485 visa or TR. This visa will give you full working and study rights.

The 485 visa has two streams: Graduate-Work Visa (GWS) and Post-Study Work Visa (PSW). The GWS lasts 24 months whereas PSW can last for 2-4 years. The eligibility depends on your circumstances such as visa history and what you have studied.

General Skilled Migration and EOI

If you want to migrate to Australia permanently, the General Skilled Migration (GSM) scheme is the most common form of migration and it includes the visa subclasses 485/476, 189, 190 and regional 491/494 and 191.

To apply for the GSM, you must have a nominated occupation on the migration list with a suitable skill assessment. Once you have met all the different requirements, you can apply through the EOI (Expression of Interest) system which is a competitive points-based system. If you are selected and invited by the immigration department, you can then formally apply for the general migration visa.

Visitor Visa

If you wish to stay in Australia for a short period but your student visa is expiring, you also have the option of applying for a visitor visa. This may be useful if you are looking to attend your graduation ceremony, travel around Australia, visit friends, etc.

How ACIC can help

Given you have invested so much time and money in your studies, it is very important that you seek professional assistance with your work or migration visas. This is because your visa application can be rejected even for the smallest error in your documentation, and one visa rejection on your record can affect your future visa applications.

ACIC has a team of migration and visa experts that specialise in both temporary work (485) visas and general skilled migration (GSM) visas. We have successfully helped thousands of students over the years get a 485 or GSM. These students came from a range of backgrounds and some had complicated situations.

If you choose ACIC to assist with your application, we will allocate a team of experienced staff to look after you until your case is finalised. They will analyse your case and advise you of the most cost-effective visa options. Often, students are unaware of all the options available! Our team will then prepare all your submission documents, liaise with the immigration department and track your application progress until an outcome is reached. Whenever and wherever you are, our team will always be available to look after you through the whole process.

For visitor visas, we can also certainly assist you or your family and friends should they wish to visit you in Australia. We can help with both onshore and offshore visitor visas.

Did you know? ACIC’s education advice and application service is FREE for international students already in Australia as we are an authorised and official representative of the long list of universities and colleges that we work with.

Full range of ACIC services
  • Design a personalised visa and migration plan that is best for your situation
  • Personal and document assessment
  • Document preparation including Skills Assessment and Police Checks (AFP)
  • Liaise with relevant agencies and authorities on your behalf
  • Arrange medical checks and health insurance
  • Visa lodgement (TR, PR, visitor, etc)
  • EOI lodgement
  • Assist you in any appeals process if required
  • Represent you as a client at AAT
  • Justice of the Peace (JP) and translation services
  • Help you design backup plans
  • We use customised and modern CRM software to monitor your application and deadlines

The ACIC Difference

ACIC is recommended by all the top institutions in Australia – click here to see video testimonials.

ACIC was established in Australia in 1988 and we now have over 35 years of experience in the Australian education sector. Our experience is unrivalled in the industry and is backed by the 70000+ students whom ACIC have successfully helped enroll in Australian institutions. That’s a lot of experience and knowledge that you can rely on. You can be assured that ACIC will provide you with the best advice.

Our Migration Team has a very high success rate and has helped thousands of international students over the years successfully apply for TR and PR. We have dealt with a wide range of scenarios and have experience with the different skills-assessing bodies. No matter what your circumstances, ACIC can design a personalised plan for you.

ACIC focuses exclusively on the Australia market (not other countries) so we are a true expert on Australian education and migration.

All of ACIC’s staff are highly qualified and experienced. They undertake regular training and have the latest course and visa information. Over 85% of our staff at our Head Office have completed a Master’s degree from an Australian university and over 95% have studied at an Australian tertiary institution, so they have first-hand experience of student and visa processes, and of life in Australia.