Did you know that if you recently graduated (or are about to graduate) from an Australian education provider, you might be eligible for the Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa? Depending on your qualification, this visa allows you to stay in Australia for up to four years, to gain valuable work experience.

This visa does not restrict the type or amount of work you can do. Employer sponsorship is not required for this visa but it is important to understand that finding a job is your responsibility.

For information on the eligibility requirements for the Temporary Graduate visa, check out the Visa Applicants tab on the Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa webpage.

Get your documents ready

If you are completing your course at the end of 2014 and you would like to apply for the Temporary Graduate visa, you may wish to start organising some of your documents now, including:

• medical examination
• police check
• skills assessment (for the Graduate Work stream)
• health insurance
• English language test.

If these documents are ready when you apply for the visa, your application can be processed quickly. Keep in mind that some documents must be provided when you lodge your application, otherwise your application may be refused.

Not every applicant for the Temporary Graduate visa will need to provide all of these documents.

Check the document checklist to make sure  you have everything ready for your application before you submit it.