I’m unsure of my visa eligibility and need assistance. Where can I go


for help? Your university careers service and/ or international office should be able to provide assistance to you and refer you to other sources


of information and support. I don’t have permanent residency (PR), but I would


like to pursue a career in Australia. There is a range of pathways through which to apply for PR, including the GSM program (outlined on the “Visa Options” page of this brochure). Be aware that there are different categories of application depending upon where in Australia you wish to work, whether you have a sponsoring family member or sponsor employer, and other factors such as English language proficiency, occupational area etc. The Skilled – Graduate (Temporary) visa (subclass 485) is a good option for international students.


When should I put in my application for a 485 visa? Do I need a letter of


offer? Ideally you need to lodge your application for a 485 visa after you’ve completed your studies and before your current student visa expires. In some circumstances you can apply whilst you hold another type of visa, provided you apply within six months of completing your studies. An official letter of


employer offer is not required. How long does


it take for a 485 visa to be processed? The Australian Government Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) indicates that 75 per cent of applications applied for within Australia are processed within six to nine months. Processing times vary depending on whether the applicant is


from a ‘high risk’ or ‘low risk’ country. What is a


‘low risk’ country? ‘Low risk’ countries are often based in Europe, the Americas and selected Asian countries (Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea). For specific countries, check the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) list (www.eta.immi.gov.au). ‘High risk’ countries are generally those not on this list.


ROLE OF MIGRATION LAWYERS AND/OR MIGRATION AGENTS AND SOME TIPS ON HOW TO CHOOSE A REPUTABLE ONE. Making the decision to apply for residency to another country can often be one of the most important life decisions that you will have to make as an international student.


Australian immigration law is one of the most complex and at times daunting pieces of legislation that you must deal with. It’s often difficult and confusing to negotiate Australia’s migration system, which consists of many programs and various temporary and permanent visa options. With over 140 different visa options available, it’s important for you to get the right advice about the right option for your particular circumstances.


In Australia, you can get migration assistance and advice from either a registered migration lawyer/ solicitor or migration agent. These people are referred to as registered migration advisors. Migration advisors must be registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA) – www.mara.com.au – and are subject to a professional code of conduct.


A good registered migration advisor will assist you by explaining the various options open to you, helping you prepare your visa application properly together with all the necessary documents and information required by the DIAC, and effectively advocating on your behalf during the processing of your visa application.


When choosing a migration advisor to assist with your application and/or provide you with migration advice, ensure that they are a registered advisor (by asking for their MARA registration number), seeking information about their background and experience in the migration industry, how long they have been a registered advisor and whether or not they have legal qualifications/background.


Visit us at www.spectrumvic.org.au


Spectrum Immigration Services (SIS) is Spectrum Migrant Resource Centre’s not-for-profit immigration legal advice service, based in Preston, Victoria.


International students can obtain legal advice about their migration options by attending a low-cost 30-minute Initial Consultation (via phone or face-to-face) by emailing sis@spectrumvic.org.au or calling (03) 9470 2311.


quently asked questions frequently ask


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