Update to Temporary Graduate Visa (TGV) Australia

The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) now has stricter study requirements based on the type of qualification you completed in Australia.

✅There are now 3 streams under the TGV program:

1. Post-Vocational Education Work (PVEW) Stream
   • For those with Australian Associate Degrees, Diplomas, or trade qualifications.
2. Post-Higher Education Work (PHEW) Stream
   • For those with Australian Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD degrees.
3. Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream
   • For those who already had a TGV and studied in a regional area.

❌ Major Changes:

🚫 Graduate Certificates:

• Not eligible for TGV anymore.
• You can still study a Graduate Certificate in Australia.
• But you cannot use it to apply for a Temporary Graduate Visa.

⚠️ Graduate Diplomas:

• You can use a Graduate Diploma only if:
  • It comes after an Australian Bachelor, Master, or PhD degree, and
  • It is in the same or related field, and
  • It is studied in the same or following academic year of your main degree.
• If it’s in a different field, or done later, it won’t be accepted for TGV.

🧑‍🎓Examples:

✅ Eligible Case:

A Pakistani student, completes a Bachelor of Accounting in Australia in 2024. She then does a Graduate Diploma in Taxation in 2025.

• Same field ✔️
• Done in the following academic year ✔️
  ➡️She is eligible for TGV (PHEW stream).

❌ Not Eligible Case 1:

A Pakistani student, completes a Graduate Certificate in Project Management in Australia in 2025.
➡️Not eligible for TGV anymore (even though he studied in Australia).

❌ Not Eligible Case 2:

APakistani student, completed a Bachelor of Computer Science in Pakistan. Then she studies a Graduate Diploma in Nursing in Australia.

• Different field ❌
• Previous degree not Australian ❌
  ➡️She is not eligible for TGV.

 Impact on Pakistani Students:

1. 📌 Graduate Certificate = Not valid anymore

If you were planning to use a Graduate Certificate to apply for a post-study work visa (TGV), that’s no longer an option.

2. 📌 Graduate Diploma = Very limited scope

Only valid if:

• It follows an Australian Bachelor’s/Master’s/PhD,
• In the same field,
• And done within 1 year of finishing that main degree.

3. 📌 Pakistani degrees (like B.Com, BS, LLB from Pakistan) do not qualify directly for TGV

You must complete an eligible qualification in Australia (Bachelor/Master/PhD).

4. ⚠️ Planning required

Pakistani students must carefully plan their study pathways in Australia to ensure:

• They choose the right qualifications.
• They meet the timing and field-related requirements for TGV.

✅ What You Should Do:

• Want to apply for TGV?
  → Make sure you complete a Bachelor, Master, or PhD in Australia.
• Planning a Graduate Diploma?
  → Only go for it after you complete an eligible main degree in Australia and in a related field.
• Graduate Certificate?
  → You can do it for knowledge or career growth, but not for immigration/visa purposes.
• Already studying?
  → Talk to your education agent or migration advisor to check if your course plan still keeps you eligible.