CANBERRA,
November 13
Indian Abroad Newsdesk
Australia has introduced stricter family eligibility requirements for its Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), ending the facility for eligible visa holders to bring partners and dependent children to the country later through separate subsequent entrant applications.
The Australian immigration news website Migroo reported on November 13 that the revised rules require eligible family members to apply alongside the primary visa applicant rather than submit a separate application at a later stage. The changes apply to applications lodged from November 13, while applications submitted before that date continue to be assessed under the earlier requirements.
According to the Department of Home Affairs’ updated visa guidance, the revised arrangements also restrict which family members can be included in an application. In general, eligible dependents must have been included on the primary applicant’s previous Student or Temporary Graduate visa, although specified exceptions apply to certain categories of applicants and newborn children.
The Visa Wire, in its November 13 report, explained that the changes are intended to limit the circumstances in which new family members can be added to a Temporary Graduate visa application. The publication noted that exceptions are available for certain applicants, including eligible Pacific and ASEAN nationals, graduates who completed doctoral studies while holding a Student visa and those whose qualifying studies were fully funded by a foreign government.
The Department of Home Affairs has clarified that the new rules do not change the basic eligibility requirements for the primary applicant seeking a Temporary Graduate visa. Instead, the revisions concern the conditions under which partners and dependent children may be included in the application and the timing of their applications.
The Australian immigration information website Skyline Migration Lawyers reported that eligible family members must now be included in the original application and cannot join the visa holder later through the former subsequent entrant pathway. The publication also explained that the primary applicant must be in Australia when applying, while eligible family members may be either in Australia or overseas.
The Department of Home Affairs has warned that entering a family member’s details into the online ImmiAccount system does not automatically establish their eligibility. Its updated guidance states that an application may be considered invalid if the person does not meet the revised requirements. Such an outcome could affect the individual’s visa status, particularly if their existing visa has expired.
The Visa Wire reported that the changes were registered on November 12 and came into effect the following day. The publication also noted that applications lodged before the commencement date would continue to be assessed under the rules applicable when they were submitted.
The changes are relevant to international graduates, including Indian students who intend to remain in Australia after completing their education. According to the Department of Home Affairs, applicants should examine the revised family eligibility provisions, confirm that their dependents qualify and prepare the necessary supporting documents before lodging an application.
The new arrangements mean that graduates will need to consider their family circumstances earlier in the visa process. As reported by Migroo, the end of separate subsequent entrant applications removes the previous flexibility for eligible family members to join a Temporary Graduate visa holder at a later stage.
