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Visa overview

This visa needs two parties:

• an occupational trainee

• an Australian based nominating organisation to provide the training.

Occupational training is a supervised training programme that is:

• workplace-based (no more than 30% classsroom-based)

• designed specifically to increase the trainee's level of practical skill in their present occupation or area of expertise.

The process for establishing an occupational training programme is summarised in the table below:

It is the responsibility of the…	to…
occupational trainee	find a nominating organisation willing to provide them with a suitable occupational training programme consult with the nominating organisation to ensure that the proposed training programme meets their training needs.
nominator	design and deliver the occupational training programme within Australia. nominate an occupational trainee for a training programme monitor the participation of an occupational trainee in the training programme report to the department if the trainee leaves the programme before completion.

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Occupational training programme

An occupational training programme must:

• be closely related to the trainee's current occupation, field of study or area of expertise

• enhance the trainee's current skill level

• be at least 70% in a supervised workplace

• not adversely impact upon occupational opportunities for Australian citizens and permanent residents.

Note: The visa cannot be granted unless the nomination has been approved by the department. If you are currently in Australia and your visa is about to expire, contact your nearest departmental office.
 

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Nomination validity period

A nomination is valid for 12 months from the date approved by the department.

Visa validity period

This visa may be valid for up to two years to undertake a training programme (subject to the length of the approved training programme). An additional two months may be added beyond the training end date to allow you and your family members to make arrangements to leave Australia or to apply for another visa.

Note: If the training cannot be completed in the approved visa period, the trainee can apply for a second occupational trainee visa. The trainee and the nominator organisation must meet eligibility requirements again.

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Trainee eligibility

Trainees must meet one or more of the following requirements. They must:

• have been employed in their current occupation, studying or engaged in their field of expertise for at least the last 12 months (unless exceptional circumstances justify that a visa should be granted despite a shorter period of experience)
  or

• have recently graduated from a foreign educational institution and are:

  • seeking occupational training in a closely related field
    or

  • undertaking research in their field of study (other than full time research towards a further qualification).

Trainees must:

• be at least 18 years of age (unless exceptional circumstances justify a visa being granted to a person under 18 years of age)

• have sufficient English to undertake the training programme and to ensure occupational health and safety standards are met

• have a genuine intention to undertake the occupational training programme

• have adequate health insurance

• be of good health and character.

A foreign national is not eligible for an occupational trainee visa if they are undertaking either one of the following:

• an apprenticeship

• research for a full time post-graduate degree for an Australian Institution

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Student eligibility

If in Australia on a student visa, foreign nationals may be eligible for an occupational trainee visa if they:

• have successfully completed the principal course of study for which their student visa was granted
  and

• want to undertake a period of supervised work experience for professional registration either in Australia or in their home country
   

  or

• have successfully completed the principal course of study at the diploma or higher level, in Australia, for which their student visa was granted
  and

• want to undertake a supervised occupational training programme in a closely related field for up to 12 months.

If outside Australia, foreign nationals may be eligible for an occupational trainee visa if they are:

• undertaking a course of study at an overseas educational institution
  and

• able to provide evidence from their overseas institution that the occupational training will be credited towards the grant of an award at the overseas institution.

Skilled Graduate (subclass 485)

Overview

This 18 month temporary visa replaces the Graduate – Skilled (subclass 497) visa. Skilled – Graduate visa holders work and study with unrestricted rights and can apply for a permanent General Skilled Migration or employer sponsored visa at any time.

Eligibility

A number of requirements must be met to receive an onshore Skilled - Graduate (subclass 485) visa.

Required Visas

Applicants must hold one of the following visas when they apply:

• A student visa (excluding ELICOS, government sponsored, AusAid and Defence Sector Student visas)

• Either a Bridging visa A or Bridging visa B granted because a valid application for a visa other than an ineligible student visa has been made or a substantive visa other than an ineligible student visa -- and the applicant has held an eligible student visa for the last six months

Age and Language Requirements

Applicants must be under 45 years of age or hold a Skilled - Graduate visa.

Applicants must meet English language requirements of:

• Competent English

• Vocational English if the applicant's nominated occupation is a trade or;

• having evidence that the applicant has booked to sit an IELTS test
   

Required Qualifications

Applicants must nominate a 50 point or 60 point occupation listed on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL). The applicant must also have applied for a skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for the applicant's nominated occupation.

The applicant must also have met the two year study requirement in the last six months with qualifications closely related to their nominated occupation. The applicant must have a suitable skills assessment in the nominated occupation and meet all health and character requirements.

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