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Visas, Immigration and Refugees

Professionals and Other Skilled Migrants

Visa Options - Transitional Arrangements

Transitional arrangements for students and former student visa holders were announced on 8 February 2010, the day on which the Australian Government announced a number of skilled migration reforms. These transitional arrangements are in place until 31 December 2012.

You are eligible for transitional arrangements in relation to points tested skilled migration if:

If you are a transitional applicant, you may still have access to the points test in effect on 8 February 2010, depending on which SOL your nominated occupation appears.
See: Transitional Skilled Occupation List (384KB PDF file)

Eligible applicants can apply for the following visas using the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) in effect on 8 February 2010:

If you had an occupation on the Migration Occupation in Demand List (MODL) you may also access points for an occupation on the former MODL.
See: Is Your Occupation in Demand?

Temporary Skilled Graduate visa (subclass 485)

The transitional arrangements allow anyone who held a qualifying Student visa when the changes were announced on 8 February 2010 to apply for a Temporary Skilled Graduate visa (Subclass 485) on the basis of the Skilled Occupation List in effect on 8 February 2010. Qualifying student visas are subclasses 572, 573 and 574.
See: Transitional Skilled Occupation List (384KB PDF file)

The Temporary Skilled Graduate visa (Subclass 485) provides a stay period of 18 months and allows the holder to work or study in Australia. These transitional arrangements are in place until the end of 2012.
See: About this Visa – Subclass 485