After resting with my parents for almost one week, I decide to start planning for my next stage in Melbourne. The one urgent task is to apply for the 485 PSW Visa. It grants me unrestricted work rights, and also it is required if I want to enroll in a PY (Professional Year) Program.
In this article, I documented everything I did with dates for reference. But I followed the official guide provided by the government, and I think you should too.
For a up-to-date step-to-step guide, visit: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/temporary-graduate-485/post-study-work#HowTo
Required documents
- Passport
- Completion Letter
- Academic Transcript
- English Test (within 3 years)
- OVHC Insurance
- National Police Check
- Form 80 - Personal particulars for character assessment
- Form 1221 - Additional personal particulars information
- Health Examination
Cost
| Item | Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|
| AFP National Police Check | 42.00 |
| Monash Completion Letter | 34.00 |
| Allianz Global Assistance - OVHC (Budget Working Cover/ monthly) | 75.00 |
| 485 VISA Application Fee | 1650.00 |
| Bupa Heal Examination Fee | 321.20 |
| TOTAL $2122.20 |
Timetable
2019.12.13 - Graduation Ceremony
- My parents came see me the first time since I went to Melbourne, so I took them travelling around and had some great time together. It is not necessary for everyone to wait for nearly 10 days to start preparing for the application. It’s just my personal choice.
2019.12.22 - Apply for AFP National Police Check online
- Documents (in total 100 points)
- Foreign Passport (Current) - 70 pt. / Name & Photo
- Current (Australian) Tertiary Student Identification Card - 40 pt. / Name & Photo
- Info Details
- Purpose of Check
- Purpose Type - Commonwealth Employment / Purpose
- Purpose of Check - 33 - Immigration/Citizenship - for supply to the Department of Immigration and Border Protection
- Applicant Details
- Leave
Issuing Stateblank if you don’t have an Australian Driver’s Licence
- Leave
- Purpose of Check
- Fee - $ 42.00 (extra fee applies if paid by credit cards)
- Completed and dispatched via AU Post on 2019.12.24. It took about 2 days.
- Received the letter on 2020.01.03. The delivery took about 10 days.
2020.01.02 - Request the completion letter online when Monash Connect re-opens after Christmas
- On the WES system, choose to purchase a student letter, and select
proof of qualification - Fee - $ 34.00 (extra fee applies if paid by credit cards)
- Received the letter on 2020.01.08. The delivery took about 6 days.
2020.01.08 - Buy OVHC Insurance
- There are lots of Insurance Providers that you can choose from, but I decide to stick with Allianz Global Assistance which provided my OSHC as well because I think (or at least I assume) it would be easier to get my OSHC refund.
- Set up the payment and it will automatically renew itself monthly. There is no need to buy a long-term insurance since there is no discount provided at the time of purchase.
- Download your
Certificate of Insurance
2020.01.08 - Prepare the required documentations
- Scan documents before hand
- Download and fill out Form 80 and Form 1221
- Some blocks are so small that information cannot be filled in completely (for example, in Part C I cannot fill in my 18-digit Chinese ID card number), so you might need to print it out and scan the completed form later. Unfortunately my printer’s printhead isn’t working and it was so late at night, so I have to postpone the application one day later.
2020.01.09 - Submit the visa application online and get a Bridging A Visa
2020.01.14 - Make an appointment for the health examination
- Print out the Referral letter
- Make an appointment on Bupa’s website
- Fee - $ 321.20 (extra fee applies if paid by credit cards)
2020.01.16 - Health examination
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2020.03.15 - Expiration of 500 Student Visa