With the Department of Home Affairs strictly enforcing the 35-year age limit for the 485 Post-Higher Education Work stream and removing the 2-year extension, the "easy" route to staying in Australia has changed.
If you are sitting in a cafe in Haymarket or Surry Hills wondering, "My 485 is ending soon, and I don't have enough points for a 189 visa—what do I do?"—you are not alone.
But here is the good news: A visa expiry is not a dead end. It is a signal to pivot.
At Right & Associates, located right here on Castlereagh Street, we have guided thousands of students through tougher changes than this over our 20+ years of experience. Here is the "Plan B" strategy we are currently using for our Sydney clients.
Option 1: The "Skills in Demand" Visa (The New 482)
This is the biggest opportunity for 2025. The old 482 visa has been replaced by the Skills in Demand visa, and it comes with a massive advantage for graduates:
The Work Experience Requirement is Reduced. Previously, you needed 2 years of experience to get sponsored. Now, under the new Core Skills stream, you may only need 1 year of relevant work experience.
If you have been working part-time in your field (Accounting, IT, Marketing) while studying, or full-time on your 485, you might already be eligible.
- Why it works: It secures your stay for up to 4 years.
- The PR Goal: It provides a clear pathway to Permanent Residency via the 186 Transition Stream.
Option 2: The Training Visa (Subclass 407)
Struggling to meet the salary threshold for the Skills in Demand visa? The 407 Training Visa is the hidden gem for Sydney graduates.
It allows you to work for an employer for up to 2 years to "enhance your skills." It’s perfect for:
- Accountants needing to finish their CPA/CA experience.
- IT professionals needing a Professional Year or specific on-the-job training.
It keeps you onshore, keeps you working, and buys you time to accrue points for a 190 or 189 invitation.
Option 3: The "Strategic" Student Visa Extension
Warning: Do not just apply for a cheap Diploma.
With the new Genuine Student (GS) test, "visa hopping" is being targeted. If you need to return to study, it must show career progression.
- Good Strategy: An Accountant doing a Master of Business Analytics.
- Bad Strategy: A Master of IT graduate enrolling in a Certificate IV in Leadership.
Our team can help you enroll in courses that genuinely add value to your resume and pass the Department’s strict scrutiny.
Why Trust Right & Associates Sydney?
You don't need just a form-filler; you need a strategist. Led by Mr. Parshu Ram Adhikari, our team has been the "Best Nepali Migration Agent" choice for over two decades because we tell you the truth—even when it's hard to hear.
We are physically located in the heart of the CBD, making it easy for you to drop in after work or class.
Our Sydney Office Advantage:
- Hyper-Local Knowledge: We know which Sydney employers are currently sponsoring.
- Complex Case Experts: We have successfully handled appeals and expiring visa rescues that other agents turned away.
Stop Worrying. Start Planning.
Your 485 visa clock is ticking, but you have options if you act now. Don't wait until you have 28 days left.
Visit us in the CBD: 📍 Address: Suite 12, Level 1, 301 Castlereagh Street, Sydney, NSW 2000 📞 Phone: +61 2 9281 1464 📧 Email: admissions@rassociates.com.au