The Migration Amendment (Occupation Nomination and Skills Assessment for Subclass 485 Visas) Regulations 2022 (the Regulations) amend the Migration Regulations 1994 (the Migration Regulations) to temporarily remove the requirements for applicants for a Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) visa in the Graduate Work stream to nominate an eligible skilled occupation and to obtain an assessment of the applicant’s skills in relation to the occupation. These requirements do not apply in respect of applications made between 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2023 (inclusive). The amendments also include provision to extend this date beyond 30 June 2023 to a date specified by the Minister in a legislative instrument, if it becomes appropriate to do so under prevailing economic conditions.

These amendments would encourage a broader range of graduates with degree, diploma and trade qualifications that satisfy the Australian study requirement but are not currently eligible for the Subclass 485 visa in the Graduate Work stream as their related occupations are not included in the current list of specified eligible occupations, to live and work in Australia for a further temporary period.