Skilled Recognised Graduate Subclass 476 Visa
As part of the Migration Strategy, the Skilled – Recognised Graduate (Subclass 476) visa will be permanently closed on 1 July 2024. The decision to abolish this visa is due to its misalignment with current policy priorities. No further visas under this subclass will be granted after this date.
Applicants who have submitted applications but have not yet received their visas should have received an email from the Department with instructions on how to request a refund of the Visa Application Charge (VAC).
Extension for Engineering Graduates
Engineering graduates who lost time due to border restrictions are eligible for a 24-month extension on their 476 visas, which includes the standard 18 months plus an additional 6 months.
Visa Capping
The 476 visa has now been capped, meaning that any visa applications already submitted will not be processed before 1 July 2024. Any new applications lodged before this date will be deemed invalid.
“The visa was originally intended to support the mining and minerals sector by attracting highly sought-after engineering graduates. However, internationally trained engineers now have alternative and preferred pathways to work in Australia. The program is under review as part of broader migration reforms, and capping grants of this visa in the current financial year is a preliminary step towards its eventual repeal.”
Visa Features
The Skilled – Recognised Graduate visa (Subclass 476) allows recent engineering graduates from recognized institutions to gain up to 18 months of skilled work experience in Australia.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for this visa, you must:
- Be under 31 years of age.
- Have completed an engineering degree from a recognized institution in the past two years.
- Not have previously held a Subclass 476 or 485 visa as the primary visa holder.
Length of Stay
The visa allows you to stay in Australia for 18 months.
Cost
The visa application fee starts from AUD 465.
Processing Times
- 75% of applications are processed within 14 months.
- 90% of applications are processed within 17 months.
Who Can Apply
You may be eligible for the Skilled – Recognised Graduate visa (Subclass 476) if:
- You are younger than 31 years of age.
- You have completed an eligible engineering qualification from a recognized institution within the past two years.
- You have not previously held a Subclass 476 or Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485) visa, unless you were part of the family unit.
- You can demonstrate your English language proficiency.
- You meet health and character requirements.
Eligible Engineering Qualifications
Your engineering qualification must have been completed within the two years before your application. Acceptable qualifications include:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Master’s degree
- Doctoral degree
- Postgraduate diploma
Your qualification must be in one of the following fields of engineering:
- Civil engineering
- Structural engineering
- Chemical engineering
- Environmental engineering
- Electrical and electronics engineering
- Mechanical, production, and plant engineering
- Mining and material engineering
Recognized Institutions
Your engineering qualification must be from a recognized educational institution. Affiliated institutions or colleges do not meet this requirement.
English Language Proficiency
If you are a citizen of the UK, Canada, New Zealand, the USA, or the Republic of Ireland, or hold a valid passport from one of these countries, you meet the English language requirement. Otherwise, you must provide evidence of meeting the required scores on one of the specified English language tests.
Accepted English Language Tests
- IELTS: Overall score of at least 6 with a minimum of 5 in each of the four components.
- TOEFL iBT: Total score of at least 64 with minimums of 4 for listening, 4 for reading, 14 for writing, and 14 for speaking.
- PTE Academic: Overall score of at least 50 with a minimum of 36 in each of the four components.
- OET: At least B in each of the four components.
- Cambridge C1 Advanced: Overall score of at least 169 with a minimum of 154 in each of the four components.
About the Visa
The Skilled – Recognised Graduate visa (Subclass 476) is a temporary visa that allows recent engineering graduates from eligible universities to gain up to 18 months of skilled work experience in Australia. Your family members can also apply to join you in Australia after the visa is granted.
What You Can Do
This visa allows you and your family to:
- Stay in Australia for up to 18 months
- Travel
- Work
- Study
Application Location
You can apply for this visa from inside or outside Australia. However, you must be outside Australia when the visa is decided unless you are a New Zealand citizen holding a Special Category visa (Subclass 444). New Zealand citizens with a Special Category visa can be inside or outside Australia when the visa is decided.
Recognized Educational Institutions
Washington Accord Institutions
Any institution offering an engineering qualification accredited under the Washington Accord is recognized. The Washington Accord is an international agreement among bodies responsible for accrediting engineering degree programs.
Other Recognized Institutions
Alternatively, your engineering qualification must be from one of the following institutions:
Argentina: Catholic University of Argentina
Brazil: Federal University of Minas Gerais
Chile: Universidad Catolica del Norte, Catholic University of Chile—Antofagasta, University of Chile, University of Concepcion
Finland: HUT, Helsinki
Germany: RWTH Aachen, Technical University of Berlin, Technical University of Clausthal, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, University of Hannover
Hungary: University of Miskolc
India: Anna University—Chennai, Banaras Hindu University—Varanasi, Indian Institute of Science—Bangalore, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, Indian School of Mines—Dhanbad
Iran: Amir Kabir University of Technology, University of Tehran
China: Beijing Normal University, Beijing Petroleum University, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing University of Technology (formerly Beijing Polytechnic University), China University of Mining and Technology—Beijing, Guangzhou University, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Tongji University, Tsinghua University, University of Science and Technology—Beijing
Philippines: University of the Philippines
Poland: Wroclaw University of Technology
Slovakia: TU Kosice
Sweden: Lulea University of Technology
Tanzania: University of Dar es Salaam