The 476 visa closed on 1 July 2024
The Skilled Recognised Graduate visa (subclass 476) was abolished on 1 July 2024 as part of the Government’s Migration Strategy. No new applications can be made and no further visas will be granted. Applicants whose applications were still undecided were contacted by the Department about a refund of their visa application charge.
Options for engineering graduates now
- 485 Temporary Graduate visa: for graduates of Australian qualifications, giving 18 months to 3 years (or more for regional study) to live and work in Australia.
- Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa: employer sponsored, for engineers with a job offer from an approved sponsor.
- 189, 190 and 491 skilled visas: points tested permanent and regional pathways, with an Engineers Australia skills assessment.
- 186 Employer Nomination Scheme: permanent residence through employer sponsorship.
Not sure which pathway suits you? Book a consultation with our Registered Migration Agents.
How the 476 visa worked (before it closed)
The information below is kept for reference only and describes the visa as it was before 1 July 2024.
Features
This visa allows:
- recent engineering graduates of recognised institutions to gain up to 18 months of skilled work experience.
Eligibility
You must:
- be under 31 years of age
- have completed an engineering degree at a recognised institution in the past two years
- not have been the primary visa holder of a subclass 476 or 485 visa.
Length of stay
18 months
Cost
From AUD 465
Eligibility
Who could get this visa
You could get a Skilled Recognised Graduate visa (subclass 476) if:
- you are younger than 31 years of age
- you have completed an eligible engineering qualification from a recognised institution in the past two years
- you have not held a Skilled Recognised Graduate visa (subclass 476) or a Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) before (unless you were a member of the family unit)
- you can demonstrate your English language ability
- you meet health and character requirements.
Your engineering qualifications
In the two years before you apply, you must have completed one of the following qualifications in engineering:
- bachelor’s degree
- master’s degree
- doctoral degree
- postgraduate diploma.
Your qualification must contain a major sequence of study or specialisation in engineering, such as:
- civil engineering
- structural engineering
- chemical engineering
- environmental engineering
- electrical and electronics engineering
- mechanical, production and plant engineering
- mining and material engineering.
Recognised institutions
You must have completed your engineering qualification at a recognised educational institution. Study at an institution or college that is affiliated with a recognised institution does not satisfy this requirement.
English language ability
If you are a citizen of the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, the United States of America or the Republic of Ireland or you hold a valid passport from one of those countries, you are considered to meet the English language requirement for this visa. Otherwise, you must provide evidence of having achieved the following scores from one of the specified English language tests. You must complete your English language test before you apply.
| Test | Score |
|---|---|
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS) | Overall score of at least 6 with a minimum score of 5 for each of the 4 parts |
| Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT) | Total score of at least 64 with a minimum score of 4 for listening, 4 for reading, 14 for writing and 14 for speaking |
| Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) | Overall score of at least 50 with a minimum score of 36 for each of the 4 parts |
| Occupational English Test (OET) | At least B for each of the 4 parts |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced test | Overall at least 169 with a minimum score of at least 154 in each of the 4 test components |
About this visa
The Skilled Recognised Graduate visa (subclass 476) allows recent engineering graduates of eligible universities to gain up to 18 months of skilled work experience in occupations. It is a temporary visa.
Your family can also apply to join you in Australia after the visa is granted.
What you can do
This visa allows you and your family stay in Australia for up to 18 months. While in Australia, you can:
- travel
- work
- study
Location
You may be inside or outside Australia when you apply for this visa however you must be outside of Australia when the visa is decided, unless you are a New Zealand citizen who holds a Special Category visa (subclass 444). A New Zealand citizen who holds a Special Category visa (subclass 444) can be in or outside Australia when the visa is decided.
