What is Subclass 476? Skilled-Recognized Graduate Visa

Subclass 476 visa category is specifically designed for those engineers who have recently graduated from a recognized institution. The reason for allowing this visa is that such fresh engineering graduates may gain skilled work experience for up to 18 months. The family members or dependents may apply for an Australian Visa after the grant of the visa to the primary applicant.

Who is Eligible to Apply For Subclass 476

The following candidates are eligible to apply for this Subclass 476 visa.

• Having not more than 31 years of age
• Must have completed their engineering degree from a recognized institution within the past two years
• The candidate must not be a primary visa holder of subclass 485 or 476 visa
• Must demonstrate English language ability
• Must fulfill character and health requirements

Processing Fee of Subclass 476 Visa

The processing fee or visa cost for a Skilled-Recognized Graduate visa (subclass 476) starts from AUD 425.

The additional costs may also include:

• Additional applicant charge under 18
• Additional applicant charge 18 and over
• Other costs including police certificates or other certificates, health assessments, biometrics or any kind of tests

There is an additional fee for each family member who applies for the visa alongside you. To determine the total cost of your visa, you can utilize the Visa Pricing Estimator. Please note that the estimator does not consider any other associated expenses.

Estimated Processing Time

The processing time for this visa does vary for each application. Normally it takes a year to complete 90% processing of the application.

Additionally, if you fail to include all the required documents or if we need further information from you, it can also delay the processing.

If your application is incomplete or contains errors, it may result in a longer processing time.
Verification of your information can also contribute to the longer processing time.

Duration

The duration or validity period of a Skilled Recognized Graduate visa (subclass 476) is not more than 18 months.

Engineering Qualifications

Within two years before applying for this Visa, you should have obtained any one of the following degree or diploma in engineering.

• Bachelors degree
• Masters degree
• Doctoral degree
• Postgraduate diploma

The major sequence of your engineering study or qualification must contain the following fields.

• Mechanical, production, and plant engineering
• Environmental engineering
• Civil engineering
• Structural engineering
• Electrical and electronics engineering
• Chemical engineering
• Mining and material engineering

Recognized Institutions

Only those applicants are eligible to submit their application under this category who have finished their engineering qualification from a recognized educational institution. Furthermore, you will not be able to apply if you have been studying in an institution or college, which is affiliated with any other recognized institution.

Australia also accepts an engineering degree (or higher qualification) from:

Argentina – Catholic University of Argentina
Brazil – Federal University of Minas Gerais
Chile – Universidad Catolica del Norte
Chile – Catholic University of Chile
Chile – University of Chile
Chile – University of Concepcion
Finland – HUT, Helsinki
Germany – RWTH, Aachen
Germany – Technical University of Berlin
Germany – Technical University of Clausthal
Germany – TU Bergakademie Freiberg
Germany – University of Hannover
Hungary – University of Miskolc
India – Anna University, Chennai
India – Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi
India – Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore
India – Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur
India – Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad
Iran – Amir Kabir University of Technology
Iran – University of Tehran
People’s Republic of China – Beijing Normal University
People’s Republic of China – Beijing Petroleum University
People’s Republic of China – Beijing University of Chemical Technology
People’s Republic of China – Beijing University of Technology
People’s Republic of China – China University of Mining and Technology, Beijing
People’s Republic of China – Guangzhou University
People’s Republic of China – Shanghai University of Engineering Science
People’s Republic of China – Shanghai Jiaotong University
People’s Republic of China – Tongji University
People’s Republic of China – Tsinghua University
People’s Republic of China – 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)

English Language Ability

The citizens of Canada, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, the United States of America, New Zealand or persons holding a valid passport from any of these countries must meet the English language requirement specifically provided for this visa. On the contrary, such applicants have to give proof of obtaining the required scores from any one of the relevant English language tests. It is necessary to complete the English language test prior to applying for the visa.

Unless you possess a valid passport from the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand, or the Republic of Ireland, it is necessary for you to provide proof of English proficiency. To satisfy this requirement, please provide documentation demonstrating your attainment within the last three years in the following areas:

Health Examination

You should meet the particular health requirements. The health examinations are mainly dependent on the following factors.

• Your country of citizenship
• Personal circumstances
• Intended Activities in Australia
• Visit to any other country and duration of stay within the last five years

The health certificate usually is valid for not more than 12 months. Hence, you must undergo your health examinations before lodging an application visa under this Visa category.

Character Certificate

You are bound to meet the character requirements. For this purpose, you must provide a police certificate. The issuing authority of this certificate may relate to a country where you have lived for not less than 12 months. However, there is no need to arrange a police certificate unless directed to do so. This rule applies to the applicant as well as the family members willing to join the visa holder in Australia.

Debts to the Australian Government

In order to apply for this Visa, you must have a clear financial history (no outstanding debts to the Australian Government) or you have arranged the repayment of any outstanding debt. Similarly, all the family members or dependents (18 years of age or older) who are applying, must furnish proof that there are no outstanding debts to the Australian Government on their part.

Things You May Do

This visa category provides equal opportunities to the visa holder and his/her family to travel, work and study during their stay in Australia, which extends up to 18 months.

Location

You can apply under this visa category either while living inside or outside Australia. Nevertheless, at the time this Visa is decided, you must be outside of Australia. The citizens of New Zealand holding a Special Category visa (subclass 444) are exempted from this rule.

Family Members

At the time of lodging your application, you may include the following persons as your family members.

• Spouse
• Child/step-child
• Your partner’s child/step-child

Read More: What is Subclass 489?

The Visa application must also provide documentary evidence regarding the relationship of such family member/s. The family members must also provide proof that they comply with the character and health requirements.

• The family members are not eligible to file an online application
• Your family members may apply for this visa whether living inside or outside Australia

Your family members may also apply to join you in Australia once the visa is approved. Members of your family unit who are added after a visa has been granted must:

• Pay the visa application fee as a whole
• Provide the relevant documents which are necessary to meet the requirements

What Workplace Rights are Available in Australia

The workers in Australia include those visa holders who have permission to work. They have specific rights to work during their stay in Australia under Australian workplace law.

The Fair Work Ombudsman’s Pay and Conditions Tool (PACT) gives relevant information regarding shift calculations, pay rates, notice or redundancy entitlements and leave arrangements.