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Subclass 476 Skilled Recognised Graduate Visa
This graduate visa is targeted toward recent engineering graduates, allowing them to live, work and study in Australia for a maximum period of 18 months. The engineering degree must have been completed at an institution that is accredited under the Washington Accord, with a list of recognised institutions found online.
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The Australian Migration Lawyers difference
Fixed price
There are no hidden costs for our services. Our fees are clearly set out in a fee agreement.
Deal direct with a lawyer
From the first same-day response to the granting of your visa, you’ll have direct access to a lawyer.
Clear communication
Our experienced lawyers will give you regular updates and clear explanations of visa pathways.
Satisfaction guarantee
We offer a client satisfaction guarantee in relation to our visa application services.
Installments available
3 - 6 months installment options available on some visa types.
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What is a Skilled Recognised Graduate visa 476?
You will be eligible to apply for this temporary visa if you have completed your engineering qualification within the past two years and have never held a previous 476 or 485 graduate visa. You must also be under the age of 31 when you apply.
While the 476 visa does not have a direct pathway to permanent residence, it is possible to apply for a further work visa on expiry. As such, this visa can be a good option for applicants who are seeking to find an Australian employer or to gain further work experience for the purposes of applying for another work visa to gain a pathway to PR.
The number of 476 visas that can be granted was capped in 2023, and as a result, the maximum number of 476 visa holders has currently been reached. As such, it is currently not possible to apply for this visa, which might change if further positions are allocated.
Eligibility requirements for a subclass 476 Skilled Recognised Graduate visa
The key criteria for a 476 visa can be briefly summarised as follows:
- You must hold a valid passport
- The applicant must have completed an Engineering qualification accredited under the washington accord within the last two years
- You must meet the relevant English language requirements
- You must meet the health and character requirements, and must ensure that you have adequate health insurance while in Australia
- You must be under the age of 31 when you apply
Learn more about 476 graduate visa requirements
Benefits of the Skilled Recognised Graduate visa
The 476 visa can provide a stepping stone toward a further skilled visa, such as the subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage or subclass 189/190 skilled visas. For example, the 482 requires a minimum of two years relevant work experience, so a graduate could apply for the 476 visa, gain a year and a half of relevant work experience, apply for a 482 and continue on to permanent residence with the subclass 186 visa.
Further benefits for a 476 primary visa holder include:
- Access to the outstanding working and living conditions in Australia
- Unrestricted travel in and out of Australia
- Study without restriction
- The ability to include family members with full work and study rights
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Skilled Recognised Graduate visa checklist
All supporting documents must be provided online when you submit your application, and generally relate to your engineering qualification. To support you with your application, we have developed a comprehensive checklist to meet all the criteria for the visa. Here is a snapshot of some of the documents that you will need to provide:
- Passport
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Divorce/death certificate for previous spouse (if applicable)
- Proof of name change (if applicable)
- National identity card (if applicable)
- Birth certificate (for applicants under 18)
- Completion letter from your education provider
- Certified copy of your engineering course transcripts
- Military service record or discharge papers (if applicable)
- Health exams
- Police clearance certificates from former countries of residence
- English test results
- Evidence of adequate health insurance
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How the Skilled Recognised Graduate visa works
The 476 visa is intended to address shortages of engineers throughout Australia by giving recent engineering graduates from institutions throughout the world a chance to work and live in Australia, giving them a chance to experience the excellent working and living conditions in Australia.
Graduates will generally apply for the visa shortly after they have completed their course, however you can apply up to two years after completion.
The application for this visa is done online, during which time you will need to attach all the required evidence and details of your qualification and identity documents. Once the visa has been approved, you will be able to live, work and study in Australia for a maximum period of 18 months.
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Future pathways after your Skilled Recognised Graduate 476 visa
There are no direct pathways to permanent residence from this visa, however it is possible to make an application for a further work visa subject to meeting the eligibility criteria. Some of the most common visas that 476 visa holders will apply for include the 482, 494, 189 or 190 visas.
Even if you do not have the work experience required for a further work visa, you can go offshore and gain further experience before applying, with any relevant experience gained while in Australia counting toward the new visa. These options can provide recent engineering graduates with the opportunity to gain further valuable work experience in order to meet the visa grant requirements for a permanent visa.
Benefits of using Australian Migration Lawyer for your Skilled Recognised Graduate Visa
The 476 visa can provide a stepping stone toward a further skilled visa, such as the subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage or subclass 189/190 skilled visas. For example, the 482 requires a minimum of two years relevant work experience, so a graduate could apply for the 476 visa, gain a year and a half of relevant work experience, apply for a 482 and continue on to permanent residence with the subclass 186 visa.
- Our team of qualified Australian lawyers draw on their knowledge of legislation, case law, and policy, to give clear and accurate advice on all requirements and strategies relevant to your matter
- As lawyers, we have an obligation to ensure that your application meets all legislative requirements, which greatly improves your chance of success
- We assist in all stages of the process, including the preparation of all necessary applications all the way through to the grant of the visa, including working with you to action any additional requests from the Department of Home Affairs
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Visa subclass 476 visa costs
There are two main costs associated with a visa subclass 476 application.
Professional fees payable to Australian Migration Lawyers to prepare the application
Our fees will vary depending on the circumstances of your application. Some applications will be more complex than others and our fees will be quoted accordingly. We work on a fixed-fee basis rather than billing hourly to provide our clients with certainty about what the total costs associated with their visa application will be. We strive to be flexible, so we offer payment plans based on financial need.
Book a free consultation with one of our qualified lawyers to get a quote.
Department fees
The application fee for the Department of Home Affairs in relation to a Skilled Recognised Graduate 476 visa application are as follows:
- Visa stage - visa charge $465
Visa application process
Applying for a visa to Australia can be complex. With help from an Australian Migration Lawyer, we can untangle this complexity, and help you apply for the right visa.
1. Consultation and engagement
Organise a consultation time to speak with one of our lawyers. You can meet with us in person, via Zoom or telephone. Following this, we will send you paperwork that confirms our engagement to represent you.
2. Preparation and support
We will prepare written submissions in support of your visa application. This will be based on your individual circumstances, and supported by evidence where appropriate.
3. Submission and communication
We submit your application to the relevant body (Department of Home Affairs, courts or tribunal). We will continue to update you concerning the status of your application.
4. Representation and success
We will keep you informed about your application, and notify you of the outcome. If you receive an unfavourable outcome and we can reapply, we will!
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476 Visa Processing times
The processing time for a visa subclass 476 is currently not updated, as there are no further positions allocated for this subclass. As such, it is currently not possible to make an application for this visa.
476 Visa Considerations
Our legal team at Australian Migration Lawyers are skilled lawyers practising in Australian migration law.
As lawyers, we cannot issue guarantees that your visa will be granted. The decision rests with the Department of Home Affairs, not any one representative, lawyer or migration agent. However, our sound understanding of the law means that we are able to put the best case forward to seek a successful outcome.
We strive to make ourselves as accessible as possible to you
- Most initial consultations are free and recurring services will incur a fixed-fee that we will discuss with you
- You can have a consultation with us from anywhere in Australia as our consultations are online
- We can assist you regardless of where you are in the 476 visa process
Meet your Australian Migration Lawyer
We’re a diverse team of professionals with decades of combined experience. We care about your situation and will make sure you always get the support and advice you need.
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We offer professional migration advice and support, no matter where you are based. Those located in Australia have the choice of meeting with us at one of our offices or online, and for those offshore, we are available to you online.
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Learn moreFrequently asked questions
Read our most frequently asked questions.
What is a 476 recognised graduate visa?
The 476 visa allows recent engineering degree graduates to work and live in Australia temporarily within two years of completing their course.
What is the difference between 476 and 485 visas?
The 476 visa is designed specifically for recent engineering graduates, and can be applied for if you studied offshore, as long as the institution is eligible.
The 485 visa is for graduates from Australian institutions only, and an applicant must select an eligible occupation and have a skills assessment to be eligible to apply. The conditions of the visas are similar, but the eligibility requirements vary quite a lot.
How can I get PR after a 476 visa in Australia?
There is no direct PR pathway after a 476 visa, however it is possible to apply for a further work visa once the 476 visa expires. As such, any of the existing PR pathways for work visas are an option for 476 visa holders.
For example, an engineering graduate with six months of work experience offshore could apply for the 476 and work for an Australian company for 18 months. This would mean that they would have the required work experience (two years) for a subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage visa, which would then provide a PR pathway after a further two years with the subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa. This is one of many options that an engineering student could consider to gain PR in Australia.
Is the 476 visa closing in Australia?
The number of 476 visas was capped in December 2023, which means that they are no longer accepting any further applications.
There may be further positions allocated to this visa subclass in the 2024-2025 financial year, and at this stage the visa has not closed yet, so it is unclear if the visa will continue to be supported or is likely to be closed entirely to new applicants. Based on the ongoing shortages of engineers in Australia, it is more likely that a limited number of positions will be allocated for this visa in the next financial year.
About the content author
Perry Q Wood is National President of the Australian Institute of Administrative Law and one of Australia’s leading administrative and migration lawyers. To date, he has been involved in 1,000+ migration and refugee matters.
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