Hi,

I've applied for my 485 (Graduate visa) in March 2011. It seems that they are still processing January 2010 applications at the moment. I am going thru the job ready program. My concern is that I will be eligible for PR by March 2012 and may still be on a bridging visa at that point. I am worried that I may not be allowed to apply until my 485 is granted and then get stuck with new rules again in July 2012 which should be expression of interest. Anyone can clear this up?

Even if you don't have 485 visa, you can apply for PR within 6months of completion of study.

thank you. But at that point my student visa will have been expired for more than 6 months since it takes 12 months to do the job ready program.

If you need a TRA skill assessment, actually, you need 485 visa because you can't receive a result of skill assessment within 6 months due to job ready program.

you don't need to hold the graduate visa for the job ready program. you just have to have applied for it which is my case.

For a job ready program, you must have a 485 visa. After you finish your study, you need to commece a job ready program to get a positive skill assessment from TRA. But, if you don't have a 485 visa, how will you stay in australia? Also, without a positive skill assessment, you can't apply for skilled migration visa.

In summary, you need to complete a job ready to get a positive skill assessment and it will take about 1 year, so you need a 485 visa.
Actually, without 485 visa, you can't complete your skill assessment and can't apply for PR.

Rubbish. I finished my course one year and 8 months ago. I am STILL waiting for my 485 visa! I could have finished the job ready programme 8 months ago and still would be waiting for the 485 and in limbo. (I didn't bother doing more than the first stage due to my job coming off the list and the massive cost).

As it is I am hopefully going to be sponsored for the rsms visa and am trying to decide if I should wait the possible 2-3 months for my 485 visa, or apply for the off shore visa. As, like asked in the op, I can't apply for an onshore permanent visa while on the bridging visa.

So yer, one year and five months after applying for the 485 and it still looks like I have another couple of months to wait, so the question up top was an absolutely valid one.

Thanks PB.. At least you understand what I was on about... My problem is that I am going thru the job ready program.... already spent 800$ for step 1 and 2.. About to spend 750$ for the stupid workplace course and then 2000$ for my evaluation... I'm going to need all that cash if my plan backfires and I need to move back to Canada!

Yes, it is very hard indeed, as in that time you are waiting it can all change (as I know only too well).
They are claiming the 485 should take a year at the mo. How they work this out when they are only up to jan 2010 I have no idea.