Skilled - Recognised Graduate visa (subclass 476)
Skilled - Recognised Graduate visa (subclass 476)
Visa Cost
Closed, no 2025-26 new-application rate (the primary applicant base VAC before closure was about AUD 405-465)
Closed: capped on 2023-12-22, permanently closed to new applications from 2024-07-01; graduates should consider the 485 visa
Processing Time
Not applicable (no longer accepting new applications)
Eligibility
- [Historical eligibility, no longer open] You had to be under 31 at the time of application
- Obtained an engineering degree or higher qualification (bachelor's or above) from a recognised institution within 2 years before lodgement
- Recognised institutions mainly mean engineering institutions accredited under the Washington Accord, or designated institutions from a designated-country list (such as China, India, Brazil, Germany, etc.)
- English meets the requirement: IELTS overall 6.0 (or equivalent)
- Meet health and character requirements
- This visa is temporary, with a maximum stay of about 18 months (those affected by border closures could obtain an extension), and does not lead directly to permanent residence
Key Information
Validity / Stay / Residence
Maximum stay of 18 months (some affected by border closures were extended to 24 months in total).
Eligible Dependants
Can include the spouse/de facto partner and dependent children as secondary applicants; family members can also apply to join after grant.
PR / Permanent Residence Pathway
Closed to new applications (2025-26). A temporary visa, not permanent residence, with no direct PR pathway in itself; previously a transitional visa, during which you could connect to skilled migration channels such as 189/190/491 or 485 to move to permanent residence.
View provisional-to-permanent transition overview →Common Visa Conditions
Full explanations of condition codes are in the Visa Conditions Lookup
Application Steps
Confirm closure status
Confirm closure status
476 was permanently closed on 2024-07-01 and no new applications can be lodged; it now only serves existing holders to understand their rights and alternative pathways.
- Application cap set on 2023-12-22
- No new applications accepted from 2024-07-01
- Existing 476 holders' visas remain valid to their original expiry date
Existing holders check rights and expiry
Existing holders check rights and expiry
If you already hold a 476 visa, confirm the validity, work rights, and (for those affected by the pandemic) extension arrangements.
- Standard stay of about 18 months
- Those affected by border closures could obtain an arrangement of 24 months in total
- Mind the conditions in VEVO
Assess alternative pathways for engineers
Assess alternative pathways for engineers
Engineering graduates take other visas instead: 485 Temporary Graduate, 189/190 skilled migration, 491 regional, etc.
- Australian-qualified graduates to 485
- Skilled migration by accruing points to 189/190/491
- Employer sponsorship to 482/186
Request VAC refund if applicable
Request VAC refund if applicable
Applicants who lodged before 2024-07-01 but were not granted will receive email guidance from the Department on claiming a visa fee refund.
- Submit the refund request as directed in the email
- Keep the original payment receipt
- Confirm the refund account details
Required Documents
| Document Name | English Name | Required | Description | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering degree/qualification (historical requirement) | Engineering degree/qualification (historical requirement) | Pre-closure requirement: an engineering degree or higher qualification obtained within 2 years from a recognised institution, with the certificate and transcript. | This visa is closed; this is a description of historical materials; now take 485/189/190, etc., instead and prepare the corresponding materials. | |
| Washington Accord accreditation evidence (historical) | Washington Accord accreditation evidence (historical) | Pre-closure requirement: proof that the institution/program is accredited under the Washington Accord, or is on the designated-institution list for designated countries. | Studying only at an affiliated institution rather than the main institution did not meet the requirement; it can no longer be used for new applications. | |
| English test result IELTS 6.0 (historical) | English test result IELTS 6.0 (historical) | Pre-closure requirement: an IELTS overall 6.0 or equivalent recognised test result. | A historical threshold, no longer usable for new 476 applications. | |
| Passport and identity documents (historical) | Passport and identity documents (historical) | Pre-closure requirement: a valid passport bio-data page and identity proof, to verify age (under 31). | The age limit was a key 476 restriction; now refer to the identity-document requirements of alternative visas. | |
| Health exam and police clearance (historical) | Health exam and police clearance (historical) | Pre-closure requirement: immigration health examination and police clearances from relevant countries, meeting health and character requirements. | Historical material; similar health examination and police clearance requirements still apply when applying for an alternative visa now. | |
| VAC refund request documents | VAC refund request documents | For those who lodged before 2024-07-01 but were not granted: the refund request and payment receipt submitted per the Department's email guidance. | Keep the original ImmiAccount payment receipt and application number. | |
| Alternative (485): Australian study completion letter | Alternative (485): Australian study completion letter | If you switch to 485, you need an Australian institution completion letter proving you meet the Australian Study Requirement (92 weeks). | For Australian engineering graduates, 485 Post-Higher Education Work is usually more suitable. | |
| Alternative (skilled): Engineers Australia skills assessment | Alternative (skilled): Engineers Australia skills assessment | If taking skilled migration, you need an engineer skills assessment from a body such as Engineers Australia. | Overseas engineering qualifications can take EA's CDR/accreditation route, in preparation for points-tested skilled migration. |
FAQ
Can the 476 visa still be applied for now?
I am an engineering graduate; 476 has closed, so what alternative visas are there?
I lodged a 476 before July 2024 but it has not been granted; what happens?
What is the difference between 476 and 485?
Can an existing 476 visa be renewed or moved to PR?
Common Refusal Reasons
- Closed to new applications: new applications lodged after the cap took effect are invalid (2025-26)
- The engineering qualification is not from a recognised institution or was not completed within 24 months before application
- Over 31 at application
- Having previously held a 476 or 485 visa as the primary applicant (not eligible to reapply)
- English falls short (holders of passports other than the UK/US/Canada/New Zealand/Ireland must provide a qualifying English score)
- Not being outside Australia at decision (and not a 444 visa holder), or health/character not met
Can you appeal after a refusal? See the Visa Refusal & Review (ART) Guide.