476 Visa Closed: What Engineering Graduates Can Apply For Now

You finished an engineering degree overseas and planned to use the 476 visa. Now you keep finding old news about a cap.

That story has ended. The 476 is closed to all applicants, and it has been since 1 July 2024.

For a new engineering graduate, that can feel like the main door into Australia has shut. It has not. Engineers still have several routes.

The right one now depends on where you studied, your age and your points. It also depends on whether an employer or a state wants your skills.

This guide explains what happened to the 476. It covers what the closure means for current holders and past applicants, and which visas engineers can apply for today.

It also looks closely at the Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491). For many engineers trained overseas, it is the closest thing to the 476, with a path to permanent residence.

What was the Skilled-Recognised Graduate visa (subclass 476)?

The 476 was a temporary visa for recent engineering graduates from recognised overseas universities. It let them live, work or study in Australia for up to 18 months.

Most people applied from outside Australia. Graduates used the 18 months to get local work experience. Many then moved to a skilled visa or an employer visa.

Is the 476 visa closed?

Yes. The 476 visa closed to all applicants on 1 July 2024. The change was made by the Migration Amendment (Graduate Visas) Regulations 2024. Its Explanatory Statement says:

“The Subclass 476 (Skilled-Recognised Graduate) visa is closed to all applicants (primary applicants and their family member(s)) from 1 July 2024.”

The closure came from the Migration Strategy of 11 December 2023. The Government said a special visa just for engineers trained overseas no longer fit its plans.

How the 476 closed

Home Affairs has since removed the 476 from its visa listing, and its processing-time data for the 476 now reads “Processing times are not available”. 

What happens to 476 holders and pending applicants?

Current holders keep their visa. In the words of the Explanatory Statement: “The visas of existing Subclass 476 visa holders are not affected by this change.”

• Holders: you can keep working and studying until your visa ends.
• Pending applicants: undecided applications lodged before the cap was reached were “taken not to have been made”. There are no 476 applications left on hand.
• Refunds: affected applicants could apply for a repayment of the visa application charge.
• Babies born in Australia to a 476 holder are still granted a 476 automatically, unless they are Australian citizens.
• Other family members can no longer apply to join a 476 holder and need a different visa.

What can engineering graduates apply for now?

The best option depends mostly on where you studied. If you studied in Australia, start with the 485. If you studied overseas, look at skilled, regional or employer visas.

All the skilled visas need a positive skills assessment. For most engineers, this comes from Engineers Australia. See these tips for the Engineers Australia skills assessment and the wider PR pathway for engineers in Australia.

Is the 491 visa a good alternative to the 476?

For many engineers trained overseas, yes. The 491 lets you live, work and study in a regional part of Australia for 5 years.

Unlike the 476, it leads to permanent residence. After holding the 491 for 3 years, you may be able to apply for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191). The 191 also has an income test, so keep your tax records from the start.

You need a state or territory to nominate you. Or a relative who lives in a regional area and meets the rules can sponsor you.

Who is eligible for the 491 visa?

You must meet every point below. Home Affairs checks them at invitation and again at application.

491 eligibility checklist

• Be under 45 when you are invited to apply.
• Be nominated by a state or territory government agency, or sponsored by an eligible relative.
• Have an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list.
• Hold a suitable skills assessment obtained in the 3 years before your invitation.
• Score at least 65 points on the points test.
• Meet the English, health and character requirements.
• Agree to live, work and study in a regional area.

Each state sets its own extra nomination rules. Victoria, for example, now ranks Registrations of Interest with its own points test. See the Victorian points test guide.

How do you apply for a 491 visa?

You apply in four main steps, starting with an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect.

1. Get a positive skills assessment, usually from Engineers Australia.
2. Lodge an EOI in SkillSelect and record your EOI number.
3. Apply for state nomination using that EOI number. Some states need a Registration of Interest first.
4. If nominated, accept the invitation and lodge your 491 application with Home Affairs.

What to do once you are nominated

• Watch your email and SkillSelect for the invitation.
• Lodge your visa application within 60 days of the invitation. If you miss it, the invitation lapses.
• Keep your contact details up to date with the state and Home Affairs.
• Plan to live and work in your nominating state’s regional area for the life of the visa.

Full stream details are on the Home Affairs 491 page.

How The Migration Helps

The Migration helps engineers pick the visa that fits where they studied and what they want next. Then it helps them build a strong application.

• A route check across the 485, 491, 189, 190 and 482.
• Points review and EOI set-up in SkillSelect.
• Guidance on state nomination rules and Registrations of Interest.
• Skills assessment preparation advice for engineers.
• Advice from a MARA-registered migration agent (MARN 2518738). Check the MARA register.
• 7+ years helping skilled migrants and graduates.

476 Visa Closed: Final Thoughts

The 476 closed to all applicants on 1 July 2024, and it is not coming back. Current holders keep their visa until it ends, but no new 476 visas can be applied for. No migration agent can guarantee a visa outcome.

Engineers who studied in Australia can look at the 485. Overseas graduates can look at the 491, 189, 190, 482 or, for Indian nationals, MATES. To find the best fit, speak with a MARA-registered migration agent (MARN 2518738) at The Migration. Book your consultation.

Frequently asked questions