Skilled Recognised Graduate visa (subclass 476) - Agent Training Manual

1. Overview

Know these facts cold before the first client conversation - they are also what the exam below tests. No (temporary). Build experience toward a points-tested or employer-sponsored PR visa.

Visa typeTemporary (18 months)

LodgementOnshore or offshore

Stay18 months

Work rightsUnlimited

Study rightsYes

Government charge~$445

Processing time~3-5 months

2. Process flow

The handling sequence for a 476 file, from first consultation to decision. Each step assumes the one before it is genuinely finished - not "mostly done".

Verify the institution
The engineering qualification must be from a recognised (Washington Accord) institution, completed within the last 2 years. Verify the institution list - this is the visa's core filter.
Check age and recency
Under 31 at application and inside the 2-year completion window. Neither has a discretion.
English and documents
Competent English test, award certificate and transcripts.
Lodge and manage
Straightforward lodgement once eligibility is verified; respond promptly to any requests.
Grant briefing
18 months of full work rights - build the client's plan toward a skills assessment and a points-tested or employer-sponsored pathway.

3. Eligibility checklist

Every box must be confirmable with evidence, not the client's say-so, before you advise that the 476 is viable.

An engineering qualification from a recognised institution (completed in the last 2 years)Aged under 31Competent EnglishMeet health and character requirements

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4. Document checklist

The lodgement pack. Aim for decision-ready: a case officer should be able to grant without asking for anything further.

Valid passport biodata page for every applicant - check expiry against expected processing timeCertified identity documents: birth certificate, national ID, any change-of-name evidencePolice certificates for every country the client lived in for 12+ months in the last 10 years (since turning 16)Health examinations with an approved panel physician when requested (record the HAP ID)Form 956 appointing you as the registered agent, signed before you deal with the DepartmentEngineering award certificate and transcript from a recognised (Washington Accord) institutionEvidence the qualification was completed within the last 2 yearsEnglish test result at Competent or higher

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5. Cost checklist

Quote the full stack, in writing, before the client signs. Surprise costs are the fastest way to lose a client's trust (and earn a complaint).

Item	Indicative amount
Base visa application charge (2025-26, indicative)	~$445
English test (IELTS/PTE/TOEFL)	~$400-460
OSHC (single, per year)	~$500-700
Health examinations (per person)	~$300-500
Additional applicant charges (family members)	Varies by age
Your professional fee	Per your agency's schedule - quote in writing before Form 956
Rule of thumb	Government charges usually change every 1 July - re-quote any file that lodges after 30 June

6. Qualification checklist

Run this in the first consultation, before taking a retainer. It screens the client, not the visa: history, hard stops and honesty come first.

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7. Case studies - eligible cases

Illustrative composites showing what a grantable 476 file looks like in practice.

Grant: Mariana from Thailand

Background: Mariana, an undergraduate nursing applicant from Thailand. Recent engineering graduates from a recognised institution who want to gain skilled work experience in Australia.
Why it qualified: (1) An engineering qualification from a recognised institution (completed in the last 2 years). (2) Aged under 31. (3) Competent English.
What made the file strong: Dates, names and figures matched across every document - no internal inconsistencies to trigger checks.
Outcome: Granted within the indicative processing window (~3-5 months).

Grant: Jorge from the Philippines

Background: Jorge, a VET commercial-cookery student from the Philippines. Recent engineering graduates from a recognised institution who want to gain skilled work experience in Australia.
Why it qualified: (1) An engineering qualification from a recognised institution (completed in the last 2 years). (2) Aged under 31. (3) Competent English.
What made the file strong: Every claim was evidenced before lodgement - nothing was left 'to follow'.
Outcome: Granted within the indicative processing window (~3-5 months).

8. Case studies - refusal cases

The same visa, handled badly. Every one of these failure modes is screenable at the first consultation.

Refusal: Lena from Turkey

Background: Lena, a public-health postgraduate applicant from Turkey, engaged an agent late and pushed for a fast lodgement of the 476.
What went wrong: Qualification not from a Washington Accord / recognised institution
Outcome: The refusal went to review: another year, more cost, and no certainty the outcome changes.
Lesson for the agent: Screen for this at the first consultation, before money changes hands. It is cheaper to delay a lodgement than to fight a refusal.

Refusal: Tunde from Nepal

Background: Tunde, a Master of IT applicant from Nepal, engaged an agent late and pushed for a fast lodgement of the 476.
What went wrong: Outside the 2-year recency window
Outcome: The application was refused, and the refusal must now be declared on every future application, for any country.
Lesson for the agent: Put this issue on the document checklist on day one and refuse to lodge until it is closed out.

9. Self-exam

10 questions drawn from this manual. Pass mark 80%. Answers are graded on the server and your result is recorded against your agent profile - retakes are unlimited and your best score is kept. Log in to the agent portal first so your result is saved to My trainings.

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