What is the 485 Visa for Australia?

The Temporary Graduate Visa or subclass 485  is a visa that permits international students to live, study and work after completing studies. This visa is of three types: the Post-Vocational Education Work stream, the Post-Higher Education Work stream, and the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream. These are the post-study options that Australia offers. Depending on your eligibility and qualifications, you need to apply for the right visa stream.  To make this process easier for you, we have covered everything you need to know about the 485 visa. You will learn what its types are, general eligibility, 485 visa Australia requirements, duration, processing time and more. 

3 Types of Temporary Graduate Visa Australia (Subclass 485)

The Australian Department of Home Affairs have divided the Australian Temporary Graduate Visa into three main categories based on level of education and eligibility criteria.

Therefore, 485 Australian visa requirements also vary depending on the visa you are applying for. The 3 types of 485 visa Australia are as follows:

1. Post-Vocational Education Work stream: This is the visa you need to apply if you are already in Australia, and have graduated with an associate degree, diploma or trade qualification. Your qualification must be relevant to the job, and you must be interested in searching for it.
2. Post-Higher Education Work Stream: This visa is for those who already have a degree. This visa is for international students who have recently graduated with a degree from an Australian institution. For example, MA, BA, etc.
3. Second Post-Higher Education Work stream: This Temporary Graduate 485 Visa Australia is for those who have already held the Post-Higher Education Work Stream. This is for those who have already lived in the place for 2 years and want a visa extension.

Note: Since the main visas are the Post-Vocational Education Work stream, and the Post-Higher Education Work Stream, we are only going to cover them under this blog:

Must Read: Australia Work Visa for Indias: Types, Requirements, Fees, and Application Process 

485 visa Australia Requirements: Eligibility Criteria for Post-Vocational Education Work Stream 

The Post-Vocational Education Work Stream allows you to work in Australia and bring your family along with you. However, you must have an associate degree, diploma or trade qualification. The eligibility criteria for this visa are:

1. Be 35 years of age or below 
2. Previously, held a student visa (last 6 months)
3. Have an associate degree, diploma or trade qualification
4. Must have the necessary English language skills
5. Applied for skills assessment in your nominated occupation on the skilled occupation list
6. Have health insurance, clear police checks, and must be of good character.
7. Be in Austrlaia at the time of application.

485 Visa Australia Requirements: Eligibility Criteria for Post-Vocational Education Work Stream 

This visa is for those who have a degree (MA/BA/PhD) from an Australian University. This visa permits you to work in Australia, and bring your family wth you. The eligibility criteria is as follows:

1. Be 35 years of age or below 
2. Have a degree from Australia, and the course must be CRICOS-registered 
3. Previously, held a student visa (last 6 months)
4. Must have the necessary English language skills
5. Applied for skills assessment in your nominated occupation on the Skilled Occupation List
6. Have health insurance, clear police checks, and must be of good character.
7. Be in Australia at the time of application.

Also Read: How to get PR in Australia? A Guide for Indian Students

English Requirement for a 485 Visa

The 485 visa Australia requirements are the same for every stream. This means, irrespective of the stream you are applying for the English requirement remains the same. You must either have a passport from the US, Canada, Ireland, or the UK, or proof of English language proficiency. The minimum score required for each test is provided below:

English Test	Overall Score	Minimum Score in Each Component
IELTS (General or Academic)	6.5	5.5 in Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking
TOEFL iBT	83	Listening: 7, Reading: 8, Writing: 18, Speaking: 16
PTE Academic	57	Listening: 43, Reading: 48, Writing: 51, Speaking: 42
OET	B	B in all four components
Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE)	176	162 in each of the four components

Understand the 485 visa Australia Document Checklist

One of the main 485 visa Australia requirements is to submit the necessary documents. You should not miss even 1 document as it can lead to visa rejection. The documents you need are provided below:

S.No	Document Category	Post-Vocational Education Work Stream	Post-Higher Education Work Stream
1	Identity Documents	Passport bio page, national ID card (if any), change of name documents	Same as vocational stream
2	Study Documents	Evidence meeting Australian study requirement (vocational qualifications)	Evidence meeting study requirement (higher education qualifications)Your course must be CRICOS-registered.
3	English Language	Valid test results meeting visa standards (IELTS, TOEFL iBT, PTE, etc.)	Same as vocational stream
4	Skills Assessment	Skills assessment or proof of application to the relevant authority	Not required for this stream
5	Health Insurance	Proof of adequate insurance: letter, Medicare card, or other evidence	Same as vocational stream
6	Character Documents	AFP check (within 12 months), Form 80, Form 1221, overseas police if applicable	Same as vocational stream
7	Dependants (Under 18)	Birth certificate, adoption papers, parental consent forms (if applicable)	Same as vocational stream
9	Dependants (Over 18)	Birth certificate, Form 47a, proof of financial dependency, medical report (if over 23)	Same as vocational stream
10	Partner Documents	Evidence of relationship (e.g., marriage or de facto proof)	Same as vocational stream
11	Assistance Notification	Form 956 or 956A if using a migration agent or authorised recipient	Same as vocational stream

How to Apply for a Temporary Graduate Visa?

Below are the step-by-step instructions on how to apply for a 485 Visa. The visa application has to be submitted online. Offline applications are not accepted

1. Step 1: Start the visa application process for education before the expiry of your student visa. Your visa must not be expired at the time of application.
2. Step 2: Gather documents. For example, proof of your studies, credentials, skills evaluation, identification, and relationships are submitted. Documents for your family members will also be required for the process.
3. Step 3: Ensure you meet the requirements and apply. You can log in to your immAccount and submit the documents.
4. Step 4: Visa processing takes place at this stage. You will be called for an interview. Therefore, prepare for the same.
5. Step 5: After the processing time is over, the Australian government will provide you in writing the status of your application.

To learn about the temporary graduate visa updates, watch this video:

How Long Does It Take to Get a 485 visa Approved?

The data presented below is as per the Australian Department of Home Affairs. The processing time is subject to change. The processing time provided is as of 2nd February 2025:

Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) Stream	50% of the Applications	90% of the Applications
Post-Vocational Education Work Stream	67 Days	88 Days
Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream	57 Days	90 Days

485 Visa Australia – Inclusion of Family Members

The visa will include the main applicant’s dependents who are in Australia at the time of application. Once your 485 Temporary Working Visa has been granted, you can apply for family members living outside of Australia. However, these people must also have adequate health insurance.

How Much Does the 485 Visa Cost?

The cost of the 485 visa for Australia is provided below. The visa fees are subject to change. You have to mandatorily pay the visa fees. In any case, visa fees are not refundable.

Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) Stream	Visa Cost
Post-Vocational Education Work Stream	AUD2,300.00
Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream	AUD2,300.00

Must Read: New Zealand Work Visa: Types, Requirements, and Application Process

FAQs

How to Settle in USA? Step-by-Step Guide for Students & Workers	How to Settle in Canada from India as a Student?
Best Country to Settle Abroad and Live Comfortably	Study in UK: 10 Safest Cities for Students to Settle in UK
Want to Study Abroad? Here are some of the Best Career Options to Settle Abroad	Study Abroad: Australia is About to Become the Best Destination to Settle After Studies

Are you planning to start a career in Australia? you’ll need more than just good grades; you’ll also need flawless application because the competition is fierce. You may enlist the assistance of Leverage Edu specialists to assist you with the application process so that you can realize your goals. Call us immediately at 1800 57 2000 for a free 30-minute counselling session.