What Is the 485 Graduate Visa?
The Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa allows international students who have recently graduated from an Australian institution to live, work, and study in Australia temporarily. This visa provides a pathway for graduates to gain professional experience in Australia after completing their studies.
Unlike a student visa, the 485 visa does not tie you to a specific course or institution. It's designed to give you time and flexibility to explore career opportunities, develop skills in the Australian job market, or prepare for a potential pathway to permanent residency.
Who Typically Applies for the 485 Visa?
Recent graduates from Australian universities are the primary applicants for the 485 visa. Whether you've completed an undergraduate degree, a Master's programme, or a PhD, the 485 visa is available to those who meet the eligibility criteria.
Basic Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for a 485 visa, you generally need to:
- Have held a student visa within the last 6 months
- Have completed a CRICOS-registered course that meets the Australian study requirement
- Hold adequate health insurance (e.g., OSHC or equivalent)
- Meet English language proficiency requirements (e.g., IELTS, PTE, TOEFL iBT)
- Meet health and character requirements
Note: These are general criteria. Always refer to the Department of Home Affairs website for the most up-to-date requirements.
The Two Streams: Which One Is Right for You?
Think of the 485 visa as having two different pathways, depending on what you studied and what qualification you earned. Here's how they work in simple terms:
-
Post Vocational Education Work stream:
This is for students who completed vocational qualifications like a Diploma, Advanced Diploma, or Trade Certificate from a TAFE or vocational college. To use this pathway, your qualification must be related to a job on Australia's skilled occupation list (a list of jobs Australia needs workers for).
How long can you stay? Typically 18 months.
Who is this for? If you studied a hands on trade or vocational course (like hospitality, automotive, or aged care) and your qualification matches an in demand occupation, this stream is for you.
-
Post Higher Education Work stream:
This is for students who completed higher education degrees like a Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD from an Australian university. The great news? You don't need your degree to be related to a specific job on the skilled occupation list. This stream is more flexible.
How long can you stay? It depends on your qualification level:
- Bachelor's degree: 2 years
- Master's by coursework (taught Master's): 2 years
- Master's by research: 3 years
- Doctoral degree (PhD): 4 years
Who is this for? If you completed a university degree (Bachelor's or higher), you'll likely apply through this stream. It gives you more time to work, gain experience, and explore career opportunities in Australia.
Still not sure which stream applies to you? Here's a quick guide: If you went to university, you'll use the Post Higher Education Work stream. If you went to TAFE or a vocational college for a trade or diploma, you'll use the Post Vocational Education Work stream (and your course needs to match a skilled occupation). When in doubt, check the Department of Home Affairs website or speak with your education provider.
Document Preparation and Checklist
Applying for the 485 visa requires careful preparation of documents. Missing or incorrect documents can delay your application or even result in a refusal. Here's an overview of what you'll typically need.
Common Documents Required
- Passport: A valid passport with sufficient validity
- Completion Letter: Evidence of course completion from your Australian institution
- Academic Transcripts: Official transcripts showing all courses completed
- English Language Test Results: Recent IELTS, PTE, TOEFL iBT, or other accepted test results
- Health Insurance: Proof of adequate health insurance (e.g., OSHC policy details)
- Police Certificates: Character documents from all countries you've lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years
- Health Examinations: Results from an approved panel physician
- Form 80 (if requested): Personal particulars for assessment including character assessment
- ImmiAccount Evidence: Screenshots or records of your ImmiAccount showing student visa history
The exact documents depend on your individual circumstances. Some applicants may need additional documents related to their course, occupation assessment, or personal situation.
Typical Timeline for a 485 Visa Application
Understanding the timeline helps you plan ahead. Here's a rough guide to the typical stages of a 485 visa application:
- Pre-Application (1–2 months before course end): Begin gathering documents, booking English tests, and organising health checks.
- Application Submission (within 6 months of course completion): Submit your application through your ImmiAccount. You must apply within 6 months of completing your course.
- Processing Time (varies): Processing times can range from a few weeks to several months. Check the Department of Home Affairs website for current processing times.
- Additional Requests (if needed): You may be asked to provide further information or documents. Respond promptly to avoid delays.
- Decision: Once approved, you'll receive your visa grant notification and can begin working or traveling within Australia on your 485 visa.
Tip: Start preparing your documents early. Many items (like police certificates and health exams) can take weeks to process.
How OzPath Supports Your 485 Visa Journey
At OzPath, we understand that the visa application process can be overwhelming. That's why we've built digital tools to help you stay organised and on top of every step.
OzPath does not provide immigration advice or migration agent services. Instead, we offer practical tools to help you manage your application:
- Interactive Checklist: Track which documents you have and which you still need to gather.
- Deadline Reminders: Set notifications for important dates, like your 6-month application deadline.
- Document Storage: Securely store copies of your documents in one place for easy access.
- Chatbot for Common Questions: Get quick answers to frequently asked questions about the 485 visa process.
- Timeline Calculator: Estimate processing times and plan your next steps accordingly.
Our goal is to give you a clear, organised view of your progress so you can focus on the important things—like preparing for your future career in Australia.
Official Resources and Next Steps
For detailed, official information about the 485 visa, always consult these trusted resources:
- Department of Home Affairs – Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)
- Department of Home Affairs Contact Page
- Study in Australia – Official Government Site
If you need personalised advice about your visa situation, consider consulting a registered migration agent. OzPath is here to help you stay organised, but we do not provide immigration or legal advice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the 485 Graduate Visa?
The Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa allows international students who have recently graduated from an Australian institution to live, work, and study in Australia temporarily. This visa provides a pathway for graduates to gain professional experience in Australia after completing their studies.
Who is eligible for the 485 visa?
To be eligible, you must have held a student visa within the last 6 months, completed a CRICOS-registered course that meets Australian study requirements, hold adequate health insurance, meet English language proficiency requirements, and meet health and character requirements. Recent graduates from Australian universities are the primary applicants.
What are the two streams of the 485 visa?
The 485 visa has two streams:
- Post Vocational Education Work stream: For vocational qualifications like Diplomas and Trade Certificates from TAFE or vocational colleges. Your qualification must relate to an occupation on the skilled occupation list. Duration: 18 months.
- Post Higher Education Work stream: For university degrees (Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD). No need for your degree to match a specific occupation. Duration: 2 to 4 years depending on your qualification level.
In simple terms: TAFE/vocational graduates use the Post Vocational Education Work stream; university graduates use the Post Higher Education Work stream.
How does OzPath help with the 485 visa process?
OzPath provides digital tools to help you stay organised throughout your visa application journey. Features include an interactive checklist to track required documents, deadline reminders and notifications, secure document storage, a conversational chatbot for common questions, and a visa timeline calculator to estimate processing times. OzPath does not provide immigration advice or migration agent services.
How long does it take to process a 485 visa application?
Processing times vary and can range from a few weeks to several months. Check the Department of Home Affairs website for current processing times.
Do I need to apply within a certain timeframe after graduating?
Yes. You must apply for the 485 visa within 6 months of completing your course. Make sure to start preparing your documents early to meet this deadline.