485 Visa Requirements 2026: Subclass 485 Post-Study Work Guide

Finished your Australian studies and want to stay longer? The Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485) gives international students the chance to live, work, and gain experience after graduation.

Understanding the 485 visa requirements, streams, and recent changes is crucial for a successful application. This guide covers everything you need to know about the Post-Study Work visa in 2025-26.

What is the Subclass 485 Visa?

The Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485) allows international students who recently completed eligible qualifications in Australia to remain temporarily after their studies.

This visa bridges the gap between education and employment. It gives you time to gain Australian work experience, improve your skills, and build pathways toward permanent residency.

You can work full-time in any occupation without needing employer sponsorship. This freedom helps you explore career options and develop professional networks.

Major Changes to the 485 Visa in 2025-26

The Australian Government introduced significant reforms to the 485 visa program, with changes implemented in two phases.

Phase 1: March 2024 Changes

English language requirements increased from IELTS 6.0 to 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each component.

English test validity reduced from 3 years to 1 year. Your test must be taken within 12 months before lodging your application.

Phase 2: July 2024 Changes

Stream names officially changed to better reflect qualification types.

• Age limit reduced from 35 to 50 years for most applicants.
• Visa duration is adjusted based on the qualification level.
• Eligibility for the graduate certificate has been removed entirely.
• Graduate diploma requirements tightened significantly.

July 2025 Fee Increase

Application fees increased from July 1, 2025:

Previous fees (before July 1, 2025):

• Primary applicant: AUD $2,235

Current fees (from July 1, 2025):

• Primary: AUD 2,300.00
• Additional Applicant Charge 18+ : AUD 1,150.00
• Additional Applicant Charge Under 18: 580.00

These fees apply to all applications lodged from July 1, 2025, onwards.

Two Main Visa Streams Explained

The 485 visa has two primary streams, each serving different graduate circumstances.

Post-Higher Education Work Stream

This stream is for graduates who completed higher education qualifications in Australia.

Eligible qualifications:

• Bachelor degree
• Master’s degree (coursework or extended)
• Master’s degree (research)
• Doctoral degree (PhD)

Your field of study doesn’t matter. Any bachelor’s or higher degree from an Australian institution qualifies, as long as it meets other requirements.

Visa duration by qualification:

Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) passport holders can receive up to 5 years regardless of qualification level.

No skills assessment required. This stream focuses on your education level, not occupation-specific assessments.

Post-Vocational Education Work Stream

This stream is for graduates with vocational qualifications relevant to occupations Australia needs.

Eligible qualifications:

• Diploma
• Advanced Diploma
• Trade qualifications
• Associate Degree

Your qualification must relate to an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list.

Skills assessment required. You must obtain a positive skills assessment from the designated authority for your nominated occupation.

Visa duration: 18 months for all vocational qualifications.

This stream replaced the former Graduate Work stream on July 1, 2024.

Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream

If you studied in designated regional areas, you may qualify for a second 485 visa after your first one expires.

Eligibility requirements:

You must have held a Post-Higher Education Work stream visa.

You lived in a designated regional area during your first 485 visa.

You studied in an eligible regional institution.

Additional stay duration:

This gives graduates extra time to gain regional work experience and strengthen permanent residency applications.

Application fee for second stream: 

Primary: AUD 905.00

Additional Applicant Charge 18+: AUD 455.00

Additional Applicant Charge Under 18: AUD 230.00

Detailed Eligibility Requirements

Meeting all requirements is essential. Missing even one criterion can lead to refusal.

Age Requirements

You must be 35 years of age or under when you apply. 

You can be under 50 years of age when you apply if you: 

• used a Master’s (research) or Doctoral Degree (PhD) to meet the requirements for the grant of your Post-Higher Education Work or Post-Study Work stream visa, or
• hold a Hong Kong or British National Overseas passport.

The age limit applies at application lodgement, not at graduation or invitation.

Australian Study Requirement

You must have completed at least one eligible Australian qualification within the last 6 months.

Course requirements:

CRICOS registered: Your course must be listed on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students.

Minimum duration: At least 92 weeks (2 academic years) of study.

Taught in English: All instruction must be in English.

Physical presence: You must have been in Australia for at least 16 months during your studies.

Completion in Australia: You must have completed the course while physically in Australia (online study from overseas doesn’t count).

English Language Requirements

You must prove your English proficiency to be eligible for the Graduate visa. The Department of Home Affairs recently updated the minimum scores required for the Subclass 485 visa application.

Minimum Scores for Visa Eligibility (Subclass 485)

The table below shows the specific scores required for the TR 485 visa based on the latest updates.

Migration Points Based on English Levels

While the scores above are for visa eligibility, achieving higher results can grant you additional points toward permanent residency pathways later.

Test validity: Your English test must be taken within 12 months before lodging your application.

Certain passport holders from English-speaking countries (UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland) are exempt from English testing.

Need to improve your PTE scores for the 485 visa? 

PTE Class offers specialised coaching to help you achieve the required scores for your visa application.

Student Visa Requirements

You must hold a valid Student visa when you lodge your 485 application.

If your Student visa expired, you can apply on a Bridging Visa A or B, provided you held a Student visa within the last 6 months.

Your first Student visa must have been granted on or after November 5, 2011. This excludes students who studied in Australia before this date under earlier visa frameworks.

Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma Changes

Graduate certificates no longer qualify as eligible degrees for the 485 visa from December 14, 2024.

Graduate diplomas now have strict eligibility criteria:

Must be directly related to your Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD program.

Must commence within the same or next academic year after completing your previous degree.

Duration and CRICOS requirements still apply.

These changes significantly narrow graduate diploma eligibility compared to previous years.

Health and Character Requirements

You must meet standard Australian visa health requirements. This involves health examinations at approved panel physicians.

Character requirements include police clearances from every country where you lived for 12 months or more since turning 16.

Australian Federal Police (AFP) check is mandatory for applicants who lived in Australia during their studies.

Application Timing

Getting the timing right is just as important as the documents themselves. Missing a deadline by even 24 hours can lead to an automatic refusal.

• The 6-Month Rule: You must lodge your 485 visa application within six months of your course completion date.
• Defining “Completion”: This is the date your education provider formally notifies you that you have met all academic requirements (usually via a Completion Letter). It is not your graduation ceremony date, which often happens months later.
• The “One-Day” Rule for Lodgment: To ensure your application is valid, your Course Completion date and your AFP Application date must be at least one day before you lodge your visa. You cannot apply for your AFP check on the same day you submit your visa; the system requires you to have already initiated the character check process before the visa application exists.

You must be in Australia when you lodge your application and when the decision is made on your visa.

Required Documents Checklist

Gather these documents before starting your application:

Identity Documents

• Current passport (bio page and any visa pages)
• Birth certificate
• National ID card (if applicable)
• Certified passport-style photographs

Education Documents

• Completion letter from your institution stating course start and end dates
• Official academic transcripts
• Testamur or degree certificate
• CRICOS confirmation from your education provider

English Test Results

• IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, or OET test results
• Must be within 12 months of application
• Results must meet minimum scores for each component

Health Insurance

• Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) evidence
• Note: This is different from Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)

Character Requirements & Police Checks

To be granted a 485 visa, every applicant must be of “good character.” This is verified through specific police clearances.

1. Australian Federal Police (AFP) Check

This is mandatory for all applicants.

• You must apply for a National Police Check (not a state-based check).
• You must use Purpose Code 33 (Immigration/Citizenship).
• Crucial Timing: You must have applied for your AFP check before you lodge your visa application. Including the receipt number in your application is a legal requirement.

2. Overseas Police Certificates

Whether you need to provide these at the time of lodgment depends on your specific history:

• The 12-Month Rule: Generally, you must provide (or be prepared to provide) a police certificate from any country where you have lived for 12 months or more (cumulatively) in the last 10 years, since you turned 16.
• When it becomes Mandatory (The “Character Issue” Rule): If you have any prior criminal convictions, court appearances, or even minor traffic offences that resulted in a court date, you should provide these certificates upfront.

Skills Assessment (Post-Vocational Stream Only)

• Positive skills assessment from designated authority
• Assessment must be valid and relevant to nominated occupation

Additional Documents

• Form 80 (Character assessment)
• Form 1221 (Additional personal particulars)
• Health examination referral (HapID) after lodging the application

Important: All non-English documents require certified NAATI translations.

Application Process Step-by-Step

Follow this process carefully to avoid delays or refusals.

Step 1: Confirm Your Completion Date

Get official confirmation from your education provider showing your course completion date.

This date determines your 6-month application window. Mark the deadline clearly.

Step 2: Book and Complete English Test

Schedule your English test early. Remember the 12-month validity period.

Aim for scores above the minimum to avoid retesting. Higher English scores also benefit future permanent residency applications.

Step 3: Obtain Police Clearances

Apply for your AFP check online. Processing takes typically one week.

If you need overseas police certificates, start this process early. Some countries take months to issue certificates.

Step 4: Arrange Health Insurance

Purchase Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) for your intended stay duration.

Keep payment receipts and policy documents for your application.

Step 5: Skills Assessment (If Required)

For the Post-Vocational Education stream, apply to your occupation’s designated assessment authority.

Processing times vary by authority, typically 8-12 weeks. Don’t wait until the last minute.

Step 6: Create ImmiAccount

Register for an ImmiAccount on the Department of Home Affairs website.

This online portal is where you’ll lodge your application and track progress.

Step 7: Lodge Your Application

Complete the online application form accurately.

Upload all required documents in PDF format. Ensure files are clear and readable.

Pay the application fee using credit or debit card.

Step 8: Undergo Health Examinations

After lodging, you’ll receive a HapID (Health Assessment Portal ID) to book medical examinations.

Book appointments immediately at approved panel physicians. Delays in health checks slow processing.

Step 9: Wait for Processing

Check the current global processing times on the Department of Home Affairs website for the most accurate timeframes.

The Department may request additional documents during assessment. Respond promptly to avoid delays.

Step 10: Receive Visa Grant

Once approved, you’ll receive your visa grant notice via email.

Check all conditions carefully. The 485 visa has specific work and travel conditions you must follow.

Total Costs Breakdown for 485 Visa

Budget for these expenses when planning your 485 application:

• Primary: AUD 2,300.00
• Additional Applicant Charge 18+ : AUD 1,150.00
• Additional Applicant Charge Under 18: 580.00

Total estimated cost for single applicant: $3,300-4,500 (excluding skills assessment)

These costs don’t include migration agent fees if you choose professional assistance.

Common Reasons for 485 Visa Refusals

Avoid these mistakes that frequently lead to rejections:

Late Application

Applying after the 6-month completion deadline is the most common refusal reason. Mark your deadline and apply well before it expires.

Invalid or Expired English Test

English test results older than 12 months at application time won’t be accepted. Retake your test if necessary.

Incomplete Police Checks

Many applicants apply for the AFP police check on the same day and attach the receipt when lodging the visa.

However, it is required that the AFP application date be at least 1 day before the TR 485 visa lodgment date.

Wrong Health Insurance

OSHC doesn’t qualify for the 485 visa. You must have OVHC (Overseas Visitor Health Cover) arranged before applying.

Ineligible Qualification

Graduate certificates are no longer eligible. Some graduate diplomas no longer qualify under new rules. Verify your qualification’s eligibility before applying.

Insufficient Physical Presence

You must have completed your course(s) physically in Australia for at least 16 calendar month. Online study from overseas doesn’t count toward this requirement.

Course Not CRICOS Registered

Your course must appear on CRICOS at the time you studied. Unregistered courses don’t meet the Australian Study Requirement.

Missing Documents

Incomplete applications cause significant delays. Gather all documents before lodging to avoid refusal or lengthy processing.

Bridging Visas and Travel

When you lodge your 485 application while holding a valid substantive visa, you’re automatically granted a Bridging Visa A (BVA).

The BVA activates only after your current visa expires. It lets you stay in Australia lawfully while waiting for your 485 decision.

Bridging Visa A Conditions

Work rights: Same as your current Student visa (usually unrestricted for 485 applicants).

No travel: BVA doesn’t allow you to return to Australia.

Expires: When your 485 is granted or refused, or if you withdraw your application.

Bridging Visa B for Travel

If you need to travel during processing, apply for a Bridging Visa B (BVB).

BVB allows one departure and return to Australia during specified dates.

Application fee: Approximately $190.

You must apply before leaving Australia. Leaving on BVA without BVB approval means you can’t return until your 485 is decided.

What You Can Do on a 485 Visa

The Temporary Graduate visa gives you significant freedom to build your Australian future.

Work: Full-time work rights in any occupation without employer sponsorship needed.

Study: Enroll in further courses to improve skills or meet permanent residency requirements.

Travel: Multiple entries to Australia during visa validity. Come and go as needed.

Bring family: Include your partner and dependent children in your application (additional fees apply).

Transition to PR: Use this time to gain work experience, improve English, or find employer sponsorship for permanent residency pathways.

Pathways from 485 to Permanent Residency

The 485 visa is temporary, but it opens doors to permanent residency through several pathways.

Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)

If your occupation is on the MLTSSL and you have high points (85+), you can apply for the 189 visa.

Australian work experience gained on your 485 visa adds valuable points to your score.

State Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)

States nominate occupations they need. The 190 adds 5 points to your score and grants permanent residency.

Many states prioritize onshore applicants with Australian work experience.

Regional Visa (Subclass 491)

Regional areas offer 15 bonus points for nomination. This makes the 491 accessible to more graduates.

After 3 years in regional Australia, you can transition to permanent residency via Subclass 191.

Employer Sponsorship (Subclass 186 or 482 or 407)

Find an employer willing to sponsor you for a Temporary Skill Shortage (482) visa or Training visa (subclass 407), or direct permanent residency (186).

Your 485 work experience demonstrates your value to Australian employers.

Partner Visa

If you’re in a genuine relationship with an Australian citizen or permanent resident, you may apply for Partner visa pathways.

For detailed guidance on choosing between skilled visa pathways, read our comprehensive 189 vs 190 vs 491 Visa Comparison Guide.

How Think Higher Consultants Can Help

Navigating the 485 visa requirements and recent changes can be overwhelming. One missing document or timing error can result in refusal and loss of your 6-month window.

At Think Higher Consultants, our MARA-registered migration agent provides:

• Eligibility assessment for your specific situation
• Document checklist customized to your stream
• Application review before lodgement
• Skills assessment guidance (if required)
• Bridging visa applications for travel
• Permanent residency strategy planning
• Refusal review and appeal representation

We’ve helped hundreds of international graduates successfully obtain their 485 visas and transition to permanent residency.

Don’t risk your application. Contact Think Higher Consultants today for expert guidance on your Temporary Graduate visa journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I apply for the 485 visa from outside Australia?

No. You must be in Australia when you lodge your application and when the decision is made. This is a strict requirement with no exceptions (except special COVID-19 provisions that have now ended).

Q: Does my partner need to meet the same English requirements?

No. Only the primary applicant must meet the English requirement. Secondary applicants (partners and children) have different requirements.

Q: Can I work full-time while my 485 is processing?

Yes, if you’re on a Bridging Visa A with work rights. Most Student visas allow unrestricted work after course completion, so your BVA continues these rights.

Q: What happens if I turn 35 during processing?

You must be under 35 when you lodge your application. Turning 35 during processing doesn’t affect your application outcome.

Q: Can I extend my 485 visa?

The Post-Vocational Education stream cannot be extended. The Post-Higher Education stream can only be extended through the Second Post-Higher Education stream if you studied and worked in regional areas. Each extension has specific requirements.

Q: Do I need a skills assessment for a Bachelor’s degree?

No. Skills assessments are only required for the Post-Vocational Education stream (diplomas, trade qualifications). Higher education stream applicants don’t need skills assessments.

Q: Can I change from one stream to another?

No. You must choose your stream at application and cannot switch later. Choose carefully based on your qualification type.

Q: What if my course was affected by COVID-19?

Special provisions existed during COVID-19, but most have now ended. Online study from overseas generally doesn’t meet the Australian Study Requirement unless specific exemptions apply.

Q: How long does biometrics collection take?

Biometrics appointments are usually available within 1-2 weeks at visa application centers. The collection itself takes about 15 minutes.

Q: Can I include my newborn child in my 485 application?

If your child is born after lodging your 485 application, you must notify the Department and add them to your application. Additional fees apply.

Final Thoughts

The Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485) remains one of the most valuable pathways for international students to extend their stay in Australia.

Despite recent changes tightening eligibility, the visa still offers:

• Full work rights without employer sponsorship
• Time to gain Australian work experience
• Opportunity to improve English and skills
• Pathways to permanent residency
• Freedom to travel and study further

Success requires:

• Understanding which stream applies to you
• Meeting all eligibility requirements exactly
• Applying within 6 months of course completion
• Gathering complete documentation before lodging
• Staying informed about policy changes

The 485 visa is your bridge from education to career in Australia. Use this time strategically to build experience, networks, and qualifications that strengthen your permanent residency prospects.

Don’t navigate this complex process alone. Contact Think Higher Consultants for professional assessment and application support to ensure your 485 visa success.