Study and qualification
Completion letter, award, academic transcript, CoE history, provider records and evidence relevant to the Australian study requirement.
Temporary Graduate Visa Subclass 485
Compare the current graduate streams, check the six-month timing questions and prepare a post-study pathway before your documents or visa position become urgent.
MARN 2519006 Reviewed 21 July 2026 Home Affairs sources
Choose the correct stream
Post-Vocational vs Post-Higher Education Work
The qualification used to meet the Australian study requirement is central to stream selection. Other qualifications do not automatically move an applicant into a different stream.
| Question | Post-Vocational Education Work | Post-Higher Education Work |
|---|---|---|
| Typical qualification | Associate degree, diploma or trade qualification | Bachelor degree, masters or doctoral degree; some related graduate diplomas may fit current settings |
| Occupation connection | Qualification must be closely related to a nominated MLTSSL occupation | Eligible degree is not generally restricted to a particular field |
| Skills assessment | Suitable assessment or evidence of applying is generally required | No occupation skills-assessment test as the basis of this stream |
| Typical stay | Up to 18 months | Usually 2 or 3 years depending on qualification; special passport and agreement settings can differ |
| Best early check | Occupation, qualification relationship and assessing-authority process | Qualification level, award/completion timing and Australian study history |
Do not choose a stream from the course title alone. Review the award, CRICOS study, completion date, previous qualifications, occupation requirements and current Home Affairs wording.
Current timing and age questions
A 485 application is unusually sensitive to dates. The safest review begins before the course is completed.
- Home Affairs currently requires the relevant qualification to have been awarded within the six months immediately before application.
- The applicant generally needs eligible recent Student visa history and must apply in Australia, but not while in immigration clearance.
- The general maximum age is 35 years at application. Limited under-50 settings apply to Masters research or doctoral graduates and Hong Kong or British National Overseas passport holders.
- The course must support the current Australian study requirement; a provider completion letter alone does not decide every criterion.
485 document checklist
The correct attachments depend on the stream and applicant. A useful pre-lodgement file usually covers these evidence groups.
Identity and visa history
Passport, current and previous visa grants, travel and address history, family documents and any decision records.
English, character and health
Current English evidence or exemption position, Australian Federal Police evidence, required overseas checks and appropriate health cover.
Read the 485 health-cover guideVocational stream evidence
Nominated occupation, qualification relationship, assessing-authority requirements and a suitable skills assessment or permitted application evidence.
Regional second 485 stream
A Second Post-Higher Education Work visa may add one or two years where the first graduate visa and the graduate's study and residence history meet the designated regional settings.
- Check the institution and campus location that led to the first graduate visa.
- Confirm where the graduate lived, worked or studied while holding the relevant first 485 visa.
- Match both histories to the current designated regional categories.
- Keep leases, bills, employment, study and travel records that establish the claimed period.
Use the 485 period deliberately
The visa provides temporary time to work and study; it does not guarantee permanent residence. Plan the next pathway against actual milestones.
Skilled pathway
Review occupation, skills assessment, English, points and state nomination for 189, 190 or 491.
Employer pathway
Check whether the role, business, occupation, salary and experience could support 482, 186 or 494 planning.
Further study
Confirm that another course has a genuine academic and career purpose, not simply a hoped-for visa result.
Evidence milestones
Set dates for skills assessment, English, work experience, nomination and visa expiry reviews.
Need a 485 stream and timing review?
Send your qualification, completion date, current visa, age, English evidence and future goal.