Frequently Asked Questions — Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)
Update — 1 March 2026: The 485 visa cost increased to $4,600 for the main applicant, $2,300 for additional applicants aged 18 and over, and $1,160 for applicants under 18.
The subclass 485 visa — officially called the Temporary Graduate visa — gives international graduates who have completed at least two years of study in Australia the right to live and work here after graduation.
The visa grants 18 months to 3 years of stay depending on your qualification level and circumstances — longer for Hong Kong and BNO passport holders. You hold full unrestricted work rights for the entire duration.
Below we answer the most common questions about 485 visa requirements, eligibility, streams, processing time and skills assessment.
For a full overview visit our Graduate Temporary 485 Visa main guide
Q1. What are the different types of subclass 485 visa?
The subclass 485 visa has two main streams — which one you apply for depends entirely on your qualification level.
Post-Higher Education Work stream:
For international graduates who hold a bachelor degree or higher (bachelor, honours, masters or PhD) from a CRICOS-registered Australian institution. This stream requires no skills assessment and no nominated occupation. The visa grants 2 years for bachelor and masters by coursework graduates and 3 years for masters by research and PhD graduates. Only applicants who received their first student visa on or after 5 November 2011 are eligible.
Post-Vocational Education Work stream:
For international graduates who hold a diploma, associate degree or trade qualification closely related to an occupation on the MLTSSL. A skills assessment in the nominated occupation is required before lodging. The visa grants 18 months from the date of grant.
For full details on each stream visit our 485 Post-Higher Education Work Stream guide and 485 Post-Vocational Work Stream guide
Q2. How do I qualify for the 485 visa Post-Vocational Education Work stream?
To qualify for the 485 visa graduate work stream (Post-Vocational Education Work stream) you must meet all of the following 485 visa requirements:
- Nominate an occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
- Apply for, or already hold, a skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your nominated occupation before lodging your visa application
- Receive a positive skills assessment confirming your qualifications are suitable for your nominated occupation
- Meet the Australian Study Requirement within the six months before you apply — at least 92 weeks of CRICOS-registered study over 16 months
- Hold a qualification — degree, diploma or trade certificate — that is closely related to your nominated skilled occupation
You can nominate only one occupation on the MLTSSL. You cannot change your nominated occupation after you lodge the application, so confirm your occupation and skills assessment match before you submit.
Q3. How do I qualify for the 485 visa Post-Higher Education Work stream?
To qualify for the 485 Post-Higher Education Work stream, you must meet all of the following 485 visa eligibility criteria:
- Your institution granted your degree on or after 5 November 2011
- You completed at least 2 years of study (92 weeks) at bachelor level or above at a CRICOS-registered Australian institution
- You completed your bachelor degree, masters or PhD within the last 6 months of applying
- You currently hold, or held within the last 6 months, a Student visa (subclass 500)
- You hold a bridging visa A, bridging visa B or another substantive visa at the time you lodge
- You meet the English language requirement — passport holders from the USA, Ireland, UK, Canada or New Zealand are exempt. All others must provide in-centre test results from within 12 months of lodgment: IELTS 6.5 overall (min 5.5 per band), PTE Academic 50 (min 42 per band), OET B pass, TOEFL iBT 64 or Cambridge CAE 169
- You are 35 years of age or under at lodgment (exceptions apply for PhD/Masters by Research graduates and HK/BNO passport holders)
For full English score tables visit our 485 visa English requirements page
Q4. How long does the 485 visa last?
The 485 visa processing time and grant duration both vary by stream and qualification:
Post-Vocational Education Work stream (diploma, associate degree, trade qualification):
- 18 months from date of grant Post-Higher Education Work stream (bachelor degree or above): • 2 years — Bachelor degree (including honours), Masters by coursework or Masters (Extended) • 3 years — Masters by Research and Doctoral degree (PhD)
- +1 year — Indian nationals under the AI-ECTA trade agreement
- Up to 5 years — Hong Kong and BNO passport holders
- +1–2 years — Second Post-Higher Education Work stream for graduates of designated regional areas who have lived regionally for at least 2 years on their first 485
Eligible qualifications
For the Post-Vocational Education Work stream, your course or series of courses must result in a diploma, associate degree or trade qualification. You can combine consecutive Diploma-level courses to satisfy the Australian Study Requirement, provided each course meets all other ASR conditions — CRICOS registration, English instruction, 92-week minimum and 16-month physical presence in Australia.
Skills assessment for the 485 visa graduate work stream
You must arrange your own skills assessment — the Department of Home Affairs does not do this for you. Contact the relevant assessing authority well before you lodge your 485 application, as each authority runs its own procedures, timeframes and charges. A delayed skills assessment is the most common reason graduates miss their 6-month application window.
Contact details for all assessing authorities appear on the Department of Home Affairs website. Speak to a VisaAid migration consultant if you are unsure which authority assesses your occupation — choosing the wrong one wastes both time and money.
You must apply to the relevant assessing authority and obtain a positive skills assessment before you lodge your visa. Two important exceptions:
- If your nominated occupation is medical practitioner, evidence of full medical registration with AHPRA serves as your skills assessment
- If your nominated occupation is nurse, you must obtain a skills assessment from the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) — even if you already hold current nursing registration in an Australian state or territory
A skills assessment is valid until the expiry date the assessing authority specifies on the assessment document, or for three years from the date of issue — whichever applies. Do not let your assessment expire before you lodge your visa application.
Q5. What does "closely related" mean for the 485 visa graduate work stream?
Your qualification must be closely related to your nominated MLTSSL occupation. The Department assesses this on two dimensions — subject matter and qualification level. The skills your course teaches must transfer directly to the work involved in your nominated occupation.
Acceptable combinations include:
- An applicant who nominates Physiotherapist and holds a degree in physiotherapy from an Australian institution
- An applicant who nominates Air-conditioning and Mechanical Services Plumber and holds a Certificate III in Plumbing or a Diploma of Plumbing and Services from an Australian institution
An unacceptable combination:
- An applicant who nominates Registered Nurse but satisfies the Australian Study Requirement through a Bachelor of Commerce — the subject matter does not transfer to nursing and the Department will refuse the application on this basis
Q6. Can I include my partner and children on my 485 visa?
Yes. You can include your spouse, de facto partner and dependent children in your 485 visa application, provided they are in Australia at the time you lodge. Family members receive the same unrestricted work and study rights as the main applicant. If you already hold a 485 visa, eligible family members can apply separately as subsequent entrants.
Q7. Can I work full-time on a 485 visa?
Yes. The 485 visa carries full unrestricted work rights — full-time, part-time or self-employed, in any occupation or industry. There is no condition requiring you to work in your nominated occupation or in a skilled role.
Q8. What is the current 485 visa processing time?
Current 485 visa processing time for the Post-Higher Education Work stream sees around half of applications decided within 8 days and 90% within approximately 3 months. The Post-Vocational Education Work stream takes longer — roughly half within 46 days and 90% within about 4 months. Lodge a complete, decision-ready application with all documents attached at lodgment to avoid delays. Check current times on our visa processing times page
Q9. What is the 485 visa cost in 2026?
The 485 visa cost from 1 March 2026 is $4,600 for the main applicant, $2,300 for additional applicants aged 18 and over, and $1,160 for applicants under 18. The Second Post-Higher Education Work stream (subsequent 485) costs $1,810 for the main applicant. These are Department of Home Affairs charges — professional migration agent fees apply separately.
Q10. What happens if my 485 visa is refused?
If the Department refuses your 485 application, you may have the right to seek a review at the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART). Strict time limits apply — you must lodge your ART application within the deadline specified in your refusal letter. The application charge is not refunded on refusal. Because a refused 485 can permanently close your pathway to PR, speak to a VisaAid migration consultant before lodging if you have any doubts about your eligibility.
Ready to Apply for Your 485 Visa?
The subclass 485 visa is a once-only opportunity for most graduates — and with the 485 visa cost now at $4,600, a refused application is an expensive mistake. VisaAid’s consultants confirm your stream, check your English test scores, prepare a complete decision-ready application and map your pathway from graduation to permanent residency.
NOTE: The information provided is general in nature and should not be considered migration advice. As every individual’s circumstances are different, we recommend contacting VisaAid for personalised advice.