485 Visa – Post-Vocational Education Work Stream
The 485 Graduate Work Visa is now called 485 Visa – Post Vocational Education Work stream. It is following the recent changes made for 485 Visa applicable from July 2024. It is valid for 18 months and available for international students who have completed at least a 2 academic years course in Australia.
485 Post-Vocational Education Work Stream (previously Graduate Work Stream)
Following the recent changes on the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485), the Graduate Work Stream is now known as Post Vocational Education Work stream. It is valid for 18 months and available specifically for international students who have completed studies in Australia with at least 2 academic years long.
It is an excellent option for students who wish to extend their stay in Australia following the completion of their studies. It also benefits the students who want to stay in Australia permanently, whether through Skilled Migration or Employer Sponsorship Visa. It is possible as the Post Vocational Education Work stream provides full work rights, allowing students to obtain work experience and build connections in Australia.
Some requirements you must meet for the Post Vocational Education Work stream include being under 35 years old and have your nominated occupation listed on Medium and Long-term STrategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
485 Visa – Post-Vocational Education Work Stream Requirements
Some requirements have to be met before applying for the 485 Visa – Post-Vocational Education Work stream, such as:
- Must be under 35 years old;
- Must be the primary holder of the Student Visa;
- Must meet Australian study requirements;
- Must have skills and qualifications listed in the Medium and Long Term Strategic Skills List, which means you have to nominate one occupation when you apply;
- Must have eligible English language skills or have a passport from the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand or the Republic of Ireland;
- Must have adequate health insurance;
- Must provide the health and character requirements;
- Must not have any debt to the Australian government;
- Must not have had a visa cancelled or refused.
Australian Study Requirements for 485 Visa Application
Meeting the Australian study requirements for the 485 Visa application means in the past 6 months before applying for this visa. You must be awarded at least a Diploma or Trade qualification and:
- Your course was CRICOS-registered;
- You successfully completed all course requirements;
- You studied in English for at least two academic years (92 weeks);
- You spent at least 16 months in Australia to complete the study;
- You held an Australian Student Visa
You can combine two or more courses to meet the 2 academic year requirements. The course must result in an eligible qualification.
Skills Assessment Requirements for 485 Visa Application
You must pass a skills assessment in your nominated occupation, which may vary depending on the occupation but will generally be based on your qualifications, English language proficiency, and any registration requirements.
The skills assessment must be submitted prior to the 485 Visa application, but it is not required to be completed at the time of submission. It is critical to ensure that you meet the skills assessment requirements for your occupation; otherwise, your visa application will be refused.
Many skills-assessing authorities offer lower standards for 485 visa applicants, including accounting bodies, VETASSESS, Trades Recognition Australia, and the Australian Computer Society.
English Requirements for Post Vocational Education Work Stream Application
To meet the English requirements for the 485 Visa – Post Vocational Education Work stream, you must show one of the following:
- Valid passport if you’re a citizen of UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, or the Republic of Ireland.
- IELTS with an overall score of at least 6.5 (minimum 5.5 for each test component).
- TOEFL iBT with a total score of at least 83 (minimum score of 7 for listening, 8 for reading, 18 for writing, and 16 for speaking).
- PTE Academic with an overall score of at least 57 (minimum score of 43 for listening, 48 for reading, 42 for speaking, and 51 for writing).
- OET with at least a B for each test component.
- Cambridge C1 Advanced Test with an overall score of at least 176 (minimum score of 162 for all test components).
Health Insurance Requirements
When your 485 visa is granted, you must show that you have suitable health insurance plans. While OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover) is acceptable at the time of application, Work Visa coverage is required to approve your 485 Visa.
You must also keep your Working Visa insurance active while on your 485 Visa. If you don’t maintain this coverage, your 485 Visa bay be cancelled.
485 Visa – Post Vocational Education Work Stream Fee
The visa fee for the 485 visa application is AUD 2,235 for the main applicant. There will be an additional charge for each family member who applies for the visa with you.
The above fee is as of February 2025. The fee may change in July every year following the opening of financial year in Australia.
485 Visa – Post Vocational Education Work Stream Processing Time
As of 1 January 2025, the processing time for Post Vocational Education Work stream of 485 Visa is between 83 days to 7 months.
Your application may take longer to process if:
- You don’t fill out the application correctly.
- Further information or documents is required.
- Longer time is required to verify your information.
485 Visa Application Process
Step One: Check your eligibility for the visa Temporary Graduate 485 Visa
Make sure you check your eligibility to see if you meet all the criteria and requirements for a Temporary Graduate Subclass 485 Visa. The requirements depend on each visa stream.
Step Two: Skills Assessment – for Post-Vocational Education Work stream
You must obtain a positive Skills Assessment from the relevant Skills Assessing Authority for your nominated occupation. This is required for Post-Vocational Education Work stream only.
You can check the relevant Skills Assessing Authority here.
Step Three: Submit 485 Visa Application
After ensuring the requirements for Visa 485 Australia, you can then gather all the required and additional documents to complete and support your application.
You can apply online through your IMMI account.
Step Four: Visa Outcome
If successful, you can stay temporarily in Australia, depending on which stream you’ve applied for. If you get refused, the DHA will inform you in writing.
485 Visa FAQs
ONE derland Consulting managing director and also registered migration agent, Indah Melindasari, B.Com (MARN 0961 448) is here to answer your subclass 485 visa questions!
- What is the difference between the Post-Vocational Education Work Stream and Post Higher Education Work Stream of the 485 visa Australia?
- The difference is in the qualification requirement.
- The Post-Vocational Education Work Stream of the subclass 485 visa Australia is eligible for applicants who have just finished their diploma or advanced diploma course.
- Meanwhile, the Post Higher Education Work Stream of the subclass 485 visa Australia is for applicants who have finished their bachelor, master, or PhD degree.
- Is it mandatory to have a skill assessment when applying for the Post-Vocational Education Work Stream?
- Yes, it is. You need to have a positive outcome of skill assessment in order to be granted the Post-Vocational Education Work stream of 485 visa Australia.
- If I do not meet the criteria for the IELTS requirement, what should I do?
- There are a few options to be able to show your English capability. Apart from IELTS, you can try TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, OET, or Cambridge C1 Advanced Test.
- I am holding an OSHC for my student visa. Can I use it for a subclass 485 visa Australia application?
- Unfortunately, you can’t. It’s okay to have OSHC at the time of your 485 Visa application, but you will need a Working Visa cover to be approved a 485 Visa.
- What if my visa got refused? Can I appeal?
- You must check the refusal letter given by the Department. If a review right is given, then you can lodge an appeal within a specific timeframe.
- How long does it take to process the visa application for the Post Vocational Education Work stream and Post Higher Education Work stream?
- Post Vocational Education Work stream processing time is between 83 days to 7 months ,while the Post Higher Education Work stream is between 12 days to 4 months.
- How much is the visa fee for a Graduate visa?
- The visa fee is AUD 2,235 for the main applicant. The additional applicant over 18 years old will be charged AUD 1,115 and the additional applicant under 18 will be charged AUD 560.
- Should I apply for the temporary graduate visa 485 Australia onshore or offshore?
- You must be in Australia when applying for the 485 Visa. You can be onshore or offshore at the time of receiving the decision of your 485 Visa application.
- Can I include my family members?
- Yes, you can include family members in your 485 visa Australia application when you apply. Family members who apply for the visa must meet the health and character requirements.
- Is there any time limit to apply for a temporary graduate visa 485 Australia?
- Yes, you must apply within 6 months of completion of your Australian studies.
- You must either hold a student visa when you apply, or to have held a student visa within the last 6 months.
- You must also make sure that you apply prior to expiry of your student visa.
- Will I get the bridging visa after I apply the visa onshore?
- If you apply for the onshore temporary graduate visa 485 Australia, before your student visa ceases, you will be granted the Bridging Visa A.
- This BVA will be your valid visa while waiting for the decision of the temporary graduate visa 485 Australia. Usually, this BVA will allow you to work in Australia.
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“I thank Ibu Indah, Ibu Vira, and the ONEderland Consulting team for assisting with my Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485). I received my Visa less than two weeks after my health assessment. They helped me thoroughly prepare my documents, communicated with the department, answered my inquiries and gave me clear advice. I highly recommend the ONEderland consulting service for Australian visa applications.”
Reynald Kusumahadi
Temporary Graduate Visa
Indah Melindasari, B.Com
Lead Migration Agent – MARN 0961 448
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