485 Visa – English Requirements for Temporary Graduate Visa

English skills is one of the most critical requirements that needs to be fulfilled in regards to applying for the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485). There are many types of English tests, such as IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, etc, that you can take to assess your English language level. You may contact the official website of each English test to arrange the test time. If you don’t meet this eligibility, you won’t be able to apply for the visa.
Increased English Requirements for 485 Visa Lodged On and After 23 March 2024
- The minimum necessary score increases from IELTS 6.0 to 6.5 (or equivalent), with a minimum score of 5.5 for each test component (reading, writing, speaking, and listening).
- Passport holders from Hong Kong and British National Overseas (BNO) are exempt from meeting the increased minimum English language requirement. The parameters for this cohort remain IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent), with a minimum score of 5.0 for each test component (reading, writing, speaking, and listening).
- The exam validity timeframe for all Temporary Graduate visa applications is reduced from three to one year. Applicants must show that they took an English language exam within the last year before their visa application date.
485 Visa English Requirements
Please see below for more information regarding each of the English test:
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
- Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT)
- Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)
- Occupational English Test (OET)
- Cambridge C1 Advanced Test
Following the recent changes in English requirements for a 485 Visa, you must have obtained the following minimum score in the last 1 year:
English Test | Minimum for Overall Score | Total Overall Score | English Components | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | |||
IELTS | 6.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 | |
TOEFL iBT | 83 | 7 | 8 | 18 | 16 | |
PTE Academic | 57 | 43 | 48 | 51 | 42 | |
OET | B | B | B | B | B | |
Cambridge Advanced Test | 176 | 162 | 162 | 162 | 162 |
485 Visa English Requirements for British National and Hong Kong Passport Holders
Meanwhile, if you’re a British National or Hong Kong passport holders, the English requirements for 485 Visa remain unchanged. You must show evidence that in the last 1 year, you obtained:
English Test | Minimum for Overall Score | Total Overall Score | English Components | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | |||
IELTS | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | |
TOEFL iBT | 64 | 4 | 4 | 14 | 14 | |
PTE Academic | 50 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 | |
OET | B | B | B | B | B | |
Cambridge Advanced Test | 169 | 154 | 154 | 154 | 154 |
Frequently Asked Questions For Subclass 485 Visa
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 am not meeting the criteria for IELTS requirement, what should I do?
- There are 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 he refusal letter given by the Department. If a review right is given, then you can lodge an appeal within a specific timeframe.
- 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.
Obtaining 485 Visa in Simple Four Steps
Step One : Check your eligibility for the 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.
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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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