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485 Visa Requirements 2026: A Complete Checklist for International Graduates

The 485 visa requirements decide whether an international graduate can stay in Australia and work after finishing an eligible course. The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) gives you unrestricted work rights while you gain Australian experience, but it is temporary and does not lead automatically to permanent residence. Most first-time applicants must be 35 or younger, apply from inside Australia within six months of finishing their course, and meet study, English, and health insurance rules.

Missing one deadline or choosing the wrong stream is a common reason for refusal, so it pays to check every detail before you lodge. If you are an engineering or ICT graduate, understanding the 485 visa requirements early also helps you plan your skills assessment with Engineers Australia or ACS for the next stage of your migration journey.

Benefits of Understanding the 485 Visa Requirements

Know whether you qualify before you lodge
Avoid missing the six-month deadline
Choose the right stream for your qualification
Confirm your course meets the Australian study requirement
Prepare your English test and documents without delays
Avoid common mistakes that lead to refusals
Understand how the new rules and processing times affect you

What Is the 485 Visa in Australia?

The subclass 485 visa, known as the Temporary Graduate visa, lets eligible international students live, work, and study in Australia after graduation, with no employer restriction. As a temporary resident visa, it covers a fixed stay period. You must find your own employment, because the visa is not tied to a sponsor. There are three current streams: the post-vocational education work stream, the post-higher education work stream, and the second post-higher education work stream. Which one applies depends on your qualification, so choosing the right stream is one of the first steps.

485 Visa New Rules: What Has Changed

The 485 visa new rules have changed the 485 visa requirements several times since 2024, so older guides can be wrong. The age limit is now 35 for most applicants. From 1 July 2024, the former Post-Study Work stream became the Post-Higher Education Work stream, and the extra two-year extension for selected degrees closed to new applications.

English requirements also rose for applications lodged from 23 March 2024. PTE Academic scores were updated again for tests taken on or after 7 August 2025, so check the current score table before you book a test.

In September 2026, the government announced a plan to stop most new international students and graduate visa holders from bringing partners or children as secondary applicants. Existing families are unaffected. Check the start date and exemptions on the Home Affairs website before you plan your 485 visa application.

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485 Visa Requirements for All Applicants

Before stream-specific rules apply, every applicant must pass the same core checks. Confirm each one against the Department of Home Affairs website before you lodge.

Age Limit: 35 or Younger

Most applicants must be 35 or younger on the day they lodge. Home Affairs assesses your age at application, not when you finish your course or when a decision is made. Limited exceptions apply to eligible master’s by research and doctoral graduates and to Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) passport holders, who may apply while under 50.

Where and When to Apply

You generally need to be in Australia when you lodge, and you must apply within six months of completing your course. The six months usually start on the date your education provider confirms completion, not on your graduation ceremony. Your current visa may expire sooner, so track both deadlines.

Recent Student Visa History

First-time applicants generally need to have held an eligible student visa within the previous six months.

Australian Study Requirement

Your qualification must satisfy the Australian study requirement. In general, this means:

a course registered on CRICOS
at least two academic years of study (92 weeks)
at least 16 calendar months spent studying in Australia
instruction in English
study completed while holding a visa that allowed it

English language courses and enabling programs do not count.

English Language Proficiency

Most applicants need a valid test result, usually taken within the 12 months before lodging, unless an eligible passport exemption applies. For IELTS, the minimum is 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component. PTE Academic score rules changed for tests taken on or after 7 August 2025, so check the current table. Do not assume the competent English scores used for skilled visas apply here.

Health Insurance and Character

You must hold adequate health insurance for everyone included in the application. Graduates commonly move from Overseas Student Health Cover to a suitable visitor cover policy. You must also meet health and character requirements, which can include medical examinations and an Australian Federal Police check.

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485 Visa Requirements by Stream

Post-Higher Education Workstream

This stream suits graduates with an eligible Australian bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree. It does not usually require a nominated occupation or skills assessment. Typical stay periods are two years for bachelor’s and master’s by coursework, and three years for master’s by research and doctoral degrees, although some passport holders receive longer.

Post-Vocational Education Workstream

This stream is for graduates with an eligible associate degree, diploma, or trade qualification. You usually must nominate an occupation on the applicable skilled occupation list, show that your qualification relates to it, and obtain a suitable skills assessment. The usual stay is up to 18 months.

Second Post-Higher Education Workstream

A second visa may be available if you hold an eligible first 485 visa, studied in a designated regional area, and have lived in an eligible regional area for at least two years. It requires a separate application and is not an automatic extension.

485 Visa Requirements for Engineering and ICT Graduates

A bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering or ICT usually falls under the Post-Higher Education Work stream, so a skills assessment is not normally part of the 485 visa requirements for engineering and ICT graduates.

That does not mean you should wait. Use your 485 period to complete a skills assessment with Engineers Australia for engineering occupations or ACS for ICT occupations and to collect employment evidence such as references and payslips.

Doing this early gives you more options for employer sponsorship, regional visas, or state nomination before your 485 visa ends.

Common Reasons for 485 Visa Refusal

Many refusals come from avoidable mistakes. Common causes include:

Applying after the six-month window
Turning 36 before lodging
Choosing the wrong stream
Submitting an English result that does not meet the required scores
Relying on a course that does not satisfy the Australian study requirement
Missing health insurance or character evidence, which can also delay a decision

Checking each of the 485 visa requirements against your own documents before lodging can prevent many of these errors.

Documents You Should Prepare

Gather your documents before you lodge so that you meet the 485 visa requirements on time. You will usually need your passport, your completion letter showing the official completion date, academic transcripts and qualification certificates, an approved English test result, and proof of health insurance. Prepare police check evidence and be ready for a medical examination if requested. For the vocational stream, add your skills assessment documents. Keep the details consistent across every document, especially names and dates.

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How to Apply for the 485 Visa

Start by matching your qualification to the correct stream under the 485 visa requirements. Next, check your age, completion date, visa expiry, and English test validity. Then gather your evidence, complete your ImmiAccount application, upload your documents, and pay the application charge. After lodging, you may receive a bridging visa, so check its conditions, complete any medical examinations, and respond promptly to Home Affairs. Charges change, so confirm the current amount on the Home Affairs website before you apply.

485 Visa Processing Time in Australia

Processing time depends on your stream, how complete your application is, and the Home Affairs workload. Home Affairs data checked in October 2026 showed that half of post-higher education work applications were decided within about five days and 90 percent within about 55 days. Times for the vocational stream can differ. These figures are indicative, not guaranteed, so use the Home Affairs processing time guide for your stream and lodgement date.

485 Spouse Visa: Can Your Partner Join You?

Until now, a spouse or de facto partner and dependent children could be included in a 485 application, with the same stay period and work rights as the primary applicant. Family members must meet their own visa checks, and a partner who joins later applies as a subsequent entrant. Because the September 2026 announcement targets future applications and limits most new secondary applicants, confirm the rules that apply on your lodgement date.

What Happens After the 485 Visa?

The 485 is temporary, so use the time to build a long-term plan. Australian work experience, stronger English scores, employer sponsorship, or regional residence may support a later skilled visa, but each pathway has its own eligibility rules. Starting early gives you more choices before the visa ends.

Tips to Meet the 485 Visa Requirements

Book your English test early, and keep the result valid until you lodge. Ask your education provider for your official completion letter as soon as you finish. Track your age, course completion date, and visa expiry on one calendar. Arrange health insurance before you apply, not after. Finally, read the Home Affairs stream page for your qualification, because the rules differ between the vocational and higher education streams.

— Common Questions

FAQs

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What are the main 485 visa requirements?

Most applicants must be 35 or younger, apply in Australia within six months of finishing an eligible course, meet the Australian study requirement, hold a recent student visa, provide valid English evidence, and arrange health insurance. You must also meet health and character requirements.

What is the age limit for the 485 visa?

The standard limit is 35 or younger at the time you apply. Limited exceptions exist for some research and doctoral graduates and for Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) passport holders.

What English score do I need for the 485 visa?

Most applicants need IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component, or an accepted equivalent. Check the current table for other tests, because thresholds have changed recently.

Do I need a skills assessment for the 485 visa?

Generally only for the post-vocational education work stream. The post-higher education work stream does not normally require one.

When must I apply after finishing my course?

Generally within six months of your official course completion date. Your current visa may expire earlier, so the six months does not override your visa expiry date.

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