The Temporary Graduate Visa 485 is a great opportunity for international students completing their studies in Australia. This visa allows international students to stay in Australia while they work, seek employment or look for/progress a career after graduation. If you are hoping to gain Australian work experience and eventually apply for permanent residency, then a subclass 485 visa could be the ideal pathway.

This guide from Immigration Agent Perth WA, contains all the information and checklist needed to help you apply for a visa subclass 485.

Understanding Temporary Graduate Visa Subclass 485

The Temporary Graduate Visa Subclass 485 is for international students who have recently graduated from an Australian educational institution. The Temporary Graduate Visa lets eligible graduates temporarily live, study, and work in Australia.

There are two streams under the subclass 485 visa:

• Graduate Work Stream: For students with qualifications related to occupations on the skilled occupation list.
• Post-Study Work Stream: For students who have completed a higher education degree from an Australian university, regardless of their field of study.

The duration of visa can depending on your qualification, and your stream, can be from 18 months to up to 4 years. It is important to know what stream you can be able to apply under to provide the best chance for a successful application.

Basic Eligibility To Apply For Temporary Graduate Visa Subclass 485

Check if you meet the basic eligibility criteria before you start your application. The following is an outline of the general eligibility criteria for a Temporary Graduate Visa 485:

• You are less than 50 years of age.
• You are currently holding an eligible visa (usually a student visa or bridging visa A/B).
• You have completed an eligible qualification in the last 6 months.
• You meet the Australian Study Requirement – this is a CRICOS registered course with at least 2 academic years.
• You can demonstrate competent English (e.g., IELTS overall score of 6.0 with no band less than 5.0).
• You can pass health and character test requirements.

Sufficient eligibility pathways will make for an easier visa application process. When you are unsure and asking yourself ‘do I have the necessary eligibility?’, seeing an experienced agent like Immigration Agent Perth WA may be an appropriate way to check your eligibility and qualifications and avoid costly mistakes.

Essential 485 Visa Requirements

Meeting the key requirements is crucial for a successful visa subclass 485 application. Here’s what you’ll need to prepare:

1. Valid Passport

Ensure your passport is current and valid throughout the duration of your visa.

2. Evidence of English Language Proficiency

You must provide test results from IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic, OET, or Cambridge C1 Advanced.

3. Health Insurance

You are required to maintain adequate health insurance (OVHC – Overseas Visitor Health Cover) during your stay.

4. Australian Federal Police (AFP) Check

Apply for an AFP check before lodging your application.

5 Skills Assessment (Graduate Work Stream only)

You must submit a positive skills assessment for an occupation on the skilled occupation list.

6. Completion Letter and Academic Transcript

Issued by your Australian education provider as evidence that you have completed your course.

7. Health Examination

You may be required to undergo a health check by an approved medical provider.

Checklist For Temporary Graduate Visa Subclass 485

Here’s a step-by-step checklist you can follow to ensure you have everything you need for your Temporary Graduate Visa 485:

Before You Apply:

• Hold an eligible visa (e.g., Student visa)
• Apply within 6 months of course completion
• Meet the English proficiency requirements
• Apply for AFP check
• Arrange OVHC insurance
• Obtain a skills assessment (if applying for Graduate Work Stream)

Documents To Prepare:

• Passport copy
• Academic transcript and letter of completion
• English test result
• AFP check certificate
• Health insurance certificate
• Evidence of health check (if required)
• Skills assessment (Graduate Work Stream)

After Lodging:

• Monitor your ImmiAccount for updates
• Be ready to provide additional documents if requested
• Maintain valid health insurance at all times

This checklist helps applicants stay on top of their requirements and timelines. Immigration Agent Perth can assist in checking the documents and preparing a complete application to avoid delays.

How To Apply For Subclass 485 Visa Australia

Applying for a subclass 485 visa Australia involves several steps:

1. Gather Your Documents

Collect all required documents mentioned in the checklist.

2. Apply for AFP Check

This should be done before lodging your application. You can apply online through the official AFP website.

3. Check English Language Requirement

Ensure your English test results are valid (usually not older than 3 years at the time of application).

4. Apply Online

Create an ImmiAccount on the Department of Home Affairs website and fill out the visa application form.

5. Pay The Visa Fee

As of 2025, the application fee is AUD 1,895 for the main applicant. Additional fees apply for dependents.

6. Wait For Outcome

After submission, your application may take several months to process. Processing times vary depending on the stream and completeness of your application.

For guidance through every step, working with Immigration Agent Perth WA can reduce stress and increase the chances of a positive outcome.

Potential Reasons Your Subclass 485 Visa Australia Is Rejected

Rejections for the visa subclass 485 can occur due to several avoidable reasons. Here are some common pitfalls:

• Lodging application after 6 months from course completion
• Missing or incomplete documents
• Incorrect English test scores
• Applying with an expired visa
• Not meeting the Australian study requirement
• Failing the health or character check
• No valid health insurance

Even a small oversight can lead to a refusal. An experienced immigration agent like Immigration Agent Perth WA can help ensure everything is in order before submission.

Final Thoughts

The Temporary Graduate Visa 485 is a great opportunity for international graduates to stay in Australia, gain work experience, and potentially apply for a permanent residency. However, the requirements might be complicated, and time constraints can add to a stressful situation. This could be a great opportunity for you, so it’s essential to keep in mind the eligibility requirements, the necessary documentation to prepare, and what common mistakes to avoid.

This guide and checklist have been developed to help to make the process easier, however, having a professional working with you along the way, can provide much-needed relief. Whether you need assistance with your eligibility, documentation, or lodging the application, Immigration Agent Perth WA is here to help you throughout the process of your subclass 485 visa Australia.