Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)
A strong economy, higher standard of living, free education, and a world class healthcare system are some of the factors that attract skilled professionals to migrate to another land and build their life from scratch.
The search for these factors ends with Australia!
In search of better employment opportunities skilled professionals often migrate to Australia, and to migrate they just need a work visa. An Australian work visa is a legal document that allows skilled professionals to work and earn legally in Australia for a period of time. Australia allows professionals to migrate through various work visa pathways such as Subclass 485, Subclass 482 and Subclass 186. Subclass 485 is one of the safest and easiest work visa pathways which allows international students to immigrate to Australia in search of better employment opportunities.
International students who have already set their hearts on immigrating to Australia can choose Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485) as the most trusted pathway to immigrate to Australia.
What is a Subclass 485 visa ?
Subclass 485 visa, is a temporary graduate visa designed for international students who wish to immigrate to Australia in search of better employment opportunities or to pursue higher education can settle, work and earn in Australia and later reside as Australian permanent residents.
Australia has always welcomed international students who wish to pursue higher education in Australia and provide all the benefits any Australian students would have enjoyed during their studies. International students, after completing their studies, often wish to pursue higher education in Australia or want to secure job opportunities in Australia, they just require a Subclass 485 visa in order to gain work experience, enhance their skills, and even pave the way towards permanent residency.
Australia has offered some of the highest paying job profiles to many skilled professionals, highlighting the need for educated and skilled professionals across various employment sectors.
Why Immigrate to Australia via Subclass 485 visa
Subclass 485 visa allocates several benefits to students who want to settle in Australia for better employment opportunities such as:
❖ The Australian government allows international students to stay back in the country to find better employment opportunities with the benefit of pursuing higher education.
❖ International students receive equal working rights as Australian citizens.
❖ It is a great opportunity to gain local work experience which is later valued by Australian employers.
❖ Students who want to pursue higher education can get the advantage of studying while earning at the same time.
❖ The subclass visa allows international students to sponsor family members.
❖ This subclass visa builds a pathway to permanent residency (PR) through a skilled migration program.
Streams applicable under the Subclass 485 visa
International students who wish to immigrate to Australia can apply for a Subclass 485 visa under these streams bifurcating them on the basis of different eligibility. The different types of stream under international students can apply are:
1. Post-Vocational Education Work Stream
This stream of Subclass 485 visa allows international students to live, study and work in Australia temporarily. This visa was designed for international students who have recently graduated with an associate degree, diploma or trade qualification relevant to Australian occupational needs.
This visa allows international students to stay for 18 months in Australia.
2. Post Higher Education Work Stream
This stream of Subclass 485 allows international students to live, work and study in Australia temporarily who have recently graduated with a degree from an Australian institution. Another major requirement under this stream is the requirement of a degree in a CRICOS registered course.
CRICOS- Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students. It is a register maintained by the Australian government that lists all educational institutions and the courses they offer to international students. Being CRICOS-registered ensures an institution and its courses meet certain standards, making them compliant with the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act, and allowing international students to study legally in Australia.
This visa allows international students to stay for 2-3 years in Australia.
3. Second Post Higher Education Work Stream
This stream of Subclass visa is for Temporary Graduates holding a Post-Higher Education Work, Post-Study Work or Replacement visa with a degree from an Australian institution located in a regional area to live, work and study in Australia temporarily.
This visa allows international students to stay for 1-2 years in Australia.
Eligibility and Requirements
Eligibility and Requirements for Subclass 485
International students applying under Subclass 485, must ensure they meet the eligibility criteria, such as:
❖ The applicant must be aged 35 or under
❖ The applicant must hold an eligible visa
❖ The applicant must have held a student visa in the last 6 months
❖ The applicant must have a recent qualification in a CRICOS-registered course
❖ The applicant must have an English language proficiency test score report through valid tests such as IELTS, PTE, and TOEFL
❖ The applicant must have a valid health insurance
❖ The applicant must meet the health and character certificate
Subclass 485 visa English Requirements
Although, Subclass 485 is a temporary visa which allows international students to attain a long-held desire of immigrating to Australia for upgrading their standard of Living in a fast paced economy. Despite counting to these eligibility requirements, English language proficiency has remained a crucial aspect while processing the thought of Immigration through Subclass 485.
Immigration to Australia via Subclass 485, accepts English language tests through various tests available such as IELTS, PTE, and TOEFL. The minimum score required for the subclass 485 visa are as follows:
❖ IELTS
Overall- 6
Listening- 5
Reading- 5
Writing- 5
Speaking- 5
❖ PTE Academic
Overall- 50
Listening- 36
Reading- 36
Writing- 36
Speaking- 36
❖ TOEFL iBT
Overall- 64
Listening- 4
Reading- 4
Writing- 14
Speaking- 14
Recently, Australian immigration has brought some changes in the English language proficiency test score threshold for Competent, Proficient and Superior levels. The recent changes became effective from August 7, 2025.
Well, you can check the entire details about the recent changes brought in the English language proficiency test score for Australian immigration.
Documents Required for Subclass 485 visa
Immigrating to Australia through a Subclass 485 visa requires a list of essential documents to be submitted along visa application. The list of essential documents are as follows:
1. National identity proof such as a valid passport
2. Educational credentials documents from a registered from CRICOS
3. English language proficiency test score report
4. Health insurance
5. Character certificate
Application Fee for Subclass 485 visa
Subclass 485 visa requires an application fee for the process, which differs for each stream underlined under visa, such as:
Subclass 485 Stream | Application Fee |
Post-Vocational Education Work Stream
| AUD 2300 |
Post Higher Education Work Stream
| AUD 2300 |
Second Post Higher Education Work Stream
| AUD 905 |
Subclass 485 visa Processing Time
Immigrating to Australia through Subclass 485, takes approximately 4 months. The processing time for applications depends upon the number of applications received and the demand for a specific visa stream under subclass 485.
Application process
Application process for Subclass 485 visa International students who wish to immigrate to Australia must plan their journey strategically. So as to reduce chaos while visa application, the applicant must follow these steps:
Check Eligibility
The initial step an international student must take while processing is to check eligibility criteria, different for each visa stream.
Gather Essential Documents
After selecting the correct visa stream and checking on eligibility criteria, the applicant must gather all the essential documents such as passport, educational qualifications documents and English language test score report.
Apply Online
After accumulating all the essential documents, create an immi account on the Australian Department of Home Affairs. Through the account, submit all the necessary documents.
Pay Application Fee
After creating an account, and submitting the documents, applicants are required to submit an application fee alongside visa application.
Health Examination
In this course of application, applicants are bound to meet health examinations required for the process. They must meet health and character standards set up by the Australian immigration department.
Await for the Decision
This is the last step in the process of application, is to wait for the decision which decides the fate of the applicant. If, received a positive response, the applicant can start building their journey towards immigrating to Australia.
Tips to Avoid Common Errors While Application
Despite a structured process, applicants often perform common errors while applying. Because of the common errors, the applications get delayed or even get rejected. Some of the tips that can be taken in order to common errors are:
❖ Apply for the visa application within 6 months of course completion.
❖ Ensure your course is CRICOS registered.
❖ Ensure the English language test is valid and is taken on time.
❖ Double check all the documents before submission.
❖ Keep health insurance and character certificates intact.
The Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa, is more than just a post-study work permit as it is a disguised opportunity which allows international students to gain experience that lead to the destination of becoming Australian permanent residents.
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