485 Visa Requirements: Temporary Graduate Visa Australia Guide

The 485 Visa Requirements Temporary Graduate Visa rules matter for international students who want to stay in Australia after completing their studies. This visa can allow eligible graduates to live, work, and study in Australia temporarily after finishing an Australian qualification.

However, the 485 visa does not suit every graduate automatically. Instead, you must meet the correct stream requirements, lodge within the required timeframe, hold the right visa status, provide English evidence, maintain health insurance, and submit strong documents.

Therefore, before you apply, you should confirm your stream and eligibility carefully. At Emigrate Lawyers, we assist international graduates with Temporary Graduate visa advice, document preparation, stream selection, and complex visa history issues.

What are the 485 Visa Requirements?

The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) allows eligible international students to stay in Australia temporarily after completing their studies. Depending on your stream, it can help you gain work experience, strengthen your career pathway, and plan future visa options.

The Department of Home Affairs lists different 485 visa streams, including the Post-Higher Education Work stream, Post-Vocational Education Work stream, and Second Post-Higher Education Work stream. Each stream has different qualifications, study, skills assessment, regional, and visa history rules.

Important point: You cannot choose a stream casually. The qualification you use for your application determines which stream you can apply for, and the Department says you cannot change streams after lodging.

485 Visa Requirements: Main Eligibility Checklist

Although requirements differ by stream, most applicants must satisfy several core conditions.

Generally, you need to:

• meet the age requirement;
• hold or recently have held an eligible Student visa;
• lodge within the required timeframe;
• complete a CRICOS-registered course;
• meet the Australian study requirement;
• meet English requirements;
• hold adequate health insurance;
• meet health and character requirements;
• apply under the correct stream;
• attach required evidence when you apply.

Your reference material also highlights that applicants usually need to lodge within six months of course completion, hold adequate Overseas Visitor Health Cover, meet health and character requirements, and apply under the correct stream.

Important point: A small timing or stream mistake can affect eligibility, so prepare early instead of waiting until your student visa is about to expire.

Which Stream Should You Choose for a Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)?

Before you check documents, you should first identify your stream. This step matters because each stream uses different rules.

Post-Higher Education Work Stream

The Post-Higher Education Work stream suits international students who recently graduated with a degree from an Australian institution. The Department explains that this stream allows eligible graduates to live, work, and study in Australia temporarily.

This stream may suit graduates with:

• a Bachelor degree;
• Bachelor Honours degree;
• Master’s degree;
• Doctoral degree;
• certain eligible higher qualifications.

In addition, this stream usually suits degree-level graduates who want to build Australian work experience after study.

Important point: Check the exact qualification you plan to rely on before applying, because the Department uses your qualifying study to decide your stream.

Post-Vocational Education Work Stream

The Post-Vocational Education Work stream suits graduates with an associate degree, diploma, or trade qualification that relates to an occupation Australia needs. The Department states that applicants in this stream must hold a qualification relevant to their nominated occupation on the skilled occupation list.

This stream may suit graduates with:

• a diploma;
• associate degree;
• trade qualification;
• vocational study linked to a nominated occupation;
• a skills assessment pathway.

Important point: For this stream, your qualification and nominated occupation must align. Therefore, check the skilled occupation list and skills assessment requirements before lodging.

Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream

The Second Post-Higher Education Work stream may suit graduates who already hold a qualifying 485 visa and studied in a designated regional area. The Department describes this stream as an option for Temporary Graduates who hold a Post-Higher Education Work, Post-Study Work, or Replacement visa with a degree from an Australian institution located in a regional area.

This stream may help eligible graduates extend their stay if they meet regional study and residence requirements.

Important point: Regional evidence matters. Keep lease records, bills, employment documents, study records and address history to show where you lived, studied and worked.

485 Visa Requirements: Age Rules

Age rules can affect your eligibility. In many cases, applicants must meet the relevant age limit at the time of application. However, exceptions may apply for certain passport holders and research degree graduates.

For example, your reference material states that Hong Kong or British National Overseas passport holders may qualify up to 50 years old, and some research Master’s and PhD graduates may access age exceptions under the Post-Higher Education Work stream.

Student Visa and Timing Rules

Timing creates one of the most common 485 visa problems. Generally, applicants need to have held a Student visa within the required period and lodge the application within the relevant timeframe after course completion.

Your reference material explains that applicants must usually have held a Student visa within the last six months and lodge the 485 visa application within six months of the course completion date.

Therefore, you should confirm:

• your official course completion date;
• your current visa status;
• your Student visa history;
• whether you hold a bridging or substantive visa;
• the final date to lodge your application.

Australian Study Requirements for 485 Visa:

Your qualification must meet the Australian study requirements. The Department explains that applicants must complete study while holding a visa that allowed them to study, and English language proficiency courses or enabling programs cannot meet the Temporary Graduate visa study requirement.

In addition, your course should generally come from a CRICOS-registered Australian education provider. Your qualification must also match the correct stream, such as degree-level study for Post-Higher Education Work or vocational study for Post-Vocational Education Work.

Important point: Not every Australian course supports a 485 visa. Check CRICOS registration, course duration, qualification level, and stream before you rely on it.

485 Visa Requirements: English Language Rules

Most applicants need to provide English evidence unless an exemption applies. The Department confirms that approved English language tests changed from 7 August 2025, and that applicants must check the required test scores, evidence type, and eligibility timeframes for their visa. The Department also says the test must take place in a secure testing centre.

Your reference material notes that, for IELTS, the current requirement generally includes an overall score of 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component, and the test must usually fall within the required validity window before lodgement.

Health Insurance, Health, and Character Requirements

You and your included family members must hold adequate health insurance while in Australia. In most cases, this means maintaining suitable Overseas Visitor Health Cover after your student health cover ends.

You must also meet health and character requirements. This may involve medical examinations, police checks, declarations, and further documents if the Department requests them.

Documents Needed for the 485 Visa Requirements

Your document checklist depends on your stream. However, most applicants should prepare:

• passport;
• current visa details;
• Student visa history;
• course completion letter;
• academic transcript;
• CRICOS course details;
• English test result;
• health insurance evidence;
• police check evidence where required;
• identity documents;
• relationship documents for family members;
• skills assessment evidence for Post-Vocational Education Work;
• regional residence evidence for Second Post-Higher Education Work.

In addition, you should name each file clearly and upload evidence that directly supports your stream.

Common 485 Visa Mistakes

Many applicants make mistakes because they assume the 485 visa only needs a completed Australian qualification. However, the Department checks more than your study history.

Common mistakes include:

• missing the six-month lodgement deadline;
• choosing the wrong stream;
• trying to change streams after lodging;
• using the wrong qualification for the stream;
• forgetting health insurance;
• using an expired English test;
• relying on an at-home English test;
• applying under Post-Vocational Education Work without a matching occupation;
• failing to apply for a skills assessment when needed;
• ignoring previous 485 or 476 visa history;
• submitting weak regional evidence for a second 485 visa.

Therefore, you should review your stream, documents, and deadline before lodging.

How Legal Help Can Support Your 485 Visa Application

A 485 visa application may look simple at first. However, it can become complex if you have a late lodgement issue, previous visa refusal, expired English test, wrong stream, missing skills assessment, health concern, character matter, or complicated visa history.

At Emigrate Lawyers, we can help with:

• 485 visa eligibility checks;
• stream selection;
• deadline review;
• English and study requirement guidance;
• skills assessment pathway review;
• health insurance and document checklist support;
• family member inclusion advice;
• response to Department requests;
• complex visa history and refusal-risk matters.

As a result, you can prepare your Temporary Graduate visa application with greater clarity and confidence.

FAQs

Q1. What are the requirements of a 485 visa?

The main 485 visa requirements include completing eligible Australian study, applying under the correct Temporary Graduate visa stream, meeting age and English requirements, holding adequate health insurance, and satisfying health and character checks. You must also meet the student visa and timing rules for your stream.

Q2. What is the PTE requirement for a 485 visa?

For a 485 visa, PTE Academic scores must meet the Department’s current English requirement for the Temporary Graduate visa, and the test must meet the accepted format and timing rules. Because English test score rules changed from 7 August 2025, applicants should check the current Department requirements before lodging.

Q3. Is a 485 visa eligible for PR?

The 485 visa itself is a temporary visa, so it does not directly grant PR. However, it can help eligible graduates gain Australian work experience and prepare for future PR pathways such as skilled, employer-sponsored, regional, or state-nominated visas.

Q4. Which IELTS is required for a 485 visa?

The 485 visa generally accepts IELTS Academic or General Training if the applicant meets the required scores and test validity rules. Applicants should use an approved test taken in an accepted testing format and check the latest Department requirements before applying.

Q5. Can I apply for 485 without PTE?

Yes, you can apply for a 485 visa without PTE if you meet the English requirement through another accepted test, such as IELTS, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge C1 Advanced, OET or another Department-approved option. Some passport holders may also meet English requirements through passport evidence, depending on the rule that applies.

Q6. Who is eligible for a 485 visa?

You may be eligible for a 485 visa if you are an international student who recently completed eligible Australian study and meet the correct stream requirements. Your eligibility depends on your qualification, age, visa status, English evidence, health insurance, health, character, and lodgement timing.

Final Thoughts

The 485 Visa Requirements rules can help international graduates stay in Australia temporarily after completing their studies. However, you must choose the correct stream, meet timing rules, satisfy English requirements, hold health insurance, and provide strong documents.

The Post-Higher Education Work stream may suit degree graduates. Meanwhile, the Post-Vocational Education Work stream may suit diploma, associate degree, and trade graduates with a relevant occupation pathway. In addition, the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream may support eligible regional graduates who already hold a qualifying 485 visa.

For this reason, you should check your eligibility before lodging. For tailored advice on your 485 visa requirements, stream, documents, or migration pathway, contact Emigrate Lawyers.