Who needs the 485 Graduate Visa Post-Vocational Education Work Stream?
This visa is for international student who have recently graduated and have completed an associate degree, diploma, or trade qualification in Australia. Your qualification or skills should be relevant to specific ccupations that Australia needs.
What does the 485 visa allow you to do?
This is a temporary visa that allows holders to live, study or work in Australia.
Post-Vocational Education Work Stream requirements
- Be 35 years of age or under when you apply. *Exceptions apply
- Have a nominated occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
- Obtained a positive skills assessment
- Have English scores equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 6.5, with a minimum of 5.5 in each module. For tests taken on or after August 7, 2025, the new scores are as follows:
- IELTS: An overall score of 6.5, with a minimum of 5.5 in each component.
- PTE Academic: An overall score of 55, with a minimum of 40 in Listening, 42 in Reading, 41 in Writing, and 39 in Speaking.
- TOEFL iBT: A total score of 81, with a minimum of 12 in Listening, 12 in Reading, 14 in Writing, and 17 in Speaking.
- OET: An overall score of 1310, with a minimum of 260 in Listening, 280 in Reading, 260 in Writing, and 310 in Speaking.
- Cambridge C1 Advanced: An overall score of 176.
- CELPIP General: An overall score of 8, with a minimum of 6 in each component.
- LANGUAGECERT Academic: An overall score of 67, with a minimum of 49 in Listening, 54 in Reading, 56 in Writing, and 62 in Speaking.
- MET: An overall score of 58, with a minimum of 53 in Listening, 51 in Reading, 51 in Writing, and 43 in Speaking.
You may be exempt from the English test if you hold a passport from the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, or the Republic of Ireland.
For the Graduate Visa, English test results are valid if taken in the 12 months before the visa application date.- Have an eligible qualification that requires at least 2 academic years study, or more than 1 qualification that results in a total of at least 2 academic years study
- You must have completed your study in Australia, in a total of no less than 16 calendar months
- It has been no more than 6 months since you completed your course
- Be in Australia when you apply for this visa
- The couse must be registered on CRICOS
What is the Graduate Visa application process?
- Check eligibility
- Obtain positive skills assessment and required English test results
- Submit visa application including all supporting documents
Please do note that this is a simplified overview of the steps involved. Preparing and providing the right documents and information as required is an important factor in ensuring your application is processed smoothly.
How long is this visa for?
Usually, this visa is granted for 18 months with an exception to Hong Kong passport holder, who may stay for 5 years.
Post-Vocational Education Work stream visa cost
The Department of Home Affairs periodically updates its visa application fees. The current fees are as follows:
- Primary Applicant: AU$ 2,300
- Secondary Applicant (18+ years): AU$ 1,150
- Secondary Applicant (under 18): AU$ 580
Note: The visa fee is AU$ 2,300 for the primary visa applicant. In addition, there is a fee for each family member applying for the visa alongside you. Subsequent entrants are required to pay the full Visa Application Charge as well. You may also incur additional costs for health checks and police certificates. These fees are subject to change by the Department of Home Affairs.
How can Work Visa Lawyers help?
Work Visa Lawyers is highly experienced in Skilled Graduate Subclass 485 visas application process. We are able to assist with all aspects of the application, and can also advise on complications in relation to:
- skills assessments
- nominating the appropriate ANZSCO code
- upcoming deadlines which may affect your eligibility, such as age or expiring documents. We prepare your application efficiently to enable your visa application to be submitted as quickly as possible
Work Visa Lawyers will provide an eligibility assessment before advising you to proceed with a visa application.
Our team of experienced Immigration Lawyers and Migration Agents look forward to assisting you with your Australian visa or appeal.
Based in Adelaide South Australia, we provide Australian Immigration advice to people and businesses from all over the world.
Contact us on +61 8 8351 9956 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Book an appointment with one of our experienced Immigration Lawyers and Registered Migration Agents here.
