Temporary Graduate visa 485 advice in Perth

Temporary Graduate Visa 485 Australia

A subclass 485 visa can be the bridge between Australian study and your next skilled, employer sponsored, regional or further-study pathway. The key is choosing the correct stream, lodging within the timing rules, and attaching the right evidence at lodgement.

Subclass 485Post-Higher Education WorkPost-Vocational Education WorkGraduate visa Perth

Before you lodge, check these first

Stream selection cannot be changed after lodgement.
Most applicants must apply within 6 months of course completion.
English, AFP check and health insurance evidence matter at lodgement.

Temporary Graduate Visa 485 At A Glance

PurposeThe Temporary Graduate visa 485 is for eligible international students who have completed Australian study and want to live, work and study in Australia temporarily after finishing their course.

Main riskChoosing the wrong 485 stream, missing the 6-month completion timing, weak English/AFP/health-insurance evidence, or relying on an ineligible course can create serious refusal risk.

Government fee checkPost-Higher Education Work stream primary applicant check: AUD 4,600.00. Post-Vocational Education Work stream estimator result: Check the Department of Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator.

Temporary Graduate Visa Streams

Diploma / trade

Post-Vocational Education Work

For recent graduates with an associate degree, diploma or trade qualification relevant to an occupation Australia needs. The Department of Home Affairs states this stream can allow stay up to 18 months, with Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders able to stay up to 5 years.

Degree level

Post-Higher Education Work

For recent graduates with eligible Australian degree-level qualifications. Stay is usually between 2 and 3 years depending on qualification level, with specific settings for Indian nationals under AI-ECTA and Hong Kong/BNO passport holders.

Regional

Second Post-Higher Education Work

For eligible holders of a first Post-Higher Education Work or former Post-Study Work visa who studied and lived in a regional area. Age and eligibility settings must be checked carefully before relying on this pathway.

The Replacement stream has ceased for primary applicants. Members of the family unit may still have subsequent entrant options depending on the visa holder’s circumstances.

485 Stream Comparison

Stream	Typical applicant	Key evidence issue	Common strategic question
Post-Vocational Education Work	Associate degree, diploma or trade qualification graduates	Occupation on MLTSSL, qualification closely related to occupation, and skills assessment evidence	Does the course and nominated occupation line up strongly enough?
Post-Higher Education Work	Bachelor, honours, masters, doctoral and certain graduate diploma graduates	Eligible degree-level qualification, study requirement, English, AFP and health insurance evidence	Which stay period applies to the qualification and passport circumstances?
Second Post-Higher Education Work	Eligible first 485 holders with regional study and regional residence/work/study history	Regional study and residence evidence	Is a second 485 better than moving directly toward skilled or employer sponsored options?

485 Visa Perth: What Graduates Usually Need To Decide

Most Perth graduates searching for a Temporary Graduate visa 485, 485 visa Perth or graduate visa Australia advice are trying to answer the same practical question: which stream should I lodge, and what should I prepare before my student visa position becomes risky?

Stream fitDegree-level applicants usually look at the Post-Higher Education Work stream. Diploma, trade and associate degree applicants often need a closer look at the Post-Vocational Education Work stream and skills assessment settings.

TimingThe Department of Home Affairs study requirement page says subclass 485 applications must be made within 6 months of the course completion date. The completion date is not necessarily the graduation ceremony date.

Next pathwayA 485 visa should be planned alongside skilled migration, WA State nomination, employer sponsored visa options, skills assessment and any Job Ready Program issues where relevant.

485 Visa Requirements Australia

AgeMost applicants must be 35 years of age or under when applying. Exceptions can apply, including certain Masters by research/Doctoral graduates and Hong Kong/BNO passport holders.

Visa historyYou generally need to hold, or recently have held, an eligible Student visa within the Department’s timing rules.

Recent qualificationThe relevant qualification must usually have been awarded in the 6 months before applying.

Study requirementThe Department’s study requirement includes at least 2 academic years of study completed in no less than 16 calendar months in Australia, in CRICOS-registered courses, with instruction completed in English.

English evidenceApplicants must provide acceptable passport evidence or English test results that meet the Department’s current settings.

AFP and insuranceEvidence of an Australian Federal Police check application and adequate health insurance should be prepared before lodgement.

Evidence To Prepare Before Lodgement

Passport and identity documents for each applicant.
Course completion letter and academic transcript.
CRICOS course details and evidence supporting the Temporary Graduate visa study requirement.
English language evidence, unless a passport exemption applies.
Australian Federal Police check evidence for applicants aged 16 or over where required.
Adequate health insurance evidence for all applicants.
Skills assessment evidence or evidence of having applied for a skills assessment for Post-Vocational Education Work stream applicants.
Relationship and family documents if including family members.

Temporary Graduate Visa 485 Fees

Government charges should be checked against the Department of Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator before lodgement. During this draft update, the estimator returned the following primary applicant results for the tested subclass 485 stream product codes:

Temporary Graduate visa stream	Primary applicant government charge check	Source note
Post-Vocational Education Work stream	Check the Department of Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator	The estimator returned unavailable for this checked scenario, so the official estimator should be checked before lodgement.
Post-Higher Education Work stream	AUD 4,600.00	Imported from the Department of Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator for a primary applicant only, no additional applicants.

Fees can change and depend on the application received date and applicant circumstances. Additional applicants, card surcharges, health checks, police checks, English tests, skills assessments and professional fees are separate.

Common 485 Refusal-Risk Issues

Stream selection is the first major risk. The Department of Home Affairs says applicants must apply for the eligible stream and it is not possible to change streams after applying.

Qualification does not match the chosen stream.
Course completion date is outside the application timing window.
English, AFP check or health insurance evidence is missing at lodgement.
Post-Vocational applicants choose an occupation that is not properly connected to the qualification.
Prior 485 or 476 visa history affects primary applicant eligibility.
Visa refusal or cancellation history creates additional eligibility problems.

Our 485 Visa Process

Eligibility map
We identify the correct stream, age settings, visa history and timing risks.

Evidence plan
We list the exact documents needed before lodgement.

Risk review
We check study requirement, English, AFP, health insurance and prior visa issues.

Application build
We help prepare a clear, complete application strategy.

Next pathway
We discuss skilled, employer sponsored, WA nomination or further-study options after 485.

Temporary Graduate Visa 485 FAQ

What is a Temporary Graduate visa 485?

A Temporary Graduate visa subclass 485 is a temporary visa for eligible international students who have finished Australian study and want to live, work and study in Australia after completing their course.

Which 485 visa stream should I apply for?

The stream depends on the qualification used to meet the Temporary Graduate visa study requirement. Degree-level graduates usually consider Post-Higher Education Work. Associate degree, diploma and trade qualification graduates may need Post-Vocational Education Work if the qualification and nominated occupation settings are met.

How long do I have to apply for a 485 visa after course completion?

The Department of Home Affairs study requirement page says subclass 485 applications must be made within 6 months of the date of course completion. The course completion date is the date you first met the academic requirement and were advised in writing, not necessarily the graduation ceremony date.

Do I need a skills assessment for a 485 visa?

Post-Vocational Education Work stream applicants need skills assessment evidence or evidence they have applied for a skills assessment in the nominated occupation. Post-Higher Education Work stream applicants are assessed under different qualification settings.

What is the 485 visa study requirement?

The Department of Home Affairs says the Temporary Graduate visa study requirement generally requires at least 2 academic years of study completed in no less than 16 calendar months in Australia, in CRICOS-registered courses, while holding a visa authorising study.

Can I change my 485 stream after applying?

The Department of Home Affairs says applicants must apply for their eligible stream and it is not possible to change streams after applying.

How much is the Temporary Graduate visa 485 fee?

For the tested Post-Higher Education Work stream primary applicant scenario, the Department of Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator returned AUD 4,600.00. The Post-Vocational Education Work stream estimator result was unavailable for the tested scenario. Fees should be checked again before lodgement.

Can Pacific Visa Group help with a 485 visa in Perth?

Pacific Visa Group can review your 485 visa Perth strategy, stream selection, timing, study requirement evidence, English evidence, AFP check, health insurance and next migration pathway before lodgement.

Related Visa Services

Plan before you lodge

Ready To Plan Your Temporary Graduate Visa?

A 485 visa decision is not just a graduate visa application. It can affect your skilled migration, employer sponsored visa, WA State nomination, skills assessment and future permanent residence planning.

Book a focused consultation before you lodge so the stream, timing and evidence are checked against the Department of Home Affairs settings.

We review:

Post-Higher Education Work vs Post-Vocational Education Work
6-month completion timing
English, AFP and health insurance evidence
Skills assessment and next pathway options

Official Fee And Source Links

This page uses Department of Home Affairs and Australian Government source links for visa facts, stream terminology, study requirements, skills assessment and fees. Government fees and criteria can change, so the official links should be checked before lodgement.