485 Visa Australia: New Eligibility, Scope & Tips Guide 2025

Do you plan to move to Australia after your post-study? To gain the right to work and valuable work experience after graduating, you need the 485 visa Australia, also called the Temporary Graduate visa. For many graduates from different countries, this is a key move from studying to working and eventually having permanent residency in Canada. Everything you need to learn about the revised visa rules, including who can apply, the required documents and advice for spending more time in the country. This guide will assist you in setting strong goals and staying up to date if you want to grow your future in Australia.

What is the 485 Visa Australia?: Latest Guide

Here are details about the 485 visa Australia:

• The Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) is another name for this visa.

• A work visa is designed for graduates from outside Australia for a limited period.

• Assists students in making the move from studying to getting a job.

• Grants workers full-time employment once the training is done.

• The name Temporary Resident Visa Australia 485 or Skilled Graduate Temporary Visa is usually used for it.

• WLUs are valid for up to 4 years, depending on the stream and course chosen.

• If used correctly, it can provide a route to Permanent Residency (PR).

Also Read: Skilled Labour Visa Australia: Latest Process, Jobs, Fees

New Streams of Subclass 485 Visa Australia: Updated 2025

Here are the different streams of the subclass 485 visa Australia:

Post-Higher Education Work Stream

Here are details about the post-higher education work stream of subclass 485 visa Australia:

Post-Higher Education Work Stream is for people earning bachelor’s degrees or better.

• The training has to be completed at an Australian institution registered with CRICOS.

• A person may stay in the country using a visa for 2 to 4 years.

• The general time required to earn a degree is 2 years.

• Graduates from STEM, healthcare and education are given 3 to 4 years of work experience.

Post-Vocational Work Stream

Here are details about the post-vocational work stream of subclass 485 visa Australia:

The Post-Vocational Education Work Stream is for people with diplomas or trade qualifications.

• Applicants in the course need to fall under the Skilled Occupation List.

• The validity of a visa could be up to 18 months.

• Created with vocational or trade students in mind.

Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream

Here are details about the second post-higher education work stream of subclass 485 visa Australia:

The second post-college work stream is designed for graduates from regional Australia.

• People applying for this stream already hold a Post-Higher Education Stream 485 visa.

• Only for graduates who finished their studies in those designated regions.

• A visa can be issued for 1 or 2 years.

485 Visa Australia: Latest Eligibility Criteria & Requirements in 2025

Here are the eligibility criteria and requirements for 485 visa Australia:

Latest Qualifications and Course Requirements

Here are the qualifications and course requirements for 485 visa Australia:

• Should not exceed 35 years of age (this is the new rule from 2025).

• Obtained an approved qualification in Australia.

• The application window will close 6 months after you finish your course.

• A valid Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) is mandatory.

• A person cannot have a 485 visa previously, except when applying in the second stream.

• At least two academic years, which is 92 weeks, were required for the course.

• Courses must be finished no more than 6 months before any CBAP exam attempt date.

English Language Proficiency for Australia PR: 

Here are the English language proficiency requirements for the 485 visa Australia:

• They are required to fulfil the new English language graduation requirement.

• Courses can only be from providers registered with CRICOS.

• Courses chosen for the vocational stream must be on the Skilled Occupation List.

• Graduate Certificates can no longer be used for admission.

• The course should not be too old and should be aligned with the upcoming exam.

• Courses can run for a maximum of 2 academic years (92 weeks).

• The IELTS band score should be 6.5 overall and 5.5 in every band (minimum for entry to Master’s programs).

Health, Character and Insurance in Australia

Here are the health, character and insurance requirements for the 485 visa Australia:

• The TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and OET (for healthcare workers) are also considered valid tests.

• Take the English test no more than 1 year before you start your application.

• All required health tests, such as a chest x-ray and blood samples, must be done.

• They must provide proof of a transparent police background from every nation they have lived in for 12 months or more.

• Should make sure their OVHC insurance is up-to-date at any time during the visa period.

Also Read: Freshers' Job in Australia for Indians: A Comprehensive Guide

Latest Step-by-Step Application Process for Temporary Graduate 485 Visa Australia for 2025

Here is a step-by-step application process for the 485 visa Australia:

1. See if you match all the required criteria by checking your age, having finished the needed courses, being proficient in English and your past visa experience.

2. Ensure all essential documents, such as your passport, transcripts, medical insurance information and English test outcomes, are on hand.

3. Begin by opening an ImmiAccount from the Department of Home Affairs website.

4. Select the right visa category by double-checking your eligibility when filling out the application form.

5. Complete the application by adding all support files to your online account.

6. Pay the application charge of AUD 1,895 for the principal applicant in 2025.

7. Seal the application and send it ahead of your current visa running out, so you won’t be without a legal status.

8. Allow for processing our application, usually within 5 to 8 months.

9. While your application is being checked, you are usually given a Bridging Visa to make it legal to stay in the country.

485 Skilled Graduate Temporary Visa Australia: New Document Checklist for 2025

Here is a document checklist for a 485 skilled graduate temporary visa Australia:

• A verified passport is needed to check identity for a 485 skilled graduate temporary visa Australia while travelling outside the country.

• Authorised academic transcripts and a letter confirming that your education provider completed your courses.

• Results from English tests that are at the standard needed.

• You must show proof of health insurance, especially the Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) certificate.

• A formal clearance certificate from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) is needed to fulfil the character criteria.

• A record of regional study if you are applying using the Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream.

• Skills assessment report, if you have selected the vocational stream, and the universities require it.

• All your documents and the filled-out ImmiAccount form are uploaded together.

• A receipt is evidence that the visa application fee has been paid.

485 Visa Australia Processing Times, Fees, and Common Refusal Reasons in 2025

Here are details about the processing times, fees and common refusal reasons for 485 visa Australia:

• This year, it takes 6 to 8 months to process the applications in the Post-Higher Education Stream.

• It usually takes 5 to 7 months to go through the Vocational Stream.

• Processing the Second Visa under the Post-Higher Education Stream usually takes 4 to 6 months.

• In 2025, it will cost AUD 1,895 for the primary applicant to get a visa.

• Additional applicants 18 years or older have to pay AUD 950.

• Children under 18 should pay AAUD 475 when applying for a visa.

• Many people are denied visas because they apply for the wrong visa subtype.

• An invalid English test score can also happen frequently.

• Not applying on time can lead the college to reject your application.

• When you choose a course that doesn’t relate to your career, your chances of approval decrease.

• Skills testing for vocational applicants is necessary; failing to do so counts as a refusal.

• Refusals also happen when prospects fail their health or character screenings.

Also Read: Comprehensive Guide to the Australia Study Visa Process

How to Bring Family and Dependents on a Subclass 485 Visa Australia in 2025

Here’s how you can bring your family on a 485 visa Australia:

• It is possible to include your spouse or partner when applying.

• Dependents less than 23 years old can also be added to the plan.

• You can work as much as you like on a spouse or family visa.

• Dependents who meet the conditions can attend schools or colleges in Australia while the visa is active.

• The forms will ask for documents such as your marriage and birth certificates.

• All dependents need to have their passports copied.

• Dependents must show they have a good English test score and health insurance.

• You may list your family members in the initial application or add them after as subsequent entrants.

Pathways After the 485 Visa: New Guide from Temporary Residency to Permanent Residency in Australia 2025

Here are details regarding pathways after a Temporary Resident Visa Australia 485 to PR:

• The Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189) is a well-known pathway for permanent residency.

• People frequently look into the State Nomination Visa (subclass 190).

• Under the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 491), migration to a region is an option.

• For instance, the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) and Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (subclass 482) can be used by employers.

• The Skills in Demand (SID) visa is now available in place of certain employer-sponsored visas.

• Whilst holding your 485 visa, work in a job linked to your profession.

• By doing the Professional Year Program, you can improve your academic qualifications.

• If your English test score improves, you increase your chances of succeeding in visa applications in the future.

• Considering regional Australia can give you a higher opportunity to earn state nomination.

• Get a favourable skills evaluation to help you apply for permanent residency.

Top Courses and Career Opportunities for 485 Visa Australia Holders in 2025

Here are the top courses and career opportunities for 485 visa Australia holders:

• Information Technology (IT) will continue to be in high demand in 2025.

• People looking for employment in healthcare will find many promising career opportunities.

• People are most interested in civil, mechanical and software engineering.

• Accounting skills are needed year after year in the Australian workforce.

• Courses in hospitality and cookery give people ways to enter an expanding sector.

• The sector of Early Childhood Education consistently needs support.

• People see social work as an essential profession.

• Courses must meet the requirements of the Skilled Occupation List to increase the likelihood of getting visas and PR.

• A high demand for particular courses is helpful if a state nomination process is involved.

• Finishing these courses increases the number of points you have for applying for permanent residency through points-based schemes.

Also Read: What is the Average Salary in Australia per Month

Recent Changes to the 485 Visa Australia in 2025

Here are the recent changes to the 485 visa Australia:

• Those applying have to be no older than 35 years.

• The passing IELTS score has gone up to 6.5 in total.

• A graduate certificate is not accepted if you want to apply for a visa.

• New rules apply only to Graduate Diplomas earned in the past few years.

• Post-study work rights are given only to graduates in STEM, healthcare and education.

• All visa streams are now called ‘categories’ and have been reorganised to make things more straightforward.

• There can only be one post-graduation extension under the Second Post-Higher Education Stream.

• The Subclass 476 visa and its alternative stream have been closed down.

• Ensuring a course qualifies for university credit gets much tougher than before.

• The Skills in Demand (SID) visa has been introduced to ease the way to permanent residency.

Experts Tips to Maximise Your 485 Visa Australia Experience: Updated Guide 2025

Here are some tips to maximise your 485 visa Australia experience:

• Get experience in your nominated skilled occupation.

• Take part in and end a Professional Year Program to collect more points and gain new abilities.

• Moving to regional Australia may help you achieve nomination and PR more easily.

• Make efforts to build and keep a professional network among people in your industry.

• Change your resume whenever your work experience or abilities change.

• Being a member of professional groups is a good way to hear about the latest opportunities.

• Submit your documents for permanent residency as soon as your visa starts and before deadlines.

• Speak to a migration agent about the Skills in Demand (SID) visa and what states may nominate you to organise your plans well.

Also Read: ETA Visa Australia (601): Latest Complete Visa Guide

Conclusion – Is the 485 Visa Australia Right for You?

The 485 visa Australia is great for international students who want work experience after their studies and a possible route to staying permanently in Australia. It serves to link education with adapting to the demands of Australian workplaces. Yet, the updates for 2025 make the competition tougher. With the new lowered age requirement, more English and stricter rules, those applying must be better organised. If you are eligible now, getting a graduate visa for Australia can be a good start to help you achieve your plans. Organise early, choose the right study program and get the correct student visa. During your visa period, try to get work and use it to help achieve PR. Instead of seeing this as a temporary chance, use it to build your career. Contact TerraTern for more information!