Temporary Graduate Visa (485)

The Skilled (Provisional) (485) visa is for you if you have recently completed study in Australia whilst on a student visa. This is a temporary visa that allows you to live and work full time in Australia and is valid for a period that is determined by the type of study you have completed. If you wish to stay in Australia permanently, you will need to consider one of the General Skilled Migration Visas (189, 190 or 491) or consider an Employer Sponsored Visa such as the Skills In Demand Visa (482) or the Employer Nominated Scheme Visa (186).  

There are two streams under the Skilled (Provisional) (485) visa. These are called the Post-Higher Education Work (PHEW) Stream and the Post-Vocational Education Work (PVEW) Stream.

At the time of lodging the application under the PHEW stream, you must:

• be under 35 years old
• hold an eligible student visa, or have held an eligible student visa within the last 6 months
• within the last 6 months, have completed one or more of the qualifications below, following at least 2 years of study in Australia:
• bachelor’s degree (with or without honors)
• master’s degree (by coursework or research)
• master’s extended degree
• doctoral degree
• have the required level of English proficiency
• have applied for, or obtained an Australian Federal Police Clearance
• have made adequate arrangements for health insurance during your stay in Australia, and meet the relevant health and character criteria.

At the time of lodging the application under the PVEV stream, you must:

• be under 35 years old
• hold an eligible student visa, or have held an eligible student visa within the last 6 months
• nominate an occupation that is included on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
• have applied to have your skills assessed by the appropriate Australian skills assessing authority as suitable for your nominated occupation. For your application to be successful, your skills must be assessed as relevant to your nominated occupation
• within the last 6 months, have completed one or more qualifications that are closely related to your nominated occupation, following at least 2 years of study in Australia
• have the required level of English proficiency
• have applied for, or obtained an Australian Federal Police Clearance
• have made adequate arrangements for health insurance during your stay in Australia, and meet the relevant health and character criteria.

The documents required for the 485 visa will depend on the stream under which you apply. Generally, these can be grouped under the following categories:

• Forms – these will be in addition to the application form submitted in ImmiAccount
• Identity and other documents – these will be documents about your identity, relationship, name changes etc.
• Qualifications – documents to support each qualification that you have completed in Australia
• Other documents – including the outcome of your skills assessment, results of your English proficiency test, evidence of health insurance and police clearances etc.

As at 1 July 2024, the Home Affairs fees for this visa are as below:

• primary applicant – A$ 1,945
• dependent over 18 years of age – A$ 975
• dependent under 18 years of age – A$ 490

In addition, there will be fees associated with the Skills Assessment, health insurance, obtaining police clearances and undertaking medical examinations.

Assure Visa fees for visa 485 are listed on our  Fees Page.