485 graduate visa requirements have become an important consideration for international students who are approaching the end of their studies in Australia. Perth, with its universities, growing industries and regional migration advantages, attracts graduates looking to build experience after completing their qualifications.
Also, the scale of Australia’s international education sector highlights why post-study pathways are crucial. Government data has recorded 680,582 international students studying in Australia between January and May 2026. In this blog, we will understand the applicable visa stream, eligibility rules and documents so that graduates can plan their next step accordingly.
What Are the 485 Graduate Visa Requirements in 2026?
A successful 485 visa application requires applicants to meet age, visa history and study requirements, alongside evidence criteria before applying. You must also select the correct stream depending on the qualification used for eligibility.
What Basic Eligibility Applies to All 485 Visa Streams?
Before we proceed to the individual streams, here are the common 485 graduate visa requirements that must be met:
- Age: You must generally be aged 35 years or under when you apply, even though exceptions might apply to certain applications.
- Eligible visa: You must hold an eligible visa when applying.
- Recent student visa: You must have held a student visa in Australia within the previous six months.
- Australian qualification: You must have a recent qualification from a CRICOS-registered course that satisfies the applicable Temporary Graduate 485 visa study requirement.
- Correct Stream: You must apply for the stream that matches your eligible qualification. The stream cannot be changed after you submit the application.
- Required Evidence: The evidence has to be attached when you apply.
And for all three streams under the Graduate Temporary Visa subclass 485, you and accompanying family members must meet the required health and character standards. Applicants aged 18 or over have to sign the Australian Values Statement and repay any outstanding debt to the Australian Government or cover it by an arrangement.
Previous cases of visa cancellations or refusals might also affect eligibility. Also, you and your family must maintain adequate health insurance throughout your stay.
Also Read: Can I Apply 485 Visa Without IELTS?
What Are the Post-Vocational Education Work Stream Requirements?
The post-vocational education work stream is for graduates with an eligible associate degree, diploma or trade qualification related to an occupation Australia needs.
- Location: Must be in Australia (not in immigration clearance). Subsequent entrants might apply onshore or offshore.
- Eligible visa: Hold an eligible student visa or have held one in the past 6 months with a Bridging A/B or substantive visa.
- Recent completion of course: Must have completed your eligible course within 6 months of applying.
- Study requirement: Must meet the Temporary Graduate visa study requirement. Multiple related courses might count toward the 2 academic years.
- Nominated occupation: An occupation present on the MLTSSL must be chosen.
- Skills assessment: Must obtain a positive skills assessment or provide evidence of having applied.
- English: A certain level of English with valid evidence is required.
What Are the Post-Higher Education Work Stream Requirements?
The Post-Higher Education Work stream is for international graduates who have recently completed an eligible degree from an Australian education provider.
- Age: Generally, the 485 visa age limit is 35 or under; up to 50 for graduates with a Master’s research or doctoral degree, and Hong Kong and BNO passport holders.
- Location: Must be physically present in Australia but not in immigration clearance.
- Eligible visa: Hold an eligible student visa or have held one in the past 6 months with a Bridging visa A/B or substantive visa.
- Recent course completion and qualification: Must have completed the eligible course within 6 months of applying and an eligible degree awarded immediately before applying.
- Eligible degrees: Bachelor, Bachelor Honours, Master’s coursework, Master’s extended, Master’s research, Doctoral research, Doctoral professional or higher doctoral degrees may qualify.
- Graduate diploma: May qualify when completed in the same or next academic year as an eligible degree and the study is related to that qualification.
- Study requirement: Must meet the Australian graduate visa study requirement.
- Australian education provider: The course must be delivered by a CRICOS-registered Australian education provider offering degree-level programs.
- English: Must meet the required English level with valid evidence.
What Are the Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream Requirements?
This stream allows eligible temporary graduate visa holders to remain in Australia for another one or two years. Applicants must have studied with an eligible provider in a designated regional area and lived only in a designated regional area for at least two years before applying.
- Age: Typically 35 or under, but up to 50 for applicants who have a Master’s research or doctoral degree for their first Post-Higher Education Work or Post-Study Work visa, and for Hong Kong and BNO passport holders.
- Current visa: Must hold a valid first Temporary Graduate visa in the Post-Higher Education Work, Post-Study Work or eligible Replacement stream when applying.
- Previous 485 stream: Must have received the first Temporary Graduate visa through the Post-Higher Education Work or Post-Study Work stream or an eligible Replacement stream.
- Location: You must be in Australia but not in immigration clearance. Only subsequent entrants might apply from inside or outside Australia.
- Regional study: The qualification that led to the first Temporary Graduate visa must have been obtained from a CRICOS-registered Australian education provider offering degree-level programs, with the campus located in a designated regional area.
- Regional residence: You must have lived only in a designated regional area for at least two years immediately before applying.
- Regional work and study: Any work or study undertaken while holding the relevant first graduation visa in Australia must have been in a designated regional area.
- Visa duration: You may receive an additional one or two years depending on the regional location where you studied and where you lived during your first graduate visa.
Also Read: 485 Visa Processing Time: A Comprehensive Guide
What Are the English Language Requirements for the subclass 485 visa in Australia?
You must achieve a minimum IELTS Academic or General score of 6.5 overall and a PTE Academic score of 55 overall. Given below is a table that outlines the detailed minimum scores for all accepted English tests from 7 August 2025 onwards.
| English test | Overall | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 Advanced | Not accepted | Not accepted | Not accepted | Not accepted | Not accepted |
| CELPIP General | 8 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| IELTS General Training | 6.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic | 67 | 49 | 54 | 56 | 62 |
| MET | 58 | 53 | 51 | 51 | 43 |
| OET | 1310 | 260 | 280 | 260 | 310 |
| PTE Academic | 55 | 40 | 42 | 41 | 39 |
| TOEFL iBT | 81 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 17 |
Conclusion
Having a clear understanding of the 485 graduate visa requirements is essential for international students who are planning their next step in Australia. Every stream has different eligibility rules, study requirements and associated evidence. Thus, Perth graduates must go through regional conditions with care, wherever relevant. Since migration rules keep on changing, advice from an experienced immigration agent in Perth can help you assess your options and prepare a stronger application.
Need Help With Your 485 Visa Application?
The sooner you seek professional guidance, the more confidently you can manage your visa application, eligibility assessment, and required documents.
Reach out to us today through any of the following:
Immigration agent Perth
- Email: contact@immigrationagentperthwa.com.au
- Phone No: (08) 6245 1246
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Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and is not legal advice. Migration laws change frequently, and applicants should obtain advice based on their individual circumstances before lodging an application.
FAQs
1. Can You Apply for a 485 Visa After Completing Your Studies in Australia?
Yes. International students who have recently completed an eligible qualification from a CRICOS-registered Australian course might be able to apply for the temporary graduate subclass 485 visa.
2. What documents are needed for a temporary graduate visa 485 application in Australia?
Applicants generally need identity, study completion, English evidence where required, alongside health insurance, police checks and supporting visa documents as part of the requirements for 485 visa applications.
3. How much does the 485 visa cost in Australia in 2026?
In 2026, the 485 visa fees are AUD 5,750 for both Post-Vocational Education Work and Post-Higher Education Work streams. The Second Post-Higher Education work stream costs AUD 2,265.
4. How long does it take to process an Australia visa 485 application?
As part of the processing time for 485 visa, 50% of Post-Higher Education work stream applications are processed within 56 days, and 90% are processed within 4 months. For the Post-Vocational Education work stream, 50% were processed within 80 days and 90% within 3 months.
