Post-Vocational Education Work stream 485 Visa

The Graduate Work 485 visa, now known as the Post-Vocational Education Work stream 485 visa, is an 18-month visa available to international students who have completed at least two academic years of study in Australia. This visa is an excellent option for students who wish to extend their stay in Australia after completing their studies. It also serves as a pathway for those seeking permanent residency through General Skilled Migration or employer sponsorship.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: You must be 35 years old or younger when applying (with some exceptions).
• Location: You must be in Australia when applying and must have held a Student visa in the past six months.
• Validity: The visa is valid for 18 months from the date of grant and allows full work and study rights, as well as the freedom to travel in and out of Australia during its validity. Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders may stay for up to 5 years.

Occupation Nomination

You must nominate an occupation listed on the Skilled Visa Occupation List (MLTSSL) for the 189, 485, or 489 visa categories.

Processing Time

Currently, it takes about 2-3 months to process a complete application.

Changes to Post-Study Work Rights

The Department of Education has announced that the extended post-study work rights, which provided an additional two years on the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) for graduates with select degrees, will end by mid-2024. The exact date is yet to be confirmed.

Australian Study Requirements

Within the six months before applying, you must meet the Australian study requirement. This means:

• Completing a CRICOS-registered course in English.
• Completing at least two academic years (92 weeks) of study, spending at least 16 calendar months in Australia.
• Holding an Australian student visa that allowed you to study.

You may combine multiple courses to meet the two-year study requirement, provided they result in a degree, diploma, or trade qualification.

Skills Assessment

You must pass a skills assessment in your nominated occupation before applying for the 485 visa. The assessment is based on your qualifications, English language ability, and any registration requirements. Some skills assessing authorities have lower requirements for 485 applicants, and the assessment must be lodged before the visa application.

English Language Requirements

You must demonstrate your English language ability when applying for the 485 visa. Acceptable tests and scores include:

• IELTS: Overall average of 6 with at least 5 in each band.
• PTE Academic: Overall average of 50 with at least 36 in each band.
• TOEFL iBT: Total score of 64 with minimum scores in each section.
• OET: B Pass in each band.
• Cambridge (CAE): Overall average of 169 with at least 154 in each band.

Alternatively, holding a passport from the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, or New Zealand also satisfies this requirement.

Health Insurance

You must have adequate health insurance arrangements when the 485 visa is granted. While Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is acceptable at the time of application, you will need Working Visa cover for the approval of your 485 visa. This level of cover must be maintained throughout the visa’s duration.

Health and Police Checks

Medical checks are generally required for the 485 visa grant. You may reuse recent medicals from a student visa extension if applicable. Additionally, you will need an Australian Federal Police (AFP) check for yourself and any family members over 16 years of age, which must be applied for before lodging your visa application.

Time Limits

You must apply for the 485 visa within six months of completing your Australian studies. Ensure you hold or recently held a student visa or are on a bridging visa A or B when lodging your application.

Bridging Visa

When applying for the 485 visa, you will typically receive a Bridging A visa, allowing you to stay in Australia while your application is processed. The Bridging A visa provides full work rights, which become effective once your substantive visa expires. If you need to travel while your 485 visa is pending, apply for a Bridging B visa.

November 2023 Update

From November 25, 2023, online study requirements have reverted to pre-COVID settings. However, online study completed during the COVID concession period (February 1, 2020 – November 25, 2023) will continue to count towards the Australian Study Requirement. As students were required to return to in-person study by July 2023, this change should not disadvantage most students. Additionally, from November 25, 2023, the subclass 485 visa can be granted regardless of the applicant’s location at the time of the grant.