How to Apply for the 485 Visa (Subclass 485) – Step‑by‑Step Application Guide (2026)

The 485 visa application requires preparing your documents in advance, meeting timing rules (lodging within 6 months of completing your course and having held a Student visa within the last 6 months), and following a structured sequence: documenting eligibility, gathering evidence (English test, CRICOS proof, AFP check, OVHC), creating your ImmiAccount application, attaching all required evidence, completing health checks, and submitting the application.

Applicants must attach required evidence when applying and must hold a recent CRICOS‑registered qualification and an eligible visa at lodgement.

1. Confirm your eligibility before applying

2. Prepare your required documents

3. Create or log in to your ImmiAccount

4. Start the online 485 visa application

5. Attach all required documents

6. Pay the application fee

7. Complete your health examinations (if asked)

8. Monitor your application progress

9. Receive your 485 visa outcome

10. Final Check / Validation

• Check that you meet these core requirements from Home Affairs:

  • You must be 35 years or under (exceptions apply).

  • You must have held a Student visa in the last 6 months.

  • You must have completed a CRICOS‑registered qualification.

  • You must apply under the correct stream (cannot change after applying).

  • You must attach required evidence when you apply.

• Identify the correct stream:

  • Post‑Higher Education Work: for degree holders.

  • Post‑Vocational Education Work: for vocational graduates tied to a skilled occupation + skills assessment.

  • Second Post‑Higher Education Work: for regional degree graduates with a previous eligible 485.

• Identity

  • Passport bio page

  • National ID (if applicable)

• Study evidence (must be CRICOS)

  • Completion letter

  • Academic transcript
    Home Affairs confirms you must have a recent qualification in a CRICOS‑registered course.

• Student visa history

  • Evidence that you held a Student visa in the last 6 months

• English test

  • Accepted test results (Eg, IELTS or other verified tests.)

  • Ensure scores meet current requirements and are valid; recent practitioner updates highlight stricter English rules and validity windows (e.g., single sitting, no at‑home formats, taken within ~12 months).

• AFP character check

  • Apply before lodging the visa.

  • Upload receipt/certificate.

• OVHC

  • Australian health insurance valid at the time of lodgement.

• Stream‑specific documents

  • For PVEWS: skills assessment + occupation relevance.

  • For Second PHEWS: regional study + living evidence.

• Go to the official Home Affairs platform and create your ImmiAccount.

• Select: New Application->Work->Temporary Graduate visa.

• Enter your personal details exactly as on your passport.

• Add your study history and qualification details.

• Select the correct 485 stream (you cannot change later). Home Affairs explicitly states stream selection cannot be changed after applying.

• Attach all evidence before submitting because Home Affairs requires applicants to attach required evidence when applying.

• Upload items in these sections:

  • Identity

  • Study documents

  • English results

  • AFP police check

  • OVHC

  • Stream‑specific evidence (skills assessment, regional proof, etc.)

• Ensure all files are clear and readable.

• Pay the visa application charge using ImmiAccount’s payment gateway.

• Ensure payment is completed; otherwise, the application is not lodged.

• After lodging, you may receive a request for:

  • Medical exam

  • Chest X‑ray

  • Additional checks (if required)

• You can use your HAP ID generated in ImmiAccount to complete the examinations.

• Processing times depend partly on how quickly applicants complete health and character requirements.

• Use your ImmiAccount to track stages such as:

  • Submitted

  • Assessment in progress

  • Further information requested

  • Finalised

• Home Affairs provides estimated visa processing time ranges through the Global Visa Processing Times tool, updated monthly.

• Once finalised, you will receive a formal visa grant notice digitally.

• The notice will show:

1. Visa conditions

2. Visa start date

3. Visa end date

4. Work rights information

• Ensure your OVHC remains active.

• Update your employer with your new visa details.

• Start planning for:

  • Career experience

  • Regional work (if aiming for Second PHEWS)

  • Future Skilled migration or PR options