Subclass 485 – Post-Vocational Education Work stream

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Subclass 485 - Post-Vocational Education Work Stream

Previously known as the "Graduate Work Stream"

Subclass 485 – Post Vocational Education Work Stream is a temporary visa that allows International Students to live, study and work, once they have recently graduated with skills and qualifications in demand in Australia. With this visa, you can:

  • Live and study/work full time in Australia, usually between 18 – 24 months.

Subclass 485 – Upcoming Updates

Types of Subclass 485
Streams in Australia

There are 4 main streams to the Subclass 485 visa.

Post-Vocational Education Work stream

This stream allows International Students to live, study and work once they have recently graduated with skills and qualifications in demand in Australia.

Post-Higher Education Work stream

This stream allows International Students to live, study and work once they have completed any course of study at a degree level or above for two years.

Second Post-Higher Education Work stream

This stream allows holders of a Temporary Graduate visa (first Higher-Education Work stream) who graduated with a degree from an Australian institution located in a regional area.

Subclass 485 - Post-Vocational Education Work Stream Eligibility

To be eligible for a Post-Vocational Education Work Stream visa, you must: 

To be eligible for this visa you must have completed your course in the 6 months immediately before the day you apply.

This means that, to be eligible for the visa, you must be:

  • you are the main holder of a current student visa 
  • you held a student visa within the past 6 months before your application and you now have a Bridging Visa A or B, on the basis of a valid application for a visa
  • you held a student visa within the past 6 months before your application and you now hold a substantive visa
  • you are outside Australia and you hold or have held an eligible student visa

You must be 35 years of age or under when you apply. 

You can be under 50 years of age when you apply if you hold a Hong Kong or British National Overseas passport.

Provisional visa applicants need to undertake health examinations (medicals) to be granted Subclass 485 visa. 

To meet this requirement: 

  • your course was a CRICOS-registered course
  • you have successfully completed all the course requirements.
  • your study was in English
  • you completed your course as a result of at least two academic years (92) weeks of study 
  • you completed your course in Australia in not less than 16 calendar months
  • you held an Australian visa that allowed you to study

 

You can use one or more courses to meet the 2 academic year component, but each course used must be closely related to your nominated occupation.

You will need to:

  • nominate 1 occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) and
  • have a degree, diploma or trade qualification closely related to that occupation and
  • be assessed by a relevant assessing authority as having skills suitable for that occupation

You must have adequate health cover for the whole of your stay to be granted this visa. 

Applicants and all secondary applicants aged 16 years and over must apply for an AFPCC check, at the time of application for the visa. 

You can either show that you hold a valid passport from: 

  •  the United Kingdom
  • the United States of America
  • Canada
  • New Zealand
  • the Republic of Ireland

or prove your English proficiency through an English test (within the last 3 years). 

TestScore
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)Overall score of at least 6 with a minimum score of 5 for each of the 4 parts
Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT)Total score of at least 64 with a minimum score of 4 for listening, 4 for reading, 14 for writing and 14 for speaking
Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)Overall score of at least 50 with a minimum score of 36 for each of the 4 parts
Occupational English Test (OET)At least B for each of the 4 parts
Cambridge C1 Advanced testOverall at least 169 with a minimum score of at least 154 in each of the 4 test components

Steps to apply for a Subclass 485 - Post-Vocational Education Work Stream

Something else ?

    FAQ

    We are happy to answer
    any queries you may have

    How do I ensure my qualifications are related to my nominated occupation?

    To be granted this visa, your qualification(s) completed must be closely related to your nominated skilled occupation.

    For this, the skills underpinning your qualification must be directly transferable to that occupation. For example, if you nominate ‘Registered Nurse’ as your occupation, a degree in Nursing would meet this requirement, but a degree in IT would not. 

    Note: this is not required for applications lodged between 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2023)​.

    Do I need a skills assessment for this visa?

    Yes, you must have a positive skills assessment in your nominated occupation to be granted this visa. You must provide evidence when you apply that you have at least applied for a skills assessment.

    Do I need to be in Australia to lodge this visa application?

    No, you must be in Australia to lodge 485 visa application.

    However, Graduates affected by COVID-19 travel restrictions are now able to apply for and be granted a Temporary Graduate visa outside Australia – if they hold or have held an eligible Student visa.

    How long can Hong Kong and BNO Passport Holder can stay?

    Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders may stay for 5 years.

    My course lasted two years, but received credits from previous study. Will I meet the Study Requirements for the visa?

    This will depends on the length of course and exemptions received. Please contact our team for an assessment.  

    Can I work full time?

    Yes, Subclass 485 provides full working rights. 

    When must I apply the visa by?

    You must apply for your 485 visa within 6 months of completion of your Australian studies. 

    Will I receive work rights on Subclass 485 - Bridging Visa?

    If you held your student visa immediately before applying for Subclass 485, the work rights on the bridging visa will come into effect when your student expires. However, we recommend that you check your VEVO to confirm this. 

    Can I cancel my Health cover once the visa is granted?

    You must maintain adequate health care coverage while holding your Subclass 485. If you do not, your 485 can be cancelled by the Department of Home Affairs. 

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