Last updated: 20 May 2026

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The Post‑Vocational Education Work Stream is part of the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485). It allows eligible international students who completed a diploma, trade qualification, or associate degree in Australia to temporarily stay, work, and study in Australia after graduation.

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This stream was previously called the Graduate Work Stream before changes introduced in July 2024.

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Post-Vocational Education Work Stream Overview

Stay

Usually up to 18 months

Hong Kong and British National Overseas (BNO) passport holders may stay up to 5 years.

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Cost

From AUD 4,600

Additional charges may apply for family members, health checks, English tests, skills assessments, and police certificates.

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Processing Time

Approximately 21 days to 4 months

Processing times may vary depending on application completeness and Department assessment.

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Work Rights

Full work rights

There are generally no work hour restrictions after the visa is granted.

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Age Requirement

Usually under 35 years old

Different concessions may apply for Hong Kong and BNO passport holders.

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Study Requirement

Minimum 2 academic years in Australia

Your studies must generally be CRICOS-registered and completed in English.

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For many graduates, this visa becomes an important pathway to:

• gain Australian work experience

• improve eligibility for skilled migration

• transition to employer sponsorship

• prepare for permanent residency pathways

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Stay Period

Usually up to 18 months.

Hong Kong and British National Overseas (BNO) passport holders may stay for up to 5 years.

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What This Visa Lets You Do

With the Post‑Vocational Education Work Stream, you can:

• work full-time in Australia

• study in Australia

• travel in and out of Australia

• include eligible family members

• gain skilled employment experience

• build points for future skilled migration applications

This visa is not employer-sponsored and is not points-tested.​​

Who Can Apply for the Post‑Vocational Education Work Stream?

You may be eligible if you:

• are under 35 years old

• recently completed eligible studies in Australia

• held a Student visa in the last 6 months

• completed a CRICOS-registered qualification

• studied for at least 2 academic years

• nominate an eligible occupation

• obtain or apply for a skills assessment

• meet English language requirements

• hold adequate health insurance

Some exemptions apply for Hong Kong and BNO passport holders.

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Eligible Qualifications

This stream is mainly designed for vocational and trade graduates.

Eligible qualifications can include:

• Diploma

• Advanced Diploma

• Associate Degree

• Trade Qualification

Your qualification must usually relate closely to your nominated occupation.

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Examples may include:

• commercial cookery

• automotive trades

• childcare

• aged care

• engineering trades

• information technology

• hospitality

• construction trades

The qualification must meet the Australian study requirement.

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Australian Study Requirement

To meet the Australian study requirement, you generally must:

• complete at least 2 academic years of study

• study in English

• complete a CRICOS-registered course

• physically study in Australia for at least 16 calendar months

• complete the qualification while holding a visa allowing study

You may combine multiple qualifications in some situations.

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Occupation Requirement

Unlike the Post‑Higher Education Work Stream, this stream requires a nominated occupation.

Your occupation must usually:

• appear on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)

• relate closely to your qualification

• have an approved skills assessing authority

This is one of the biggest differences between the vocational stream and the higher education stream.

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Skills Assessment for the 485 Vocational Stream

A skills assessment is generally required for the Post‑Vocational Education Work Stream.

You normally need to:

• nominate an eligible occupation

• apply for a skills assessment before lodging the visa

• provide evidence from the relevant assessing authority

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Depending on your occupation, assessing authorities may include:

• TRA

• VETASSESS

• ACS

• CPA Australia

• Engineers Australia

Requirements vary between occupations.

Some authorities allow qualifications-only assessments for 485 purposes.

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English Requirements

You usually need to show English language ability when lodging the application.

Accepted English tests can include:

• IELTS

• PTE Academic

• TOEFL iBT

• OET

• Cambridge C1 Advanced

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Most applicants currently need:

• IELTS overall 6.5

• minimum 5.5 in each band

Equivalent scores apply for other approved tests.

English test results are generally valid for 1 year for this visa stream.

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You may be exempt if you hold a passport from:

• United Kingdom

• United States

• Canada

• New Zealand

• Republic of Ireland

Different English concessions may apply for Hong Kong and BNO passport holders.

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Age Requirement

Most applicants must be under 35 years old at the time of application.

This age limit was reduced from 50 to 35 following the 2024 changes to the Temporary Graduate visa program.

Hong Kong and BNO passport holders may still qualify if they are under 50.

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Health Insurance Requirement

You must maintain adequate health insurance while holding the visa.

Many students switch from Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) to Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) or working visa cover after graduation.

Failure to maintain adequate health insurance may affect visa compliance.

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AFP Police Check

Applicants usually need an Australian Federal Police (AFP) check.

The police check should generally be applied for before lodging the visa application.

Family members aged 16 or older may also need police certificates.

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Can You Work Full-Time on This Visa?

Yes.

The Post‑Vocational Education Work Stream provides full work rights.

There are generally no work hour restrictions after the visa is granted.

This allows graduates to:

• gain Australian work experience

• transition into skilled employment

• improve employer sponsorship opportunities

• build eligibility for permanent residency pathways

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Bridging Visa While Waiting

After lodging the application, most applicants receive a Bridging Visa A (BVA).

The bridging visa usually allows you to stay lawfully in Australia while waiting for a decision.

If your Student visa expires after lodgement, your bridging visa conditions generally become active at that time.

If you need to travel overseas while waiting for a decision, you may need a Bridging Visa B (BVB).

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Post‑Vocational Education Work Stream Processing Time

Processing times can change regularly depending on application volumes and completeness.

Incomplete applications, missing skills assessments, or health and character issues may increase delays.

Well-prepared applications are usually processed faster.

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Visa Cost

The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) application charge increased in 2026.

Additional costs may apply for:

• English tests

• skills assessments

• AFP checks

• medical examinations

• biometrics

• health insurance

• document translations

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How to Apply for the Post‑Vocational Education Work Stream

Step 1 — Check Eligibility

Confirm:

• your qualification is eligible

• your occupation is suitable

• your studies meet the Australian study requirement

• your age and visa status qualify

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Step 2 — Prepare Your Skills Assessment

Apply for the required skills assessment before lodging the visa.

Different occupations have different assessment processes and timeframes.

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Step 3 — Gather Required Documents

Common documents include:

• passport

• completion letter

• academic transcript

• English test results

• skills assessment documents

• AFP police check

• health insurance evidence

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Step 4 — Lodge the Application Online

Applications are generally lodged through ImmiAccount.

You should usually apply within 6 months of course completion.

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Step 5 — Complete Health and Character Requirements

You may be asked to:

• complete medical examinations

• provide biometrics

• submit additional information

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Step 6 — Wait for the Visa Outcome

Once approved, you can remain in Australia for the granted visa period with full work rights.

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Difference Between Post‑Vocational Education Work Stream and Post‑Higher Education Work Stream

• The Post‑Vocational Education Work Stream is mainly for diploma, trade, and vocational graduates.

• The Post‑Higher Education Work Stream is generally for bachelor, master, and doctoral graduates.

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The vocational stream usually:

• requires a nominated occupation

• requires a skills assessment

• provides a shorter stay period

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The higher education stream usually:

• does not require a skills assessment

• does not require occupation nomination

• offers longer stay periods depending on qualification level

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Can This Visa Lead to Permanent Residency?

The Post‑Vocational Education Work Stream itself is temporary.

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However, many graduates use this visa to:

• gain local skilled work experience

• improve points test scores

• become eligible for skilled migration

• secure employer sponsorship

• qualify for regional migration pathways

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Common future visa pathways may include:

• Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)

• Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)

• Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491)

• Employer Sponsored visas

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Your future pathway depends on factors such as:

• occupation

• work experience

• English level

• state nomination requirements

• employer sponsorship opportunities

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Common Mistakes That Cause 485 Visa Refusals

Some common issues include:

• applying too late after course completion

• incorrect skills assessment

• occupation not closely related to studies

• expired English test results

• incomplete health insurance

• incorrect qualification evidence

• failing to meet Australian study requirements

Careful preparation is important because some refusals may affect future visa pathways.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Graduate Work Stream the same as the Post‑Vocational Education Work Stream?

Yes.

The Graduate Work Stream was renamed to the Post‑Vocational Education Work Stream following changes introduced in 2024.

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Do I need a skills assessment?

Usually yes.

Most applicants under this stream must obtain or apply for a suitable skills assessment linked to their nominated occupation.

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Can diploma graduates apply for the 485 visa?

Yes.

Eligible diploma, trade, and associate degree graduates may qualify under the Post‑Vocational Education Work Stream.

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Can I include my partner or children?

Yes.

Eligible family members can generally be included in the application.

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Can I travel overseas while waiting for my 485 visa?

Possibly.

You may need a Bridging Visa B before leaving Australia if your current visa expires.

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Is there an age limit?

Most applicants must be under 35 years old.

Some exemptions apply for Hong Kong and BNO passport holders.

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Need Help With a 485 Visa Application?

The Post‑Vocational Education Work Stream can involve complex eligibility requirements, especially around:

• skills assessments

• occupation relevance

• Australian study requirement

• English requirements

• timing of lodgement

Professional guidance may help reduce delays and avoid common mistakes during the application process.

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Related Temporary Graduate Visa Pages

• Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485)

• 485 Graduate Work stream

• Second Post-Higher Education Work stream

• 485 Visa Processing Time

• 485 Visa to PR Pathway

• Student Visa Australia

• Skilled Migration Australia

• Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)

• Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)

• Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491)

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Important Disclaimer

This page provides general information based on publicly available guidance.

Visa eligibility, duration, and conditions can change. You must confirm your situation directly with the Department of Home Affairs. You must check your visa conditions in VEVO.

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