Which Stream Are You Applying Under?

Before you start, confirm your stream:

• Post-Higher Education Work Stream — for bachelor, master, or PhD graduates

• Post-Vocational Education Work Stream — for diploma or trade graduates with a skills assessment

• Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream — for graduates who lived in a designated regional area for at least 2 years

Not sure which stream applies to you? See our complete 485 visa eligibility and streams guide first.

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Step 1: Before You Apply

Start as Soon as Your Course Ends

Begin preparation as soon as your education provider confirms you have successfully completed your course. For the Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream, begin once you have resided in a designated regional area for at least 2 years while holding a Temporary Graduate visa.

Important for the Second Stream only: You must be in Australia to apply for this stream. For the Post-Higher Education and Post-Vocational streams, you can be inside or outside Australia when you apply.

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1a. Check Your Passport

You need a valid passport to apply. If your passport is expiring soon or you plan to get a new one, do this before lodging your application.

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1b. Check Your Current Visa Conditions

Log in to VEVO to view your current visa conditions. If your current visa has a No Further Stay condition (8503 or 8534), you cannot apply online. Instead, submit an ImmiAccount technical support form.

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1c. Organise Health Examinations

You may need to complete health examinations. Depending on your nationality and circumstances, the Department may also request biometrics as part of your application. Arranging both before you lodge can lead to a faster decision.

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1d. Arrange a Skills Assessment (Post-Vocational Education Work Stream only)

If you are applying under the Post-Vocational Education Work Stream, you must arrange a skills assessment through a relevant assessing authority before you apply.

• Your skills must be assessed as suitable for a nominated occupation on the skilled occupation list

• Contact the relevant authority early — each authority has individual professional standards and processing times

• Skills assessments are valid for a maximum of 3 years (unless a shorter date is specified)

• If your assessment is not yet complete when you apply, you must at minimum provide evidence that you have applied for one. You must then upload the completed assessment to ImmiAccount before a decision is made.

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1e. Get Help With Your Application (Optional)

You can appoint a professional to assist you. Immigration assistance must be provided by:

• A registered migration agent (MARN-registered)

• A legal practitioner

• An exempt person

Anyone can be appointed to receive documents on your behalf. Use Form 956 to appoint someone for immigration assistance, or Form 956A to appoint an authorised document recipient.

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Step 2: Gather Your Documents

Gathering the right documents upfront is the most important step to avoid delays. Below is what each applicant needs. All documents must be scanned or photographed in colour, and all non-English documents must be translated by an accredited translator.

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2a. Identity Documents (All Streams)

• Passport bio page (photo, personal details, issue and expiry dates)

• National identity card (if applicable)

• Proof of name change (marriage certificate, divorce certificate, or change of name documents) if your name has changed

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2b. Study Documents (All Streams)

Attach evidence of successful course completion. The specific evidence required is listed under Meeting the Temporary Graduate visa study requirement on the Department of Home Affairs website. At minimum, this includes your final transcripts and completion letter from your institution.

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2c. English Language Documents (Post-Higher Education and Post-Vocational Streams)

You must prove you meet the English requirement. You are exempt if you are a citizen holding a valid passport from the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, or the Republic of Ireland.

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Otherwise, you must provide a valid English test result taken within the 12 months immediately before your application date.

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Accepted English Tests and Minimum Scores (Tests taken on or after 7 August 2025)

• IELTS Academic or General Training Overall 6.5 | Listening 5.5 | Reading 5.5 | Writing 5.5 | Speaking 5.5

• PTE Academic Overall 55 | Listening 40 | Reading 42 | Writing 41 | Speaking 39

• TOEFL iBT Overall 81 | Listening 12 | Reading 12 | Writing 14 | Speaking 17

• CELPIP General Overall 8 | Listening 6 | Reading 6 | Writing 6 | Speaking 6

• OET Overall 1310 | Listening 260 | Reading 280 | Writing 260 | Speaking 310

• MET Overall 58 | Listening 53 | Reading 51 | Writing 51 | Speaking 43

• LANGUAGECERT Academic Overall 67 | Listening 49 | Reading 54 | Writing 56 | Speaking 62

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Note: C1 Advanced (CAE) is not accepted for tests taken on or after 7 August 2025.

Holders of British National (BNO) or Hong Kong passports have lower minimum score thresholds. Contact RACC Australia for the applicable scores for your situation.

Important notes for 2025+ test results:

• OET no longer includes an overall score on test reports — contact OET directly to obtain your overall score before lodging

• IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR) results are accepted but must be completed before lodging

• MET Single Section Retake (SSR) results are accepted but must be completed before lodging

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2d. Skills Assessment Documents (Post-Vocational Education Work Stream only)

Provide evidence that the relevant assessing authority has assessed your skills as suitable for your nominated occupation. If your assessment is pending, provide evidence of your application. Assessing authorities may require a higher level of study than the minimum required for this stream, so confirm requirements with your authority early.

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2e. Residence Documents (Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream only)

You must show that you lived in a designated regional area for at least 2 years immediately before lodging. Evidence must demonstrate:

• You lived in a designated regional area for the full 2-year period

• You continued to live there throughout the 2 years

• You are still living in a designated regional area at the time of lodgement

Acceptable evidence includes: driver's licence, utility bills, mortgage or rental agreements, bank statements, and children's school documents. If you also worked or studied in the regional area during this period, provide evidence of that too.

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2f. Health Insurance Documents (All Streams)

You must prove adequate health insurance in Australia. Provide one or more of:

• A signed letter from your health insurance provider

• A Medicare card or proof of Medicare enrolment

• Other evidence of health insurance coverage

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2g. Character Documents (All Streams)

For Post-Higher Education and Post-Vocational streams: You and all applicants aged 16 or over must provide evidence that you applied for an Australian Federal Police (AFP) National Police Certificate within the 12 months ending the day before you submit your visa application.

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Key rules:

• Do not apply for the AFP check on the same day as your visa application

• Apply no earlier than 12 months before your lodgement date, and no later than the day before

• Only complete disclosure National Police Certificates (Immigration/Citizenship – Australia Name Check Only) issued by the AFP are accepted

• State/territory police certificates and standard disclosure certificates are not accepted

• The AFP system can take up to 24 hours to generate a receipt — save your AFP confirmation page as evidence

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All applicants must complete and attach:

• Form 80 – Personal particulars for character assessment

• Form 1221 – Additional personal particulars information

If requested, you may also need overseas police certificates and military service records.

For the Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream: You must provide an AFP check to be granted this visa (rather than at lodgement). Forms 80 and 1221 are submitted if requested.

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2h. Partner Documents (All Streams)

If your partner is applying with you, provide:

• Their identity documents and character documents

• Marriage certificate (if married) or evidence of a valid marriage in Australia

• De facto relationship evidence — including proof the relationship has existed for at least 12 months before application, or that it is registered in an Australian state or territory

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2i. Documents for Dependent Children (All Streams)

Children under 18: Birth certificates or family book showing both parents' names, and adoption papers if applicable. If the other parent is not travelling with the child and has legal rights over where the child lives, you also need their consent via Form 1229 or a statutory declaration.

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Children aged 18–22: Must be financially dependent on you. Provide birth certificate, Form 47a, proof of financial dependency (bank statements, money transfers), and character/identity documents.

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Children aged 23+: Must be unable to earn a living due to physical or cognitive limitations. A medical report from a qualified practitioner is required in addition to the above.

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2j. Document Preparation Rules (All Streams)

• All non-English documents must be translated into English

• Translators in Australia must be accredited by NAATI (National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters)

• Translators outside Australia do not need to be accredited, but must include their full name, address, telephone number, and language qualifications on each translation

• Scan or photograph all documents (English and non-English) in colour

• Scans must be clear and legible

• Multi-page documents must be saved as a single file

• No certification is required for documents

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Step 3: Lodge Your Application Online

3a. Apply via ImmiAccount

All 485 visa applications must be lodged online via ImmiAccount. You cannot apply by paper.

Steps:

1. Create or log in to your ImmiAccount

2. Select the correct visa subclass (485) and your stream — you cannot change streams after lodging

3. Attach all required documents

4. Pay the Visa Application Charge (VAC) for all applicants — the application is not valid until payment is received

5. Submit

Family members applying together must each have their own VAC paid and documents attached.

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3b. What You Must Attach at Lodgement

At the time of lodging, you must include:

• Evidence of successful course completion

• English language test results (if applicable)

• AFP check application evidence — for all applicants aged 16 and over (Post-Higher Education and Post-Vocational streams)

• Evidence of adequate health insurance for all applicants

• Evidence of skills assessment application (Post-Vocational stream only)

• Residence evidence (Second Post-Higher Education stream only)

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3c. Important Lodgement Notes

• Applications are timestamped in Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) or AEDT when daylight saving applies

• A valid application must be made within the eligibility timeframe — late applications cannot be accepted

• If you have a technical issue with ImmiAccount, refer to the Department of Home Affairs guide on resolving error messages

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Step 4: After You Lodge

4a. Bridging Visa

When you lodge your 485 application, you are automatically granted a Bridging Visa A. If your current substantive visa (e.g. student visa) expires before a decision is made, the bridging visa allows you to remain lawfully in Australia. Do not cancel your current visa — doing so may leave you unlawfully in Australia.

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4b. Travel During Processing

You can be inside or outside Australia (but not in immigration clearance) when the Department makes a decision. If you need to travel during processing, check your bridging visa travel conditions first.

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4c. Status Updates

The Department cannot provide status updates while your application is within standard processing timeframes. Monitor your ImmiAccount for any information requests or correspondence.

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4d. Responding to Requests

If the Department requests additional information, respond within the specified timeframe. A decision may be made once that timeframe has passed, even if you have not responded.

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4e. Adding Family Members After Lodgement

You can add a dependent child to your application before a decision is made:

• Complete Form 1436 (Adding an additional applicant after lodgement) with a clear statement requesting the addition

• Attach the child's passport, birth certificate, and relationship/custody documents

Newborn children: If your child is born after you apply but before a decision is made, they are treated as part of your application. Notify the Department as soon as possible with the birth certificate and Form 1022.

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4f. Correcting Mistakes on Your Application

If you made an error when lodging, notify the Department as soon as possible using Form 1023 (Notification of incorrect answers).

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4g. Notifying Changes

You must inform the Department if any of the following change after lodging:

• Phone number, email address, residential address, or passport

• Relationship status

• Birth of a child

• You wish to withdraw your application

See the Department of Home Affairs website for how to notify changes.

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Step 5: Visa Outcome

If Your Application Is Approved

You will receive an email confirming:

• Your visa grant number

• Your visa grant date

• Your visa conditions

Keep a copy of this grant email with you when you are in Australia. Your visa conditions will detail any restrictions on work, study, or travel.

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If Your Application Is Refused

The Department will notify you by email with the reason for refusal and whether you have a right to seek a merits review of the decision. Note that the Visa Application Charge is non-refundable if your application is refused.

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Frequently Asked Questions: How to Apply for the 485 Visa

Can I apply for the 485 visa if I am currently outside Australia?

Yes — for the Post-Higher Education and Post-Vocational Education Work streams, you can apply from inside or outside Australia. However, for the Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream, you must be in Australia to apply.

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How long do I have to apply after finishing my course?

You must apply within the eligibility timeframe. For most applicants this means within 6 months of receiving course completion confirmation. Late applications cannot be accepted.

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Can I work while my 485 application is being processed?

Your Bridging Visa A typically allows you to work while your application is being processed. Check your specific bridging visa conditions in ImmiAccount or VEVO.

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What happens if my English test expires before I lodge?

Your English test must have been taken within the 12 months immediately before your application date. If it has expired, you will need to retake the test before lodging.

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Do I need to include my family in my 485 application?

It is optional. Family members can apply with you now, or they can apply as a subsequent entrant after your visa is granted.

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What if I haven't received my skills assessment result yet?

(Post-Vocational stream) You can still lodge your application, but you must provide evidence that you have applied to the assessing authority. You must then upload the completed assessment to ImmiAccount before the Department makes a decision.

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Can I change my stream after I apply?

No. Stream selection is final at the time of lodgement. Choose carefully before submitting.

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Need Help Applying for the 485 Visa?

Applying for the 485 visa involves multiple steps, strict document requirements, and timing rules that differ by stream. A missed requirement or incorrect stream selection can result in refusal.

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RACC Australia's registered migration agents specialise in 485 visa applications. We help you identify the right stream, prepare your documents, and lodge a complete application — reducing the risk of delays or refusal. Book a consultation with RACC Australia

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Related Pages

485 Visa Overview & Eligibility

• 485 Visa Australia: Requirements, Fee & Streams (Pillar)

• 485 Visa Age Limit

• 485 Visa English Requirement

• 485 Visa Processing Time

• 485 Visa Document Checklist

By Stream

• Post-Higher Education Work Stream

• Post-Vocational Education Work Stream

• Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream (Regional)

• 485 Visa for Hong Kong / BNO Passport Holders

After You Get the Visa

• What Can You Do on a TR 485 Visa?

• 485 Visa Pathways to Permanent Residency

• Visa Options If You Are Over 35

• Can You Apply for a Student Visa on a 485 Visa?

Common Questions & Situations

• What If You Miss the 6-Month TR 485 Deadline?

• Best Time to Apply for the TR 485 Visa

• TR 485 Refused — What to Do After a Refusal

• Understanding the Different TR 485 Visa Streams

• How to Get the Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream

• 485 Visa Fee Increase 2026

Book a Consultation

• 485 Visa Consultation with RACC Australia

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Disclaimer

This content is general information only and does not constitute immigration advice. Migration law changes frequently. Always verify current requirements with the Department of Home Affairs or a registered migration agent before applying.