Temporary Graduate Visa | Subclass 485
Post-Vocational Education Work Stream (PVEW)
Temporary Graduate Visa (PVEW Stream)
The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) – Post-Vocational Education Work stream is a temporary visa for international students who have recently graduated with trade or vocational qualifications that are in high demand in Australia. This visa provides a critical 18-month window to live, work, and study in Australia while gaining the skilled work experience necessary for a permanent residency pathway.
The Post-Vocational Education Work stream (formerly known as the Graduate Work stream) is specifically designed for graduates with diplomas, advanced diplomas, or trade certificates. In 2026, this stream remains a cornerstone for skilled tradespeople looking to transition their Australian education into a long-term career through full work rights and strategic industry placement.
Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa (PVEW) – At a Glance
| FEATURE | DETAILS |
|---|---|
| Visa Type | Temporary (Graduate Work Rights) |
| Stay | 18 Months (up to 5 years for HK/BNO holders) |
| Cost | From $5,750 AUD1 |
| Processing Time | The Visa Application timeframe is Approx. 58 days – 5 months2 |
| Key Requirement | Occupation on MLTSSL & Skills Assessment |
Fees are subject to change by the Department and other concession fees may apply.
To view our professional services fees click here.
Key Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Post-Vocational Education Work stream in 2026, you must meet strict age, occupation, and study criteria updated under the latest migration reforms.
1. The Under-35 Age Limit
As of the current 2026 policy, the maximum age to apply for most 485 visa streams has been reduced. You must be 35 years of age or under at the time you lodge your application.
Exception: Hong Kong SAR and British National (Overseas) passport holders can still apply until they are 50 years old.
2. MLTSSL Occupation & Skills Assessment
Unlike the Higher Education stream (PHEW), the Post-Vocational stream (PVEW) requires you to nominate an occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). Furthermore, you must have a successful skills assessment (or have at least applied for one) from the relevant assessing authority (such as Trades Recognition Australia) before you lodge.
3. Stricter English Proficiency Standards
For 2026, the English requirement is a significant hurdle. You must demonstrate a valid English test result (IELTS, PTE, etc.) taken within 12 months of your application date.
- IELTS: Overall 6.5 (minimum 5.5 in each band).
- PTE: Overall 55 (with specific minimums per component).
4. Australian Study Requirement (ASR)
You must have completed a CRICOS-registered course that resulted in a diploma, advanced diploma, or trade qualification. The study must have been at least 92 CRICOS weeks (2 academic years) and completed in no less than 16 calendar months while physically in Australia. Your qualification must be closely related to your nominated MLTSSL occupation.
How to Apply for the Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa (PVEW)
A Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Confirm Your MLTSSL Occupation
Before your course finishes, we verify that your qualification aligns with an occupation on the current Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List.
Step 2: Apply for a Skills Assessment
This is a mandatory first step for the Vocational stream. You must have applied for a skills assessment with the relevant body (e.g., TRA for Chefs, Carpenters, or Mechanics) before lodging the visa.
Step 3: Organise AFP Checks and OVHC
You must apply for an Australian Federal Police (AFP) check and secure Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) before lodgement. These must be included in your application to be valid.
Step 4: Lodge Within the 6-Month Window
We lodge your application via ImmiAccount within exactly 6 months of your course completion date. Lodging even one day late will result in an automatic refusal.
Step 5: Bridging Visa & Final Grant
Upon lodgement, you receive a Bridging Visa A (BVA) with full work rights. We then monitor your application through to the final grant, usually within 4 months.
Being on a Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa (PVEW) means…
What You Can Do on the 485 Visa
- Full Work Rights: Work for any employer, in any occupation, for 18 months.
- Travel Rights: Multiple entry and exit rights to Australia while the visa is valid.
- Gain Experience: This is the time to complete your Job Ready Program (JRP) if you are a tradesperson seeking permanent residency.
Your Visa Obligations
- Condition 8501: You must maintain adequate health insurance (OVHC) for yourself and any dependents for the duration of the visa.
- Lawful Stay: You must notify the Department of any change in address or passport details.
The Pathway to Permanent Residency
While the 485 is temporary, it is the foundation for PR. Most vocational graduates use this time to secure a Skills Assessment and accumulate points for the Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa, Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated Visa or the Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional Visa.
There are a range of other pathways to Australian permanent residency. Subclass 482 Skills-in-Demand Visa is one visa we never turn a blind-eye-to. As pathways generally take years, the applicant’s age is a factor that often needs to be pre-emptively managed in their pathway plan. We find legally strategic avenues through Designated Area Migration Agreements.
Your Best Chance of Success with Visa Advisory Australia
The Post-Vocational stream is deceptively complex due to the “closely related” qualification rule and the strict timing of the Skills Assessment. A single administrative error can result in a refusal without a refund of the $4,600 fee.
Our Subclass 485 Vocational Services include:
Comprehensive Eligibility Audit to ensure your qualification correctly maps to an MLTSSL occupation.
Skills Assessment Management to ensure you meet the “time of application” requirements for TRA or other authorities.
Strategic Timing Advice to lodge your 485 within the non-negotiable 6-month window from your completion date.
Decision-Ready Application lodgement by Registered Migration Agents to significantly reduce processing times.
Full Bridging Visa Management, ensuring you maintain work rights while your application is finalised.
And much, much more.
Don’t risk your graduate future. Talk to an expert today.
Related Visas
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for the
Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa (PVEW)
Q: Can I apply for the Post-Vocational stream if I have a Bachelor’s Degree?
A: No. If your degree is a Bachelor’s or higher, you must apply for the Post-Higher Education Work stream. The Post-Vocational stream is strictly for those whose highest Australian qualification is a Diploma, Advanced Diploma, or Trade Certificate.
Q: Do I need a skills assessment before I lodge?
A: You must at least have applied for a skills assessment with the relevant authority before you lodge your 485 application. You do not need the final result at the moment of lodgement, but you must provide evidence of the application. Two further crucial notes on this:
(a) submitting an application without a completed skills assessment carries risks as one cannot guarantee the outcome of the assessing body
(b) the skills assessment required for graduate visas is not the same as the skills assessments required for occupations
Q: What is the “closely related” qualification rule?
A: Your Australian study must be in a field that is directly relevant to your nominated MLTSSL occupation. A very straight-forward example of this would be, a Diploma of Hospitality Management is closely related to Chef, but a Certificate in Automotive would not be.
Q: Can I include my partner on my 485 visa?
A: Yes, you can include your partner and dependent children in your application, provided they meet health and character requirements.
Q: What happens if my visa is refused?
A: If your visa is refused, you may have rights to appeal the decision to the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART). Our firm is highly experienced in representing clients at the ART for partner visa matters. Our firm specialises in ART appeals for family visas – click here for further details.
- Base application charge only. Prices are subject to change. Source: Department of Home Affairs. ↩︎
- Visa processing time current as of 17 April 2026. For the latest processing time click here. ↩︎
