Post-Vocational Education Work Stream (subclass 485)
Explore the 485 vocational stream for eligible associate degree, diploma and trade graduates. Assess occupation alignment, skills assessment and application timing.
- Status
- Temporary
- Typical stay
- Usually 18 months; eligible Hong Kong and BNO passport holders may receive up to five years
- Age
- 35 or under; eligible Hong Kong/BNO passport holders may apply under 50
- Primary application
- In Australia
- Decision location
- In or outside Australia
- Skills assessment
- Relevant assessment requirements apply; evidence of application where permitted at lodgement
Temporary graduate work after an eligible vocational qualification linked to an eligible skilled occupation.
Important limitations
- For first-stream applications, required English evidence, adequate health insurance and evidence of an AFP check application must be provided at lodgement. Home Affairs says the AFP check must have been applied for within the preceding 12 months and no later than the day before the visa application—not on the same day. Check all applicable evidence and validity requirements before lodging.
- Not every diploma or trade course qualifies. Occupation alignment and the study requirement must both be met.
- Subclass 485 is temporary and does not guarantee employment, a skilled invitation, sponsorship or permanent residency. Any later visa requires its own eligibility assessment.
Before you rely on this page
Check the stream-specific age rule, completion window and visa history before lodging. Evidence required at application cannot simply be assumed to be supplied later. Booking does not lodge a visa application, extend your visa or protect an application deadline.
Key requirements
- Meet the stream-specific age requirement. The research master’s/PhD exception for the higher education stream does not apply here.
- Have an eligible associate degree, diploma or trade qualification closely related to a nominated occupation on the applicable Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List.
- Meet the relevant skills assessment requirements. Provide a valid assessment or required evidence of applying for one at lodgement, and satisfy the later assessment requirements.
- Be in Australia for the primary application and hold an eligible visa. Meet the relevant Student visa history requirements, including having held one within the last six months.
- Meet the Temporary Graduate visa study requirement and the relevant qualification completion window, generally the six months before application.
- Meet the applicable English, health, character and identity requirements, and have adequate health insurance.
What this allows
- Live, work and study temporarily, subject to the visa conditions.
- Include eligible family members and travel while the visa permits.
- Gain experience and assess later migration pathways without assuming a permanent outcome.
Evidence to prepare
- Qualification, academic transcript, completion information and relevant CRICOS course records.
- Current visa details and Student visa history.
- Required English evidence, health insurance and evidence of an AFP check application, with timing checked before lodgement.
- Identity and any eligible family relationship records. These are application records, not prerequisites for booking a consultation.
- Nominated occupation, qualification alignment, assessing authority records and required skills assessment evidence.
How the process works
- Assess qualification, occupation alignment, age, study and visa history.
- Check the assessing authority process and all time-sensitive lodgement evidence.
- Prepare and lodge a valid application from the required location.
- Respond to relevant requests and check the grant notice and conditions.
How we help
- Assess the relevant stream, study and visa history, application timing and evidence.
- Prepare the migration application and explain the actual visa conditions if granted.
- Assess later GSM or employer-sponsored options separately; this is migration advice, not course placement.
Related services
General information, not an individual eligibility assessment. Requirements, charges and processing times change and are not promised. Official sources:
About Post-Vocational Education Work (485)
No. The qualification, study requirement, occupation relationship and skills assessment requirements must all be assessed.
Where permitted, evidence of having applied to the relevant authority is required at lodgement if the assessment is not yet available. That does not remove the requirement to meet the applicable assessment criteria.
The visa generally permits unrestricted work, subject to its actual conditions. Work permission while another visa or bridging visa is in effect must be checked separately.
Usually 18 months, but eligible Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders may receive up to five years. The actual grant determines the authorised stay.
Your matter:
Post-Vocational Education Work Stream.
Selected service · Post-Vocational Education Work Stream
A consultation assesses your circumstances, discusses realistic options and outlines possible next steps. It is not a visa or review application and not a representation agreement. Any further work, its scope and fees are agreed separately.
- 01Book your appointment
Choose an available appointment time and check the details before confirming.
Book appointment (opens booking page in a new tab) - 02Complete the visitor registration form
After booking, add your details and circumstances for your post-vocational education work stream consultation.
Complete registration form (opens in a new tab) - 03Attend your consultation
Appointments are normally by phone, via Zoom, or in person at our Melbourne office. Follow your appointment confirmation for the arrangements.
Urgent matter or approaching deadline? Call our office on 03 9620 3195 or mobile +61 415 997 528.Message (SMS)WhatsAppA booking does not lodge anything, preserve rights or extend a deadline.