The Department of Home Affairs sets processing targets for the Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa. As of the July 2026 reforms, the target for the Post-Study Work Stream is 90% of applications processed within 4 months. Before the reform, the benchmark was 90% within 7 months.
A complete, error-free application can be approved in 1 to 4 months. Cases involving Requests for Further Information (RFI), character checks, or health examinations may take 4 to 7 months. There is no official “expedited” or “priority” processing channel — every 485 application is handled in submission order.
Phased Timeline
Phase 1: Pre-graduation preparation (1–3 months before completion)
You must apply within 6 months of course completion. Start gathering documents 1–3 months before you finish:
- Passport: Must remain valid throughout your intended 485 period
- Completion letter or official academic transcript
- English test result: IELTS 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0) or PTE Academic 58 (no skill below 50), taken within 12 months prior to lodgement (this was shortened from 36 months under the July 2026 reform)
- AFP National Police Check: Required if you have lived in Australia for 12+ months; takes approximately 1–2 weeks to process
- Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC): Mandatory for 485 applicants
Phase 2: Submitting the application (within 1 month of completion)
All 485 applications must be lodged online through ImmiAccount — paper applications were abolished from 1 July 2026. Key requirements:
- Apply onshore: You must be physically in Australia at the time of lodgement
- Hold a valid visa: Typically a Student visa (Subclass 500) or Bridging Visa A/B
- Application fee: AUD 1,895 for the primary applicant (2026–27 financial year)
- Bridging Visa A activates automatically if your student visa expires during processing, preserving your full-time work rights
Phase 3: The processing queue (1–4 months)
After lodgement, your application enters the queue. The main factors that affect timing:
- Requests for Further Information (RFI): If Home Affairs finds documentation incomplete, you will receive an RFI through ImmiAccount, typically with a 28-day response window. Each RFI adds approximately 4–8 weeks to your processing timeline — the single biggest cause of delay
- Health examination: Some applicants are asked to complete a medical exam through Bupa Medical Visa Services; appointment wait times average 1–2 weeks
- Character assessment: Applicants who lived overseas for 12+ months in the past 10 years may need police certificates from those countries
Phase 4: Grant (immediate effect)
Once granted, the 485 visa takes effect immediately. You will receive your grant notification through ImmiAccount. Key rights:
- Unlimited work rights: Full-time, part-time, casual, or contract — any employer, any industry
- Travel: Multiple entries permitted during the visa period
- Pathway to PR: You can apply for skilled migration visas (189/190/491) or employer-sponsored visas (482/186) while holding a 485
Critical Deadlines to Watch
- 6-month application window: The clock starts from the date on your completion letter, not your graduation ceremony. Missing this window by even one day means you lose eligibility permanently
- 12-month English test validity: As of 1 July 2026, your English test must be taken within 12 months prior to lodgement (previously 36 months). Many applicants get caught out by the old rule
- Student visa expiry: If your student visa expires after you have lodged a 485 but before it is granted, Bridging Visa A automatically activates. Lodging from outside Australia is not permitted and will result in refusal
- Health exam booking: Peak periods (December–February) have longer wait times — book immediately after receiving the request
How the July 2026 Reforms Affect Processing
The reforms that took effect on 1 July 2026 have a direct impact on processing:
- Faster processing: Home Affairs expects application volumes to drop by roughly 15% due to the age cap reduction (from 50 to 35), freeing up capacity to meet the 4-month target
- STEM Extension Stream: PhD and research master’s graduates in designated STEM fields can apply for an additional 2-year extension (capped at 5,000 grants per year globally, first-come-first-served), submitted 90 days before the current 485 expires
- Higher English bar: IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0) replaces the old 6.0 threshold — factor in 2–3 extra weeks if you need to re-take the test
FAQ
Q: How long does a 485 visa actually take? A: Complete applications typically take 1–4 months. Cases requiring additional documents may extend to 4–7 months. Home Affairs targets 90% of PSW applications within 4 months. There is no official priority or expedited processing.
Q: Can I work while waiting for my 485 to be granted? A: Yes. If you lodge while holding a valid student visa, your Bridging Visa A activates when the student visa expires, maintaining your work rights. Note that student visa work-hour restrictions apply until the student visa expires.
Q: What if I graduated more than 6 months ago? A: You can no longer apply for a 485 visa. Consider alternatives such as the Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage visa (employer-sponsored) or Subclass 189/190 skilled migration.
Q: How long do I have to respond to an RFI? A: Home Affairs typically allows 28 days to upload additional documents through ImmiAccount. Failing to respond within this period may result in refusal. Act quickly — obtaining new police checks or booking health exams can take time.
Sources
- Department of Home Affairs. Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa — Eligibility and Application, 2026
- Department of Home Affairs. Migration Amendment (Graduate Visa Reforms) Regulations 2026
- Department of Home Affairs. Global Visa Processing Times, 2026
- Department of Home Affairs. ImmiAccount — Online Visa Application System