Your Guide to Starting a Professional Journey in Australia After Graduation

For many international graduates, Australia offers more than just world-class education—it provides a chance to stay, work, and build a future. Subclass 485 makes that possible, offering a valuable opportunity to gain work experience.

If you’ve recently graduated or are finishing your studies soon, knowing the visa processing times for 2025 is a smart way to plan your next steps. In this blog, we’ve broken down the latest processing times for each stream under the 485 visa so you can be better prepared for the journey ahead.

Table of Contents

What is the Subclass 485 Visa?

The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) allows eligible international students to temporarily live, study, and work in Australia after finishing their studies. It’s a great pathway for those who want to get experience, improve skills, and work toward permanent residency.

As of 2025, the Subclass 485 visa has two main streams:

1. Post-Higher Education Work Stream

This stream is for international students who have graduated from an Australian institution, such as a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree.

2. Post-Vocational Education Work Stream

This is for those who’ve completed a diploma or trade qualification closely related to occupations listed on Australia’s skilled occupation list.

Subclass 485 Visa Processing Times in 2025 (By Stream)

The Department of Home Affairs provides all the updates on processing times, which indicates how long your application may take to be finalized. Here’s what to expect as of April 2025:

Post-Higher Education Work Stream

50% of applications processed in 12 days
90% of applications processed in 45 days

This stream is popular among university graduates, so ensure your documents are in order to avoid delays.

Post-Vocational Education Work Stream

50% of applications processed in 78 days
90% of applications processed in 5 months

What Affects Visa Processing Time?

Processing times aren’t always the same for everyone. Some of the factors that may influence how quickly your visa is processed include:

Completeness of your application
Accuracy of submitted documents
Time taken for health and character checks
How quickly do you respond to additional requests
High-volume periods or peak intake seasons

Applying for a Subclass 485 visa looks simple, but it’s a detailed process. There are many boxes to tick, from choosing the right stream to ensuring your documents align with the visa conditions.

Here’s why students and graduates trust us:

We check your eligibility across both streams to recommend the best pathway.
We help you gather and review documents so nothing important is missed.
We guide you through deadlines and critical dates so you stay on track.
Need help responding to a request from the Department? We’ve got your back—every step of the way.

We’re here to ensure your transition from student to professional life is seamless and stress-free.

Ready to Launch Your Australian Career?

If you’re a recent graduate or about to finish your course, don’t leave your future to chance. Understanding visa processing times—and applying the right way—can give you a solid head start in the competitive Australian job market.

Book a consultation with Oracle Immigration today, and let us help you stay, work, and thrive in Australia.

Disclaimer: The above information is not tailored to personal circumstances. For information relevant to personal circumstances, please book an appointment with Oracle Immigration Consultant’s expert migration agents in Australia.
For any inquiries, please contact us at +61 430812158. We are premier Immigration agency and consultancy in Melbourne (Bundoora and Geelong).

Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) – Processing Times in 2025