485 Visa Checklist 2026: Complete Document Guide for Subclass 485 Applicants
If you are an international graduate preparing to apply for the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485), having the right documents ready before you lodge is not optional; it is the difference between a granted visa and a costly refusal. This guide gives you a complete 485 visa checklist for 2026, broken down by stream, with timing rules, document standards, and the critical updates you must know before lodging. Last updated: July 2026 Why Document Preparation Matters for Subclass 485 The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) assesses Subclass 485 applications on a “decision-ready” basis. This means your application must be complete at the time of lodgement; you cannot submit a partially documented application and fill in gaps later. A missing police clearance, an expired English test result, or a course completion letter with incorrect dates can trigger an immediate refusal, and you will lose your application fee. As of 1 July 2026, the base visa application charge for the primary applicant has increased from AUD 2,300 to AUD 5,750, per the Migration Amendment (Temporary Graduate Visa Application Charge) Regulations 2026. With fees this high, a refusal due to a preventable document error is a significant financial loss, making thorough preparation more important than ever. The checklist below is organised by stream. Identify your stream first, then gather every document on the relevant list before you begin your ImmiAccount application. Core Documents Required for All Streams Regardless of which stream you are applying under, every Subclass 485 application requires the following documents: Document Requirement Current passport High-resolution colour scan of bio-data page; must be valid Previous passports All passports held in the last 10 years Passport-sized photos Two recent digitally scanned photos meeting DHA specifications Birth certificate Must show both parents’ names Name change evidence Marriage certificate or deed poll, if applicable Australian Federal Police (AFP) check Evidence you have applied for a National Police Check (Complete Disclosure) before the day you lodge Overseas police clearances Required for every country where you have lived 12+ months since turning 16 Health examination Completed through a DHA-approved panel physician; results are submitted directly to DHA Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) Valid policy covering the intended visa duration English test results See stream-specific requirements below Important: The AFP check is one of the most commonly misunderstood requirements. You do not need the result at the time of lodgement; you need evidence that you have applied for it. However, the result must be provided before a decision is made, so apply as early as possible, as processing can take several weeks. Post-Higher Education Work Stream Checklist This stream is for graduates who completed a bachelor’s degree, honours degree, master’s degree, or doctoral degree at an Australian institution registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS). Academic Documents English Language Documents Unless you hold a passport from the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, New Zealand, or the Republic of Ireland, you must provide a valid English test result. As of 2026, accepted tests and minimum scores are: Test Overall Score Minimum Per Band IELTS Academic or General 6.5 5.0 in each band PTE Academic 57 42 in each component TOEFL iBT 64 4R, 14L, 17W, 13S OET B B in each section Cambridge C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency 176 154 in each skill 2026 update: As of 1 January 2026, your English test result must have been taken within the 12 months immediately before your application date. Results older than 12 months will not be accepted. “At-home” or online versions of IELTS are not accepted; you must sit the test at an approved test centre. Student Visa Evidence Post-Vocational Education Work Stream Checklist This stream is for graduates who completed a diploma, trade qualification, or other VET qualification at a CRICOS-registered provider, and whose qualification is associated with an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list. In addition to all core documents above, this stream requires: Academic Documents Skills Assessment English Language Documents Same requirements as the Post-Higher Education Work Stream above. Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream Checklist This stream is for graduates who completed a bachelor’s degree or above at a campus physically located in a designated regional area of Australia. It grants a longer visa duration and has slightly different documentation requirements. In addition to all core documents: Regional Study Evidence Academic and English Documents Same as the Post-Higher Education Work Stream above. Document Preparation Tips Getting your documents in order before you open your ImmiAccount application will save time, money, and stress. Follow these practical steps: Start your AFP check immediately. This is the most time-sensitive document. Apply via the Australian Federal Police website as soon as you decide to apply for the 485 visa. Processing can take 15 business days or longer. Book your English test early. Your result must be dated within 12 months of your application date. If your current result is approaching the 12-month mark, book a retest before lodging; do not assume the test centre will have availability when you need it. Get your documents translated by a NAATI-accredited translator. DHA requires that all documents not in English be translated by a translator accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI). Translations from non-accredited translators will be rejected. This applies to birth certificates, academic documents, and overseas police clearances issued in languages other than English. Scan documents in colour at a minimum of 300 DPI. DHA’s system rejects low-resolution or cropped scans. Ensure every page is included, including the backs of documents where information appears. Apply within 6 months of your course completion date. The 485 visa must be lodged within 6 months of the date you met all academic requirements, not the graduation ceremony date. This date is stated in your official course completion letter. Check your age eligibility. You must be under 35 years of age at the time of application. An exception applies for master’s by research or doctoral graduates, who may apply up to age
