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
- Official course completion letter — Must state the course name, CRICOS registration, the start date, end date, and the date you met all academic requirements. A letter that only shows the graduation ceremony date is not sufficient.
- Academic transcripts — Complete unit-by-unit record of your study
- Award certificate or testamur — Issued by your institution confirming the qualification
- CRICOS evidence — Confirmation that your course was CRICOS-registered and met the 92-week (2 academic years) study requirement
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
- Copy of your Subclass 500 (Student) visa grant notice
- Evidence that your student visa was held within the 6 months before applying for the 485
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
- Official course completion letter and transcripts (same requirements as above)
- Evidence that your VET qualification is linked to an occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) or a relevant skilled occupation list
Skills Assessment
- A positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your nominated occupation. This is a hard requirement for this stream and must be completed before lodgement
- The skills assessment letter must show: your name, the assessing authority’s name, the ANZSCO occupation code, the assessment outcome, and the assessment validity date
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
- Official course completion letter confirming study was conducted at a regional campus (not just a regional branch of a city-based institution)
- A statutory declaration or letter from your institution confirming the campus address and its classification as a designated regional area under DHA’s regional postcodes list
- Evidence of physical attendance at the regional campus (e.g., enrolment records showing campus location)
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 50.
Thinking about your next step after the 485? If your occupation is on the skilled migration list, you may be eligible to apply for a skilled visa pathway to permanent residency while on the 485. Talk to a registered migration agent before your 485 expires to map out your options.
How RACC Indonesia Can Help You
Preparing a Subclass 485 application with missing, incorrect, or mistranslated documents is one of the most common and most preventable causes of refusal. At RACC Indonesia, our MARA-registered migration agents review your complete document set before lodgement, identify any gaps or timing risks, and ensure your application meets DHA’s “decision-ready” standard.
With the 485 visa application fee now at AUD 5,750, you cannot afford to get it wrong. Our consultants work with Indonesian international graduates across all three streams of the Subclass 485 and can advise on the fastest route to gathering every required document, including NAATI-certified translation referrals and skills assessment guidance for VET graduates.
The information in this article is general in nature and does not constitute migration advice. Your individual circumstances may affect your eligibility and document requirements. We recommend consulting a MARA-registered migration agent for advice specific to your situation.
Book a paid consultation with RACC Indonesia today to get your 485 visa checklist reviewed before you lodge.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How long does it take to get documents ready for a Subclass 485 application? Allow at least 6 to 8 weeks from the decision to apply to the date of lodgement. The AFP National Police Check alone can take 15 or more business days. If you also need overseas police clearances or a NAATI-certified translation, factor in additional time for each of those steps.
What is the 6-month rule for the 485 visa? You must lodge your Subclass 485 application within 6 months of the date you met all academic requirements for your eligible course. This date appears on your official course completion letter and is not the same as your graduation ceremony date. Missing this window means you are no longer eligible.
Do I need a skills assessment for the Post-Higher Education Work Stream? No. A skills assessment is only required for the Post-Vocational Education Work Stream, where your VET qualification must be linked to an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list. Bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral graduates applying under the Post-Higher Education Work Stream do not need a skills assessment.
Can I include my partner and children in my 485 visa application? Yes. Secondary applicants (partners and dependent children) can be included in the same application. As of 1 July 2026, the additional charge for a secondary applicant aged 18 or over is AUD 2,875, and AUD 1,440 for those under 18 (per immi.homeaffairs.gov.au).
What happens if my English test expires before I lodge my 485 application? Your test result is invalid and cannot be used. You must sit a new test before lodging. DHA requires your English test result to have been taken within the 12 months immediately before your application date. Plan accordingly and do not delay lodgement if your result is approaching the 12-month mark.
