PR & Visa Pathways
From Student Visa to 485: The 2026 Transition Checklist
The exact 12-week timeline from finishing your course to lodging a 485 Graduate visa in 2026 — including CoC dates, English test validity, health checks, and the two mistakes that cause bridging visa nightmares.
Published 2026-07-05 · 12 min read
You've finished your course, or you're about to. Somewhere between your last exam and the 6-month deadline sits the most important administrative task of your Australian journey: lodging the subclass 485 Graduate visa.
Get the sequence right and you'll have 2–3 years of unrestricted work rights. Get it wrong and you'll be stuck on a bridging visa with the wrong conditions — or worse, unlawful.
The Hard Deadline: 6 Months from CoC
You must lodge the 485 within 6 months of your Course Completion Date (CoC). The CoC is not your graduation ceremony — it's the date your provider certifies you've met all course requirements. Check your student portal; the CoC often lands weeks before you realise.
The 12-Week Timeline
Week -8 (before CoC)
- Book your English test if your existing IELTS/PTE is older than 3 years at lodgement.
- Renew your passport if it expires within 24 months.
- Request an updated CoE if your course end date has been extended.
Week -4
- Confirm your CoC will be officially issued.
- Start your Australian Federal Police (AFP) check — allow 10–15 business days.
- Book health examinations (BUPA or Medibank panel clinics).
Week 0: Course Completion
- Course provider updates PRISMS.
- CoC letter arrives — download and save.
- Do not leave Australia until the 485 is lodged if you can avoid it.
Weeks 1–2
- Gather documents (see full list below).
- Confirm you have 12 months of continuous OSHC covering the application decision period.
- Start the ImmiAccount 485 application draft.
Weeks 3–4
- Lodge the 485 online.
- Pay the fee: $2,235 (Post-Study Work stream, primary applicant, 2026 rate).
- Bridging Visa A (BVA) is granted the moment you lodge — same conditions as your student visa until the 485 is decided.
Weeks 5–24
- Home Affairs processing: median 4–6 months for the Post-Study Work stream in 2026.
- Respond to any Section 56 requests within 28 days.
- You can work full-time on your BVA if your 485 is lodged and you have finished study.
Documents You Need in 2026
- Passport bio page and any expired passports used for previous Australian visas
- CoE(s) and course completion letter
- English test results (IELTS 6.0 overall with no band below 5.0; PTE 50 with no less than 36; or equivalent — valid within 3 years)
- Australian Federal Police check
- Overseas police check for every country you spent 12+ cumulative months in after age 16
- Medical examination results (Bupa / Medibank panel)
- Evidence of OSHC covering the decision period
- Passport-style photo
- Any name change documents
- Skills assessment (only if lodging Post-Vocational Work stream)
Post-Study Work stream: New 2026 Duration
Post-Study Work stream visa lengths from 1 July 2024 (unchanged in 2026):
| Qualification | 485 Duration |
|---|---|
| Bachelor (including Honours) | 2 years |
| Master's by coursework | 2 years |
| Master's by research | 3 years |
| Doctoral degree (PhD) | 3 years |
Extensions for regional study of 1 additional year still apply for graduates of designated regional universities.
Age Limit
You must be under 35 at the time of application for the Post-Study Work stream (Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders: under 50). Masters by Research and PhD graduates are exempt from the 35-cap.
English Test Validity
Your English test must be within 3 years at the date of application. Many students discover their IELTS from pre-arrival has expired — book a new test before you lodge.
The Two Mistakes That Wreck Transitions
Mistake 1: Travelling overseas on a Bridging Visa A. BVA doesn't allow re-entry. You need a Bridging Visa B (BVB) applied for separately (fee $210), granted for a specific travel window. Leaving on BVA means you can't come back until the 485 is granted offshore.
Mistake 2: Letting OSHC lapse. The 485 requires evidence of health insurance covering the decision period — usually 12 months. If your OSHC ends 2 months after CoC, you'll receive a Section 56 request and could be refused.
After Grant
- Work rights: unlimited hours, any employer, any industry.
- No employer sponsorship required.
- Time on 485 counts as Australian work experience for future PR points.
- You can lodge a 189/190/491 during your 485 — the 485 remains valid until decision.
Cost Snapshot 2026
- 485 primary applicant: $2,235
- Partner (Secondary applicant, 18+): $1,120
- Child (Secondary, under 18): $560
- AFP check: $56
- Medicals: $380–$450
- English test (PTE/IELTS): $395
- Total single applicant estimate: ~$3,100
Related Reading
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to apply for the 485 visa after finishing my course?
You must lodge the subclass 485 within 6 months of your Course Completion Date (CoC), which is the date your provider confirms you have met all course requirements — not your graduation ceremony date.
Can I work full-time while my 485 visa is being processed?
Yes. Once your 485 is lodged you are placed on a Bridging Visa A. If you have finished your course, the 8105 work restriction no longer applies and you can work full-time in any role until the 485 is decided.
Do I need a new IELTS or PTE test for the 485 application?
You need a valid English test result that is less than 3 years old at the date of application. Many students find their pre-arrival test has expired and must sit a new IELTS 6.0 (no band below 5.0) or PTE 50 (no less than 36) before lodging.
How much does the 485 Graduate visa cost in 2026?
The primary applicant fee is AUD $2,235. Add $1,120 for a partner and $560 for each child under 18. Health checks, police checks, English test and OSHC bring the total closer to AUD $3,100 for a single applicant.