The Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa might seem like a straightforward and generous opportunity for international students to live, work, and gain further experience in Australia after completing their studies. However, despite its apparent simplicity, a surprising number of applications are refused every year — not because applicants don’t qualify, but because they fail to submit the right evidence at the right time.
As a migration agent, I regularly hear from graduates who are shocked to learn that their 485 visa was refused over technicalities that could have been easily avoided. The most common reason? Missing or insufficient documents at the time of lodgement.
Let’s unpack why this matters so much, and how you can avoid unnecessary stress, delays, or even permanent setbacks in your plans to remain in Australia.
Immigration law is strict on this point: certain evidence must be provided at the moment you submit your application. If you’re missing it, you usually won’t get a second chance to fix it. In most cases, if required documents aren’t included at lodgement, your application may be refused without further requests for information.
Here are some of the most crucial requirements where timing is everything:
You must show evidence that you already have adequate health insurance at the time you lodge your application. This isn’t something you can arrange afterward. You also need to maintain this insurance throughout the processing period.
You and any accompanying dependents over 16 must provide proof that you applied for an AFP check within 12 months before lodgement. Failing to show this can — and does — result in refusals. Important to note: You must have applied for the check within 12 months before the day your application is lodged— and evidence must be provided at the time of lodgment.
Unless you hold a passport from a specified country (e.g. UK, USA, Canada), you must show evidence of having achieved the required score in an accepted English test before submitting your application. Results after lodgement won’t count.
You must have completed your studies within the six months before lodging your 485 application — and “completed” means you’ve met the academic requirements for your qualification, not just attended your final class. Note: Wait at least 1 day after your results are officially released (and you’ve received confirmation that you’ve met all academic requirements) before lodging your 485 visa.
If applying through the Post-Vocational Education Work stream, you must have applied for a skills assessment at the time of lodgement and be able to provide evidence of this. The outcome can come later, but the application itself must be proven.
If your 485 visa is refused for not providing required documents:
You may be able to reapply — but only if you’re still holding a visa (either a substantive visa or certain types of bridging visas) that allows it, and you’re still within the eligible window to apply. That’s the best-case scenario!
If you’re no longer on a substantive visa, your options are limited and sometimes your only option may be to appeal to the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) — a stressful and costly process that can delay your life plans by many months.
Your path to permanent residency may be seriously disrupted, especially if time-sensitive opportunities such as employer sponsorship or state nomination are affected.
Many applicants incorrectly assume that they can “fix it later” — that Immigration will ask for missing documents or give them a chance to add evidence after submission. But under the Migration Regulations, this isn’t required. Case officers are entitled to make a decision based on what is submitted at lodgement, and often do.
If you’re preparing to apply for the 485 visa, here’s what you should do:
Gather all required documents — including AFP check receipts, health insurance, English test results, and course completion evidence — before you apply.
Check visa stream-specific requirements (e.g., skills assessment for the Post-Vocational Education Work stream).
Double-check eligibility timelines and your Student visa expiry date, especially if you’re near the six-month window after course completion.
Seek professional advice — an experienced migration agent can review your application before submission and help ensure nothing is missed.
The 485 visa is often the first step toward a long-term future in Australia — whether that’s employment, permanent residency, or both. Don’t let technical oversights derail your goals.
If you’re unsure whether you have all the necessary documents ready at the time of application, contact us for expert guidance. A small investment in professional help now can save you thousands in appeal costs — and more importantly, protect your future in Australia.
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