How to Apply for Your 485 Graduate Visa from Sydney, Canberra or Adelaide in 2026

The 485 visa is often described as “the TR visa”—temporary residency that allows full‑time work and, in many cases, a pathway toward employer sponsorship or skilled migration.

For onshore students, treating the 485 as a strategic project rather than an afterthought makes a substantial difference. Instead of just buying time, a well‑planned 485 visa period allows you to:

• Gain the specific skilled work experience needed for future visas
• Complete a Professional Year (PY) if relevant
• Build relationships with employers who might sponsor you later
• Accumulate points for general skilled migration

The rules for 485 streams (Graduate Work vs Post‑Study Work) and durations have changed multiple times in recent years. Understanding exactly which stream you fit into—and what that means for your future—is the first critical step.

One of the most painful errors graduates make is confusing their graduation ceremony date with their course completion date.

Key timing rules:

• The application window opens when you have completed your course requirements (often weeks or months before the ceremony)
• You must hold a valid visa at the time of application
• You must apply within a strict period (usually 6 months) of completion

Missing this window can mean losing your eligibility entirely.

Right & Associates’ student services teams in Sydney, Canberra and Adelaide encourage students to book a consultation several months before their final semester. This ensures:

• You know exactly when to request your completion letter
• Your English test is booked and results will be ready in time
• Police checks and health insurance (OVHC) are arranged before lodgement day

Depending on your qualification level and field of study, you will likely fall into one of two main streams:

Post-Study Work Stream:
Generally for students who graduate with a Bachelor degree or higher from an Australian provider. The focus here is on the level of qualification rather than a specific occupation on a list.

Graduate Work Stream:
Typically for students with vocational qualifications (like a Diploma or Trade Certificate) that relate closely to an occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). A skills assessment is usually required.

Recent changes have shortened and modified some of these options.

Regional study can still provide advantages. Adelaide, for example, offers regional incentives that can help graduates extend their stay and enhance their PR prospects if they meet specific criteria. Coordinating course choice, campus location and future 485 plans is something that is much easier when an onshore consultant is guiding you from the beginning.

Many graduates underestimate the documentation required for a valid 485 application. A typical checklist includes:

• Completion Letter: Official confirmation from your provider stating start/end dates and course completion
• English Test Results: Valid test scores (e.g. PTE, IELTS) meeting the current minimum standard
• Health Insurance: Evidence of adequate health cover (OVHC) for the 485 visa (not just OSHC)
• Police Checks: Australian Federal Police (AFP) check, applied for before lodgement
• Skills Assessment: (If applicable for Graduate Work stream) proof of application or positive outcome

Missing even one of these at the time of lodgement can lead to a refusal.

Right & Associates’ migration teams in Sydney, Canberra and Adelaide:

• Provide detailed, up-to-date checklists
• Review your documents for accuracy and consistency
• Ensure you have applied for police checks and insurance correctly before hitting submit

For those planning to transition later into the Skills in Demand (482) visa or general skilled migration, the 485 period is your “audition time.”

Updated rules for employer sponsorship often require:

• Minimum periods of relevant, skilled work experience
• Salary levels meeting the TSMIT (Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold)
• Occupations that align with core skills lists

The migration team at rassociates.com.au keeps up with these changes and publishes detailed blogs explaining the SID visa and new employer‑sponsored PR pathways.

Linking your 485 plans with these future options is where professional guidance adds real value. For example, if you are an IT graduate in Sydney, Right & Associates might recommend:

• Targeting specific roles on the Core Skills Occupation List
• Seeking employers with a history of sponsorship
• Avoiding unstructured casual work that does not help with PR

Where you live and work during your 485 visa matters.

In Canberra:
Right & Associates’ office on University Avenue works with many graduates who plan to combine 485 with the Canberra Matrix points system. Living and working in the ACT can build points for eventual ACT nomination (subclass 190/491).

In Adelaide:
Advisers help you understand how South Australia’s regional status, local skills lists and state nomination can be leveraged. Graduates may access specific state nomination streams that reward long‑term residents and graduates of SA institutions.

In Sydney:
As a major employer hub, Sydney is often ideal for those seeking high‑demand occupations that later qualify for Skills in Demand or general skilled migration, even without regional points.

Having the same brand support you in all three cities means your strategy can evolve without changing advisors if you decide to move interstate.

Lodging the application online is only half the story. After you apply:

• You will typically move onto a Bridging Visa A (BVA) when your student visa expires
• You must understand your work rights on the BVA
• You need to know if/when you can travel (and if a Bridging Visa B is required)

Responding quickly to any Home Affairs requests, maintaining the correct health cover throughout processing, and keeping your contact details up to date are essential.

Many graduates use their 485 time to:

• Upskill with short courses or Professional Year
• Move interstate for better job opportunities
• Bring family members onshore

Each of these choices can have migration consequences. Right & Associates offers both face‑to‑face and online meetings so that busy graduates can clarify decisions before acting on them.

A 485 visa seems simple, but small mistakes can have huge consequences. Right & Associates offers:

• Local Presence: Offices in Sydney, Canberra and Adelaide for face‑to‑face support
• MARA Expertise: Registered migration agents who understand current laws
• Long-Term View: Advice that looks beyond the 485 to your eventual PR or sponsorship goals
• Integrated Service: Coordination with education counsellors if you need to study further or complete a PY

To make the most of your 485 opportunity:

• Don't wait for your graduation ceremony; act when you complete your course
• Know your stream (Graduate Work vs Post-Study Work) and its requirements
• Prepare all key documents (English, Insurance, Police Check) before you apply
• Plan your 485 employment strategy to support future skilled migration or sponsorship
• Use the specific advantages of your city (Sydney, Canberra, Adelaide)
• Get professional support to manage the application, bridging visa and future pathways

By planning early, aligning your qualification with real labour market demand, and using established onshore migration professionals in Sydney, Canberra and Adelaide, you turn a temporary visa into a strategic launchpad for your career in Australia.