TR 485

Post Study Work stream

About this visa

Post-Study Work Stream (PSW) Visa allows international students to stay, study, and work with full work rights in Australia for 2 to 4 years. For Hong Kong visa holders, this visa lasts up to 5 years. All PSW visa holders can bring immediate family members to stay with you in Australia.

The visa can only be applied within 6 months after you complete your course. It usually takes no more than 5 months for the government to process your application.

To be eligible for applying for this visa, you have to finish a CRICOS-registered course and meet specific English language, health, and character criteria listed below.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

You are under 50 years of age
You are holding a valid student visa
You must be in Australia, but not in immigration clearance when your application is lodged and if granted

AUSTRALIAN STUDY REQUIREMENTS

Your degree/diploma/trade qualification CRICOS-registered course took at least 2 academic years
You were physically in Australia to take the course for at least 16 months
Your course was taught in English
All course requirements were met within the past 6 months

SKILLS ASSESSMENT

You must nominate 1 occupation on the Skilled Occupation List when applying and you cannot change the occupation after you apply
Your degree, diploma, or qualification have to be closely related to that occupation
You have to provide a valid assessment result that proves your skills suitable for that occupation, from a relevant assessing authority; or provide evidence at least you applied for a skills assessment.

ENGLISH PROFICIENCY

If you are not holding a passport from the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand, or the Republic of Ireland, within the last 3 years, you have to achieve:

PTE (Pearson Test of English Academic):

At least 50 overall with a minimum score of 36 for each band;

IELTS (International English Language Testing System):

Both Academic and General Training module are accepted

At least 6.0 overall with a minimum score of 5.0 for each band;

TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based test):

At least 64 overall with a minimum score of 4 for Listening, 4 for Reading, 14 for Writing and 14 for Speaking section;

OET (Occupation English Test):

At least B for each of the 4 sections; Or

Cambridge C1 Advanced test:

At least 169 overall with a minimum score of 154 in each part.

HEALTH INSURANCE

You are required to obtain adequate health insurance rather than the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) to cover your healthcare costs during your next stay in Australia;
If you are still on a student visa by the time you send your 485 visa application, your current OSHC is acceptable; but you may be contacted by the Department of Home Affairs to ask you to get a non-OSHC.

HEALTH EXAMINATIONS

Generally, you need to take health exams when applying for a 485 visa. You have to check if you are required to get them.
If you already had health exams within the last 12 months, you might not need to take them again.

POLICE CHECK