Work in Australia After Vocational Study – Start with the 485 Visa & Plan Your Pathway To Australian Permanent Residency!
Find out how your qualification and occupation can lead to skilled employment and future PR in Australia.
- Done-for-you, stress-free visa application process.
- 100% fixed fees, zero hidden costs — we keep it transparent, always.
- No Visa, No Fee Guarantee — full refund if your visa isn’t granted.*
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485 Visa - Post-Vocational Education Work Stream
Live, Work & Gain Experience in Australia After Vocational Study
The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) – Post-Vocational Education Work stream is designed for international students who have recently completed vocational education and training (VET) qualifications in Australia. If your qualification is closely related to a high-demand occupation on the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), this visa allows you to stay in Australia temporarily to live, work, and gain valuable professional experience.
Visa Overview
This visa stream is tailored for recent graduates who hold an associate degree, diploma, or trade qualification that aligns with an MLTSSL occupation. The opportunity provides an 18-month stay (up to 5 years for certain passport holders), during which you can work full-time and strengthen your migration prospects, particularly if you intend to pursue a permanent skilled visa in the future.
Visa Requirements
To be eligible for the Post-Vocational Education Work Stream, you must:
Be under 36 years of age at the time of application.
Hold or have held an eligible student visa within the past 6 months.
Nominate an occupation listed on the MLTSSL.
Have applied for a skills assessment relevant to your nominated occupation from an approved assessing authority.
Have completed, within the last 6 months, a qualification that is closely related to your nominated occupation, after at least two academic years of study in Australia.
Meet one of the accepted English language requirements (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, etc.), unless you hold a valid passport from the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, or Ireland.
Hold adequate health insurance and meet the health and character requirements.
The English test must have been undertaken within 12 months before lodging your visa application.
Our Comprehensive Process
Step 1: Consultation:
We begin with a video consultation where one of our Registered Migration Agents will:
Review your background and study history.
Assess the relevance of your qualifications to your nominated occupation.
Discuss your eligibility based on the criteria set by the Department of Home Affairs.
- Plan your pathway to Australian permanent residency.
- Provide a fixed-fee quote outlining the exact costs involved.
We also offer split payment options to assist you during the preparation phase of your graduate visa journey.
Step 2: Eligibility & Skills Assessment Preparation:
After confirming your intent to proceed:
We assess your nominated occupation against the MLTSSL and determine whether your course aligns with the required qualification criteria.
We prepare your application for a skills assessment with the designated assessing authority, including a personalised checklist of required documents.
You’ll be guided through the process of gathering, reviewing, and submitting the required documentation.
Step 3: Visa Application Preparation & Lodgement
Once your skills assessment is lodged:
We guide you in applying for your Australian Federal Police (AFP) clearance.
You’ll submit any additional required information, such as insurance policies and English test results.
We compile and prepare your full visa application for submission to the Department of Home Affairs.
You must be in Australia both when you apply and when the visa is granted, unless a concession applies.
Visa Duration
Standard duration: 18 months
For Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) passport holders: up to 5 years
Processing Time Preparation timelines vary depending on how quickly you provide supporting documents. Visa processing times are influenced by Department of Home Affairs workloads, case complexity, and current policy settings. Contact us for an up-to-date estimate.
How to Maximise Your Chances of a Successful Australian Graduate Visa — Without the Stress, Delays, or Confusion
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Are you an international graduate who wants to stay and work in Australia after finishing your studies?
Feeling unsure about what visa options are available or how to turn your qualification into permanent residency?
You’re not alone — thousands of graduates feel overwhelmed at this stage. At Migration Unity, we help international students like you every single day to take the next step toward their Australian dream.
We understand how important it is to make the right decisions after graduation. Whether you’ve just completed a degree or a vocational qualification, one wrong move could delay your journey to permanent residency. That’s why getting it right the first time matters.
At Migration Unity, our team of Registered Migration Agents are here to simplify the process. We’ll help you understand your eligibility, guide you through the 485 visa process, and map out a personalised pathway to permanent residency — all with clarity, care, and expert legal knowledge.
With years of experience supporting international graduates from all over the world, we’re ready to help you stay, work, and build your future in Australia.
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How can Migration Unity help you?
Your trusted partner, guiding you every step of the way to Permanent Residence or Citizenship!
Eligibility Assessment
During your initial consultation with our Registered Migration Agents, we’ll assess your eligibility for the 485 Graduate Visa based on your qualification, study history, and personal circumstances. We’ll also explore your future migration pathways toward permanent residency.
Visa Application
Once your eligibility is confirmed, we’ll manage the full 485 visa application process — reviewing all documents, ensuring compliance, and maximising your chances of approval through a thorough and strategic submission.
Skills Assessment
If you’re applying under the Post-Vocational stream, we’ll help identify your nominated occupation and the correct skills assessment authority. From there, we’ll prepare and lodge your skills assessment on your behalf.
Bridging Visas
If you’re already onshore and your student visa is expiring, we’ll ensure you remain lawfully in Australia throughout the application process by assisting with the appropriate bridging visa.
Planning For Permanent Residency
We’ll advise you on the correct steps to take to maximise your chances of becoming an Australian permanent resident so to can confidently progress forward without wasting valuble time.
Visa Grant and Post-Grant Support
After your visa is granted, we’ll walk you through important post-grant conditions such as travel rights, visa expiry dates, and staying compliant — so you can focus on gaining work experience and planning for PR.
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Global Trust, Proven Results
Students From Around the World Trust Us to Help Them to Stay In Australia
Thousands of international graduates have trusted Migration Unity to help them transition from study to skilled work — with expert advice, structured planning, and proven results.
We’ve helped graduates from all backgrounds navigate Australia’s complex post-study migration system and build a life they love in Australia.
400+
Occupations Assisted
100%
Fixed Fees — No Hidden Surprises
60+
Countries Reached
100%
Client Satisfaction
Expert & Personalised Partner Visa Support
Get peace of mind with honest, expert advice tailored to you, not a one-size-fits-all checklist. We’ve helped many couples navigate this process with confidence.
Real Results, Backed by Experience
Maximise your chances of a successful outcome with our highly experienced team.
No Visa, No Fee Money-Back Guarantee
Rest assured that you will be covered by our No Visa, No Fee, money-back guarantee.
Fixed Fee & Split Fee Payments
Know exactly every cent you will be paying upfront with no hidden additional charges. We also offer split fee payments to assist you financially while your application is being prepared.
Stress-Free Process
We take the stress out of preparing and lodging visa applications so you don’t have to. We have done it thousands of times!
Global Service
Secure, online access to manage your application anytime, anywhere.
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No Visa, No Fee - Money-Back Guarantee!
Get peace of mind with our powerful guarantee on select visa subclasses.
How It Works
Initial Consultation
During this stage, we assess your unique situation, find the correct visa, and confirm your eligibility so we can plan your application accordingly.
Quotation
Once we understand your unique requirements, we’ll put together a fixed-fee quotation for our end-to-end migration services.
Preparation & Lodgement
From here, your Registered Migration Agent in Australia who specialises in your visa subclass will look after the entire process, from paperwork to lodgments, on your behalf.
Visa Application Decision
Once the application is finalised, we’ll guide you through the next steps of your migration journey!
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How We Deliver Exceptional Results Every Single Time
More than one person will be working on your matter
With Migration Unity, you never rely on a single person. More checking, more experience and less room for errors.
Your records are safe and accessible when you need them
Your migration history matters for future applications. We maintain your records for a minimum of seven years in accordance with the Code of Conduct.
Qualified migration agents with up-to-date expertise
Immigration laws change constantly. Our Registered Migration Agents stay ahead of these changes so you don't have to.
Decision-ready, bulletproof visa applications
We know what is required by law to prepare your application correctly and minimise further requests and delays to speed up the process.
Correct planning from the beginning
We map your entire journey before taking the first step to save you time, money and stress and prevent potential refusals.
Expert guidance instead of endless research
Why spend weeks or even months researching outdated information online when you can receive clear and current guidance in a single conversation?
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Testimonials
Our Clients from All Over the World Say It Best
Based on 450+ Reviews
My business has been working with Migration Unity for many years and we’ve had brilliant results. The guys are super professional and efficient. We’ve had 100% success rate with all our sponsorship applications to date.
Highly recommend.
I can’t speak highly enough of Migration Unity. Taina was fantastic from start to finish, she always kept us updated and fully explained every step of the process. We are now permanent residents of Australia!
Marina and Rachel were amazing. They were prompt and responsive and gave us a really great and pain free experience getting a Visa!
A massive thanks to Matthew, Kate and Kate Royo! They have been amazing and helpful. They made my application process so easy and smooth.
Preston Harrison at Migration Unity has been incredibly helpful over the last couple years in getting me a permanent residency visa. He is knowledgeable, responsive, and efficient. Couldn’t recommend him more.
Matthew was very informative and clarified all my questions. He demonstrated genuine concern and advised all options available to me. I would definitely recommend him.
FAQs
Ready to Start Your Graduate Visa Journey?
Book a consultation today!
- Done-for-you, stress-free visa application process.
- 100% fixed fees, zero hidden costs — we keep it transparent, always.
- No Visa, No Fee Guarantee — full refund if your visa isn’t granted.*