First 6 Months on a 485 Visa: The PR-Outcome Playbook (2026 Guide)
The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) is one of the rare visas where time is an asset-but only if you use it with intent. You can work unrestricted hours, you can bring eligible family, and you’re in a window where your first professional choices in Australia start compounding into points, skills evidence, nomination eligibility, and (sometimes) employer sponsorship readiness.
The catch: the 485 is structured in streams, and you can’t change streams after you apply-so strategy starts earlier than most people realise.
This is the six-month roadmap we build with graduates who want their 485 to do more than “buy time”-they want it to build a PR case.
Aussizz Group has helped 200,000+ applicants move closer to their Australian dreams. This guide is written to help you make your first six-month count-without relying on rumours, shortcuts, or “PR guaranteed” narratives.
Understand your 485 stream and what it realistically unlocks
Before you plan PR, confirm what the 485 you hold (or are applying for) actually is-because your stream shapes everything from your timeline to the type of evidence you’ll need.
On the 485 program, you generally apply under one of these pathways:
Post-Vocational Education Work stream (commonly linked to trade/diploma outcomes and a nominated occupation on the skilled list) – stay is up to 18 months in many cases.
Second Post-Higher Education Work stream (for eligible grads from regional institutions/locations) – additional 1–2 years, depending on regional criteria.
Also note the baseline settings that trip people up:
You need to be 35 or under at time of application
You must have held a Student visa in the last 6 months or currently holding Student visa
Your first decision is simple but high impact:
Are you building your PR plan around the stream you wish you had-or the stream you actually have?
The six-month plan below assumes you build around your real timeline, then optimise within it.
Treat the first 30 days like a PR “foundation sprint”
The biggest PR killers we see aren’t dramatic refusals. They’re slow leaks:
work experience that doesn’t count because the role doesn’t match the occupation evidence,
state nomination criteria misunderstood until nomination windows close.
So month 1 is about setting foundations-fast.
Lock your “target occupation” and stop drifting
Most 485 holders casually job hunt by salary or convenience, then later try to “reverse engineer” an ANZSCO occupation match.
Flip that.
Pick a realistic target occupation early, and pressure-test it against:
your qualification alignment (and where required, occupation list relevance for your stream),
the kind of duties you can genuinely evidence,
where the occupation is actually being invited / nominated (this shifts by state and program year).
If your role doesn’t support your occupation evidence, it may still pay bills-but it won’t pay points.
Get your evidence system running from day 1
PR is documentation-heavy. Start a simple weekly system:
job ads and position descriptions (saved as PDFs),
contract + payslips + super + tax summaries,
duty statements aligned to your target occupation,
organisational chart, reporting lines, tools/tech you use,
workplace references (tracked, not begged for at the end).
This matters whether you pursue skilled points visas (189/190/491) or employer pathways later.
English: the hidden six-month time bomb
Many graduates assume English is “sorted” because they cleared student requirements previously. But 485 settings are not the same as student settings, and the accepted tests and rules have also shifted.
Home Affairs updated the approved English tests list and conditions effective 7 August 2025, including restrictions on fully online/at-home tests.
And for the 485 specifically, the English requirement settings tightened in recent years. For many applicants, the minimum moved to an IELTS overall 6.5 (with minimum component scores) (or equivalents) and the validity window can be shorter than what people assume-so timing matters.
What to do in your first six months:
If you’re not already at your “points English” target (Proficient/Superior in points terms), plan an attempt cycle now-not later.
Don’t plan your PR timeline around an English result that will expire before the invitation/nomination stage.
Don’t use unaccepted test formats (for example, remote-proctored “at home” versions are typically not accepted).
In most PR strategies, English is the cheapest points you’ll ever buy-but only if you tackle it early.
Choose your PR lane early, then optimise inside it
There are multiple PR pathways graduates commonly pursue from a 485. The mistake is trying to keep all options open without building any option well.
Instead, pick a primary lane + a backup lane.
Lane 1: Skilled points-tested PR (189 / 190 / 491)
This lane rewards:
points (age, English, education, partner skills, NAATI, Professional Year, work experience),
timing (program year and state windows),
occupation fit and credible evidence.
In your first six months, the biggest levers are:
English score strategy,
skills assessment preparation (even if you’ll lodge later),
state targeting (where your profile fits, not where your friends are applying),
building evidence that your work is at the right skill level and aligned to the nominated occupation.
Lane 2: State nomination strategy (190 / 491) with real state-fit
If you’re aiming at state nomination, stop treating it like a single form you submit.
It’s closer to a product-market fit exercise:
Some states care more about onshore employment, some about study location, some about sector priorities, some about regional residence.
Some roles “look good” but don’t get nominated because the state isn’t prioritising them right now.
Your first six months can decide whether you qualify for a particular pathway later (especially if it has “currently employed”, “minimum months employed”, or “in-region” expectations).
Lane 3: Employer-sponsored pathway (SID 482 → 186, where eligible)
If your role and employer context supports it, employer sponsorship can be a powerful backup (or primary).
The Skills in Demand (SID) visa (subclass 482) replaced the TSS 482 on 7 December 2024. The practical takeaway: employer pathways depend heavily on role genuineness, business need, and your work history, not just your degree.
In the first six months, your goal is to become “sponsorable”:
performance + responsibilities that match a skilled occupation,
You don’t need to force sponsorship conversations in month 1-but you should be building the conditions for a confident conversation later.
Your first job on 485 should be chosen for evidence, not just income
A high salary in the wrong duties can be worse than an average salary in the right duties, because PR outcomes rely on what you did, not just what you earned.
In the first 6 months, aim for roles that:
match your target occupation duties consistently,
allow you to collect evidence (projects, outcomes, documentation),
align with a state’s target sectors if you’re nomination-focused.
If you’re stuck in “survival jobs” initially, don’t panic-just avoid the trap of staying there so long that you run out of time to build skilled evidence.
Don’t waste months 2–6 “waiting to feel settled”
Once your first month foundation is set, months 2–6 are about compounding actions.
Month 2–3: Convert your job into a skills-assessment-ready profile
Even if you won’t submit the assessment immediately, start preparing as if you will. That means:
duties mapping,
tool/tech logs (where relevant),
reference planning,
project evidence collection.
If you later pursue points-tested PR, having assessment readiness early keeps you agile when invitation/nominations open.
Month 3–4: Decide your state map (if 190/491 is on the table)
State nomination isn’t a “choose later” decision. It affects where you live, where you work, and what evidence you can build.
This is where geo-targeted planning matters:
If your profile is stronger in Victoria, NSW, Queensland, WA, SA, Tasmania, ACT, or NT under certain pathways, your location decisions can either support or sabotage you.
If regional pathways are relevant, your residence and work location choices may directly influence eligibility for extensions or nomination options.
Month 4–6: Add points and credibility
Common high-impact boosters (when applicable):
English improvement (again: biggest ROI),
Professional Year (for eligible occupations),
NAATI CCL (where useful),
partner strategy (English + skills alignment),
consistent skilled employment evidence.
This is also the right time to identify whether your best “PR outcome” is:
immediate points-tested push,
nomination-first strategy,
employer pathway sequencing,
or a structured pivot (occupation, location, or evidence model).
The “PR-risk” mistakes to avoid in your first six months
Picking an occupation because it sounds easier If you can’t evidence it credibly, it’s not easier.
Delaying English until “after I get a job” Your visa clock keeps ticking. English timelines should run in parallel.
Assuming your work experience will count automatically Counting depends on duties alignment and evidence, not job titles.
Not understanding that 485 settings are time-sensitive Age, stream, eligibility, and program changes can narrow options.
Following “one-size-fits-all” PR advice Your best pathway is based on your occupation, state-fit, evidence strength, and timeline-not generic hacks.
When you should get your PR strategy reviewed immediately
You should get a professional pathway check early if:
your 485 expiry is closer than it feels,
your occupation fit is unclear,
you’re torn between 190 vs 491 vs employer sponsorship,
you studied in a regional area and want to leverage regional settings,
you’re not confident about English rules, accepted tests, or timing.
This isn’t about rushing an application. It’s about making sure your next six months are aligned.
FAQs
Q1) Can I apply for PR while I’m on a 485 visa?
Yes. A 485 can be used to build eligibility for skilled PR pathways (189/190/491) or employer pathways, provided you meet the requirements of the PR visa you apply for. The key is to use your 485 time to build points, evidence, and pathway fit.
Q2) How long can I stay on a 485 visa in 2026?
It depends on your stream and circumstances. Common settings include: Post-Vocational Education Work stream up to 18 months, Post-Higher Education Work stream usually 2–3 years, and a possible additional 1–2 years under the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream if eligible.
Q3) Can I work full-time on a 485 visa?
Yes-work rights are generally unrestricted on the 485.
Q4) What is the age limit for a 485 visa?
In many cases, applicants must be 35 years or under at time of application, with some exceptions.
Q5) Can I change my 485 stream after applying?
No-stream selection is important because you generally cannot change streams after you apply.
Q6) What English score do I need for the 485 visa?
Settings can vary by instrument and timing of your test/application. For many applicants, the 485 English settings increased to IELTS 6.5 overall with minimum component requirements (or equivalent), and validity timing can be tighter than people assume—so plan early.
Q7) Which English tests are accepted for Australian visas now?
Home Affairs updated the list of accepted tests and rules effective 7 August 2025, and generally requires secure test-centre formats (not fully online/at-home versions).
Q8) Is state nomination (190/491) easier than 189 for 485 holders?
It depends on your occupation, state priorities, and evidence strength. For many grads, a targeted 190/491 strategy can be more realistic than waiting for 189 invites—if you align early with the right state and pathway criteria.
Q9) Can a 485 visa lead to employer sponsorship?
Potentially. Employer-sponsored sequencing can be a viable pathway for some candidates. The Skills in Demand (SID) visa (subclass 482) replaced TSS 482 on 7 December 2024, and eligible 485 holders may apply if they meet relevant requirements.
Q10) Can I include my partner/family on my 485 visa?
You can generally include eligible family members (partner/child, including partner’s child) if they meet health and character requirements.
Q11) What if I’m on a survival job-will that ruin my PR chances?
Not automatically. But if your job isn’t aligned to a skilled occupation and you don’t build correct evidence in time, it can delay your PR strategy. The goal is to transition into evidence-aligned skilled work early enough to matter.
Q12) What are the best next steps in my first 6 months on 485?
Most successful PR outcomes come from doing the basics exceptionally well:
AUS
Australia
IND
India
UAE
UAE
CA
Canada
SL
Srilanka
