485 Visa Processing Time in Australia: Current Ranges & What Affects Your Wait

Migratio Editorial · Last updated 25 September 2026

TL;DR: Processing times for subclass 485 vary significantly by stream. The Post-Higher Education Work stream currently runs faster — around 90% of applications decided within roughly 50–85 days. The Post-Vocational Education Work stream is slower, with 90% of cases decided within around 4–5 months. Lodging onshore grants a Bridging Visa A with work rights from the moment your current visa expires. Check the Department of Home Affairs global visa processing times tool for live monthly-updated figures.

The subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa gives recent graduates the chance to work in Australia after completing eligible studies. For most applicants, one of the first questions after lodgement is straightforward: how long will this take?

The honest answer is that it depends on which stream you are in, how complete your application is, and factors like health and character checks. This article sets out the current indicative processing ranges, explains what happens once you lodge (including the bridging visa you receive automatically), and covers the main things that can make a case take longer than expected.

Processing times shift from month to month as application volumes and departmental workloads change. The figures below are based on data published in mid-2026, but you should always check the Department of Home Affairs global visa processing times tool for the most current percentile data — it is updated monthly and broken down by subclass and stream.

The Two Main 485 Streams and Their Processing Ranges

What Happens After You Lodge: The Bridging Visa A

Factors That Can Speed Up Processing

Factors That Can Slow Processing Down

What to Do While Your Application Is Being Processed

When to Follow Up on a Delayed Application

Checking Current Processing Times

Frequently asked questions

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