Head to head · Checked 30 October 2026
485 Post-Vocational Education Work stream vs 485 Post-Higher Education Work stream
The stream is set by the qualification. A graduate of a diploma, an advanced diploma or a trade qualification uses the Post-Vocational Education Work stream, with a nominated occupation on the skilled list and a skills assessment, for eighteen months in the ordinary case; a graduate of a bachelor, master or doctorate uses the Post-Higher Education Work stream, with no occupation and no skills assessment, for two years for a bachelor or a coursework master and three for a research master or a doctorate in the ordinary case, and up to five for Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) passport holders. Both need the Australian study requirement, English, the age limit of 35, and lodgement within six months of completion; neither leads anywhere by itself.
By Keshab Chapagain, registered migration agent (MARN 1576536) since 2015 · WIDEN, Sydney · Reviewed 30 October 2026
Keshab Chapagain · MARN 1576536 · Registered since 2015 - Qualification
- A diploma, advanced diploma or trade qualification from the Australian study requirement · A bachelor, master or doctorate from the Australian study requirement
- Occupation and skills assessment
- A nominated occupation on the list, with a skills assessment or a provisional one · None
- Length
- 18 months in the ordinary case · 2 years for a bachelor or coursework master, 3 for a research master or doctorate; 5 for Hong Kong and BNO passports
- Charge
- $5,750 primary applicant · $5,750 primary applicant
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About the CPD →Side by side
| 485 Post-Vocational Education Work stream | 485 Post-Higher Education Work stream | |
|---|---|---|
| Qualification | A diploma, advanced diploma or trade qualification from the Australian study requirement | A bachelor, master or doctorate from the Australian study requirement |
| Occupation and skills assessment | A nominated occupation on the list, with a skills assessment or a provisional one | None |
| Length | 18 months in the ordinary case | 2 years for a bachelor or coursework master, 3 for a research master or doctorate; 5 for Hong Kong and BNO passports |
| Charge | $5,750 primary applicant | $5,750 primary applicant |
| Second 485 | Not available | The second regional 485 for regional graduates |
| Age and timing | Under 35; lodged within 6 months of completion | Under 35; lodged within 6 months of completion |
| Watch out | The occupation must be on the list and the assessment in hand at lodgement | A master by coursework after a bachelor does not add years; one 485 per person |
Charges are the current government application charges (from 1 July 2026, main applicant) — see the fee calculator for your family's total. Checked 30 October 2026.
The honest verdict
The stream is set by the qualification. A graduate of a diploma, an advanced diploma or a trade qualification uses the Post-Vocational Education Work stream, with a nominated occupation on the skilled list and a skills assessment, for eighteen months in the ordinary case; a graduate of a bachelor, master or doctorate uses the Post-Higher Education Work stream, with no occupation and no skills assessment, for two years for a bachelor or a coursework master and three for a research master or a doctorate in the ordinary case, and up to five for Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) passport holders. Both need the Australian study requirement, English, the age limit of 35, and lodgement within six months of completion; neither leads anywhere by itself.
Which side of that line you fall on depends on facts a table cannot hold — your age, score, occupation's lists, and what evidence you can actually assemble. That is consultation territory, not guesswork territory.
More head-to-heads: 482 vs 494 · 190 vs 491 · 189 vs 190 · 482 vs 186
General information only, not migration advice. Settings shown are the general rules; exemptions and stream variations exist. Migration advice is provided by Keshab Chapagain (MARN 1576536) after a paid consultation under the Migration Agents Code of Conduct.
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Questions we get asked first
485 Post-Vocational Education Work stream or 485 Post-Higher Education Work stream — which is better?
The stream is set by the qualification. A graduate of a diploma, an advanced diploma or a trade qualification uses the Post-Vocational Education Work stream, with a nominated occupation on the skilled list and a skills assessment, for eighteen months in the ordinary case; a graduate of a bachelor, master or doctorate uses the Post-Higher Education Work stream, with no occupation and no skills assessment, for two years for a bachelor or a coursework master and three for a research master or a doctorate in the ordinary case, and up to five for Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) passport holders. Both need the Australian study requirement, English, the age limit of 35, and lodgement within six months of completion; neither leads anywhere by itself.
What is the main difference between the 485 Post-Vocational Education Work stream and the 485 Post-Higher Education Work stream?
Qualification: 485 Post-Vocational Education Work stream — A diploma, advanced diploma or trade qualification from the Australian study requirement; 485 Post-Higher Education Work stream — A bachelor, master or doctorate from the Australian study requirement. Occupation and skills assessment: 485 Post-Vocational Education Work stream — A nominated occupation on the list, with a skills assessment or a provisional one; 485 Post-Higher Education Work stream — None. Length: 485 Post-Vocational Education Work stream — 18 months in the ordinary case; 485 Post-Higher Education Work stream — 2 years for a bachelor or coursework master, 3 for a research master or doctorate; 5 for Hong Kong and BNO passports.
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