Can You Apply for a 189 Visa on a 485? 485 to PR Guide for 2026

You are working in Australia on a 485 visa, and you want to stay for good. The question most graduates ask first is simple. Can you apply for a 189 visa while you are still on a 485?

Yes, you can. Holding a 485 visa does not stop you from lodging an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent) visa, or from applying once you are invited.

Applying and being invited are two separate steps. You first submit an EOI through SkillSelect. Home Affairs then invites the highest-scoring EOIs in each occupation.

That is why the 485 years matter. Each year of skilled work in Australia, and each better English score, adds points to your EOI.

This guide covers the 485 to PR path step by step. It explains who can apply for a 189 and how invitations are decided.

It also covers what happens if your 485 ends during processing, and the other PR options after a 485.

Curious about your PR score? Use The Migration’s Australian PR Point Calculator to see where you stand before reading further.

What Is the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) and Who Can Apply?

The Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) is a permanent visa for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer, a family member or a state. Once it is granted, you can live and work anywhere in Australia.

Who Can Apply for a 189 Visa in Australia?

• You must be under 45 when you are invited, not when you submit the EOI.
• Your occupation must be on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
• You need a suitable skills assessment for that occupation.
• You need at least Competent English at the time of invitation.
• You need at least 65 points on the points test.
• You must meet the health and character requirements.
• You can be in or outside Australia when you apply, so a 485 holder can apply from Australia.

How Are 189 Invitations Decided?

Home Affairs invites the highest-ranked EOIs by points score first. When two EOIs have the same score, the one that reached that score earlier is invited first. Home Affairs calls this the tie break, or the date of effect.

There is no separate priority group for people who are already in Australia. A 485 holder and an offshore applicant with the same points and the same date of effect are treated the same way.

• Latest published round: On 4 June 2026, Home Affairs invited 10,000 EOIs for the 189, with a tie-break date of 24 April 2026.
• Minimum scores in that round: They ranged from 65 points for some trades, such as electricians, plumbers and carpenters, up to 100 points. Most invited occupations sat between 75 and 85 points.
• Some occupations received no invitations: Home Affairs notes that a blank result can mean no EOIs met the round’s settings.
• 2026–27 rounds: As at 29 October 2026, Home Affairs had not yet published results for any 2026–27 round. See the SkillSelect invitation rounds page and The Migration’s guide to 189 visa invitation rounds.

How Much Does a 189 Visa Cost and How Long Does It Take?

Fees are from the Home Affairs pricing tool as at 29 October 2026. Processing times were updated by Home Affairs on 29 September 2026. Check the global visa processing times page before you lodge.

What Is the Subclass 485 Visa and How Does It Feed Into the 485 to PR Pathway?

The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) lets recent graduates of Australian courses live and work in Australia. The Post-Higher Education Work stream usually gives 2 to 3 years, and the Post-Vocational Education Work stream gives 18 months.

Some passport holders get longer. Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders can stay up to 5 years, and Indian citizens can get up to 4 years under the AI-ECTA trade agreement.

The 485 is not a permanent visa. It is the window in which you build the work experience and test scores that lift your 189 points.

How Australian Work Experience Points Build During Your 485 Period

• At least 1 but less than 3 years of Australian skilled work: 5 points.
• At least 3 but less than 5 years: 10 points.
• At least 5 but less than 8 years: 15 points.
• At least 8 years: 20 points.
• The work must be in your nominated or a closely related occupation, for at least 20 hours a week, within the 10 years before invitation.
• Overseas and Australian experience together are capped at 20 points.
• Experience is counted to the day, so part-time work and gaps must be shown accurately.

Can You Apply for a 189 Visa While Working on a 485?

Yes. You can submit your EOI and then lodge a full 189 application while your 485 is still valid. There is no rule against holding a 485 and pursuing a 189 at the same time.

Lodging while your 485 is valid has one clear benefit. A valid 189 application made in Australia gives you a Bridging Visa A, which keeps you lawful if your 485 ends during processing.

What Happens If Your 485 Visa Expires Before You Get a 189 Invitation?

• An EOI is not a visa application, so it does not give you a bridging visa.
• If your 485 ends before you are invited and have lodged, you need another visa to stay. There is no grace period after a 485 expires.
• If you stay more than 28 days without a visa, a re-entry ban can apply.
• A 485 cannot be extended. Only some regional graduates can apply for the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream.
• The Migration’s guide on what to do after your 485 visa expires covers the options in detail.

What Happens to Your 485 Once You Lodge a 189 Application?

• If the 189 is granted while your 485 is still valid, the 485 ceases and your permanent residence starts.
• If your 485 ends during 189 processing, the Bridging Visa A (BVA) comes into effect. It keeps you lawful while Home Affairs decides.
• If the 189 is refused, the BVA generally ends 35 days after the decision, unless you apply for review.

How Can You Increase PR Points While on a Graduate Visa (485)?

The 485 period is the best time to lift your score. These are the points most 485 holders can work on.

• Australian work experience: Skilled work in your occupation adds 5 to 20 points over time.
• English: Proficient English gives 10 points and Superior gives 20. Superior means IELTS 8 in each band, or PTE Academic 69 listening, 70 reading, 85 writing and 88 speaking for tests taken from 7 August 2025. See the Home Affairs Superior English page.
• Credentialled community language: A NAATI credential, such as the CCL test, adds 5 points.
• Professional Year: A Professional Year in accounting, ICT or engineering adds 5 points if you finished it within 48 months before invitation.
• Australian study requirement: 5 points. Most 485 holders already meet it.
• Regional study: 5 more points if you lived and studied at a campus in a designated regional area.

Unsure which points you can prove? Book a consultation with a MARA-registered agent at The Migration (MARN 2518738) and get a clear plan before you lodge.

What Are the Full Eligibility Requirements for the 189 Visa in Australia?

Beyond the points, you need the items below in place. Have them ready before you submit your EOI, because the 60-day window after an invitation is short.

189 Visa Eligibility: What You Must Have in Place

• Skills assessment: You need a suitable skills assessment for your occupation. A skills assessment issued only for a 485 may not be suitable for a 189, 190 or 491, so check it with the assessing authority before you lodge an EOI.
• Occupation on the MLTSSL: If your occupation is not on the MLTSSL, you may be able to use a 190 or 491 instead.
• Age under 45 at invitation: If you turn 45 before you are invited, you can no longer be invited for a 189.
• Competent English: IELTS 6 in each band, or PTE Academic 47 listening, 48 reading, 51 writing and 54 speaking for tests from 7 August 2025.
• Health: You and every family member in the application need a health examination.
• Character: You need police certificates from each country where you spent 12 months or more in the last 10 years since turning 16.

Difference Between 189 and 190 Visa for 485 Holders: Which One Should You Choose?

Both are permanent visas, but they work differently. The 189 needs no sponsor. The 190 needs a state or territory to nominate you, and the nomination adds 5 points.

For a deeper side-by-side, read The Migration’s 189 vs 190 visa guide.

Can You Submit an EOI for Both 189 and 190 at the Same Time?

• Yes. One EOI in SkillSelect can show interest in the 189, 190 and 491 at once.
• Each subclass is assessed in its own invitation process.
• This works well if your occupation is on the MLTSSL and on a state’s list.
• The 5 nomination points count only for the 190. They do not raise your 189 score.
• There is no fee to submit or update an EOI.

What Are the Visa Options After a 485 Visa in Australia?

The 189 is the most common next step for 485 holders, but it is not the only one. The right option depends on your occupation, points, employer and time left on your 485.

PR Pathways and Visa Options After 485

• Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent): Permanent visa with no sponsor. Best if your occupation is on the MLTSSL and your score meets recent round minimums.
• Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated): Permanent visa with state nomination, which adds 5 points. Useful if your score is close or your occupation is on a state list.
• Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional): A 5-year provisional visa with 15 points for state nomination or sponsorship by an eligible relative in a regional area. After 3 years of regional living and 3 ATO notices of assessment, you can apply for the subclass 191 visa.
• Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme): Permanent visa with no points test. The Temporary Residence Transition stream needs 2 years of sponsored work in the last 3 years while holding a 457 or 482 visa, or an eligible bridging visa, with any sponsor. The Direct Entry stream usually needs 3 years of experience and a skills assessment.
• Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand): A temporary employer-sponsored visa. It needs 1 year of relevant experience in the last 5 years, and Core Skills roles must pay at least AUD 79,423 for nominations lodged from 1 July 2026. It can lead to a 186 later.
• Partner and family visas: If your partner is an Australian citizen or permanent resident, a partner visa can be a separate route to PR.

485 to PR: The Steps in Order

• Step 1: Choose your route: 189, 190, 491, 186 or a family visa.
• Step 2: Get a suitable skills assessment for your occupation.
• Step 3: Work out your points and lift them where you can.
• Step 4: Submit your EOI in SkillSelect, or have your employer lodge a nomination.
• Step 5: Apply within 60 days of an invitation, with all documents attached.
• Step 6: Complete health checks and police certificates, then wait for a decision on your bridging visa if your 485 ends.

Planning the full route? The Migration’s PR pathway roadmap lays out each option.

Common Mistakes That Can Hurt Your 485 to 189 Visa Transition

These mistakes show up often in 189 applications from 485 holders. Each one has a simple fix if you catch it early.

Mistakes That Cost 485 Holders Their 189 Invitation or Application

• An EOI without a suitable skills assessment: An expired or wrong assessment can make the application invalid. Check the date and occupation before you submit.
• Overclaiming points: If Home Affairs cannot verify a claim, especially work experience, the visa can be refused. False or misleading information can also bar you from future visas. Claim only what you can prove.
• Not updating your EOI: Points are assessed at invitation. If your English score improves or you gain a NAATI credential, update your EOI.
• Missing the 60-day window: You have 60 days from invitation to apply. Collect police certificates, references and test results early.
• Letting the 485 run out with no plan: An EOI gives no bridging visa. Plan your next visa well before your 485 end date.
• Forgetting the age limit: You must be under 45 at invitation. If you are close to 45, get advice on the 190, 491 or 186 early.

Not sure if your claims will hold up? Have a MARA-registered agent (MARN 2518738) review your EOI before you submit it.

How The Migration Helps 485 Holders Plan Their PR Pathway

The Migration is a MARA-registered migration agency (MARN 2518738) with 7+ years of experience helping 485 holders through the points-tested pathway. You can check the number on the MARA register. The team works from Sydney (Harris Park) and Melbourne CBD, with remote support across Australia.

What The Migration Does for 485 Holders

• Points check: The team confirms your current score and the points you can prove, including Australian study, regional study, partner skills and NAATI.
• 485 timeline plan: The team maps the time left on your 485 and when your experience points will rise.
• Occupation and pathway review: The team checks the MLTSSL, state lists and employer options, then compares your PR routes.
• EOI set-up and updates: Your SkillSelect EOI is prepared and updated when your scores or work history change.
• Full 189 application: After an invitation, the team prepares your application and documents within the 60-day window.
• Bridging visa advice: If your 485 is ending, you get clear advice on staying lawful.

Speak to The Migration about your PR plan. Whether you have 6 months or 2 years left on your 485, a clear plan helps you use that time well.

Conclusion

You can apply for a 189 visa while on a 485. The real question is whether your score is high enough to be invited in your occupation.

Each month of skilled work, each better English result and each NAATI or Professional Year credential adds to your score. If the 189 is out of reach, the 190, 491 and 186 can still take you from 485 to PR. No migration agent can guarantee a visa outcome.

Start with your score. Use The Migration’s Australian PR Point Calculator to see where you stand. Then book a consultation with a MARA-registered agent (MARN 2518738) to plan your next step.

Frequently asked questions