Musician (Instrumental) — Subclass 485 Pathway
Temporary Graduate visa · 18 months to 5 years (depending on stream and qualification)
At a glance
- Visa
- Subclass 485 — Temporary Graduate visa
- Points test
- Not points-tested
- Sponsor
- No sponsor required
- Eligibility list
- No specific list
- Base fee
- from $2,235 (check immi.gov.au for current fee)
- Processing time
- ~4-12 months (median)
Skills assessment for this occupation
Assessing Musician (Instrumental) for migration purposes is handled by: VETASSESS.
No occupation-list eligibility — any qualification recognised by the AQF is in scope, with skills assessment only required for the Post-Vocational Education Work stream.
Musician (Instrumental) × Subclass 485 — pathway overview
Instrumental Musicians (ANZSCO 211213) who have completed an eligible Australian qualification may access the Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa. This post-study visa does not require an employer or state sponsor, and it is not points-tested. Applicants must be under 35 at application, have held a student visa within the last six months, and meet Competent English (IELTS 6.0 in each band or equivalent). Australian Health Insurance is a mandatory condition. The visa allows graduates to remain temporarily in Australia to gain professional work experience in their field following their studies. Duration ranges from 18 months to several years, depending on the stream and level of study completed. The indicative fee is from AUD 2,235, with processing typically 4 to 12 months. The Subclass 485 does not itself grant permanent residency but provides the opportunity to build the Australian experience and skills assessment credentials that support future applications for points-tested or employer-sponsored permanent visas. For advice tailored to your individual circumstances, always consult a registered MARA migration agent.
Content last generated: 2026-06-26
Key requirements
High-level criteria for Subclass 485. Verify every requirement on immi.gov.au before applying.
- Under 35 years of age at application (with exemptions for select fields)
- Recent graduate of an eligible Australian qualification (CRICOS-registered)
- Held a valid student visa in the last six months
- Competent English (IELTS 6 or equivalent)
- Positive skills assessment (Post-Vocational Education Work stream only)
- Health, character, and Australian Health Insurance
Other visa pathways for Musician (Instrumental)
- 189Details →Skilled Independent visa
Permanent points-tested visa for workers not sponsored by an employer, family member, or state.
- 190Details →Skilled Nominated visa
Permanent visa for workers nominated by a state or territory government.
- 491Details →Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa
Five-year provisional visa for workers willing to live and work in regional Australia.
State nominations for Musician (Instrumental)
States currently nominating this occupation — see the dedicated pages for state-specific criteria.