Production or Plant Engineer — 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 Production or Plant Engineer for migration purposes is handled by: EA.
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.
Production or Plant Engineer × Subclass 485 — pathway overview
Production or Plant Engineers (ANZSCO 233513) may access the Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa after completing an eligible Australian qualification. This visa supports recent graduates in gaining Australian work experience following their studies and is not employer-sponsored or points-tested. For Production or Plant Engineers, the Graduate Work stream of the 485 visa applies as the occupation is listed on the MLTSSL. This stream grants approximately 18 months and requires a positive skills assessment from Engineers Australia. The Post-Study Work stream, based on the length of completed study, may provide a longer visa without a skills assessment requirement. Applicants must apply within six months of completing their degree, have studied in Australia for a minimum of two academic years, and hold a student visa at time of application. Functional English is required. Government fees are approximately AUD 1,895. This visa does not provide a pathway to permanent residence directly but allows graduates to build work experience, improve language scores, and strengthen future visa applications for Subclass 482 or 189. 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 Production or Plant Engineer
- 186Details →Employer Nomination Scheme visa
Permanent employer-sponsored visa for workers nominated by an approved sponsor.
- 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.
- 482Details →Skills in Demand visa
Employer-sponsored temporary visa (formerly TSS) for occupations on the relevant list.
- 491Details →Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa
Five-year provisional visa for workers willing to live and work in regional Australia.
- 494Details →Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa
Five-year employer-sponsored provisional visa in regional Australia, with a path to PR.
State nominations for Production or Plant Engineer
States currently nominating this occupation — see the dedicated pages for state-specific criteria.