Mining Engineer (excluding Petroleum) — 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 Mining Engineer (excluding Petroleum) 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.
Mining Engineer (excluding Petroleum) × Subclass 485 — pathway overview
Mining Engineers (Excluding Petroleum) (ANZSCO 233611) may access the Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa following completion of an eligible Australian qualification. This visa allows recent graduates to gain post-study work experience in Australia without employer sponsorship requirements. The Graduate Work stream applies for this occupation, as Mining Engineering appears on the MLTSSL. This stream provides an 18-month stay and requires a positive skills assessment from Engineers Australia. Alternatively, the Post-Study Work stream may apply based on the duration and level of the Australian qualification completed, without requiring a skills assessment. Applicants must apply within six months of graduating, have studied in Australia for at least two academic years, and hold a valid student visa at time of application. Functional English is required. Government fees are approximately AUD 1,895. This visa does not lead directly to permanent residence but allows graduates to build Australian work experience and professional networks, strengthening future skilled visa applications. Mining Engineering graduates with Australian degrees are valued in the sector. 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 Mining Engineer (excluding Petroleum)
- 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 Mining Engineer (excluding Petroleum)
States currently nominating this occupation — see the dedicated pages for state-specific criteria.