Petroleum 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 Petroleum 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.
Petroleum Engineer × Subclass 485 — pathway overview
Petroleum Engineers (ANZSCO 233612) may access the Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa after completing an eligible Australian engineering qualification. This visa allows recent graduates to work in Australia on a temporary basis without requiring employer sponsorship. The Graduate Work stream applies as Petroleum Engineering is listed on the MLTSSL. This stream provides an 18-month visa and requires a positive skills assessment from Engineers Australia. The Post-Study Work stream, available based on the duration of the completed Australian qualification, may provide a longer stay without requiring a skills assessment. Applicants must apply within six months of course completion, have studied in Australia for a minimum of 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 allows graduates to gain valuable industry exposure and begin building professional experience in Australia's resources sector, supporting future points-tested or employer-sponsored visa applications. 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 Petroleum 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 Petroleum Engineer
States currently nominating this occupation — see the dedicated pages for state-specific criteria.