Environmental 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 Environmental 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.
Environmental Engineer × Subclass 485 — pathway overview
Environmental Engineers (ANZSCO 233915) may access the Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa following completion of an eligible Australian qualification. This visa supports recent graduates in gaining post-study work experience without employer sponsorship. The Graduate Work stream applies as Environmental Engineering is listed on the MLTSSL. This stream provides an 18-month stay and requires a positive skills assessment from Engineers Australia. The Post-Study Work stream offers a longer visa based on the level of qualification completed, without requiring a skills assessment. Applicants must apply within six months of graduation, have studied in Australia for at least two academic years, and hold a valid student visa. Functional English is required. Government fees are approximately AUD 1,895. Graduates use this visa to gain practical Australian environmental engineering experience, building eligibility for longer-term visa applications in the independent or employer-sponsored streams. 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 Environmental 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 Environmental Engineer
States currently nominating this occupation — see the dedicated pages for state-specific criteria.