Telecommunications Field 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 Telecommunications Field 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.
Telecommunications Field Engineer × Subclass 485 — pathway overview
Telecommunications Field Engineer (ANZSCO 313212) is eligible for the Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa. The occupation's alignment with the applicant's Australian study qualification is a central eligibility requirement under the Subclass 485 visa. Telecommunications Field Engineers plan, install, test, and maintain telecommunications infrastructure including fibre optic networks, towers, and switching equipment. The visa is not points-tested and suits recent graduates whose Australian study aligns with this occupation. Applicants must apply within six months of receiving final results. Skills assessment by Engineers Australia (EA) is required, covering qualifications and work experience against Australian standards. English proficiency through an approved test and health and character checks are also mandatory. Processing is generally straightforward for recent graduates and can be completed within two to six months of application. The Subclass 485 application fee is approximately AUD 1,895. Subclass 485 holders may work in any sector while in Australia, but the Graduate Work stream requires the occupation to be on a skilled occupation list. The visa provides valuable Australian work experience that supports future skilled migration 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 Telecommunications Field 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 Telecommunications Field Engineer
States currently nominating this occupation — see the dedicated pages for state-specific criteria.