Every December marks the peak graduation season for Australian universities. Many students finish their final exams and thesis only to immediately start stressing about the 485 Temporary Graduate Visa:
When is the best time to lodge?
What do you do after receiving your Completion Letter?
Should you complete your health examination early?
Can you return home if your student visa is about to expire?
Today’s article gives you a full breakdown: When is the optimal time to lodge your 485 visa?
Example: Graduating in December This Year
- CoE End Date: 31 December 2025
- Student Visa Expiry: 15 March 2026
Then the best lodging window is generally February to early March 2026.
Why Not Lodge Immediately After Graduation?Because the timing for the 485 visa does not depend on your CoE end date — it depends on the Completion Letter.From the date your school issues the Completion Letter, you must lodge your 485 within 6 months.
Why Lodge About 1 Month Before Your Student Visa Expires?The reason is very practical:
The Completion Letter has validity limits
You need time to prepare documents
When your student visa is close to expiring → lodging triggers a BVA, the safest option
Too early = wastes your remaining student visa
Too late = documents may not be ready in time
The 485 Visa Must Now Be Lodged Onshore!This point is critical. Many students still mistakenly believe they can graduate, fly back home, and then lodge the visa.The current policy is very clear:
Offshore lodgement = NOT allowed.You must be in Australia to apply.
What Happens After Lodgement? You will automatically receive a Bridging Visa A (BVA) — and these days, they are granted extremely quickly.Once your 485 is submitted:A BVA is issued automatically. You remain lawfully in Australia. When your student visa expires, your BVA comes into effect. You can continue working while waiting for the outcome.
Can You Travel While Waiting for the 485 Decision?Yes, but only if…➡️ You apply for a Bridging Visa B (BVB) before leaving Australia!