485 lodgement evidence in 2026: completion letter, AFP receipt and English test timing

For a Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) application in 2026, the dividing line is between evidence that must already be in place when you lodge and evidence that only has to show you started the process. According to the Australian Department of Home Affairs Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485) official page, as of October 2026, you must attach required evidence when you apply, be aged 35 or under when you apply (exceptions apply), hold an eligible visa, have held a Student visa in the last 6 months, have a recent qualification in a CRICOS-registered course, and apply for your eligible stream (it is not possible to change streams after you apply). The clause-level split comes from the Migration Regulations 1994 and the Department’s PAM3 (Procedures Advice Manual 3) guidance: the completion letter, the English test result and health insurance must be in place at lodgement, while the Australian Federal Police (AFP) check can be evidenced at lodgement by the application receipt or reference number, with the certificate supplied later. The same “applied-for” pattern applies to the skills assessment in the Post-Vocational Education Work stream. This article is general information only and not personalised professional advice; because individual circumstances and official settings differ, rely on the latest official information or a professional opinion for your own case.

What does the completion letter have to show, and can you wait for the graduation certificate?

The completion letter, or Letter of Completion, and the final academic transcript are the documents that show your course is finished. Under clauses 485.221 and 485.231 of the Migration Regulations 1994, the course must have been completed in the 6 months immediately before the date of the application. PAM3 guidance states that the relevant completion date is the date your final results are released, not the date of the graduation ceremony and not the date the testamur is issued.

Because the official page requires you to attach required evidence when you apply, the completion letter or final transcript is a document that must be in hand at lodgement. Waiting for a graduation certificate risks losing the 6-month window and lodging without the required evidence. The completion evidence also sits inside the Australian study requirement: PAM3 summarises it as a CRICOS-registered course, at least 16 calendar months, at least 2 academic years (92 weeks) of study, all instruction in English, and undertaken in Australia while holding a visa authorising study.

Can you lodge with only an AFP application number?

Yes, for a standard application. Clause 485.213 of the Migration Regulations 1994 requires you to provide evidence at the time of application that you applied for an Australian Federal Police (AFP) check in the 12 months before the application, except that this requirement does not apply to applicants who meet the subsequent visa criteria in clauses 485.232 to 485.235. PAM3 guidance says that giving the AFP application or reference number meets the lodgement requirement, but you should provide the actual National Police Certificate as soon as possible afterwards.

The certificate must be the type issued for immigration and citizenship purposes. A state or territory police certificate is not a substitute. If the certificate is missing or the wrong type is supplied, the case officer may ask for the correct document under section 56 of the Migration Act, and PAM3 notes the usual response period for such a request is 28 days. Lodging with only the receipt is therefore permitted, but the follow-up certificate is what reduces the risk of a further-information request and delay.

Do you need your English test result at lodgement, or is a booking enough?

You need the result, not a booking. Clause 485.212 of the Migration Regulations 1994 requires that, at the time of application, you provide evidence that you sat a Minister-specified English language test within the specified period and achieved the required score, or that you hold a Minister-specified passport, except that this requirement does not apply to applicants who meet the subsequent visa criteria in clauses 485.232 to 485.235 or who apply in the Replacement stream. The Subclass 485 guidance notes that a specified passport is typically one from the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand, the United States or Canada.

A booking confirmation does not show that you have undertaken the test or reached the score, so it does not satisfy the clause. PAM3 refers to specified tests such as IELTS and PTE. If you rely on a test, the score must be valid at lodgement: clause 485.212 of the Migration Regulations 1994 requires that the test be undertaken within the period specified by the Minister, so the applicable window is the one the Minister has specified for that test. If you rely on a passport instead, you must attach evidence of that passport at lodgement.

Lodgement versus decision: where each 485 item sits

Item	At lodgement you must attach	By decision you must satisfy	Rule / guidance
Course completion	Completion letter or final transcript showing completion date within 6 months before application	Same; already required at lodgement	Migration Regulations 1994 clauses 485.221 / 485.231; Home Affairs official page (attach required evidence)
English ability	Test result showing required score from a Minister-specified test taken within the specified time, or copy of specified passport (not required for applicants meeting clauses 485.232 to 485.235 or applying in the Replacement stream)	Same; already required at lodgement	Clause 485.212; PAM3
AFP check	Evidence you applied for the AFP check in the last 12 months (receipt / reference number) (not required for applicants meeting clauses 485.232 to 485.235)	Correct immigration/citizenship National Police Certificate	Clause 485.213; PAM3 (section 56 request, usually 28 days)
Health insurance	Evidence of adequate arrangements in force from the date of application	Adequate arrangements maintained; a grant may carry condition 8501	Clause 485.215; PAM3
Skills assessment (Post-Vocational Education Work stream only)	Evidence you applied to the relevant assessing authority	Positive assessment outcome obtained in the last 3 years and applying to the nominated occupation	Clauses 485.223 and 485.224; PAM3

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I lodge my 485 application with only the AFP application receipt?

Yes, for a standard application. Clause 485.213 requires evidence that you applied for an AFP check in the 12 months before applying, except that this requirement does not apply to applicants who meet the subsequent visa criteria in clauses 485.232 to 485.235; PAM3 says the application or reference number meets the lodgement requirement. You still need to supply the correct National Police Certificate afterwards, because a state or territory certificate will not satisfy the requirement and can trigger a section 56 request.

Is a completion letter the same as my graduation certificate?

No. The completion letter or final academic transcript shows the completion date, which PAM3 identifies as the date your final results are released. The graduation certificate or testamur is issued later at conferral and is not the date that starts or limits the 6-month lodgement window.

Do I need my English test result before I lodge, or is a test booking enough?

You need the result. Clause 485.212 requires evidence at application that you sat a Minister-specified test within the specified time and achieved the required score, or that you hold a specified passport, except that this requirement does not apply to applicants who meet the subsequent visa criteria in clauses 485.232 to 485.235 or who apply in the Replacement stream. A booking is not evidence of sitting the test, so it does not meet the criterion.

What happens if I attach the wrong type of police certificate?

The AFP requirement is for a National Police Certificate for immigration and citizenship purposes, not a general or state/territory police check. PAM3 indicates that if the wrong type is provided, the case officer may issue a section 56 request for the correct certificate, with a usual response period of 28 days.

For the Post-Vocational Education Work stream, must the skills assessment be finished at lodgement?

No. Clause 485.223 only requires evidence at application that you applied to the assessing authority. The positive outcome itself must be held by the time of decision and, under clause 485.224, must have been obtained in the last 3 years and must apply to the nominated occupation.

Do I need health insurance in place when I apply?

Yes. Clause 485.215 requires you to provide and hold adequate health insurance arrangements from the date of application, and you must attach evidence of that cover. PAM3 refers to Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) or equivalent cover, and notes that a granted visa may carry condition 8501.