Graduate (subclass 485)

Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)

The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) is for international students who have completed at least 2 years of study in Australia. It allows graduates to live, study, and work in Australia temporarily, with visa duration ranging from 18 months to 5 years, depending on your qualification and situation.

This visa is often the next step after finishing studies in Australia and can help graduates gain valuable work experience or work towards eligibility for permanent residency.

Benefits of the 485 Visa

• Work rights: No restrictions on working hours.
• Study rights: Continue further study in Australia.
• Travel rights: Multiple entries in and out of Australia.
• Family members: You can include your partner and dependent children in your application.
• Pathway to PR: Provides work experience that may help you qualify for skilled migration visas (subclass 189, 190, 491) or employer-sponsored visas (subclass 482, 494, 186).

485 Visa Streams

There are three main streams under the 485-visa program:

Post Vocational Education Work Stream

• For graduates with an associate degree, diploma, or trade qualification.
• Nominate the occupation on the skilled occupation list, Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
• Positive Skill Assessment for a 485 visa (at least evidence it has been applied)
• valid for up to 18 months (up to 5 years for Hong Kong & British National Overseas passport holders

Post-Higher Education Work Stream (formerly Post-Study Work)

• For graduates with a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral degree from an Australian institution.
• Duration depends on qualification:
  • Bachelor’s / Master’s (coursework): up to 2 years
  • Masters (research): up to 3 years
  • Doctorate (PhD): up to 3 years
  • Hong Kong / BNO passport holders: up to 5 years
  • Indian passport holders: up to 4 years

Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream

• For graduates who already hold a 485 visa (Post-Higher Education Work, Post-Study Work, or Replacement stream).
• Must have completed a degree from a regional Australian institution and lived in a regional area.
• 1–2 years duration depending on:
  • The location of the institution where you studied.
  • The regional area where you live while holding your first 485 visa.

Key Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Age: Be under 35 years (exceptions up to 50 years for PhD, Master’s by Research, and Hong Kong/BNO passport holders).
• Location: Be in Australia at the time of application. (Subsequent entrants may apply inside or outside Australia).
• Visa status: Hold (or have held) a student visa in the last 6 months and/or currently hold a substantive visa, Bridging Visa A, or Bridging Visa B.
• Australian Study Requirement: At least 2 years of study in a CRICOS-registered course.
• Completion date: Have completed eligible qualifications within the last 6 months before lodging
• English: IELTS 6.5 overall with no band less than 5.5 (or equivalent). The test must be taken within the last 12 months.
• Health insurance: Provide evidence of adequate health cover.
• Meet health and character

In summary

The 485 visa is the essential “bridge” between studying in Australia and building a long-term future. With the right planning, it can open the door to permanent residency pathways.