Graduating from an Australian university is an exciting milestone — and for many international students, it opens the door to the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485). This visa allows you to live and work in Australia after your studies, giving you valuable professional experience, a pathway to permanent residency, and time to explore everything Australia has to offer. This comprehensive guide explains the two streams of the Subclass 485, eligibility requirements, application steps, and practical tips for making the most of your post-graduation time in Australia.
What Is the Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa?
The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) is a temporary Australian visa granted to international students who have recently graduated from an Australian institution. It allows you to live, study, and work in Australia on a temporary basis after completing your degree. The visa has two streams, each with different eligibility requirements and visa durations: the Graduate Work Stream and the Post-Study Work Stream.
The Two Streams Explained
Understanding which stream applies to you is the first and most important step in your application.
- Graduate Work Stream: For graduates whose qualification is closely related to an occupation listed on a relevant skilled occupation list. The visa is valid for 18 months. Applicants must have a skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority.
- Post-Study Work Stream: For graduates who have completed a bachelor’s degree, graduate diploma, graduate certificate, master’s degree, or doctorate at an Australian institution. No skills assessment is required. This is the most commonly used stream.
The Post-Study Work Stream duration depends on the level of your qualification and, importantly, where your institution is located:
- Bachelor’s, Graduate Diploma, or Graduate Certificate: 2 years (or up to 4 years if studied in regional Australia)
- Master’s by Coursework: 3 years (or up to 5 years in regional Australia)
- Master’s by Research: 4 years (or up to 6 years in regional Australia)
- Doctorate (PhD): 4 years (or up to 6 years in regional Australia)
- Note: Regional Australia incentives add 2 extra years to the above durations for study completed at regional campuses
Eligibility Requirements for the Subclass 485
- Must have held an Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500 or predecessor) recently
- Must have studied and lived in Australia on your student visa for at least two years (16 months in some circumstances for Graduate Work Stream)
- Must apply within six months of completing your course
- Must have completed a degree from a registered Australian institution (CRICOS-registered provider)
- Must meet English language requirements: IELTS 6.0 overall (no band below 5.0), or equivalent in TOEFL, PTE, or Cambridge
- Must hold valid Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) or equivalent health insurance for the duration of the visa
- Must meet health and character requirements
💡 Critical deadline: You must apply for the Subclass 485 within 6 months of receiving notification of your final results. Missing this window means you cannot apply for this visa.
Required Documents
- Valid passport
- Evidence of course completion: official transcript or letter from your institution confirming completion
- Australian Student Visa history demonstrating compliance
- English language test results (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Cambridge — within 3 years of application)
- Health insurance evidence (OVHC) covering the full requested visa period
- Health examination results from an approved panel physician if requested
- Police clearance from countries where you have lived for 12+ months in the past 10 years
- Skills assessment (Graduate Work Stream only) from the relevant assessing authority
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Confirm your final results and check the exact date of your course completion notification — your 6-month application window starts from this date.
- Determine which stream you are eligible for: Graduate Work Stream or Post-Study Work Stream.
- Arrange Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) from an approved Australian insurer for the period you are applying for.
- Obtain an English language test result if you do not already have an eligible one within the past 3 years.
- Gather your academic transcript and course completion documentation from your university.
- For Graduate Work Stream: obtain a positive skills assessment from the relevant skills assessing authority.
- Log into your ImmiAccount at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au and complete the Subclass 485 application form.
- Upload all required documents and pay the application fee.
- Monitor your ImmiAccount for requests for additional information or health examination notices.
- Once your visa is granted, review all conditions and plan your Australian work and life accordingly.
Visa Fees
- Main applicant: AUD 1,895 (as of 2025)
- Secondary applicant aged 18 or over: AUD 945
- Secondary applicant under 18: AUD 470
- OVHC health insurance: Varies by provider — budget approximately AUD 500 – AUD 1,500+ per year depending on the visa length and whether family members are included
Processing Times
Subclass 485 processing times as of 2025 are as follows:
- 50% of applications: within 21 days
- 75% of applications: within 49 days
- 90% of applications: within 6 to 8 months
- Complex cases involving health or character checks can take significantly longer
- You may be granted a Bridging Visa A while your application is being processed, allowing you to remain in Australia legally
Maximising Your Subclass 485 Visa
The Subclass 485 visa is more than just a work authorization document — it is a strategic asset on your path to building a career in Australia or progressing toward permanent residency. Here is how to make the most of it.
- Start your job search at least 3 months before graduation — do not wait for the visa to be granted
- Target employers who sponsor skilled workers, as this can lead to employer-sponsored permanent residency (e.g., Subclass 482 or 186 visas)
- Build your Australian professional network during your studies — attend industry events, LinkedIn connections, and alumni meetups
- Register with the Australian Skills Recognition Information (ASRI) database to understand how your qualification translates in the Australian job market
- If you studied in a regional area, take advantage of the additional 2-year visa duration by exploring career opportunities in regional Australia
- Work with a registered migration agent to plan your next visa step before the 485 expires — popular options include the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189), Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190), or employer-sponsored pathways
FAQs
Q: Can I apply for the Subclass 485 from outside Australia?
A: No. You must be in Australia when you apply for the Subclass 485 visa. You must also have been in Australia on a student visa for at least two years (or a shorter period for some Graduate Work Stream applicants).
Q: Can I travel outside Australia on the Subclass 485?
A: Yes. The Subclass 485 is a multiple-entry visa, meaning you can travel in and out of Australia freely during the validity period.
Q: Does the Subclass 485 lead to permanent residency?
A: The visa itself does not grant permanent residency, but it is a common stepping stone. Work experience gained on the 485 can count toward points-based skilled migration visas such as the Subclass 189 or 190, and it gives time to secure employer sponsorship.
Q: What if my employer wants to sponsor me to stay permanently?
A: If your employer is willing to sponsor you, they may be able to nominate you for a Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa (Subclass 482) or Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186). Work with a registered migration agent to understand your options.
Q: Does studying in regional Australia actually make a difference to the visa duration?
A: Yes, significantly. For a Master’s degree, studying in regional Australia adds 2 extra years to the Post-Study Work Stream duration — giving you 5 years instead of 3. Check the Department of Home Affairs list of designated regional areas to confirm your institution’s campus qualifies.
Conclusion
The Australia Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) is one of the most generous post-study work visas in the world. With up to 6 years of stay and full work rights, it gives international graduates a real opportunity to build careers, gain skilled work experience, and work toward permanent residency in Australia. Apply within your six-month window, prepare your documents carefully, and use the time strategically to lay the groundwork for your long-term future in Australia or back home with invaluable international experience.
