Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485)

Home | Study Abroad | Visa Application | Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485)

Temporary Graduate Visa Subclass 485

The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) lets eligible international graduates stay in Australia temporarily after completing their studies. Depending on your qualification and circumstances, you may be able to work and continue gaining experience in Australia while you plan your next step.

There are different 485 visa streams for graduates with vocational and higher education qualifications, so the right stream will depend on your individual circumstances.

Eligibility for the 485 Visa

You may be eligible for a Temporary Graduate visa if you have recently completed an eligible Australian qualification while holding or recently holding a Student visa subclass 500（澳洲学生签证）.

For most applicants, the main requirements include:

Be aged 35 years or under when applying, unless an exception applies

Hold an eligible visa and have held a Student visa within the previous 6 months

Have recently completed an eligible CRICOS-registered course

Meet the Australian study requirement

Apply under the correct 485 stream

Meet the applicable English language requirement

Have adequate health insurance

Meet health and character requirements

Masters by research and PhD graduates, as well as eligible Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) passport holders, can qualify for an age exception allowing them to apply under 50.

For students who are still planning their Australian study pathway（澳洲留学）, the qualification level and course completed can affect which 485 stream may be available after graduation. For example, vocational qualifications and degree-level qualifications are assessed under different streams.

Eligibility for the 485 Visa

Post-Vocational Education Work Stream

This stream is mainly for graduates with an associate degree, diploma or trade qualification that is relevant to an eligible skilled occupation.

You generally need to:

nominate an eligible occupation
hold a qualification relevant to that occupation
apply for a suitable skills assessment through the relevant assessing authority

You must provide evidence that you have at least applied for the required skills assessment when lodging the visa application. If you are unsure which assessment applies, see our skills assessment（职业评估）service.

Stay : Up to 18 months for most applicants.

Post-Higher Education Work Stream

This stream is for international graduates who have completed an eligible degree-level qualification or higher, such as a Bachelor, Masters or PhD.

Unlike the Post-Vocational Education Work stream, you do not need to nominate a skilled occupation or obtain a skills assessment for this stream.

For most applicants, the current stay periods are:

Bachelor Degree: 2 years
Masters by coursework or extended Masters: 2 years
Masters by research: 3 years
Doctoral Degree / PhD: 3 years

Different arrangements apply to some Indian nationals under the Australia-India ECTA and to eligible Hong Kong or British National (Overseas) passport holders.

Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream

This stream may provide an additional 1 or 2 years for eligible graduates who studied and then lived in a designated regional area.

You generally need to have:

held an eligible first Temporary Graduate visa
completed the degree that led to your first 485 at an eligible regional institution
lived in an eligible designated regional area for at least 2 years immediately before applying

The additional stay period depends on where you studied and lived.

485 Visa English Requirements

For most applicants applying under the Post-Vocational Education Work or Post-Higher Education Work stream, English evidence must normally be from a test taken within 1 year before the visa application.

For an IELTS test under the current rules, the requirement is:

overall score of at least 6.5
at least 5.5 in each component

Other approved tests, including PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, OET, CELPIP General, LANGUAGECERT Academic and MET, have their own equivalent scores.

Applicants holding passports from Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, the United Kingdom or the United States are exempt from the English test requirement.

Because approved tests and score conversions changed from 7 August 2025, make sure you check the rules that apply to the date of your test before lodging.

Do I Need a Skills Assessment for a 485 Visa?

It depends on the stream.

Post-Vocational Education Work: Yes. You need an eligible nominated occupation and the relevant skills assessment.

Post-Higher Education Work: No. A skills assessment is not required to support the 485 application.

This distinction is important because applying under the wrong stream cannot simply be corrected by changing streams after lodgement. Home Affairs requires applicants to apply under the stream they are eligible for.

485 Visa Application Process

The application is lodged online through ImmiAccount.

Before applying:

Confirm which 485 stream applies to your qualification

Check your age, Student visa history and Australian study requirement

Complete the required English test

Obtain or apply for a skills assessment if required

Prepare your qualification, identity, health insurance and supporting documents

Lodge the application and pay the Visa Application Charge

Do not leave the application until after your eligibility window has passed. If you are approaching the end of your Student visa, check your 485 eligibility early.

485 Visa Cost and Processing Time

The Visa Application Charge depends on the stream, family members included and any applicable concessions. Visa charges changed again from 1 July 2026, so applicants should check the current Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator immediately before lodging rather than relying on an older figure published online. Processing times also change throughout the year. Home Affairs recommends using its current Visa Processing Time Guide for recently decided applications. A complete application with the required evidence attached can help avoid unnecessary delays.

Can I Work Full-Time on a 485 Visa?

Yes. Temporary Graduate visa holders can generally work in Australia without the work-hour restrictions that apply to Student visa holders. This gives graduates time to gain professional experience and prepare for their next visa pathway. Home Affairs also notes that Temporary Graduate visa holders can work without employer sponsorship while the 485 remains valid.

Can I Include My Family?

Yes. Eligible members of your family unit can be included in a 485 application. Family members generally need to meet the relevant health and character requirements. In certain circumstances, family members can also apply later as subsequent entrants. If your relationship or family circumstances have changed since your Student visa application, make sure the correct evidence is prepared before lodging.

What Can I Do After My 485 Visa?

A 485 visa is temporary, so it is useful to start planning your next step before it expires.

Depending on your occupation, skills, employment and points, possible pathways may include:

Skilled Nominated subclass 190（190签证）
Skilled Work Regional subclass 491（491签证）
employer sponsorship through the Skills in Demand subclass 482

A 485 visa itself does not automatically lead to permanent residence. Your next pathway will depend on factors such as your occupation, skills assessment, English, work experience, points and employer or state nomination options.

It is usually better to review these options early rather than waiting until the final months of your 485 visa.