Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485) Visa

Key Streams and Pathways

The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) provides eligible international graduates with an opportunity to temporarily live, work and study in Australia after completing eligible Australian studies.

The current Temporary Graduate visa structure includes two main streams:

Post-Vocational Education Work Stream

The Post-Vocational Education Work stream is generally designed for eligible graduates who have completed an associate degree, diploma or trade qualification and whose qualification and occupation meet the applicable requirements.

The nominated occupation must satisfy the relevant occupation requirements for this stream, and the applicant may also need to meet applicable skills assessment requirements.

Post-Higher Education Work Stream

The Post-Higher Education Work stream is designed for eligible international graduates who have completed an eligible degree-level qualification from an Australian education provider.

Eligible qualifications can include:

• Bachelor degree

• Bachelor honours degree

• Masters degree

• Masters by research

• Doctoral degree

• Other eligible degree-level qualifications

The qualification generally does not need to be related to a specific occupation for this stream, subject to the applicable visa requirements.

Replacement Stream

The Replacement stream is no longer open to new primary applicants. Applications for this stream closed on 1 July 2024. It should therefore not be presented as a current Subclass 485 pathway for new applicants.

Core Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility requirements depend on the Subclass 485 stream, but applicants generally need to satisfy requirements relating to their Australian study, visa status, age, English language ability, health, character and insurance.

Age Requirement

For most applicants, the current age requirement is 35 years or under when applying.

An applicant may be eligible at up to 49 years of age in certain circumstances, including applicants using a Masters by research or doctoral degree to meet the study requirement and eligible Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders.

Australian Study Requirement

Applicants generally need to have completed eligible Australian study that satisfies the Temporary Graduate visa study requirement.

For the Post-Higher Education Work stream, the qualification must be an eligible degree from an Australian education provider registered on CRICOS.

Applicants must generally have completed their course within the required period before applying.

English Language Requirement

Applicants generally need to provide evidence of the required level of English unless an applicable exemption applies.

For tests taken from 7 August 2025, the current standard English requirement for the Temporary Graduate visa includes an overall IELTS 6.5 or equivalent, with minimum component scores applying.

The Department generally requires the English test evidence to have been obtained within the 12 months immediately before the visa application.

Different requirements apply to eligible Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders.

Health and Character

Applicants and relevant family members must satisfy Australia's health and character requirements.

Applicants may also need to provide evidence that they have applied for an Australian Federal Police check where required.

Health Insurance

Applicants must provide evidence of adequate health insurance and maintain appropriate health insurance during their stay in Australia.

Temporary Graduate Visa Study Requirement

The Australian Study Requirement is an important part of the Subclass 485 application.

Applicants must generally have completed eligible study in Australia that meets the prescribed study requirements.

For the Post-Higher Education Work stream, the completed qualification must be an eligible degree and must have been awarded within the required period before applying.

The course must have been completed with an Australian education provider registered on CRICOS.

Visa Duration and Post-Study Work Rights

The length of stay under the Subclass 485 visa depends on the stream, qualification and the applicant's circumstances.

For the Post-Higher Education Work stream, current standard stay periods include:

• Bachelor degree, including honours: 2 years

• Masters by coursework or extended: 2 years

• Masters by research: 3 years

• Doctoral degree: 3 years

There are special stay arrangements for certain passport holders.

For eligible Indian nationals under the Australia–India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement, the current arrangements include:

• Bachelor degree, including honours: 2 years

• Bachelor degree with first-class honours in STEM, including ICT: 3 years

• Masters degree: 3 years

• Doctoral degree: 4 years

Eligible Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders may be able to stay for up to 5 years.

Work Rights on Subclass 485

The Temporary Graduate visa allows eligible holders to live, work and study temporarily in Australia during the visa period.

Unlike an employer-sponsored visa, the Post-Higher Education Work stream does not require the graduate to have a sponsoring employer. Visa holders generally need to find their own employment.

The exact conditions attached to the visa should always be checked through the visa grant information and VEVO.

Family Members

Eligible family members may be included in a Subclass 485 application or may be able to apply as subsequent entrants, subject to the applicable requirements.

Family members must satisfy the relevant visa criteria, including health, character and other applicable requirements.

Temporary Graduate Visa and Future Migration

The Subclass 485 visa is a temporary visa and does not automatically lead to permanent residency.

However, the Australian work experience gained after graduation may help some graduates explore future migration options, depending on their occupation, qualifications, employment and circumstances.

Potential future pathways may include:

• Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)

• Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186)

• Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)

• Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)

• Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491)

• Other applicable employer-sponsored or skilled migration pathways

Eligibility for another visa must be assessed separately. Holding a Subclass 485 visa does not guarantee eligibility for permanent residency.

Regional Study and Further Temporary Graduate Options

Eligible graduates who meet the relevant requirements may be able to access a Second Post-Higher Education Work visa where their first qualifying Temporary Graduate visa was granted on the basis of eligible study with an Australian education provider located in a designated regional area and they meet the applicable regional residence requirements.

Regional migration planning can therefore be an important consideration for graduates who are interested in building their career outside Australia's major metropolitan areas.

Important Documents

Depending on your circumstances and stream, documents may include:

• Valid passport

• Evidence of Australian study

• Qualification documents

• Evidence of course completion

• Academic transcripts

• English language evidence

• Health insurance evidence

• Australian Federal Police check evidence

• Identity documents

• Relationship documents for family members

• Skills assessment evidence where applicable

• Other documents requested by the Department

Documents that are not in English generally need to be translated according to the Department's requirements.

Applying for the Subclass 485 Visa

The application process generally involves:

Step 1 – Confirm your stream
Determine whether the Post-Vocational Education Work stream or Post-Higher Education Work stream applies to your circumstances.

Step 2 – Check your study requirements
Confirm that your Australian qualification and study history satisfy the applicable Temporary Graduate visa requirements.

Step 3 – Check your visa eligibility
Review age, visa status, English, health, character and insurance requirements.

Step 4 – Prepare supporting documents
Collect your qualification, study, English, identity, insurance and other required documents.

Step 5 – Lodge the application
Submit the application online through ImmiAccount within the applicable timeframe.

Step 6 – Respond to requests
Provide additional information or documents if requested by the Department.

Step 7 – Visa decision
The Department assesses the application against the applicable legislation and visa criteria.

Plan Your Post-Study Migration Pathway

The Temporary Graduate visa can provide international graduates with valuable time to work, gain Australian experience and plan their next stage of migration.

However, the Subclass 485 rules are detailed and can differ depending on your qualification, stream, age, passport, study history and future migration plans.

The Visa can assist with:

• Subclass 485 eligibility assessment

• Stream selection

• Australian Study Requirement guidance

• English language requirement guidance

• Document preparation

• Post-study work pathway planning

• Skilled migration assessment

• Employer-sponsored pathway assessment

• Regional migration planning

• Potential permanent residency pathway assessment

If you have recently completed your studies in Australia and are considering your next migration step, contact The Visa to discuss your circumstances and potential options.