Temporary Graduate Visa
The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) lets recent graduates of an Australian qualification live, work and study here temporarily after their studies finish. Which stream fits you - and how long you can stay - depends on what you studied and where.
The 485 isn't one visa with one set of rules. The Post-Vocational Education Work stream is for eligible associate degree, diploma and trade qualification graduates whose qualification is closely related to an in-demand occupation. The Post-Higher Education Work stream is for bachelor, masters and doctoral graduates, regardless of field of study. Each stream has its own qualifying course requirements and its own stay period.
A further Second Post-Higher Education Work stream lets some existing 485 holders who studied - and continue to live - in a regional area apply for extra time on top of their first grant. We help you work out which stream you actually qualify for and put together the evidence the Department expects to see.
Health cover is a visa condition
Condition 8501 requires 485 holders to maintain adequate health insurance for as long as they hold the visa - not just when they apply.
Planning a Professional Year?Some Professional Year programs are limited to 485 visa holders or certain bridging-visa holders connected to an eligible application. Holding a 485 doesn't automatically qualify you - the professional body sets its own rules.Explore Professional Year options
Key facts
- Subclass
- 485
- Streams
- Post-Vocational Education Work · Post-Higher Education Work · Second Post-Higher Education Work
- Stay period
- 18 months to 3 years, by stream and qualification (up to 5 years for eligible Hong Kong/BNO passport holders)
- Age limit
- 35 or younger at application (under 50 for Hong Kong/BNO passport holders, or a masters by research or doctorate)
- Location
- Generally you must be in Australia, outside immigration clearance, when you apply
- English
- IELTS 6.5 overall / 5.5 each band, or an accepted equivalent, tested within 1 year of applying
Your visa options
There is usually more than one way forward. Here are the main pathways within temporary graduate visa.
Is this pathway right for you?
This may suit you if:
- You've recently completed an eligible degree, diploma, associate degree or trade qualification at an Australian institution
- You currently hold, or held within the last 6 months, an eligible student visa
- You're 35 or younger (or under 50 if you hold a Hong Kong or British National (Overseas) passport, or completed a masters by research or doctorate)
- You want genuine Australian work experience before considering a longer-term pathway
- Your qualification is closely related to your nominated occupation (Post-Vocational Education Work stream only)
- You already hold a 485 granted on the basis of regional study, and want to explore extra time (Second Post-Higher Education Work stream)
Why it's worth it
Broad work rights
Live, work and study in Australia for the length of your grant - most 485 holders have no restriction on the type or hours of work.
Family inclusion
Your partner and dependent children can generally be included as secondary applicants, subject to meeting the requirements.
Travel in and out
You can travel to and from Australia as often as you like while your visa remains valid.
A pathway builder
Australian work experience gained on a 485 can strengthen a later skilled or employer-sponsored application - though it's never a guaranteed pathway.
Genuine time to build experience
Stay periods run from 18 months up to 3 years (longer again in some regional or Hong Kong/BNO cases), giving real time to gain relevant experience.
Clarity on the right stream
We help you identify the stream you actually qualify for, and avoid a refusal caused by nominating the wrong one.
This may not be the right fit if…
- You're hoping for a visa that can simply be extended or renewed - the 485 generally cannot be extended, and lifetime grants are capped
- You haven't held, or recently held, a student visa, or your qualification doesn't meet the study and course-length requirements
- You're relying on the Replacement stream - it closed to new applications on 1 July 2024
- You're over the age limit for your circumstances (generally 35, under 50 in limited cases) and don't hold another eligible pathway
These are general pointers, not a determination about your case - book a consultation for advice specific to your situation.
General requirements
Every case is different, but you'll generally need to:
- Have completed the academic requirements for an eligible qualification at an Australian educational institution, in a registered course of at least 16 calendar months across at least 2 academic years, taught entirely in English
- Hold, or have held within the 6 months before applying, an eligible student visa (limited bridging or subsequent-visa scenarios are also recognised)
- Generally be in Australia, outside immigration clearance, when you apply
- Meet the English language requirement - unless you hold an exempt passport (Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, UK or USA), or your stream doesn't require it
- Have applied for an Australian Federal Police check in the 12 months before applying
- Arrange adequate health insurance before you apply, and maintain it for as long as you hold the visa - this is a mandatory visa condition, not just an application requirement
- Meet health and character requirements, and not already have reached the lifetime limit of 485 grants
Our step-by-step process
We keep things clear and calm, so you always know what's happening and what comes next.
Confirm your stream and qualification
We check which stream your course and qualification actually fit, including whether your occupation is on the current Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (Post-Vocational Education Work stream).
Arrange English and police checks
We help you book an accepted English test (unless you're exempt) and apply for your Australian Federal Police check in good time.
Arrange health insurance
You'll need adequate health insurance arranged before you apply, and maintained for as long as you hold the visa.
Prepare and lodge your application
We put together a complete, well-evidenced application addressing your specific stream's requirements.
Decision and next steps
We respond to any requests from the Department and explain your visa conditions and options once granted.
Documents you'll typically need
A general guide - we'll give you a tailored checklist for your situation.
- Passport and identity documents
- Evidence of your completed qualification and academic transcripts
- Confirmation of Enrolment history and evidence of your student visa
- English test results (unless exempt)
- Evidence of an Australian Federal Police check application
- Evidence of adequate health insurance arrangements
- Skills assessment evidence, for the Post-Vocational Education Work stream
- Health examinations, if required
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers to what people ask us most.
What's the difference between the two main streams?
How long can I stay?
Can I extend my 485 visa?
Do I need to be in Australia to apply?
How many times can I hold a 485 visa?
What happened to the Replacement stream?
Does a 485 visa lead to permanent residency?
This page is general information only, not migration or legal advice. Eligibility, streams, age limits, English requirements and visa application charges for the Subclass 485 visa are set by the Migration Act 1958 and Migration Regulations 1994 (Schedule 1 item 1229 and Schedule 2 Part 485), together with instruments made under them; stay periods and current charges are confirmed on the Department's own visa pages and can change at any time. Book a consultation for advice specific to your circumstances; we never guarantee a visa outcome, stay period or processing time.
Not sure which visa is right for you?
Answer a few plain-English questions and get a friendly, no-obligation summary of the pathways that may suit you. It only takes about two minutes.