Temporary Graduate visa
This Temporary Graduate Visa Sublclass 485 enables you to temporarily reside, study, and work in Australia. With this visa, your family is welcome to accompany you. Some specific requirements will apply.
Explore the opportunities of the Subclass 485 visa, also known as the Graduate Visa, in Australia. If you are an international student who has successfully completed your studies in Australia and meets the requirements set by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA), you may be eligible to apply for this visa.
The 485 visa offers full-time work rights, allowing you
to gain valuable professional experience in your field of study. The duration
of this graduate visa typically ranges from 18 months to 5 years, depending on
your qualification. Don’t miss out on the chance to extend your stay and
kickstart your career in Australia. Apply for the 485 visa today and embark on
a rewarding post-graduate journey.
Eligibility requirements
- You must be 35 years old or younger at the time of application (exceptions may apply).
- You must be in Australia when submitting your visa application.
- You should hold an eligible visa at the time of application.
- You must have held a student visa within the last 6 months.
- Your qualifications must be relevant to an occupation listed on the Skilled Occupation List.
- You need to have applied for a skills assessment in your nominated occupation.
- You must provide proof of adequate health insurance for all applicants at the time of application.
- Evidence of applying for an Australian Federal Police check must be submitted to meet character requirements.
- You need to demonstrate the required level of English proficiency when applying.
Step 1
Send us your current visa grant and your time availability for a consultation
step 2
Book your FREE initial consultation and prepare all your questions
step 3
After consultation send us all your documents to lodge your visa
Step 4
Receive your visa grant
Streams under Temporary Graduate Visa
For international students who just received their degree from an Australian university
The Graduate Work 485 Visa is a temporary 18-month visa tailored for international students who have successfully completed at least two academic years of study in Australia. It is a great option for students wishing to extend their stay and explore pathways towards permanent residency, whether through General Skilled Migration or employer sponsorship.
With a validity period of 18 months from the date of grant, this visa grants full rights to work and study, as well as unrestricted travel to and from Australia.
To qualify, applicants must nominate an occupation from the Skilled Visa Occupation List, specifically those listed under the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
Currently, the processing time for complete applications for the 485 visa ranges from 2 to 3 months.
For overseas students who have just graduated and possess the knowledge and credentials necessary to fill certain jobs in Australia.
The government has decided to prolong the post-study work rights for eligible international graduates with specific qualifications under the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485). The extension varies based on the degree obtained:
- Bachelor degrees will now have a post-study work right of four years, up from two.
- Masters degrees in areas with verified skill shortages will see an increase from three to five years.
- Doctoral qualifications will have their post-study work rights extended from four to six years.
This visa is ideal for students who wish to remain in Australia after completing their studies and pursue pathways like permanent residency through General Skilled Migration or employer sponsorship. Unlike other visas, the Post Study Work Visa does not require applicants to specialize in occupations listed on the skilled occupation list, provided their studies meet the necessary academic level.
One key benefit is that a skills assessment is not required for this visa. Additionally, the Post Study Work Visa provides full work and study rights, as well as unlimited travel in and out of Australia during the visa’s validity period. Current processing times for complete 485 visa applications are typically between 2 to 3 months.
This stream is available to those who received their degree from an Australian university in a regional area and currently hold a Temporary Graduate visa (first Post-Study Work stream or Replacement stream).
Current and previous Temporary Graduate visa holders who ran out of time on their first visa owing to COVID-19 travel limitations are eligible for this visa.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
You must apply for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) within 6 months of your course completion date, not your graduation ceremony.
Course completion is when your education provider notifies you in writing that you’ve met the course requirements. It’s recommended to apply as soon as possible after receiving this confirmation to allow time for processing and avoid missing the eligibility window.
Generally, you can apply for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) only once as a primary applicant. However, if you were previously granted a 485 visa under the Graduate Work stream, you may be eligible to apply again under the Post-Study Work stream, provided you meet the requirements (such as holding a recent Australian degree).
Yes, holding a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) can be a valuable step toward obtaining Permanent Residency (PR) in Australia. While the 485 visa itself is not a direct PR pathway, it gives you the opportunity to:
Gain relevant Australian work experience
Improve your points score for a skilled visa
Be nominated by an employer for employer-sponsored visas (e.g., 186 or 482)
Be nominated by a state or territory for skilled migration (e.g., subclass 190 or 491)
The processing time for a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) varies depending on the stream and individual circumstances. As a general guide:
Graduate Work Stream: Around 6 to 9 months
Post-Study Work Stream: Around 5 to 7 months
Factors that may affect processing time include the completeness of your application, whether health checks or additional documents are needed, and the current Department of Home Affairs workload. To avoid delays, make sure your application is fully prepared with all required documents.