Temporary Graduate Visa
Subclass 485
Stay and work in Australia temporarily after completing your studies.
Gain work experience and explore career opportunities while transitioning from student to professional life.
Live and Work in Australia
The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) enables graduates to stay in Australia (including major cities such as Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, and Reservoir) after completing their studies. This visa can only be accessed once as a primary applicant.
Streams Available Under the Temporary Graduate Visa
The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) offers the following streams:
- Graduate Work Stream
- Post-Study Work Stream
If you are applying as the main applicant, you and any included family members must be physically present in Australia at the time of application and when the visa decision is made.
Highlights
The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) includes two main pathways:
- Graduate Work Stream
- For graduates with skills and qualifications aligned with occupations on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL).
- The visa is valid for 18 months from the date of grant.
- Graduates with an Australian trade qualification working in their nominated occupation may complete the TRA Job Ready Program to obtain a full skills assessment within the 18-month period.
- Other graduates may complete a Professional Year Program or gain one year of relevant work experience to qualify for a skills assessment through the relevant authority.
- Post-Study Work Stream
- Available to international students with higher education qualifications from an Australian institution, regardless of field of study.
- Visa duration depends on the qualification level completed:
- 2 years: Bachelor’s Degree, Bachelor (Honours), Master’s by Coursework, or Master’s (Extended)
- 3 years: Master’s by Research
- 4 years: Doctorate (PhD)
Key Eligibility Requirements
English Language
- You may be exempt from English testing if you hold a valid passport from an eligible country. Otherwise, you must provide results from one of the following approved tests taken within the specified timeframe:
- IELTS: Overall score of 6.0, with no band lower than 5.0
- Occupational English Test (OET): Minimum grade ‘B’ in each component
- TOEFL iBT: Total score of at least 64, meeting minimum component scores
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic: Overall score of 50, minimum 36 in each component
- Cambridge English (CAE): Overall score of 169, with at least 154 in each component
Immigration Status
- Must hold a valid student visa or another eligible visa at the time of application.
Australian Study Requirement
- Must meet the two-year Australian study requirement and complete an eligible qualification within six months before applying.
Health
- Medical examinations may be required based on individual circumstances. Adequate health insurance is mandatory unless covered under a reciprocal health care agreement.
Police Check
- Evidence of character clearance is required, including an Australian Federal Police (AFP) certificate issued within the last 12 months. Additional overseas police checks may be requested.
Age
- Applicants must be under 50 years of age.
Document Checklist
- Passport – bio-data pages
- Australian student visa and previous visa grant notices
- Birth certificate showing both parents’ names
- Passport-sized photograph
- Name change certificate (if applicable)
- Evidence of relationship (if applicable)
- AFP National Police Check
- Overseas Police Clearance (if requested)
- Visa medical examination results
- English language test results – IELTS, TOEFL iBT, or PTE Academic
- Health insurance covering the 485 visa duration
- Australian qualification documents – completion letters, academic transcripts, start and end dates
Visa Duration
Graduate Work Stream: Visa valid for up to 18 months.
Post-Study Work Stream: Visa valid for 2 to 4 years, depending on your qualification level (e.g., Bachelor’s degree = 2 years; PhD = 4 years).
Important Notes
This is a temporary visa and does not provide a direct pathway to permanent residency.
You may be eligible to apply for permanent residency later through other visa programs, such as General Skilled Migration (Subclass 189, 190, or 491), if you meet those visa requirements.
Make sure to apply for this visa within 6 months of completing your eligible qualification.
The Graduate Work Stream may require you to complete additional assessments or programs (such as the TRA Job Ready Program for trade occupations), but holding this visa does not guarantee a successful skills assessment for permanent migration purposes.
Visa conditions may change; always consult an experienced migration agent or the official Department of Home Affairs website for the latest information.
FAQs About
Temporary Graduate Visa Subclass 485
What is a Temporary Graduate Visa in Australia?
The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) allows international students who have completed their studies in Australia to remain in the country temporarily, giving them the opportunity to live, work, and continue further studies if they choose.
How long can you stay in Australia with a graduate visa?
The length of stay under the Subclass 485 visa ranges from 18 months to 4 years. The duration you are granted depends on the visa stream you apply for and the level of qualification you have completed.
Can you apply for permanent residency after a Temporary Graduate Visa?
Yes, holders of the Temporary Graduate Visa may apply for permanent residency in Australia, provided they meet the relevant eligibility criteria for the pathway they choose.
Can I extend my Temporary Graduate Visa?
No, the Temporary Graduate Visa cannot be extended. However, you may apply for another visa if you meet the requirements for that specific visa category.
How many times can you obtain the Graduate Visa?
You can access the Temporary Graduate Visa only once as a primary applicant. This limitation applies regardless of the qualification you complete.
