Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) — Australian graduate temporary work visa guide
A plain-language summary of the two streams, requirements, and process of the subclass 485 temporary work visa, which lets international students who graduate in Australia work locally and prepare for their next step.
Visa overview — what is subclass 485?
The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) is a temporary visa that lets international students who have completed a CRICOS-registered course in Australia stay and work in the country legally after graduating. It serves as a "stepping stone" for building local experience right after graduation and preparing for the next step, such as skilled migration (permanent residence). It is broadly divided into two streams, and which stream you apply under depends on the course you completed. Details such as the age limit, English, and stay period changed significantly in 2024–2025, so before you apply, always check the latest Department of Home Affairs guidance.
Telling the two streams apart
The Post-Higher Education Work stream (formerly Post-Study Work stream) is for graduates of higher education degrees such as bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. The Post-Vocational Education Work stream (formerly Graduate Work stream) is for people who have completed TAFE or vocational education (such as a diploma or trade) and requires a skills assessment for a nominated occupation. The stream names changed in the 2024 reforms, so don't get confused by the old names in outdated materials.
The application process and core requirements
The 485 visa is generally an online application made from within Australia through ImmiAccount. You must hold a valid visa (usually a student visa) at the time of application, and you must apply within 6 months of the day you met the Australian Study Requirement. The common requirements include an age limit, English ability, adequate health insurance (such as OVHC), and health and character (police clearance) requirements, with a degree or skills assessment added depending on the stream.
What is the Australian Study Requirement?
This is the backbone of the core eligibility. You must complete a CRICOS-registered course in Australia, and under the rules you must study at least 2 academic years' worth = 92 weeks in English, over at least 16 calendar months. Online or overseas study, among others, may be limited in how much counts, so confirm the detailed calculation against the official standards.
- Hold a valid visa and apply within 6 months of graduating (the day you met the Australian Study Requirement)
What to prepare and the eligibility criteria
Gathering your documents in advance can reduce processing delays. Typically you will need proof of study completion (Completion Letter and transcripts), proof of English ability, identity and passport documents, your health insurance certificate, and police clearance documents if required. If you are in the Post-Vocational Education Work stream, the result of a skills assessment from a designated assessing authority is additionally required.
- Proof of study: Completion Letter and transcripts, CRICOS course information
- Proof of English: an approved test score or grounds for an exemption (confirm requirements and validity officially)
- Health insurance (OVHC) certificate, plus preparing identity (police clearance) and health checks (where applicable)
Types by your situation (streams and cases)
Seeing which type your situation is closest to makes it easier to set your direction. Below are four common cases; the stream and period that actually apply will differ depending on your degree and where you live.
People who have completed a higher education degree fall under the Post-Higher Education Work stream. The stay period granted differs by type of degree, so confirm the latest duration officially.
People who have completed a vocational education qualification fall under the Post-Vocational Education Work stream, and passing a skills assessment for a nominated occupation is the key condition.
If you studied and lived in a designated regional area, there is a pathway to apply for an additional stay via the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream. The period differs depending on the regional classification.
Hong Kong and British National Overseas (BNO) passport holders can apply while under 50 years of age and get a longer stay of 5 years (checked July 2026). Indian nationals get extended stay periods for some degrees under the AI-ECTA agreement. Confirm whether these apply to you against the official standards.
Pre-application checklist (step-by-step tips)
For an application, timing and document consistency are what matter. Checking in the order below can reduce mistakes.
- Check your expected graduation date together with your current visa's expiry date — don't miss the 6-month application window.
- For documents that have a validity period, such as English and health insurance, adjust the timing so they are valid at the time of application.
- If you are in the vocational education stream, start your skills assessment early (it can take several weeks to several months to process).
Common mistakes and things to watch out for
Below are mistakes that happen often. Knowing them in advance can lower your risk of refusal or delay.
- Missing the 6-month application deadline — miscalculating from the graduation (requirement-met) date.
- Mistaking old stream names and outdated figures for current information (the 2024–2025 reforms need to be reflected).
- Missing secondary requirements, such as not having health insurance (OVHC) or insufficient coverage.
485 visa requirements at a glance (as of July 2026)
If you search for "485 visa requirements", results often mix in pre-reform figures. The table below reflects the Department of Home Affairs official pages as checked in July 2026 (centred on the Post-Higher Education Work stream). The criteria can change again, so re-confirm on the official pages right before you apply.
| Requirement | Current standard (checked July 2026) |
|---|---|
| Age | 35 years of age or under when you apply. Exceptions: (1) you are using a Masters (research) or Doctoral (PhD) degree to meet the study requirement, or (2) you hold a Hong Kong or BNO passport — in these cases you can apply while under 50 |
| English | IELTS (Academic or General Training) overall 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component (for tests taken on or after 7 August 2025), taken in the 12 months immediately before you apply. Equivalent scores in other approved tests (e.g. PTE Academic 55, TOEFL iBT 81) are accepted. Hong Kong/BNO passports: overall 6.0 with 5.0 in each component. Holders of UK, US, Canadian, New Zealand and Irish passports are exempt |
| Study | An eligible degree from a CRICOS-registered course, awarded in the 6 months immediately before the day you apply, plus the Australian Study Requirement of 2 academic years (92 weeks) over at least 16 calendar months in Australia |
Stay periods by stream, application fees and processing times (as of July 2026)
The stay period granted is determined by your stream and the level of your qualification. The figures below are from the Department of Home Affairs official pages (checked July 2026).
| Stream / qualification | Stay period |
|---|---|
| Post-Higher Education Work — bachelor (incl. honours) and coursework/extended masters | 2 years |
| Post-Higher Education Work — research masters and doctoral (PhD) | 3 years |
| Post-Vocational Education Work (TAFE / vocational education) | Up to 18 months |
| Second Post-Higher Education Work (regional second visa) | 1–2 years depending on regional classification (requires 2 years' residence in a designated regional area beforehand) |
| Hong Kong / BNO passport holders (both first-visa streams) |
Useful official links
- Department of Home Affairs — Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485)(opens in a new window)
The most accurate primary source for the visa overview, requirements, streams, and stay periods. Confirm based on the time of your application.
- OMARA — Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority(opens in a new window)
The official body where you can check whether a migration agent is registered and find a registered migration agent.
- Trades Recognition Australia (TRA)(opens in a new window)