Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) After Study

After completing a course of study in Australia, many international students want to stay on to build work experience. The graduate visa (Temporary Graduate visa, subclass 485) is a temporary visa designed for this stage. This article explains the visa’s streams, the Australian study requirement, what the visa allows you to do — and why it is temporary and does not automatically lead to permanent residence.

What this visa is for

The subclass 485 visa allows international students to stay and work in Australia for a period after completing eligible study. Its purpose is to create space for new graduates to build work experience, strengthen their English in a professional environment, and build a foundation for the next steps.

The 485 visa has different streams. According to the official Home Affairs source (checked 12/06/2026), the two main streams currently are the Post-Vocational Education Work stream (for people who have completed an associate degree, diploma or trade qualification relating to an occupation Australia needs) and the Post-Higher Education Work stream (for eligible people who have completed a higher education degree or above). The names, number and scope of the streams may be adjusted over time; check the current stream structure on the Home Affairs source to see which stream applies to you.

The core point to remember: the 485 visa is a temporary visa, not a permanent (PR) visa, and it does not automatically convert into PR when it expires.

Who tends to be interested in this visa?

International students who have just completed a course in Australia and want to stay on to work.
People who want to gain work experience in Australia to strengthen their profile for later skilled visas.
People who need time to finish their English score, skills assessment, or to find a sponsoring employer.
People who want to experience the Australian work environment before deciding on long-term plans.

Who should not misunderstand this visa?

The 485 visa is not PR and does not guarantee PR. It only opens up a period of temporary work.
The 485 visa does not automatically extend or convert into another visa; each subsequent visa is a separate process with independent conditions.
Do not assume that finishing study in Australia automatically makes you eligible for the 485 — there are specific requirements about study in Australia and about the timing of the application.

Key conditions to look at

The key conditions for the 485 visa usually include:

Australian study requirement: you need to have completed a certain amount of study in Australia, at a CRICOS-registered provider, within a certain timeframe. The length and how this study amount is calculated change with the rules; confirm the current requirement for your stream.
Eligible course and qualification: depending on the stream, your qualification or occupation must meet its own criteria (for example, relating to an occupation on the skills list, or belonging to a particular qualification group).
Age: there is usually an age limit to apply. The age threshold may change over time; check the figure that currently applies.
English: you usually need a certain level of English, demonstrated through a recognised test or an exemption. The score and accepted tests change with the rules; confirm the current requirement.
Eligible current visa: you usually need to hold, or have recently held, an eligible visa (such as a student visa).
Timing of application: there is usually a set timeframe after completing study within which to lodge the 485.
Health and character: you may need a health examination and to meet the character requirement; some streams may require additional evidence such as a skills assessment.

Evidence you usually need to prepare

Graduation certificate and transcript; confirmation of completion of the course.
Evidence of meeting the Australian study requirement (CRICOS course, study duration).
English evidence.
Current visa documents and visa history.
A skills assessment if the stream requires it.
Suitable health insurance if required.
Passport and identity documents; documents for accompanying members if any.
Health examination results and character documents when required.

The specific list depends on the stream and circumstances; cross-check against the official guidance.

General process

Identify the right stream and check that you meet the Australian study requirement.
Prepare evidence of graduation, English, and (if needed) a skills assessment.
Lodge the 485 online through ImmiAccount within the permitted timeframe after completing study.
Complete the health examination and provide biometric information if required.
Wait for the outcome; provide additional documents when Home Affairs requests them.

The sequence and detailed requirements may change, so follow the current guidance.

Fees, processing times, validity and visa conditions

This is a set of information that changes frequently, so this article does not state specific figures.

Fees: the 485 visa has an application charge, and there may be additional charges for accompanying members along with other costs (health examination, skills assessment, translation). The fee is adjusted over time; for the closest estimate, use the Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator (https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/visa-pricing-estimator), select your exact subclass and stream and declare any accompanying dependants. Note that this tool may not include every other incidental cost, so treat it as a reference figure.
Processing times: processing varies by stream, completeness of the application, and volume of applications. The estimated figures are updated periodically; look them up on the Home Affairs Visa Processing Times page (https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-processing-times) — this page is updated monthly — and match it to your exact subclass, stream and circumstances.
Visa validity: the validity of the 485 visa usually varies by stream and by type of qualification. How it is calculated and the maximum length change with the rules; confirm the validity that applies to your case.
Visa conditions: the 485 visa generally allows work, but may still come with conditions you must comply with. The specific conditions and entitlements change over time; when you check the Home Affairs source, confirm the conditions that apply correctly to your visa and circumstances.

Risk of refusal

Not meeting the Australian study requirement, or the course not being eligible.
Lodging outside the permitted timeframe after completing study.
Not meeting the English, age, health or character requirements.
Missing a skills assessment when the stream requires it.
Declared information that is inconsistent or not truthful.

The rules and how things are assessed may change; cross-check against the current official guidance.

Common mistakes

Treating the 485 visa as “automatic PR afterwards”, rather than a temporary stage to be used well.
Missing the lodging deadline after graduating.
Choosing the wrong stream or not checking the specific requirements of each stream.
Not preparing early for the time-consuming steps (English, skills assessment).
Relying on the experience of past applicants instead of checking the current rules, because the policy may have changed.

When to ask an RMA

If you are planning a PR path from the 485 visa, this is a good time to consult an OMARA-registered migration agent (Registered Migration Agent). The reason: the strategy after the 485 depends on many variables (occupation, EOI points, sponsorship status, changing rules) that reading general information is not enough to assess. An RMA cannot guarantee an outcome, but can help you identify realistic options and prepare appropriately. This article is not individual advice.

See also: When a visa issue is beyond reading general information.

Self-check before reading on

Have you identified which stream of the 485 visa you fall into?
Does your study meet the Australian study requirement under the current rules?
Are you still within the lodging timeframe after graduating?
Do you understand that the 485 visa is temporary and does not automatically lead to PR?

Official sources

The official page on the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) of the Department of Home Affairs: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/temporary-graduate-485
Visa Pricing Estimator (fee estimate by subclass and stream): https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/visa-pricing-estimator
Visa Processing Times (processing times, updated monthly): https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-processing-times

These are the up-to-date sources for every figure, age, validity and current condition.

The 485 visa is a stage in the journey, not the end point. Making the most of this stage requires understanding both the visa’s conditions and the next path. The rules change frequently; check immi.homeaffairs.gov.au and consult an OMARA-registered RMA before making important decisions.

Last updated: 12/06/2026. Migration rules change frequently — always check the official source before lodging.