Subclass 485 Post-Study Work Stream: Validity by Qualification
What is the Post-Study Work stream?
The Post-Study Work stream is the most common stream of the subclass 485, for students who have completed a Bachelor degree or above in Australia. It is the main route for international graduates to stay, work, and build their PR journey.
The key difference from the Graduate Work stream: the Post-Study Work stream does not require your occupation to be on an occupation list at the time of application — you can do any lawful work in Australia for the duration of the visa.
Visa validity by qualification
DHA sets the validity of the subclass 485 Post-Study Work stream as follows (as at June 2026 — check DHA for any more recent updates):
| Qualification completed in Australia | Validity |
|---|---|
| Bachelor / Bachelor Honours | 2 years |
| Diploma / Advanced Diploma combined with a Bachelor | 2 years |
| Graduate Certificate / Graduate Diploma | 2 years |
| Master by coursework | 2 years |
| Master by research | 3 years |
| Doctoral degree (PhD) | 4 years |
Additional validity (from 2023): The Australian Government has announced an additional two years for some cases. Check immi.homeaffairs.gov.au directly for the conditions that apply to your qualification — the policy is still being adjusted.
Eligibility for the Post-Study Work stream
Qualification:
- A Bachelor degree or above
- Completed at a CRICOS institution in Australia
- At least two years of the Bachelor program studied in Australia (or the full study period if the program is shorter than two years)
Application window: Apply within six months of the date your course completion is confirmed. Not your graduation ceremony date — the date you receive your final results or completion letter.
English: Meet the Competent English level set by DHA. Check the specific score requirement at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before applying.
Never held a subclass 485: The subclass 485 is granted only once. If you have held one before, you cannot apply again.
In Australia when the visa is decided: You must be in Australia when DHA makes its decision to grant the visa.
The COVID exception — who does it apply to?
Because of COVID-19, DHA issued an exemption for students who had to study online from overseas during 2020–2021. If you studied online from outside Australia because of COVID and want that time counted towards the two-year study requirement, check your specific exemption with DHA — not all such time is counted automatically.
What you can do while on a subclass 485
The subclass 485 Post-Study Work stream allows you to:
- Work full time with no restriction on occupation or hours
- Study (though it is not required)
- Bring family — your spouse or partner and children can apply for an accompanying visa
This is a valuable opportunity to:
- Find work in your field and build Australian experience
- Complete a skills assessment while holding an Australian qualification
- Develop your EOI and wait for an invitation
- Improve your English to the Proficient or Superior level for bonus EOI points
After the subclass 485 expires
The subclass 485 cannot be extended — it is a one-time visa. Before it expires, you need to already hold another visa:
- A skilled migration visa (189/190/491) — if you have been invited and approved
- A subclass 482 — if you have an Australian employer to sponsor you
- A family visa — if you have a qualifying family relationship
- Or leave Australia if you have no further visa
Plan at least 12 months before your subclass 485 expires — do not wait until the last minute.