Temporary Graduate Visa

Launch Your Career in Australia After Graduation

If you are nearing the completion of your studies in Australia and looking to gain practical work experience, the Temporary Graduate Visa – Subclass 485 is a valuable pathway to remain in the country and explore employment opportunities.

Overview: Post Study Work Visa – Subclass 485

The Subclass 485 Post Study Work Visa allows eligible international graduates to stay in Australia for 2 to 4 years after completing their studies. During this period, you are free to work, travel, or pursue further education.

This is a temporary visa, and the duration of stay depends on your highest level of qualification:

 

• • Doctoral degree holders may stay up to 4 years

• • Master’s by coursework or research graduates may stay up to 3 years

• • Bachelor’s degree graduates may stay up to 2 years

Visa Cost Structure

Applicant Category	Visa Fee (AUD)
Primary Applicant	$2,235
Secondary Applicant (18+)	$1,115
Secondary Applicant (under 18)	$560

Additional charges may apply for:

 

• • Medical examinations

• • Police clearance certificates

• • Biometrics

This visa is exempt from the Subsequent Temporary Application Charge.

Eligibility Requirements

To apply for the Subclass 485 visa, you must meet the following conditions:

 

• • Be under 50 years of age

• • Hold a current student visa (not sponsored by the Defence or Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister)

• • Have applied for and been granted your first student visa on or after 5 November 2011

• • Hold a CRICOS-registered qualification at the Bachelor, Master’s, or Doctoral level

• • Have held a student visa within the last 6 months and currently hold a Bridging Visa A/B or a substantive visa

• • Provide evidence of health insurance for all applicants

• • Submit proof of applying for an Australian Federal Police (AFP) check

• • Meet the English language proficiency requirements

• • Have no outstanding debt to the Australian government

• • Have no previous visa cancellations or application refusals

Note: Standalone diplomas or trade qualifications are not eligible for this visa stream.

Pathway for a Longer Stay

While the Subclass 485 visa is temporary, certain conditions may allow you to apply for a second Post Study Work Stream visa. To qualify:

 

• • You must live, work or study in a designated regional area during your first Subclass 485 visa period.

Additional Provisions:

 

• • Hong Kong passport holders on a Subclass 485 visa may apply for permanent residency after 5 years.

• • Graduates affected by COVID-19 travel restrictions may apply from outside Australia.

Need Assistance?

Our team of experienced migration consultants is here to guide you through each step of your Subclass 485 visa application—from eligibility assessment to documentation and submission.

 

About the post study work visa, Australia

The post study work visa – subclass 485 allows you to stay in Australia for between two to four years after you’ve completed your studies. During this time, you will be expected to find a job on your own merit. This visa is also applicable for those who wish to travel or study further beyond graduation.

However, subclass 485 is a temporary visa and the length of stay depends on your Australian study qualification.

For instance, you can stay an additional 4 years after completing your doctoral degree. On the other hand, an applicant completing their masters in research or coursework can stay another 3 years in Australia.

The Graduate Temporary Work Visa – Subclass 485 costs AUD 2,235 for the primary applicant. Secondary applicants like family members will vary according to their age:

 

• • Secondary Applicant (aged 18 years and above): AUD 1,115

• • Secondary Applicant (under 18 years): AUD 560

While applying for this visa, you will also incur additional charges for health checks, police certifications and biometrics. This visa is exempt from the subsequent Temporary Application Charge.

Can you meet the 485 Visa Requirements?

Applying for a post graduate temporary visa in Australia? You need to meet the following conditions:

 

• • You should be under 50 years of age

• • You are holding a current student visa (excluding the visa supported by the Defence or Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister)

• • You should have applied for and been granted your first student visa on or after 5 November 2011. You will not be eligible to apply for this visa prior this date.

• • The qualification you achieve should be an eligible degree (bachelor, masters, doctoral) to be able to apply for this graduate temporary work visa.

• • A standalone diploma or trade qualification does not make you eligible to apply for this visa.

• • You’ve held a student visa in the last 6 months before your application and you now have a Bridging Visa A or B, or substantive visa.

• • You may have recently acquired a degree in a CRICOS-registered course

• • You must provide evidence of adequate health insurance for all applicants when you apply

• • You must provide evidence that you have applied for an AFP check 

• • You must provide evidence of the required level of English fluency

• • You must not have any debt with the Australian government

• • You should not have a cancelled visa or previous application refused

Applying for a Longer Stay

The subclass 485 visa is not meant for extending your stay in Australia. However, you may be eligible to apply for a second post study work stream visa. To acquire eligibility, you must live, work and/or study in a regional area during the validity of your first post study work visa in Australia.

Temporary graduate visa holders from Hong Kong can apply for permanent residency after 5 years.

Graduates who have been impacted by the COVID-19 restrictions may apply and be granted for this visa outside Australia.

If you wish to know more or need guidance in acquiring a post study work visa – subclass 485 in Australia, contact our friendly team today.