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Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)
Reviewed by Mohammad Saghir Khan, Registered Migration Agent (MARN 1170510)Last reviewed:
The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) lets international students stay and work in Australia after finishing their studies. You must apply in Australia within 6 months of completing a CRICOS-registered course that meets the 2-year Australian study requirement, be 35 or under (with some exceptions), hold or have recently held a Student visa, and have an English test such as IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each band. Bachelor and coursework master's graduates usually get 2 years, research master's and PhD graduates 3 years, and diploma and trade graduates 18 months.
Temporary Graduate Visa (485) at a Glance
| Visa type | Temporary, 18 months to 5 years depending on qualification and passport |
|---|---|
| Streams | Post-Higher Education Work, Post-Vocational Education Work, Second Post-Higher Education Work |
| Age | 35 or under when you apply (under 50 for Hong Kong and BNO passports, and research master's or PhD graduates) |
| Where to apply | In Australia, within 6 months of completing your course |
| English | IELTS 6.5 overall with 5.5 in each band, or PTE Academic 55, from the 12 months before you apply |
| Work rights | Work for any employer, full time |
| Government charge | AUD 5,750 main applicant, AUD 2,875 per adult and AUD 1,450 per child (from 1 July 2026) |
| Processing (90%) | 55 days for Post-Higher Education Work, 5 months for Post-Vocational (updated 29 September 2026) |
How Long Can You Stay?
| Qualification | Most passports | Indian passport |
|---|---|---|
| Diploma, associate degree or trade qualification (Post-Vocational) | Up to 18 months | Up to 18 months |
| Bachelor degree (including honours) | 2 years | 2 years (3 years for first-class honours in STEM or ICT) |
| Master's by coursework or extended master's | 2 years | 3 years |
| Master's by research | 3 years | 3 years |
| PhD | 3 years | 4 years |
Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) passport holders can stay up to 5 years. Graduates of a regional campus who have lived in a designated regional area for 2 years may get a further 1 or 2 years through the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream (2 years in Tasmania).
Eligibility Requirements
- Recent Student visa: you must have held a Student visa in the 6 months before you apply.
- Australian study requirement: at least 2 academic years (92 weeks) of CRICOS-registered study, taught in English, completed over at least 16 calendar months while you were in Australia on a visa that allowed study.
- 6-month window: you must apply within 6 months of completing your course. You do not need to wait for your graduation ceremony.
- English: a test taken in the 12 months before you apply, for example IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component. UK, US, Canadian, New Zealand and Irish passport holders are exempt. Check your scores with our English score converter.
- AFP police check: evidence that you applied for an Australian Federal Police check before you lodge.
- Health insurance: adequate cover from the time you lodge.
- Post-Vocational stream: your qualification must relate to an occupation on the skilled occupation list, and you must have applied for a skills assessment.
Important: holders of a 485 cannot apply for a Student visa while they are in Australia, with no exemptions. Plan your next step, such as a skilled or employer-sponsored visa, before your 485 ends.
Using Your 485 to Build Toward Permanent Residence
The 485 is not a permanent visa and does not lead directly to permanent residence. Many graduates use it to gain skilled work experience, improve their English score and add points for a 189, 190 or 491 visa, or to find an employer who can sponsor them for a 482.
How to Apply
- Check your eligibilityUse our free 485 visa checker to confirm your stream, age, study requirement and length of stay.
- Book your English test earlyThe result must be from the 12 months before you apply.
- Apply for your AFP police checkApply at least a day before you lodge your 485 and keep the receipt.
- Gather your documentsYour completion letter and transcript, passport, English result, health insurance and, for the vocational stream, your skills assessment application.
- Lodge in ImmiAccount while in AustraliaApply within 6 months of completing your course. You will usually receive a bridging visa while you wait.
How Aussie ASEAN Can Help
We confirm your stream and stay length, check your study history against the 2-year requirement, review your documents before you lodge and plan your next visa, so your 485 time counts toward permanent residence.
Free tools for this visa
Related visas
Every case is different. Talk to a Registered Migration Agent about your Temporary Graduate Visa (485) before you lodge.
Book a consultationSources: Home Affairs: Temporary Graduate visa (485) · Post-Higher Education Work stream · Australian study requirement · Global visa processing times
Frequently Asked Questions
Plain-English answers to the questions we are asked most often.
What is the 485 visa?
The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) is a temporary visa that lets international students who have recently completed eligible study in Australia stay and work full time for 18 months to 5 years, depending on their qualification and passport.
What is the age limit for the 485 in 2026?
You must be 35 or under when you apply. The limit is under 50 for Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) passport holders, and for graduates applying on the basis of a master's by research or PhD.
How long do I have to apply for a 485 after finishing my course?
You must apply within 6 months of completing the academic requirements of your course, and you must be in Australia when you apply. You do not need to wait for your degree to be conferred.
What English score do I need for the 485?
For tests taken from 7 August 2025, IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component, PTE Academic 55 overall, or an equivalent score on another accepted test, taken in the 12 months before you apply.
Can I apply for a Student visa while on a 485?
Not while you are in Australia. Home Affairs lists the 485 among the visas whose holders cannot apply for a Student visa onshore, with no exemptions.
Can I include my partner and children?
Yes, family members can be included in your 485 application. Each adult pays AUD 2,875 and each child under 18 pays AUD 1,450 from 1 July 2026. Your partner can also work full time.
How long does the 485 take to process?
Home Affairs figures updated on 29 September 2026 show 90% of Post-Higher Education Work applications decided within 55 days, and 90% of Post-Vocational Education Work applications within 5 months.
Does the 485 lead to permanent residence?
Not directly. It gives you time to gain work experience and points for a skilled visa such as the 189, 190 or 491, or to find an employer who can sponsor you.
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