From Student Visa To Temporary Graduate Visa After finishing their studies, qualified overseas students may reside, work, and study in Australia for a limited time under the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485). International students who recently completed an Australian CRICOS-registered course are eligible for the subclass 485 visa. It allows graduates to live, work, and study in Australia for a limited time, serving as a link between their studies and possible avenues to permanent residency. Although there may be exceptions, applicants must normally be 35 years of age or younger at the time of application. International students who have finished their studies in Australia are eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485). It gives graduates a means to transition from school to the workplace and to gain valuable work experience in their field of study.
Eligibility Requirements
- Applicants must be 35 years of age or younger, except for research and PhD grads, who may be up to 50 years old.
- You must have an appropriate visa and have had a student visa within the last six months.
- Must have recently finished an Australian course registered with CRICOS.
- Choose the appropriate stream to apply under Graduate Work, Post-Study Work, or Second Post-Study Work. Once you apply, you cannot switch streams.
- Evidence At the time of application, all necessary documents must be attached.
Visa Streams
There are three alternative streams available for the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485), each designed to accommodate different graduate situations. Here is a detailed explanation.
Graduate Work Stream
International students who have recently completed their studies in Australia and whose qualifications relate to professions on the nation’s Skilled Occupation List are eligible to apply for the Graduate Work Stream (Subclass 485) of the Temporary Graduate Visa. Graduates with trade or vocational qualifications can gain real-world work experience in Australia through this route.To be eligible, applicants must be 35 years of age or younger, have finished a course registered with CRICOS, and have had a student visa within the previous six months. A skills evaluation in the designated occupation is a crucial prerequisite, demonstrating that your credentials meet Australia’s labor demands. Although recent changes have allowed certain applicants to remain up to 24 months, the visa normally permits stays of up to 18 months.In addition, candidates must demonstrate their financial stability, meet character and health standards, and submit all required paperwork at the time of application. If they meet the requirements, dependents such as spouses and kids may be added. This stream gives full work rights and the opportunity to gain relevant Australian work experience, making it especially beneficial for individuals looking to move into permanent skilled migration paths.
Post Study Work Stream
One of the most well-liked choices for international students who have finished their higher education in Australia is the Temporary Graduate Visa’s Post-Study Work Stream (Subclass 485). Unlike the Graduate Work Stream, it doesn’t require you to suggest a job from the Skilled Occupation List, so it’s more flexible for graduates from various fields. Eligibility requirements include being 35 years of age or younger and having completed a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD program in Australia that is CRICOS-registered within the previous 6 months (exceptions apply to PhD grads). Depending on your qualifications, you may remain for up to 2 years for a bachelor’s degree, 3 years for a master’s degree, and 4 years for a doctorate. Additionally, you must have a valid visa at the time of application, fulfill health and character criteria, and provide all necessary paperwork up front.
Second Post Study Work Stream
International graduates who studied and resided in rural Australia are the target audience for the Temporary Graduate Visa’s Second Post-Study Work Stream (Subclass 485). It encourages talented graduates to stay in rural areas and support local communities by offering a longer stay duration than the original Post-Study Work visa. You must have previously had a Post-Study Work Stream visa and finished a CRICOS-registered course at a regional university to be eligible. Additionally, you must have studied in and remain in a defined regional area while holding this visa. Graduates from Category 2 regional areas usually receive a one-year stay, but those from Category 3 (regional centers and other regional regions) may receive a two-year stay.
Duration of Stay
The stream you apply under and the degree of certification you have earned will determine how long you may remain on the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485).
Although recent changes have increased this to 24 months for some candidates, the Graduate Work Stream visa typically permits stays of up to 18 months in Australia. Longer stays are possible through the Post-Study Work Stream: up to 2 years for a bachelor’s degree, 3 years for a master’s degree, and 4 years for a doctorate. If you studied and resided in a recognized regional area, you can get an additional year or two through the Second Post-Study Work Stream; the exact length depends on the region.
Application Process
The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) application process follows several structured steps to avoid delays or rejections. First, make sure you meet the requirements for your selected stream (Graduate Work, Post-Study Work, or Second Post-Study Work) and collect all necessary paperwork, such as your passport, academic transcripts, a letter of completion from your school, proof of health insurance, and, if necessary, proof of English proficiency. You must apply while holding an appropriate visa and within 6 months of completing your studies. You must complete the application online, upload supporting documentation, and pay the visa fee via the Department of Home Affairs website. Depending on your country of origin, biometrics, which are physical measurements and data used to identify individuals, can be necessary. To satisfy the criteria for character and health, you must also set up health examinations and provide police clearance documents after submitting.
Additional Considerations
There are a few more things to think about while applying for the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) to make the process go more smoothly and increase your chances of success:
- Other Things to Think About
- At the time of application, you must select the appropriate stream (Graduate Work, Post-Study Work, or Second Post-Study Work). You cannot change streams once you have submitted.
- You must submit your application while holding an appropriate visa and within 6 months of completing your course. You may lose your eligibility if you miss this window.
- During your visit, you must have sufficient health insurance (such as Overseas Student Health Cover or an equivalent).
- Children and partners may be included, but they must also fulfill character and health standards. They have the same rights as you do (to work and study).
- You can extend your stay by one to two years by studying and residing in rural Australia, which grants entry to the Second Post-Study Work Stream, a program that allows international students to apply for a work visa after completing their studies in designated rural areas.
- Although the 485 visa is valid for only a short time, it is frequently used as a springboard to skilled migration or employer sponsored permanent visas.
- All supporting documentation has to be provided up front. Refusal may result from missing or contradictory documentation.
- Make sure to account for the substantial increase in fees, which will reach AUD $4,600 for primary applicants in 2026.
Final Words
To sum up, overseas students studying in Australia have a wonderful opportunity to extend their stay, gain work experience, and prepare for long-term migration through the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485). The visa’s three separate streams—Graduate Work, Post-Study Work, and Second Post-Study Work—address various graduate situations, including regional study, higher education degrees, and vocational training. All streams provide full employment rights and the opportunity to include dependents, but each has unique eligibility requirements, durations, and benefits. Candidates must meet health and character standards, apply within 6 months of completing their studies, and provide all supporting documentation up front. This requires careful planning.
