📋 In This Guide
Australia Graduate Temporary Visa (Subclass 485) — Who Qualifies and How Long
The subclass 485 Graduate visa allows international students who've completed an eligible Australian qualification to live and work in Australia temporarily after graduation, mainly through the Post-Study Work stream and the Graduate Work stream. Most graduates assume the visa length is a fixed number — it isn't. Duration depends heavily on your qualification level, and in recent years, on where you studied and what you studied too.
This guide covers both streams, who's eligible for each, exactly how long each qualification level grants, costs, processing time, and — importantly — what a realistic next step toward permanent residency actually looks like once you're on this visa.
The Two Streams Explained
Which stream applies to you is the single most common point of confusion with this visa, so it's worth getting clear on early.
| Stream | Who it suits | Typical duration |
|---|---|---|
| Post-Study Work stream | Graduates of a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree from an Australian institution | Bachelor's: 2 years; Master's (coursework): 2–3 years; Master's (research)/PhD: 3–4 years — exact lengths have been adjusted in recent policy changes, always verify current figures |
| Graduate Work stream | Graduates with a qualification closely matching an occupation on the MLTSSL | Generally 18 months, aimed at graduates in specific skilled occupations |
Who Is Eligible?
- Must have held a student visa (subclass 500 or its predecessor) recently
- Must have completed a CRICOS-registered course of study in Australia, meeting the Australian Study Requirement — generally at least 2 academic years, conducted in English, while holding a student visa
- Must apply within 6 months of completing the course and receiving notification of results
- Must meet English language requirements — Competent English, generally demonstrated through an accepted test
- Must meet health and character requirements
- For the Graduate Work stream specifically: your qualification must relate closely to an occupation on the MLTSSL
How to Apply — Step by Step
Confirm which stream applies
Based on your qualification level and field of study.
Confirm you meet the Australian Study Requirement
And that you're applying within the 6-month window after course completion.
Take an accepted English test if needed
Unless you already hold qualifying evidence from your studies.
Gather your documents
Passport, evidence of qualification completion (or Confirmation of Enrolment plus a letter confirming imminent completion), academic transcripts, and English test results.
Apply online via ImmiAccount while still in Australia
This visa generally cannot be applied for from outside Australia.
Pay the visa application charge
See the fee table below for current estimates.
Undergo health and character checks
Health examinations and police clearance certificates, if required.
Track your application via ImmiAccount
While waiting for a decision.
Once granted, you get full work rights
For the duration of the visa, with no employer or occupation restriction.
Plan your next steps well before expiry
This visa does not extend or convert automatically into another status.
Costs and Fees
| Fee type | Amount (2026, AUD) |
|---|---|
| Visa application charge (main applicant) | Approx. $1,895–$2,100 |
| Additional applicant charge (partner/dependants) | Approx. $1,400–$1,900 per adult |
| English test fee (if required) | Approx. $340–$450 |
| Health examination | Approx. $300–$500 per person |
| Total estimated cost — single applicant | Approx. $2,500–$3,000 |
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Processing Time
| Service type | Processing time |
|---|---|
| Standard processing (in Australia) | Weeks to a few months, varies by workload and stream |
If you apply before your student visa expires, you generally retain your existing student visa conditions — including work rights limits — until a decision is made. You may be asked for further evidence of course completion or English test results. The decision is issued digitally via ImmiAccount, and the visa is generally granted from the date of decision, not from your student visa's expiry date.
What Comes After the 485 Visa?
This is the question that matters most once you're actually on this visa, and it's worth planning for from day one rather than in the final months.
- The 485 does not lead to permanent residency directly — it's a bridge to gain Australian work experience and improve your points-test eligibility for skilled visas
- Common next steps include applying for Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent) or 190/491 (state or regional nominated) using points partly earned through 485-visa work experience, or securing employer sponsorship through 482 or 186 during the visa period
- Time spent on the 485 counts toward skilled employment points if the work is closely related to your nominated occupation — unrelated work generally doesn't help here
- There is no automatic extension, and falling out of status is a genuine risk for graduates who leave planning too late
Common Mistakes and Problems
| Mistake | How to avoid it |
|---|---|
| Missing the 6-month application window after course completion | Apply as soon as final results are confirmed — don't wait for the graduation ceremony itself |
| Assuming all degrees get the same visa length | Check the specific duration for your qualification level and stream, as these figures change periodically |
| Applying for the Graduate Work stream without checking the MLTSSL match | Confirm your occupation and qualification align with the current list before choosing this stream |
| Not exploring the regional study bonus if eligible | Check whether your campus location qualifies for additional visa length before assuming it doesn't apply |
| Waiting until the visa is about to expire to plan next steps | Start researching PR pathways — points test, sponsorship — at least a year before expiry |
| Assuming work on the 485 automatically counts toward all points categories | Confirm the work is closely related to your nominated skilled occupation before relying on it for points |
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on your stream and qualification level — generally 2 years for a bachelor's, 2–3 years for a coursework master's, and 3–4 years for a research master's or PhD under the Post-Study Work stream, or around 18 months under the Graduate Work stream. Always verify current durations, since these have been adjusted in recent policy cycles.
Post-Study Work suits most higher education graduates regardless of occupation, with longer durations tied to qualification level. Graduate Work requires your qualification to closely match an occupation on the MLTSSL and generally grants a shorter visa.
Generally no — this visa is applied for from inside Australia while you still hold a valid student visa or shortly after it expires, within the required application window.
Yes, in many cases — graduates from eligible regional campuses may receive an additional length bonus on their Post-Study Work stream visa. Check your specific campus against the current regional classification.
Not directly. It's a temporary bridge that gives you time to gain work experience and pursue other PR pathways, such as points-based skilled visas or employer sponsorship.
Yes, eligible partners and dependent children can be included, with an additional applicant charge payable for each person added to the application.
Within 6 months of completing your course and receiving your final results notification — don't wait for a formal graduation ceremony, as that date isn't what the deadline is based on.
Generally no — there's no automatic extension. You'd need to transition to a different eligible visa, such as a skilled or employer-sponsored route, before your 485 expires.
Conclusion and Next Steps
Visa length under the 485 depends heavily on your qualification level and where you studied, and the visa itself works best when treated as an active bridge toward a PR pathway — not a long-term status to sit on. Durations and eligible occupation lists have shifted more than once in recent policy cycles, so check immi.homeaffairs.gov.au again before you apply or plan around specific figures.
Bookmark this page and start planning your PR pathway the moment your 485 visa is granted, not the year before it expires.
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