With the 485 visa’s two-year extension now gone and eligibility thresholds tighter than ever, recent graduates face a compressed window to leverage post-study work rights. The changes that took effect July 2024 make this visa simultaneously more restrictive and still one of the most accessible routes to Australian permanent residency.

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Visa Subclass: 485 ·
Maximum Age to Apply: 35 years ·
Recent Student Visa Requirement: Held in last 6 months ·
Purpose: Live, study, work after graduation ·
Eligible Courses: CRICOS registered

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact 485 visa processing times remain variable based on individual cases
  • Specific health insurance provider requirements not fully detailed
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • PR pathways remain accessible through skilled migration streams
  • Regional graduates may still access extended visa options

Key eligibility details for the Temporary Graduate visa are summarized in the table below.

Category Details
Visa Type Temporary Graduate (subclass 485)
Who Can Apply International graduates from eligible Australian courses
Age Limit 35 years or younger
Previous Visa Student visa in last 6 months

What is a temporary graduate visa?

The Department of Home Affairs (Australia’s immigration authority) describes the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) as a temporary visa that allows international students to live, study and work after finishing their studies. It is a dedicated post-study work pathway for graduates who have completed their education in Australia.

Temporary Graduate visa – Subclass 485

The 485 visa allows international graduates to stay in Australia for up to 6 years total across multiple streams (ISA Migrations), making it one of the more generous post-study work visas globally. Study Australia notes this visa allows you to stay in Australia if you are an eligible international student who has graduated from an Australian CRICOS registered course.

Eligibility requirements

  • Completed a CRICOS-registered course in Australia
  • Must be in Australia when applying
  • Must apply within 6 months of finishing studies
  • Must have held a student visa within the last 6 months (Study Australia)
  • Must have no debt to the Australian Government
  • Must have health insurance covering healthcare costs for applicant and family members

What this means: Graduates must act quickly—the 6-month application window creates real urgency after course completion.

Key requirement

The qualification must be CRICOS-registered, meaning it’s on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students. This ensures the course meets Australian standards for international student delivery.

How long is a temporary graduate visa?

Visa duration depends on your degree level, location of study, and which stream you apply through. The stream names were updated on July 1, 2024: the Post-Study Work stream became the Post-Higher Education Work stream, while the Graduate Work stream was renamed to the Post-Vocational Education Work stream.

485 Graduate Visa Australia 2026: Streams & PR Path

The Post-Higher Education Work stream is available to graduates who have completed a Bachelor, Masters, or Doctoral degree in Australia regardless of field of study (Australian Migration Lawyers). The Post-Vocational Education Work stream is intended for graduates with qualifications closely linked to occupations on the relevant Skilled Occupation List, and requires applicants to meet specific skills assessment requirements.

Why this matters

Regional study delivers tangible rewards: Bachelor degree holders in major cities receive 2 years with no extension, but regional city graduates can stack up to 1 additional year, and remote area graduates up to 2 years extension. The location choice directly affects how much time graduates have to accumulate skilled work experience for PR applications.

Location-based duration

The table below shows how study location affects your 485 visa duration and extension eligibility.

Study Location Base Duration Extension Option
Major cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane) 2 years None
Regional cities (Perth, Adelaide, Gold Coast, etc.) 2 years Up to 1 additional year
Remote areas 2 years Up to 2 additional years

The implication: Studying outside major population centres opens longer windows to accumulate skilled work experience and points for permanent residency applications.

What happens after a temporary graduate visa?

When your 485 visa expires, several pathways remain open depending on your circumstances and goals. The key is planning your post-visa strategy while the 485 is still valid.

After 485 Visa Expires, What Are Your Options?

  • Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189): Points-tested pathway to permanent residency
  • Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190): State-nominated permanent residency
  • Employer Nomination Scheme: If you secure skilled employment
  • Further student visa: For continued study toward additional qualifications

Study Australia notes that the 485 visa allows eligible graduates to stay in Australia after completing their CRICOS-registered course. This stay can be used strategically to accumulate points for permanent residency applications, gain skilled work experience, or improve English scores.

What this means: The 6-year total window across streams gives graduates breathing room to build competitive points profiles, but only if they start planning before the visa expires.

Can a 485 visa lead to PR?

Yes, the 485 visa serves as a practical stepping stone toward permanent residency through Australia’s skilled migration framework. The 6-year total window across multiple streams gives graduates time to build competitive points profiles.

485 Graduate Visa Australia 2026: Streams & PR Path

The age limit change creates a meaningful PR pathway consideration. Most applicants now face a 35-year ceiling, while PhD and Master’s by research graduates retain the 50-year age limit. Younger applicants have a clearer window for points-tested visas like subclass 189, which awards higher points to younger applicants.

What to watch

Hong Kong and British National Overseas (BNO) passport holders retain an age limit of under 50 years for 485 visa applications—a notable exception to the general 35-year rule. Applicants with a Master’s by research or PhD degree also retain the higher 50-year age limit for the Post-Higher Education Work stream.

How much does a temporary graduate visa cost?

The 485 visa application charge was AUD 2,045 as of 2024 for the main applicant, with additional charges for family members included in the application. Charges are reviewed annually and may change.

Additional costs to budget for

  • English language test fees (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or other accepted tests)
  • Skills assessment fees for PVEW stream applicants
  • Health insurance (mandatory for applicant and family members)
  • Police checks and medical examinations
  • Migration agent fees (optional but commonly used)

The English test validity period was reduced from 3 years to 1 year before visa application lodgement (Australian Migration Lawyers), meaning timing your test matters more than ever.

Note

Graduate Diplomas are only accepted for 485 visa purposes if directly related to the degree course and commenced in the same academic year or immediately following year of degree completion, effective December 14, 2024.

How to apply for a 485 visa

The application process requires preparation and attention to timing requirements. The course must be completed in not less than 16 calendar months and consist of at least 92 weeks of full-time study to meet eligibility requirements.

  1. Confirm eligibility: Check that you meet age, qualification, English, and visa history requirements before proceeding. Ensure your course meets the 92-week, 16-month threshold.
  2. Gather documents: Passport, completion letter, English test results (valid within 1 year), skills assessment (PVEW stream), police checks, and health insurance proof.
  3. Submit online: Apply through the Department of Home Affairs ImmiAccount system while physically present in Australia.
  4. Wait for processing: Processing times vary; check current estimates on the Department website.
  5. Receive visa outcome: If approved, work rights are granted immediately upon visa grant.

“A temporary visa that allows international students to live, study and work after you have finished your studies.”

— Department of Home Affairs

“This visa allows you to stay in Australia if you are an eligible international student who has graduated from an Australian CRICOS registered course.”

— Study Australia

Bottom line: Graduates who apply within the 6-month window and meet the tightened requirements still gain a practical path to Australian work experience and eventual permanent residency—but those who miss the deadline or fail to plan for the 35-year age ceiling and higher English thresholds risk losing their best opportunity to stack time toward PR.

Related reading: Australian Post Tracking Guide · APA 7th Referencing Guide

Additional sources

ielts.idp.com, idp.com, solmigration.com, youtube.com, immi.homeaffairs.gov.au

While core 2024 rules apply, evolving streams and fees for the subclass 485 appear in 2026 485 visa requirements, offering a forward look to 2026.

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Frequently asked questions

Can you work on a temporary graduate visa?

Yes, the 485 visa provides full work rights for the duration of your visa. There are no restrictions on hours worked or type of employment.

Is a temporary graduate visa a Student visa?

No, the 485 is a separate temporary graduate visa. Once granted, it is not a student visa and does not subject you to student visa conditions like course enrollment requirements.

What are the 485 visa new rules?

The main 2024 changes include: age limit reduced from 50 to 35 (with exceptions for PhD/Master’s by research and HK/BNO passport holders), IELTS minimum raised from 6.0 to 6.5, English test validity shortened from 3 years to 1 year, Graduate Certificates no longer accepted from December 14, 2024, and stream names updated from Post-Study Work and Graduate Work to Post-Higher Education Work and Post-Vocational Education Work.

What is the 485 visa processing time?

Processing times vary based on individual circumstances, application volume, and completeness of submitted documents. Check current estimates on the Department of Home Affairs website for the most accurate timeframe for your case.

What are Temporary Graduate visa Australia requirements?

Key requirements include: age under 35 (or 50 for PhD/Master’s by research/HK/BNO holders), completion of a CRICOS-registered qualification of at least 92 weeks in 16 months, IELTS 6.5 overall with 5.5 in each component, held a student visa within the last 6 months, be in Australia when applying, apply within 6 months of course completion, no government debt, and health insurance coverage.

What is Post-Vocational Education work visa?

This is the new name (effective July 1, 2024) for the former Graduate Work stream. It is for graduates with vocational qualifications closely linked to occupations on the relevant Skilled Occupation List, and requires applicants to meet specific skills assessment requirements. The previous Graduate Work stream name was replaced to better reflect the stream’s focus on vocational education pathways.

Can a spouse apply with 485 visa?

Yes, dependent family members including spouses can be included in the 485 visa application. They will also receive work rights and access to healthcare under the applicant’s mandatory health insurance coverage.