Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)
For recent graduates of Australian institutions — live, work, and study temporarily while you build experience and plan your pathway to permanent residence.
What is the Subclass 485 visa?
as at · Department of Home AffairsThe Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485) lets recent graduates of Australian universities and registered education providers live, work, and study in Australia on a temporary basis after completing their studies.
It sits between graduation and a permanent residence outcome — giving graduates time to build Australian work experience, complete a skills assessment, and lodge a points-tested visa application or pursue employer sponsorship.
- Visa subclass
- 485
- Visa type
- Temporary (Graduate)
- Who can apply
- Recent graduates of an Australian institution who studied in Australia in a CRICOS-registered course
- Work rights
- Full work rights — any employer, any sector, no restriction on hours
Basic eligibility
These requirements apply to all three streams. You must satisfy every one of them before applying for your relevant stream.
- Aged 35 years or under when you apply. Exceptions apply — specific exceptions: confirm with Home Affairs.
- Hold an eligible visa.
- Have held a Student visa in the last 6 months.
- Have a recent qualification from a CRICOS-registered course.
- Apply for your eligible stream only — you cannot change streams after applying.
- Be in Australia when you apply.
- Provide evidence of adequate health insurance.
- Provide evidence of an Australian Federal Police check application (character requirement).
- Provide evidence of the required level of English. Exact test and score threshold — confirm with Home Affairs .
- Apply within the required time after completing your course. Exact deadline — confirm with Home Affairs .
Streams
The Subclass 485 visa has three streams. You must apply for the stream that matches your circumstances — you cannot change streams after applying.
Post-Vocational Education Work stream
Recent graduates with an associate degree, diploma, or trade qualification relevant to an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List.
- Stay
- Up to 18 months.Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) passport holders: 5 years.
- Application fee
- From AUD $5,750Concessions apply in limited circumstances for eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens.
Post-Higher Education Work stream
Recent graduates with a bachelor's degree or higher from an Australian institution.
- Stay
- Usually between 2 and 3 years, depending on qualification.Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) passport holders: 5 years.
- Application fee
- From AUD $5,750Concessions apply in limited circumstances for eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens.
Second Post-Higher Education Work stream
Existing holders of the Post-Higher Education Work, Post-Study Work, or Replacement stream whose qualifying degree was from a regional-area Australian institution. This is an extension stream, not a first-time application stream.
- Stay
- 1 to 2 years, depending on the regional location of the institution and the regional area the applicant currently lives in.
- Application fee
- From AUD $2,265Concessions apply in limited circumstances for eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens.
Pathway to permanent residence
The 485 visa is not a permanent visa — it is a bridge. The connections below are informational only, not eligibility guarantees. Actual outcomes depend on individual skills assessments, points scores, state nomination availability, and DHA policy at the time of application.
- 189 / 190 / 491
Points-tested skilled visas
Australian work experience earned while on the 485 visa counts toward points in SkillSelect. Once you accumulate enough points and your occupation is on a skilled occupation list, you can lodge an Expression of Interest for a Subclass 189 (independent), 190 (state nominated), or 491 (regional) visa.
Check whether your occupation is eligible on the Skilled Occupation List.
- SID
Skills in Demand visa (employer-sponsored)
If your occupation is on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), an Australian employer may be able to sponsor you for the Skills in Demand visa while you are on your 485. Employer sponsorship and an approved business sponsor are required.
Check whether your occupation is on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL).
Related tools on StudyVisaHub
Skilled Occupation List (SOL)
Check whether your occupation appears on the MLTSSL, STSOL, or ROL — the lists that determine which points-tested visas you can apply for after your 485.
Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)
Determine whether your occupation is on the CSOL — the list that qualifies occupations for employer-sponsored pathways, including the Skills in Demand visa, while you are on the 485.
State nomination allocations
See which states have published Subclass 190 and 491 nomination allocations for the 2025–26 program year, occupation focus areas, and per-state source links.
Onshore Student Hub
Practical guidance for international students studying onshore in Australia — work rights, bridging visas, and the steps between graduation and your 485 application.
Grant volume statistics for Subclass 485 — This site's visa grant database covers Subclass 500 (Student visa) monthly grant rates. Subclass 485 grant volumes are not in this database. DHA publishes historical grant statistics in its Migration Program reports — see the Department of Home Affairs statistics page for official figures.
Information sourced via live browser fetch from the Department of Home Affairs — Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485). Verified .
Not migration advice. Consult a Registered Migration Agent (MARN) for advice specific to your circumstances.