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485 Visa Eligibility Checker

Finishing your studies in Australia? Our free 485 visa eligibility checker asks about your qualification, age, study and visa history, then shows which Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) stream fits you and whether you appear to meet the main criteria.

Key points

  • Three streams: Post-Higher Education Work, Post-Vocational Education Work and Second Post-Higher Education Work.
  • You must generally be 35 or younger (49 or younger for masters by research and PhD graduates, and Hong Kong and BNO passport holders).
  • You must be in Australia, have held a student visa in the last 6 months, and apply within 6 months of completing your course.
  • English test results must be from a test taken no more than 12 months before you apply.
  • You generally cannot get a second 485 as a main applicant, except through the regional Second Post-Higher Education Work stream.

This tool gives general information only, based on the answers you enter. It is not legal advice, it does not guarantee a decision, and the rules can change. For advice on your situation, book a consultation with one of our registered migration agents.

485 visa streams

Stream Who it is for Usual stay
Post-Higher Education Work Graduates with a bachelor degree or higher from an Australian institution 2 years (bachelor or masters by coursework), 3 years (masters by research or PhD)
Post-Vocational Education Work Graduates with a diploma, associate degree or trade qualification closely related to an occupation on the relevant list, with a skills assessment 18 months
Second Post-Higher Education Work First Post-Higher Education Work 485 holders who studied at a regional campus and lived in a regional area for 2 years 1 or 2 more years

Hong Kong and BNO passport holders can generally stay up to 5 years, and Indian nationals have longer stays for some degrees under the Australia India agreement (AI ECTA).

Main 485 visa requirements

  • Age: 35 or younger when you apply (49 or younger for masters by research and PhD graduates, and Hong Kong and BNO passport holders). See the 485 age limit;
  • Location and visa: you must be in Australia and 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, completed in the 6 months before you apply;
  • English: for example IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each part, from a test taken no more than 12 months before you apply. See 485 English requirements;
  • Health insurance: you must hold adequate health insurance when you apply and while you hold the visa;
  • Health and character: including evidence that you have applied for an Australian Federal Police check.

Common reasons people are not eligible

  • applying more than 6 months after completing the course;
  • a course that is too short, or only a graduate certificate;
  • an English test that is more than 12 months old, or taken at an unapproved test centre;
  • being over the age limit;
  • having held a 485 before.

If you are close to a deadline, use our 485 visa lodgement deadline calculator. For the full rules, fees and processing times, see our 485 visa guide.

Frequently asked questions

No. It is a preliminary check of the main criteria based on your answers. It does not check every requirement, such as your documents, health and character in detail.

No. The main applicant must be in Australia when they apply, and must have held a student visa in the 6 months before applying.

Yes. You must generally be 35 or younger when you apply. Masters by research and PhD graduates, and Hong Kong and BNO passport holders, can apply up to 49.

Only in the Post-Vocational Education Work stream, where your qualification must be closely related to an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list and you need a skills assessment. The Post-Higher Education Work stream has no occupation list.

Generally only through the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream, if you studied at a regional campus and lived in a designated regional area for at least 2 years while holding your first 485.

Within 6 months of completing the course that meets the Australian study requirement. There is generally no extension, so plan early.

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Need help with your visa? Book a video consultation with one of our registered migration agents.