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  • FAQ – Graduate Temporary Subclass 485 Visas

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Frequently Asked Questions – Graduate Temporary Subclass 485 Visas

From 1 July 2026 the Visa Application Charge (VAC) for a Subclass 485 visa is $5,750 for the main applicant, $2,875 for each additional applicant aged 18 or over and $1,450 for each additional applicant under 18.

The Temporary Graduate Subclass 485 visa is available for international students completing studies in Australia.

It allows graduates to remain in Australia for between 18 months and 5 years, depending on their stream, qualification, passport and where they studied. During this time, they have full work rights in Australia.

Below are some of the more frequently asked questions about Subclass 485 visas.

See the latest regional visa changes and how they affect this visa: Extra 1 or 2-year visa for international graduates from regional institutions

Q. What are the different types of Temporary Graduate Subclass 485 visa?

Since 1 July 2024 there are two main streams for the Temporary Graduate Subclass 485 visa:

  • Post-Higher Education Work stream (formerly Post Study Work stream):

For international students who graduate with a bachelor degree or higher from an Australian education provider, regardless of their field of study. Since 1 July 2024, there is no longer a requirement that your first student visa was granted on or after 5 November 2011, but you must have held a student visa in the 6 months before you apply. A visa in this stream is generally granted for 2 or 3 years, depending on the qualification (up to 5 years for Hong Kong and BNO passport holders).

  • Post-Vocational Education Work stream (formerly Graduate Work stream):

For international students with a diploma or trade qualification closely related to an occupation on the list of eligible skilled occupations. A visa in this stream is granted for 18 months from the date of grant (up to 5 years for Hong Kong and BNO passport holders).

There is also a second Post-Higher Education Work stream for graduates who studied and lived in a regional area, and a Replacement stream for people affected by past COVID travel restrictions, which closed to all new applicants on 1 July 2024.

Q. How do I qualify for the Post-Vocational Education Work stream?

Requirements for this visa include:

  • you nominate an occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
  • your visa application includes evidence that you have applied for a skills assessment for your nominated skilled occupation by a relevant assessing authority
  • your skills have been assessed by a relevant assessing authority as suitable for your nominated skilled occupation (‘suitable skills assessment’)
  • you have met the Australian study requirement in the past six months
  • each degree, diploma or trade qualification used to meet the Australian study requirement is closely related to your nominated skilled occupation
  • you are 35 years of age or younger at the time of application (under 50 for Hong Kong and BNO passport holders)

You can nominate only one occupation and you cannot change that occupation after you apply.

Q. How do I qualify for the Post-Higher Education Work stream?

Main requirements for the Post-Higher Education Work stream are:

  • Have held a student visa (since 1 July 2024, your first student visa no longer needs to have been granted on or after 5 November 2011)
  • Have completed 2 years of study in Australia at the bachelor level or higher
  • Have completed a bachelor degree, masters or PhD within the last 6 months (since 14 December 2024 a graduate certificate on its own does not qualify)
  • Have held a student visa within the last 6 months, and hold a substantive visa, bridging A or B visa at time of application
  • English: if you hold a passport from the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada or NZ, you will not need to undertake an English test. Otherwise, you need an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with 5.5 in each band, or an equivalent score in another accepted test, taken within 1 year before you apply. See our 485 English requirements page.
  • Aged 35 or younger at time of application (under 50 for masters by research and PhD graduates and for Hong Kong and BNO passport holders)

Q. How long is the Temporary Graduate Visa valid for?

485 visas granted under the Post-Vocational Education Work stream are valid for 18 months from the date of grant.

Post-Higher Education Work stream visas granted from 1 July 2024 are valid for 2 or 3 years from the date of grant, depending on the type of qualification completed:

  • 2 years: completion of Bachelor Degree, Bachelor with Honours, Masters by Coursework or Masters (Extended)
  • 3 years: Masters by Research or Doctorate
  • Up to 5 years: Hong Kong and BNO passport holders

Indian nationals have different stay periods under the Australia-India agreement. The two-year extension for select degrees ended on 1 July 2024.

Q. What is the age limit for a 485 visa?

Since 1 July 2024, the main applicant must be 35 years of age or younger when the application is made. Masters by research and PhD graduates in the Post-Higher Education Work stream, and Hong Kong and BNO passport holders, can still apply up to age 50. See 35 Years or Under Age Limit for 485 Visa.

Q. Can I apply for a second 485 visa?

Generally no. You cannot be granted a 485 visa as a main applicant if you have held one before, unless you qualify for the second Post-Higher Education Work stream (for graduates who studied and lived in a regional area) or another limited exception. See 485 visa extension eligibility.

Q. Can I apply for a student visa while I hold a 485 visa?

Since 1 July 2024, 485 visa holders cannot apply for a student visa while in Australia. If you want to study again, you need to plan your visa pathway carefully. Book a consultation to discuss your options.

Q. How much does a 485 visa cost and how long does it take?

From 1 July 2026 the Visa Application Charge is $5,750 for the main applicant, $2,875 for each additional applicant aged 18 or over and $1,450 for each child under 18. Post-Higher Education Work stream applications are currently processed in 5 days (50%) and 55 days (90%), and Post-Vocational Education Work stream applications in 52 days (50%) and 5 months (90%). See 485 visa processing time.

Eligible qualifications

For the purposes of applying for a subclass 485 under the Post-Vocational Education Work stream, the course/courses must have resulted in a degree, diploma or trade qualification. For example, a student may complete two consecutive Diploma level courses and satisfy the Australian study requirement under the Post-Vocational Education Work stream, provided the other components of the requirement are satisfied.

Qualifications must be closely related to nominated occupation

The qualification(s) completed must be closely related to the student’s nominated skilled occupation. For your qualification to be considered to be closely related to your nominated occupation, the skills underpinning the qualification must be directly transferable to that occupation. This applies to both the subject matter and the level of the qualification. For example, if you nominate ‘physiotherapist’ as your occupation, a degree in physiotherapy would meet this requirement, but a degree in commerce would not.

Example: Acceptable combinations of study and nominated occupations include:

  • an applicant who nominates ‘Physiotherapist’ as their skilled occupation and completes a degree in physiotherapy in Australia
  • an applicant who nominates ‘Air-conditioning and Mechanical Services Plumber’ as their skilled occupation who has completed a Certificate III in Plumbing and a Diploma of Plumbing and Services in Australia

Example: A combination of study and nominated occupation that would not be acceptable:

  • An applicant’s nominated occupation is Registered Nurse but they satisfied the Australian study requirement on the basis of having completed a Bachelor of Commerce.

Skills assessment

It is your responsibility to arrange for the skills assessment. Contact the relevant assessing authority well before you apply for this visa, because each assessing authority has its own assessment procedures, timeframes and charges.

Contact details for Assessing Authorities are listed on our skills assessment page.

  • You must apply to the relevant assessing authority to obtain a suitable skills assessment prior to lodging your application
  • If your nominated occupation is ‘medical practitioner’, evidence of your full medical registration is accepted as evidence of a skills assessment. Further information can be found on migration of medical practitioners under the general skilled migration program
  • If your nominated occupation is a Nurse, you must obtain a skills assessment from the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) even if currently registered to work as a nurse in an Australian state or territory

A skills assessment is only valid until the expiry date specified on the assessment, or for a period of three years from the assessment’s date of issue.

See the latest 485 visa changes and updates:

Skilled visa guides