Important: the 485 visa changed on 1 July 2024
The Graduate Work and Post-Study Work streams described below were renamed and changed from 1 July 2024. The age limit is now generally 35 (under 36 when you apply), stay periods are shorter, and the COVID-19 replacement stream has closed. The current rules are summarised in “485 visa rules in 2026” below and on our Temporary Graduate (485) visa page.
TR visa or SC 485 visa is the temporary graduate visa which allows foreign students to live, study and work in Australia upon completing their studies. It has two streams: Graduate Work Stream and Post-Study Work Stream. Students are generally given between 18 months and up to 4 years to stay in Australia. The duration of the stay will depend on the course of study.
Duration of the SC 485 (before 1 July 2024)
| Graduated from: | Duration |
| Diploma or trade qualification | Usually up to 18 months |
| Bachelor degree | 2 years |
| Masters by coursework | 2 years |
| Masters by research | 3 years |
| PhD | 4 years |
Graduate work stream eligibility (before 1 July 2024)
- You must be under 50 years of age
- You must meet the Australian study requirement that is your course is registered with CRICOS, and the course must be for at least 92 weeks.
- The qualification must be related to an occupation that is on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List.
- You must meet the English requirement
- You must have adequate health insurance.
Post-Study work stream eligibility (before 1 July 2024)
- You must be under 50 years of age
- You must meet the Australian study requirement that is your course is registered with CRICOS, and the course must be for at least 92 weeks.
- You must hold an eligible qualification at degree-level or above, that is if you completed a certificate III or a diploma, you would not qualify for this stream.
- You must meet the English requirement
- You must have adequate health insurance.
How to apply?
If you meet the above criteria, the next step is to prepare the documents to apply for the visa. Documents you will need include:
- Identity documents, e.g. passport, national ID
- Study documents, e.g. academic transcripts, testamur
- Health insurance documents, e.g. letter from the insurance company
- Character documents, e.g. police clearance
If you are adding your family to the visa applications, you must prepare identity documents and other supporting documents for them.
Past announcements (overseas online study, 2020 to 2022)
In 2020 the Morrison government was expected to introduce new changes to the temporary graduate visa SC 485. Under the proposal being considered at the time by the Morrison government, international students may be granted work rights after graduating despite studying online in their home countries.
At that time, the SC 485 was only available for students who have resided in Australia for the duration of their studies. But with the new proposal, international students who remained overseas but enrolled at an Australia university may be eligible for a SC 485 visa.
You can find out more:
- Australia announces important visa changes to support international students
- Likely Changes to Temporary Graduate Visa for International Students Studying Online
Past announcements (additional 1 or 2 years of TR for studying in regional areas)
DHA announced there will be an extra one or two year of post-study work rights for international students who:
- graduate from the regional campus of a registered university or institution with a higher education or postgraduate qualification; and
- maintain ongoing residence in a regional area while holding their first Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa
The second Temporary Graduate visa will require ongoing residence in a regional area.
The definition of regional Australia for this purpose will be the same as the definition for skilled migration: all of Australia excluding Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
Update: these regional changes were legislated and started for eligible graduates, and from 1 July 2024 the second visa is the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream (see the 2026 section below).
- The visa has been announced, but the legislation / criteria has not been published
- It has commonly been deduced what they mean is that it is only for people who graduated after 16/11/2019 (the date of announcement) this would work as the commencement date was two years in the future ruling out
- You cannot make any decisions based on this visa as the visa has only been announced we do not know the criteria or even if it will be implemented (but it 99% will be)
Duration of the SC 485 (regional study)
- Bachelor degree (including Honours ): 2 + 1 year (for cities and major regional centres) / 2 years for regional centres and other regional areas)
- Masters by coursework: 2 + 1 year (for cities and major regional centres) / 2 years for regional centres and other regional areas)
- Masters by research: 3 + 1 year (for cities and major regional centres) / 2 years for regional centres and other regional areas)
- Doctoral degree: 4 + 1 year (for cities and major regional centres) / 2 years for regional centres and other regional areas)
485 visa rules in 2026
For graduates of a bachelor degree or higher. This stream replaced the Post-Study Work stream.
| Qualification | Usual stay |
|---|---|
| Bachelor degree (including honours) | 2 years |
| Masters by coursework | 2 years |
| Masters by research or PhD | 3 years |
Some passport holders have different periods under bilateral arrangements (for example Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) passport holders, who can get up to 5 years).
Frequently asked questions
Is TR the same as the 485 visa?
Yes. “TR” is a common name for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), a temporary residence visa for recent graduates of Australian institutions.
I am 36. Can I still apply for a 485 visa?
Generally no, unless you completed a masters by research or PhD, or you hold a Hong Kong or British National (Overseas) passport. In those cases the limit is under 50.
Can I study online from overseas and still get a 485?
The COVID-19 concessions for online study have ended. Your study must now meet the normal Australian study requirement, which generally means studying in Australia on a student visa.
What can I do after my 485 visa?
Many graduates move to a skilled visa (189, 190 or 491) or an employer sponsored visa such as the 482 Skills in Demand. See options after graduation.
Australian Migration News: October 2026 Update
Student visa changes from 2 October 2026
After Graduation in Australia: Key PR Pathways for International Students in 2026
What the New Migration Reforms Mean for You
Australia Stops New International Student Enrolments in Graduate Diploma of Management (Learning)