Acerca de

Temporary Graduate Visa

Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)

This temporary visa is for international students who have recently graduated from an Australian educational institution. Depending on your situation, the visa is valid for 18 to 48 months and allows you to live, study, and work in Australia temporarily after you have finished your studies.

Students are only able to access the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) once as a primary applicant. You and any dependent applicants must be in Australia when you apply for this visa and when your visa is decided. Family members who apply for this visa after the main applicant has been granted the visa may be in or outside Australia when they apply, but must not be in immigration clearance.

This visa has three streams, and the length of a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) depends on the stream that you applied in. If your family joins you in Australia on this visa, their visas will be valid while your visa is valid.

The Three 485 Visa Streams

The duration of your stay depends strictly on the stream you apply for and your specific qualification.

1. Post-Vocational Education Work Stream

Who it's for: Graduates with an Associate Degree, Diploma, or Trade Qualification.
Requirement: Your qualification must relate to an occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
Stay Period: Up to 18 months.
Age Limit: 35 years or under (50 for Hong Kong/BNO passport holders).

2. Post-Higher Education Work Stream

Who it's for: Graduates with a Bachelor, Masters, or Doctoral degree.
Stay Period: * Bachelor's / Masters (Coursework): 2 years.
Masters (Research) / PhD: 3 years.
Age Limit: 35 years or under. (Note: Masters by Research and PhD graduates remain eligible up to 50 years old).

3. Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream

Who it's for: Holders of a first 485 visa who graduated from a regional institution and lived in a regional area for at least two years.
Stay Period: An additional 1 to 2 years, depending on your regional category.

Essential Requirements for a Successful 485 Application

To avoid a costly visa refusal, you must meet strict criteria at the time of lodgment:

The 6-Month Rule: Apply within 6 months of your official Course Completion Date (not your graduation ceremony).
English Proficiency: You must provide evidence of English language ability (e.g., IELTS or PTE) taken within the last 12 months.
Health Insurance: You must hold adequate Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC).
Australian Study Requirement: You must have completed at least 92 weeks of CRICOS-registered study in no less than 16 months.

IMPORTANT - The Australian government has implemented significant changes to the Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa program starting July 1, 2024.

The existing Graduate Work and Post-Study Work streams have been renamed and restructured:

Post-Vocational Education Work Stream: This replaces the Graduate Work stream and is for international graduates with Associate Degrees, Diplomas, or Trade qualifications aligned with Australia's Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
Post-Higher Education Work Stream: This replaces the Post-Study Work stream and is for graduates with Bachelor's Degrees (including Honours) or Master's Degrees (coursework or extended).

Reduced Age Limit

The maximum age for applicants in both Post-Vocational and Post-Higher Education streams has been reduced to 35 years old. However, there are exceptions for holders of Hong Kong and British National Overseas (BNO) passports, who can apply up to age 50.

Changes to Visa Grant Periods

The previous two-year extension for select degrees is no longer offered. New maximum stay periods are:

Bachelor's Degree (including Honours): Up to 2 years
Master’s Degree (coursework and extended): Up to 2 years
Masters (research) and doctoral degree (PhD) – up to 3 years.
Post-Vocational Education Work stream - up to 18 months.

Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders may be able to stay for up to 5 years.

Indian Nationals and the AI-ECTA

Indian nationals with qualifications under the Australian Indian Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA) will have specific visa grant periods determined by their qualification level.

Bachelor's degree (including Honours) – up to 2 years
Bachelor's degree (with first class Honours in STEM, including ICT) – up to 3 years
Masters (coursework, extended and research) – up to 3 years
Doctoral degrees (PhD) – up to 4 years.

Unaffected Stream: Second Post-Study Work Stream

The Second Post-Study Work Stream remains unchanged and maintains its current eligibility requirements.

Important Dates

The Replacement Stream for students impacted by COVID-19 restrictions ceased on July 1, 2024.

Having successfully completed your Australian study, the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) is your critical next step for securing post-graduation work rights and a pathway to Permanent Residency (PR). Leading Edge Migration specialises in expertly navigating the complex rules of both the Post-Study Work stream and the Graduate Work stream. Our dedicated Registered Migration Agents meticulously manage every aspect of your application, ensuring compliance with strict requirements, confirming your two-year study rule eligibility, and guaranteeing timely lodgement to prevent costly rejections. We strategise your 485 Visa application to secure your future in the Australian workforce as efficiently as possible.

Why Choose Leading Edge Migration for Your 485 Visa?

Navigating "Visa Hopping" crackdowns and the new age limits requires professional oversight. Leading Edge Migration is Perth’s trusted choice for graduate visas because:

Registered Experts: Our agents manage every detail of the "Two-Year Study Rule" and Skills Assessments.
Strategic PR Planning: We don’t just get you a 485; we help you plan your next steps toward a 190 or 491 Skilled Visa.
Timely Lodgment: We ensure all documents (AFP checks, health exams, and insurance) are "decision-ready" to prevent rejections.

Ready to Secure Your Stay in Australia?

Don't risk your future on a technical error. Contact Leading Edge Migration today for a consultation.