Graduate
Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485)
A temporary graduate visa allows international students to live, study and work in Australia after finishing their studies.
This visa is a temporary visa that lasts up to 4 years, depending on the stream and qualification achieved. You can include your family members in your application.
General eligibility requirements for this visa include:
- Under 50 years of age
- Completed your studies within the past 06 months (may be 12 months if you are offshore during the COVID concession period)
- Have not applied for a 485 visa before as the primary applicant
- Have achieved the required English score
- Have studied for 92+ weeks in Australia, in a minimum of 16 calendar months
There are 2 different streams of the temporary graduate visa. The stream applied for will depend on your level of qualification and your previous study experience in Australia.
This information sheet is not conclusive and is designed to provide a basic overview of the visa subclass only. Please contact your migration agent for an assessment of your eligibility and for further assistance.
Temporary Graduate Visa
There are two streams of this visa. It is important that you apply for the correct stream, depending on your circumstances.
1. Graduate Work Stream- 18 months
This is for international studies who have graduated from a degree, diploma or trade qualification in Australia. This visa lets you live, study and work in Australia temporarily. It allows you to stay in Australia for up to 18 months after grant. You can include immediate family in your application.
In addition to the general eligibility requirements, you must have completed a course of study related to an occupation on the Medium and Long Term Strategic Skills List and have a skills assessment in that occupation.
2. Post Study Work Stream- 2-4 years
This stream is for international students who have recently graduated with a degree from an Australian institution. This visa lets you live, work and study in Australia temporarily. It allows you to stay in Australia between 2 and 4 years, depending on your qualification. You can include immediate family in your application.
You may be eligible for a second 485 Post Study Work visa if you:
• Completed studies in a regional area of Australia
• Remained in a regional area of Australia after graduation
If you held a student visa prior to 05 November 2011, you are not eligible for this stream and must go through the Graduate Work Stream.
Benefits of the Temporary Graduate Visa
This visa provides you with the opportunity to gain valuable Australian work experience in your industry that can assist you to find work when you return overseas, or help you to meet the requirements for a further skilled visa in Australia.
If you have an occupation on the department skills shortage list, you may qualify for a future Australian work visa. Two years of full-time work experience in your occupation permits you to apply for employer sponsorship, if you have an employer willing to sponsor you.
You may also use this visa to meet the work experience requirements to pass a skills assessment for a visa under the General Skilled Migration program. Australian work experience in your occupation also provides you with additional points for the General Skilled Migration program.
Next Steps
Our Registered Migration Agents are happy to assist you with the preparation and lodgment of your 485 application. We will review your documents and ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements before applying.
Please contact us to book an appointment for further information and assessment of your eligibility.