Temporary Graduate Visa
(subclass 485)
The 485 visa is for international students who have completed at least two years of Australian study. This visa allows an extended stay, with a duration of 18 months for Vocational study or 2 to 4 years for Higher Education studies. It provides graduates with an opportunity to work and stay longer in Australia, improving their chances of qualifying for a permanent residency pathway. You can apply online through the ImmiAccount.
To be eligible, the main applicant must be physically present in Australia when submitting the visa application. Additionally, you must have held a student subclass 500 visa within six months prior to lodging the 485 visa application.
485 Visa Options:
- Post-Vocational Education Work stream (formerly known as Graduate stream): This stream is designed for international students who have recently graduated in a vocational course in Australia. Applicants must have skills and qualifications that align with an occupation listed on the MLTSSL Occupation List. It allows individuals to live and work in Australia for 18 months.
- Post-Higher Education Work stream (formerly Post-Study stream): This stream is for international students who have completed a degree (at least at the Bachelor level or above) from an Australian institution. It allows you to temporarily live and work in Australia for a period of 2 to 4 years, depending on your qualification.
1. Post-Higher Education Work Stream
This stream is for international students who have completed a higher education degree in Australia, such as a Bachelor, Master, or Doctoral degree. This visa provides an opportunity to live and work in Australia for a period of up to 2 to 4 years, depending on your qualification.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Age: You must be under 35 years of age. However, if you hold a Master’s (Research) or Doctoral degree, or if you hold a Hong Kong or British National Overseas passport, you may be eligible to apply until you are under 50.
- Qualification: You must have completed an eligible degree within the 6 months immediately prior to your visa application. This includes Bachelor’s, Master’s (coursework or research), Doctoral degrees, or higher doctoral degrees.
- English Language: You need to meet the required level of English language proficiency. For IELTS a minimum overall score of 6.5 in IELTS (with no band less than 5.5), or an equivalent score in another approved test.
- Health Insurance: You and any family members applying with you must have adequate health insurance for your stay in Australia.
2. Post-Vocational Education Work Stream
This stream is for international students who have completed a vocational education and training (VET) qualification such as a Diploma or trade qualification. This visa allows you to live and work in Australia for 18 months.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Age: You must be under 35 years of age. However, if you hold a Hong Kong or British National Overseas passport, you may be eligible to apply until you are under 50.
- Qualification: You must have completed a VET qualification, closely related to a nominated occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
- Skills Assessment: A skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority is required to demonstrate that your qualifications and skills are suitable for the nominated occupation.
- English Language: You need to meet the required level of English language proficiency, with a minimum overall score of 6.5 in IELTS (with no band less than 5.5), or an equivalent score in another approved test.
- Health Insurance: You and your family members applying with you must have adequate health insurance for the duration of your stay in Australia.
Duration and Conditions of the 485 Visa
The validity of the 485 visa depends on the stream, with the Vocational Work stream having an 18-month duration from the application’s grant date.
For the Post-Higher Education stream, the duration varies based on the qualification (regardless of your field of study) and whether the study was completed in a regional area of Australia. If studying in Melbourne, Sydney, or Brisbane, the duration is as follows:
- 2 Years:Â Completion of Bachelor Degree, Bachelor with Honours, Masters by Coursework, or Masters (Extended).
- 3 Years:Â Masters by Research and Doctoral degrees (PhD).
The length of stay for Indian nationals under the Australia India – Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA), is as follows:
- 2 Years: Bachelor degree (including honours).
- 3 Years: Bachelor degree (with first class honours in STEM, including ICT).
- 3 Years: Masters (coursework, extended and research).
- 4 Years: Doctoral degrees (PhD).
Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders may stay up to 5 years.
While holding a 485 visa, individuals enjoy unrestricted work rights in Australia. It is mandatory to maintain private health insurance during the visa period.
Visa Application Costs
The Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) has the following fees:
| Applicant Type | Base Application Charge | Additional Applicant Charge (18+) | Additional Applicant Charge (<18) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary applicant and any additional applicants who combine with their application | AUD $1,945 | AUD $975 | AUD $490 |
| Subsequent applicant applying in the Post‑Study Work/Post‑Higher Education Work Stream | AUD $765 | AUD $385 | AUD $195 |
- Other Costs: Applicants may also need to pay for health insurance, skills assessments (for vocational stream applicants), and English language tests (if applicable).
Key Differences Between the Streams
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| Feature | Post-Higher Education Work Stream | Post-Vocational Education Work Stream |
|---|---|---|
| Eligible Qualifications | Higher education (Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral degrees) | Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualifications (Diplomas, Trade qualifications) |
| Age Limit | Must be under 35, or under 50 if holding a Master’s (Research) or Doctoral degree, or under 50 if holding a Hong Kong or British National Overseas passport | Must be under 35, or under 50 if holding a Hong Kong or British National Overseas passport |
| Occupation Requirement | Not applicable | Occupation must be on the MLTSSL list for skills assessment |
| Skills Assessment | Not required | Required for occupations on the MLTSSL list |
| English Language | IELTS 6.5 with no less than 5.5 in each component or equivalent | IELTS 6.5 with no less than 5.5 in each component or equivalent |
| Visa Duration | 2–4 years, depending on the qualification | 18 months, or up to 5 years for Hong Kong or British National Overseas passport holders |
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How to Apply
To apply for this visa, you must meet the eligibility criteria for either the Post-Higher Education Work Stream or the Post-Vocational Education Work Stream. The primary applicant must apply while in Australia, but not while in immigration clearance. Ensure you submit all required documents including qualification, English and health insurance.