Subclass 485 · Graduate / post-study · Post-Higher Education Work and Post-Vocational Education Work
Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485)
The subclass 485 gives graduates of eligible Australian qualifications a few years of unrestricted work rights so they can build the skilled experience that skilled-migration visas require. It has two streams: Post-Higher Education Work for bachelor degree level and above, and Post-Vocational Education Work for diplomas and trade qualifications.
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- Stay period
- 18 months to 3 years depending on qualification level; longer for some passport holders
- Permanent residence
- No, temporary only
- Points tested
- No
- Age limit
- Under 35 at time of application; under 50 for masters by research and PhD graduates, and for Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) passport holders
- Base application charge
- From AUD 5,750 for the primary applicant. The second regional Post-Higher Education Work stream visa is cheaper. A lower charge applies to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens.
- Processing time
- Commonly 4 to 12 months
- English requirement
- Competent English, usually IELTS 6.0 overall with no band below 5.0, or equivalent; some exemptions apply
- Skilled occupation list
- Post-Higher Education Work stream no longer requires a nominated occupation on a skills list; Post-Vocational Education Work stream does
Who it's for
You are likely eligible if you:
- 1
Held a student visa in the last 6 months
- 2
Completed a CRICOS-registered qualification that meets the Australian study requirement (at least 2 academic years of study in Australia)
- 3
Are under the age limit for your stream
- 4
Have competent English
- 5
Applied for an Australian Federal Police check and hold health insurance
Visa streams
Post-Higher Education Work
For graduates of a bachelor degree or higher. No nominated occupation or skills assessment needed.
2 to 3 years
Post-Vocational Education Work
For graduates of a diploma or trade qualification. Needs a nominated occupation on a skills list and a skills assessment.
18 months
Second Post-Higher Education Work
A one-off further visa for first-stream holders who studied and lived in a designated regional area.
1 to 2 extra years
Pathway to permanent residence
The 485 is a bridge, not a destination. Use the time on it to reach one year of skilled employment in your nominated occupation, get a positive skills assessment, and lodge an Expression of Interest for a 189, 190, or 491. Regional study and work while on the 485 can add points.
How long you can stay
| Qualification level | Visa length |
|---|---|
| Bachelor degree, including honours | 2 years |
| Masters by coursework | 2 years |
| Masters by research | 3 years |
| Doctoral degree | 3 years |
| Diploma or trade qualification (Post-Vocational stream) | 18 months |
Graduates who studied and live in designated regional areas have in past years been offered a further one to two year extension. Indian nationals have separate arrangements under a bilateral agreement.
Why the experience you get here matters
Skilled visa points and skills assessments both reward post-qualification skilled work. A year of relevant full-time work on a 485 is often the difference between an EOI that gets invited and one that does not.
Recent tightening
The age limit dropped from 50 to 35 for most applicants, stay periods were trimmed from the temporary pandemic-era extensions, and English requirements rose. Check the current settings before you plan around this visa.
Visa conditions
The 485 carries no work-hour limit and no employer restriction. You are expected to keep health cover for the visa period. It cannot usually be applied for onshore more than once for the same stream.
Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485): common questions
How much does the subclass 485 visa cost?
Base application charge for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485): From AUD 5,750 for the primary applicant. The second regional Post-Higher Education Work stream visa is cheaper. A lower charge applies to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens. Family members you include each pay an additional charge, and there are separate costs for health checks, police certificates, and skills assessments.
How long does the subclass 485 visa take to process?
Typical processing time for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485): Commonly 4 to 12 months. Times vary with your occupation, how complete your application is, and demand at the time.
Does the subclass 485 visa lead to permanent residence?
No. The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) is a temporary visa. Some holders move onto a skilled or employer-sponsored visa afterward, but the 485 itself gives no permanent residence entitlement.
What is the age limit for the subclass 485 visa?
Under 35 at time of application; under 50 for masters by research and PhD graduates, and for Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) passport holders. Age is assessed at a specific point in the process, usually the date of invitation or application, so check exactly when before you plan around it.
How long can I stay on the subclass 485 visa?
Stay period for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485): 18 months to 3 years depending on qualification level; longer for some passport holders. The exact period and any conditions are set on your grant notice, so confirm yours on the Department of Home Affairs website or in VEVO before you plan travel, study or work around it.
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This is general information, not immigration advice, and Where To Apply is not a registered migration agent. Visa criteria change often, so always confirm the current rules on the Department of Home Affairs website or with a registered migration agent (check their MARN on the OMARA website) before you apply.