Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)
The Temporary Graduate visa allows eligible international graduates of Australian institutions to live, work and study in Australia temporarily after completing their studies.
Your qualification determines the correct Subclass 485 stream. Associate degree, diploma and trade graduates generally consider the Post-Vocational Education Work stream, while bachelor, masters and doctoral graduates generally consider the Post-Higher Education Work stream.
What is the Temporary Graduate Visa?
Subclass 485 is a temporary visa designed to give eligible recent international graduates time in Australia to gain work experience, undertake further study and build their careers. It is not itself a permanent visa, but the experience gained may support eligibility for another visa pathway in the future.
Eligibility and stay length vary by stream, qualification, passport and individual circumstances. Most applicants must be 35 years of age or under when applying, although specified exceptions permit certain applicants to be under 50.
Main Subclass 485 streams
Key eligibility considerations
Choosing the right stream
Post-Vocational Education Work: Generally for graduates relying on an associate degree, diploma or trade qualification closely related to a nominated occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list. A suitable skills assessment or evidence of having applied for one may be required.
Post-Higher Education Work: Generally for graduates relying on an eligible bachelor, bachelor honours, masters or doctoral degree. The qualification must meet the Temporary Graduate visa study requirement.
Second Post-Higher Education Work: May provide additional stay for eligible graduates who studied with a regional institution and lived, worked or studied in an eligible regional area while holding their first qualifying graduate visa.
How the Subclass 485 process works
Identify your correct stream
Review your awarded qualification, course dates, location of study, occupation and previous visa history before choosing a stream.
Check your study requirement
Confirm your eligible CRICOS-registered study meets the required academic duration, calendar duration, English instruction and visa-held study rules.
Prepare time-sensitive evidence
Arrange English results, health insurance and evidence of applying for an Australian Federal Police check before lodgement where required.
Complete skills assessment steps
Post-Vocational applicants should confirm the nominated occupation, qualification relationship and assessing-authority requirements.
Lodge a complete application
Apply through ImmiAccount within the applicable completion and Student visa time limits, then respond promptly to any requests.
Australian study requirement
Applicants generally need one or more eligible qualifications involving at least two academic years of study, equivalent to 92 registered weeks, completed in Australia over no less than 16 calendar months. The study must be in English, registered on CRICOS and undertaken while holding a visa that permitted study. Stream-specific qualification rules also apply.
Visa duration
Stay periods depend on the stream and qualification. The Post-Vocational Education Work stream generally allows up to 18 months. Post-Higher Education Work stays are commonly two years for bachelor and masters coursework or extended degrees, and three years for masters research and doctoral degrees. Different periods can apply to eligible Indian, Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) passport holders and other specified circumstances.
Benefits of the Subclass 485 Visa
- Live, work and study temporarily in Australia after graduation.
- Gain professional experience in the Australian labour market.
- Travel to and from Australia while the visa remains valid.
- Include eligible family members or support subsequent entrants.
- Explore further skilled, employer-sponsored or regional pathways.
- Potentially qualify for a second graduate visa after eligible regional study and residence.
Documents commonly required
Documents may include identity and passport records, course completion evidence and academic transcripts, English test results, adequate health insurance, AFP check application evidence, Student visa history, skills assessment documents where applicable, relationship documents and health or character evidence.
How Echoes Global Education can assist
Our team can review your course and visa timeline, identify the appropriate Subclass 485 stream, assess the Australian study requirement, guide skills assessment steps, prepare a document checklist and assist with lodging a complete application within the relevant deadlines.