Temporary Graduate Visa - Subclass 485
The Subclass 485 visa allows recent international graduates from Australian institutions to stay in Australia temporarily. With this visa, graduates can live, work, and continue their studies, giving them the chance to gain valuable work experience in Australia. This experience can be helpful for future job opportunities and may also open pathways to permanent residency in some cases. It gives graduates a chance to gain valuable work experience and, in some cases, helps them transition to permanent residency. The Subclass 485 visa has two streams, tailored for different graduate profiles and qualification levels.
Benefits of the Subclass 485 Visa
Work in Australia
Allows you to live and work full-time in Australia after completing your studies, offering a chance to gain professional experience in your field of study.
Travel Freedom
Visa holders can travel in and out of Australia without restrictions during the visa validity period.
Study Flexibility
Visa holders can continue their studies or pursue further education while in Australia.
Family Inclusion
Eligible family members (such as your spouse/partner and dependent children) can be included in your visa application and live with you in Australia.
Pathway to Permanent Residency
Graduates can use the work experience gained under this visa to apply for permanent residency through employer-sponsored or skilled migration programs.
Subclass 485 Visa
MAIN REQUIREMENTS
To be eligible for the Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa, you must meet the following requirements:
Australian Study Requirement
You must have completed a CRICOS-registered course in Australia, meeting the Australian study requirement of at least 92 weeks of study and having completed your course within the last six months.
Age
You must be under 50 years of age at the time of application.
English Language Proficiency
You must demonstrate your English language proficiency, typically through an English language test like IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE Academic, unless you hold a passport from an exempt country.
Health and Character
You must meet specific health and character criteria, including passing medical examinations and obtaining police clearance certificates.
Health Insurance
You need to have adequate health insurance for the duration of your stay in Australia.
No Visa Cancellation
You must not have had a visa canceled or a visa application refused while in Australia previously.
Skills Assessment (Graduate Work Stream)
For applicants in the Graduate Work stream, you need to nominate an occupation on the relevant Skilled Occupation List and provide a positive skills assessment in that occupation.
Different Streams of Subclass 485 visa
Post-Vocational Education Work stream
(Formerly Graduate Work Stream)
This stream is for international students who have graduated with qualifications related to an occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). Visa holders in this stream are granted a visa for up to 18 months and can live and work in Australia during this period. They must also have a positive skills assessment for their nominated occupation.
Post-Higher Education Work stream
(Formerly Post-Study Work Stream)
This stream is for international students who have completed a higher education degree (bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral) from an Australian institution. It is not dependent on the occupation list. The visa duration is typically 2 to 5 years, depending on the level of qualification.
Updated stay period:
Stay period for new applicants
| Qualification | Visa Period |
|---|---|
| Bachelor degree (including honours) | 2 Years |
| Masters (coursework and extended) | 2 Years |
Stay period for Indian nationals
| Qualification | Visa Period |
|---|---|
| Bachelor degree (including honours) | 2 Years |
| Bachelor degree (with first-class honours in STEM, including ICT) | 3 Years |
| Masters (coursework, extended, research) | 3 Years |
| Doctoral degrees (PhD) | 4 Years |
Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders may be able to stay for up to 5 years.
Steps to apply for the Subclass 485 Visa
Meet the Australian Study Requirement
Ensure that you meet the Australian study requirement by completing a CRICOS-registered course and that you have completed your studies within the last 6 months.
1
Check Eligibility and Gather Documents
Gather necessary documents, including proof of qualification, English language proficiency results, health insurance, police clearance certificates, and identity documents.
2
Choose Your Stream
Decide whether to apply for the Graduate Work Stream or the Post-Study Work Stream, depending on your qualification and field of study.
3
Lodge Your Application
Submit your Subclass 485 visa application online via the Department of Home Affairs website. Be sure to attach all required documents and pay the visa application fee.
4
Complete Health Examinations and Character Checks
Undergo the required health examinations and submit police clearance certificates as part of the application process.
5
Await a Visa Decision
The Department of Home Affairs will process your application and notify you of the visa outcome. If approved, you will receive the visa and can begin working, studying, or traveling in Australia.
6
Current Processing Time: Subclass 485 Visa
When it comes to the processing timeline, several factors can impact your application. These include the quality of submitted documents and the volume of applications received by the Department.
| Stream | 50% applications are processed in | 90% applications are processed in |
|---|---|---|
| Post-Vocational Education Work stream | 7 Months | 5 Months |
| Post-Higher Education Work stream | 46 Days | 7 Months |
Frequently
Asked
Questions
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No, you cannot extend a Subclass 485 visa. However, you may be eligible to apply for another visa, such as an employer-sponsored or skilled migration visa, after gaining relevant work experience.
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Yes, the work experience gained on a Subclass 485 visa may help you meet the requirements for permanent residency through the General Skilled Migration program or employer-sponsored visas.
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Yes, you can include your spouse/partner and dependent children in your visa application. They will be granted the same rights to live, work, and study in Australia during the visa validity.
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You are not restricted to a specific employer while on a Subclass 485 visa. You can change employers or even work for multiple employers, provided you continue to meet the visa conditions.
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You need to meet the minimum English language proficiency requirement, typically through IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE Academic. However, applicants from certain countries (e.g., UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, or Ireland) are exempt from this requirement.
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The Australian Study Requirement stipulates that you must have completed at least two academic years (92 weeks) of study in a CRICOS-registered course in Australia within the last six months.