Temporary Graduate Visa | Subclass 485 Visa Lawyers Australia
Subclass 485 visa lawyers for your next chapter after study.
Strategic legal advice for international graduates navigating the Post-Higher Education Work, Post-Vocational Education Work and Second Post-Higher Education Work streams.
2 October 2026 Student visa reform: Subclass 485 holders remain restricted from switching to a Student visa onshore. Read our detailed reform guide.
Reviewed by Madhab Kharel, Principal Lawyer — 23 September 2026. Home Affairs currently requires most primary applicants to be 35 or under when they apply, with exceptions including certain Masters by Research/doctoral graduates and Hong Kong or British National (Overseas) passport holders. Applicants must also meet the requirements of the relevant 485 stream. See the official Temporary Graduate visa guidance.
Your application window is short
Stream selection, course completion, age, English, police checks and insurance should be reviewed before lodgement—not after a deadline passes.
Subclass 485 visa at a glance
A graduate work visa—not automatic permanent residence.
The Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485) lets eligible international students remain in Australia temporarily after completing qualifying Australian study.
- It is not points tested and does not require an invitation to apply.
- The first application is generally made in Australia and within six months of completing the relevant study.
- You may live, study and work in Australia while the visa remains in effect.
- Eligible partners and dependent children may be included.
- The visa can create time to gain experience and assess another visa pathway, but it does not guarantee permanent residence.
Who the Subclass 485 is for
Your qualification determines the starting stream.
Bachelor, masters and doctoral graduates.
The Post-Higher Education Work stream is for eligible graduates with qualifying Australian degrees. It does not require a nominated skilled occupation or skills assessment.
Review the higher education stream →Associate degree, diploma and trade graduates.
The Post-Vocational Education Work stream connects qualifying study to an eligible skilled occupation and usually requires a suitable skills assessment process.
Review the vocational stream →What a 485 can provide
Time to build your career after study.
Live in Australia
Remain lawfully in Australia for the visa period.
Work after graduation
Use the visa period to gain professional or trade experience.
Continue studying
Undertake further study, subject to course and visa settings.
Include eligible family
Eligible members of the family unit may be included.
Current Subclass 485 visa streams
Choose the stream your qualification supports.
The former Graduate Work and Post-Study Work streams were renamed from 1 July 2024. The Replacement stream is closed to new applications.
Post-Higher Education Work
For eligible graduates who completed one or more qualifying degrees at Australian institutions.
- Generally available for bachelor, masters and doctoral qualifications
- No nominated occupation or skills assessment requirement
- Usual stay periods depend on the qualification and any special passport or treaty settings
- Formerly called the Post-Study Work stream
Post-Vocational Education Work
For eligible graduates with an associate degree, diploma or trade qualification connected to an eligible skilled occupation.
- A skilled occupation must be nominated under the applicable instrument
- Each qualification must be closely related to that occupation
- Evidence of applying for a skills assessment is required at lodgement
- The usual visa period is up to 18 months, subject to special settings
Second Post-Higher Education Work
For eligible holders whose first graduate visa was based on study in a qualifying regional area and who meet the residence and activity rules.
- Usually provides one or two additional years depending on the qualifying location
- Requires two years of qualifying regional residence before application
- Regional work and study restrictions must be assessed
- Condition 8610 applies after grant
| Stream | Qualification basis | Occupation and skills assessment | Usual stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Post-Higher Education | Qualifying Australian bachelor, masters or doctoral degree. | No nominated occupation or skills assessment. | Usually 2 years for bachelor and masters by coursework; 3 years for masters by research and doctoral graduates. Special settings may differ. |
| Post-Vocational Education | Qualifying associate degree, diploma or trade qualification. | Eligible nominated occupation, closely related study and skills assessment process required. | Usually up to 18 months. Special passport settings may differ. |
| Second Post-Higher Education | Prior eligible graduate visa based on qualifying regional study and residence. | No separate nominated occupation or skills assessment. | Usually 1 or 2 additional years depending on the qualifying regional area. |
Stay periods and concessions can depend on passport, qualification, regional category and the rules applying when you lodge. Confirm the current settings before relying on a duration.
New Subclass 485 rules in 2026
Separate current law from outdated graduate visa information.
Many pages still use pre-July 2024 stream names, the former age ceiling or a closed extension pathway. These are the settings graduates should understand in 2026.
Higher education and vocational streams
The Post-Study Work stream became Post-Higher Education Work. The Graduate Work stream became Post-Vocational Education Work.
Usually 35 or younger
The primary applicant generally must be 35 or younger at application. Specified passport holders and masters-by-research or doctoral graduates may use the under-50 setting.
Qualification controls duration
Most bachelor and masters-by-coursework graduates receive 2 years; masters-by-research and doctoral graduates generally receive 3 years. Special settings may differ.
No new Replacement stream
The COVID-era Replacement stream is closed, and the additional two-year extension for selected degrees ended on 1 July 2024.
Six months still matters
Most first-stream applicants must apply in Australia after completing qualifying study during the six months immediately before application.
$5,750 standard primary charge
From 1 July 2026, the base charge for most first-stream primary applicants is AUD $5,750. Family, regional-second and prescribed passport categories can have different charges. Verify the live price before lodgement.
The rules applying to an application are determined by legislation and instruments in force at the relevant time. A website summary cannot replace a fact-specific assessment.
The six-month application window
Course completion date is not the graduation ceremony date.
For a first Post-Higher Education or Post-Vocational application, the relevant Australian study is generally completed during the six months before application. Completion usually turns on when the education provider confirms the academic requirements were met—not when you attend graduation.
Subclass 485 visa requirements
Eligibility and lodgement evidence must both be right.
A document obtained after lodgement may not cure a failure to provide evidence that legislation requires with the application. Build the file before pressing submit.
Core first-visa requirements
- Usually be 35 or younger when applying, unless a specified exception permits an age under 50.
- Apply in Australia, but not while in immigration clearance.
- Hold an eligible Student visa, or an eligible substantive or bridging visa after holding a Student visa within the previous six months.
- Complete the relevant qualifying Australian study within the prescribed six-month period.
- Meet the requirements of the one stream nominated in the application.
- Meet health, character and other public-interest criteria.
Evidence required at application
- Evidence of the required English ability or an accepted passport exemption.
- Evidence that you and each included applicant aged 16 or older applied for the required Australian Federal Police check in the previous 12 months.
- Evidence of adequate health insurance arrangements for the period in Australia.
- Course completion letters, transcripts and qualification evidence.
- For the vocational stream, evidence of applying for the relevant skills assessment.
- Identity, relationship and dependent-family documents where applicable.
Work, bridging visas and travel
Know which visa is actually in effect.
A lodged 485 application, a granted 485 visa and a bridging visa are different legal statuses. Your current VEVO record and grant notice control what you can do.
Not a bridging visa
The Subclass 485 is a substantive temporary visa. A separate bridging visa may be granted in association with an onshore 485 application.
Full-time work permitted
A 485 holder can generally work full time and is not tied to one employer or occupation. Always check the in-effect visa and conditions through VEVO.
Work rights depend on status
Lodging a 485 does not itself create immediate work rights. Your existing substantive visa continues until it ends; after that, the conditions on the bridging visa in effect determine work rights.
Check before leaving
A Bridging Visa A does not permit return to Australia after departure. If relying on bridging status, obtain advice about a Bridging Visa B before travel. A pending 485 is not automatically withdrawn merely because you leave.
Subclass 485 cost and processing time
Budget the application and plan for a variable decision period.
Government charges and processing-time percentiles change. The figures below are dated so readers can distinguish a current snapshot from a guarantee.
Most first-stream primary applicants
The standard base Visa Application Charge is paid to the Department and is generally not refunded merely because the application is refused or withdrawn.
- Additional adult applicant: $2,875
- Additional applicant under 18: $1,450
- Other costs: English test, AFP checks, medicals, insurance, skills assessment, translations and professional fees
Different charges can apply to second Post-Higher Education Work applicants and prescribed passport categories. Confirm the amount using the live Department pricing estimator.
Check the official visa pricing estimator →Median time varied by first stream
At that snapshot, 50% of recently decided Post-Higher Education Work applications were finalised within 56 days and Post-Vocational Education Work applications within 80 days.
- Post-Higher Education: 90% within 4 months
- Post-Vocational Education: 90% within 3 months
- Not a promise: health, character, document requests, complexity and Department workload can change an individual timeframe
Second Post-Higher Education Work stream
Regional study may support a second graduate visa.
An eligible first Post-Higher Education Work visa holder may qualify for a second visa after meeting strict regional study, residence, work and study rules.
Australian study requirement
Two academic years means more than two calendar years enrolled.
The course mix, CRICOS registration, actual completion period, study location, language of instruction and visa held while studying all need to align.
Registered study
The qualification must result from one or more CRICOS-registered courses.
Two academic years
The registered course load must total at least two academic years of study.
At least 16 months
The relevant courses must be completed over no less than 16 calendar months.
Study in Australia
The study must be undertaken in Australia while holding a visa authorising study.
English instruction
All instruction for the relevant course or courses must be in English.
Credit transfers, exemptions, overlapping courses, accelerated study, online study and course changes can alter the calculation. Obtain a transcript-level assessment where timing is close.
Subclass 485 document checklist
Prepare the evidence before the lodgement window closes.
Identity and visa history
Passport bio page, birth record where required, current visa, previous Student visa and complete travel and visa history.
Course completion
Completion letter, final academic transcript, award evidence and CRICOS details for every course relied upon.
English evidence
Valid accepted test results or evidence of an eligible passport exemption, ready to accompany the application.
Police-check evidence
Evidence of applying for the correct AFP National Police Check for every included applicant aged 16 or older.
Health insurance
Evidence of adequate insurance arrangements from the appropriate date and a plan to maintain cover.
Skills assessment
For Post-Vocational applicants, occupation selection and evidence of the required assessing-authority application.
Partner and children
Relationship, dependency, custody, identity, health, character and insurance documents for accompanying family.
Regional history
For a second visa, institution location plus residential, employment and study records covering the qualifying period.
This is a planning checklist, not an exhaustive list for every applicant. The ImmiAccount checklist does not replace the legal criteria.
Common Subclass 485 risks
A small timing error can make a graduate visa application invalid or unsuccessful.
Early legal review is most valuable before the completion window narrows.
Wrong stream selected
The qualification level, occupation link or prior visa history does not support the nominated stream.
Completion date misread
The applicant counts from graduation day or certificate issue and misses the legal six-month window.
Age threshold missed
The application is delayed beyond the relevant age limit without an available exception.
English or AFP evidence missing
Required evidence was not included with the application or did not meet the current instrument.
Skills assessment mismatch
The nominated occupation, qualification and assessing authority requirements do not align.
Study requirement assumed
Credits, course length, location or visa history mean the Australian study rule is not actually met.
Subclass 485 application process
Five stages from completion to decision.
We calculate the deadline first, then coordinate evidence so mandatory items are available when the application is lodged.
Stream and timing audit
Review age, study, visa history, completion date and the correct 485 stream.
Evidence plan
Identify English, AFP, insurance, course, identity, family and skills-assessment documents.
Pre-lodgement review
Check every time-of-application requirement and reconcile inconsistent dates or records.
Application lodgement
Prepare the forms, upload the required evidence and retain a complete filing record.
Post-lodgement support
Monitor the application and respond strategically to health, character or information requests.
Processing times vary. A bridging visa and travel rights require separate attention; obtain advice before leaving Australia while an application is pending.
How to convert a 485 visa to permanent residence
There is no automatic conversion—build a separate qualifying pathway.
The best pathway depends on occupation, skills assessment, points, English, age, location, state criteria, work experience, employer support and family circumstances. The 485 period is preparation time, not a guarantee.
Subclass 189
Build a suitable skills assessment and competitive points profile, then lodge an Expression of Interest and wait for an invitation.
Explore the 189 visa →Subclass 190
Meet the visa criteria and the selected state or territory’s separate nomination requirements and priorities.
Explore the 190 visa →491 to 191
Secure eligible state, territory or family nomination for a regional provisional visa, then meet the separate permanent-residence criteria.
Explore the 491 visa →482 to 186
An eligible employer may sponsor a Skills in Demand visa and, if the later criteria are met, support a Subclass 186 permanent pathway.
Explore the 482 visa →A partner visa or another family, regional or employer pathway may also be relevant. No visa is universally “easy”; the safest option is the one whose legal criteria genuinely match the facts.
How Emigrate Lawyers helps
Legal strategy before a deadline becomes a problem.
Our immigration lawyers assess the law, verify the evidence required at application and help you use the graduate visa period as part of a wider migration plan.
Speak with a 485 visa lawyer →Stream and age assessment
Confirm the correct stream and whether the general or specified under-50 age setting applies.
Australian study calculation
Review CRICOS duration, academic years, calendar months, credits, course changes and completion date.
Vocational occupation strategy
Map the qualification to the nominated occupation and plan the relevant skills assessment evidence.
Lodgement evidence review
Check English, AFP, health insurance, course, identity and family evidence before submission.
Regional second-visa review
Assess institution location, residence history, work, study and the regional category.
Post-485 pathway planning
Consider skilled, state-nominated, regional and employer-sponsored options without promising an automatic PR outcome.
Pathways after a graduate visa
Plan beyond the Subclass 485.
Explore related Emigrate Lawyers pages and official government information for your next step.
Skilled Independent visa (189)
Review the points-tested permanent visa for eligible invited skilled workers.
Read Subclass 189 advice →Skilled Nominated visa (190)
Understand state and territory nomination for points-tested permanent residence.
Read Subclass 190 advice →Skilled Work Regional visa (491)
Explore a state-nominated or eligible family-sponsored regional pathway.
Read Subclass 491 advice →Skills in Demand visa (482)
Consider temporary employer sponsorship where a business has an eligible role.
Read Subclass 482 advice →Home Affairs—Temporary Graduate visa
Check the Department’s current Subclass 485 stream, eligibility, cost and processing information.
Visit Home Affairs →Australian study requirement
Read the Department’s guidance on course duration, study location and qualification timing.
Read official study guidance →Subclass 485 visa FAQs
Clear answers for international graduates.
These answers are general. Your course history, passport, age, visa history and application date can change the result.
Ask an immigration lawyer →What is the Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa?
What is the new rule about the 485 visa in Australia?
What are the new rules for the 485 visa in Australia in 2026?
Who is eligible for a 485 visa?
Is a 485 visa a bridging visa?
Can I work full time with a 485 visa?
Can I work while waiting for a 485 visa?
How long can I stay in Australia on a 485 visa?
How long does it take for a 485 visa to be approved?
How much does a 485 visa cost?
How many times can I get a 485 visa?
Can I leave Australia after applying for a 485 visa?
Does a 485 visa get rejected?
What are the common reasons for 485 visa refusal?
Which Australian visa has the highest rejection rate?
Which visa is easy to get permanent residence in Australia?
Which visa is easy to get for Australia?
How can I convert my 485 visa to permanent residence?
Can I buy a house in Australia on a 485 visa?
What are the current Subclass 485 visa streams?
What is the age limit for a Subclass 485 visa?
How soon after completing my course must I apply for a 485 visa?
Can I apply for a Subclass 485 visa from outside Australia?
What is the Australian study requirement for a 485 visa?
What English evidence is required for a Subclass 485 visa?
Do I need an Australian Federal Police check for a 485 visa?
Do I need health insurance for a Temporary Graduate visa?
Do I need a skills assessment for the Post-Vocational Education Work stream?
Can I include my partner and children in a 485 visa application?
Can regional study give me a second Subclass 485 visa?
Protect the six-month window
Speak with a Subclass 485 visa lawyer before you lodge.
Related guides and resources
Read the related guides below for more detail on the issues relevant to your circumstances.
