485 Visa – Temporary Graduate Visa

The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) allows you to remain in Australia to live, work or study after you have finished your studies. The visa has four streams:

• Graduate Work stream
• Post-Study Work stream
• Second Post-Study Work stream
• Replacement stream

The length of your stay and cost of the visa will depend on which stream you apply for.

Who can apply for the Graduate Work visa 485?

To be eligible to apply for the Graduate Work visa you must

• be under 50 years of age
• hold an eligible visa
• have held a student visa in the last 6 months
• have a qualification relevant to an occupation on the skilled occupation list (Note: this is not required for applications lodged between 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2023)
• have applied for a skills assessment in your nominated occupation on the skilled occupation list (Note: this is not required for applications lodged between 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2023)
• provide evidence of adequate health insurance for all applicants when you apply
• provide evidence you have applied for an Australian police check when you apply
• provide evidence of the required level of English with the application.

Please check the Department of Home Affairs for the details of the eligibility listed above. 

Who can apply for the Post Study Work visa 485?

To be eligible to apply for the Post Study Work visa you must

• be under 50 years of age
• hold an eligible visa
• hold an eligible qualification at degree-level or above
• meet the Australian study requirement
• have studied with an Australian education provider
• provide evidence of adequate health insurance for all applicants when you apply
• provide evidence you have applied for an Australian police check when you apply
• provide evidence of the required level of English with the application.

Please check the Department of Home Affairs for the details of the eligibility listed above. 

How long can I stay with a Graduate Work visa 485?

You can usually stay in Australia for 18 months. The stay period is temporarily be increased from 18 to 24 months for visas granted from 1 December 2021.

Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders may stay up to 5 years.

How long can I stay with a Post Study Work visa 485?

The time you are allowed to stay in Australia with a Post Study Work visa depends on your degree:

• bachelor degree (including honours): 2 years
• masters by research and masters by coursework: 3 years
• masters (extended): 3 years
• doctoral degree: 4 years
• Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders who successfully complete a bachelor, masters or doctoral degree: 5 years

Can I stay longer if I’m part of the graduate work stream?

You can’t stay in Australia longer by extending this visa. 

Current and future temporary graduate visa holders from Hong Kong will also have a pathway to permanent residency after 5 years.

Can I stay longer if I’m part of the graduate work stream?

You can’t stay in Australia longer by extending this visa. 

You may be eligible to apply for a second Post Study Work Stream visa. To do this, you must live, work and/or study in a regional area while holding your first Post Study Work visa. That visa must have been granted on the basis of a degree or higher from an Australian institution located in a regional area. You can stay for one year up to two years, depending on the regional area where you finished your previous studies and where you worked with your first post study work stream visa.

If you hold a Hong Kong passport, you can stay for up to five years. Current and future temporary graduate visa holders from Hong Kong will also have a pathway to permanent residency after 5 years.

Can my family members apply with me?

Your family members can apply with you for a Graduate Work visa if they are:

• your spouse or de facto partner
• your child or your partner’s child aged under 18 years
• Your adult dependent child or your partner’s adult dependent child aged 18 to 23 years 
• Your adult child or your partner’s adult child aged 18 to 23 years dependent on you or your partner due to a partial or total physical or mental disability
• Your grandchild or your partner’s grandchild.

You can add your children to the application after you have submitted an application as long as a decision hasn’t been made. However you can’t add any other family members to your application during that period. 

Your family members may apply for the visa later as subsequent entrants, but they are required to pay the full visa application fee.

Can I travel overseas with a Graduate Work visa 485?

Yes, this visa is issued with multiple entries and you can travel freely as you need to from Australia.

When should I apply for the Graduate Work visa 485?

You should apply for this visa within 6 months after your course ends. 

How to apply for a 485 visa?

Applications can be made online at the Department of Home Affairs. Have all your documents ready to complete the application and payment to ensure you visa application is valid. You have to submit color scanned copies or photocopies of your documents including

• Passport photo page
• Evidence of study
• Academic Transcripts
• English language documents
• Skills assessment documents
• Health insurance proof
• Police check
• Documents for partner and children.

If you are interested in this visa, we offer a free quick assessment. You can contact us for assistance with your application.