Your Passport to Employment and Accommodation in Australia Following Study with the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)

Taking up its studies in Australia can be both exciting and uncertain – especially when it comes forward. Fortunately, the temporary graduate visa (subcontinent 485) offers international students a valuable opportunity to temporarily live, get practical work experience and even paved the way towards permanent residence.

If you have recently completed your education in Australia and are wondering how to increase your stay, then this visa can be the right choice for you. In this blog, we will break down all the things you need to know about 485 visas, including eligibility, currents, benefits, processing time and application.

What is a temporary graduate visa (subcontinent 485)?

The Subclass 485 visa is a temporary visa that allows international students, who recently obtained a bachelor’s degree to stay, study and work in Australia for a limited period after finishing their studies from an Australian institution in Australia.

This helps graduates gain valuable work experience, create local connections and even improve eligibility for future efficient visas.

Streams Under the 485 Visa

There are two main streams under this visa, each tailored for different graduate pathways:

  1. Graduate Work Stream

For international students who have recently graduated with skills and qualifications that are related to a business on a skilled business list (SOL).

This visa is usually valid for 18 months (currently extended to 24 months as a temporary remedy).

Skill evaluation is required in a relevant business.

  1. Post-study work stream

For those students who have completed a degree of higher education in Australia (bachelor’s, master, or doctoral degrees).

The efficient list does not require business.

The visa duration varies depending on your qualification:

Bachelor’s degree: up to 2 years

Master Degree (Coursework): 2-3 years

Master by Research: 3 years

Doctorate: 4 years

New extended graduate work rights (2023-2025)

As part of the recent update, some graduates are eligible for the extended period, especially in high-mang areas such as IT, engineering, teaching and nursing.

For instance:

Bachelor’s graduates in eligible fields may stay up to 4 years

Master’s graduates up to 5 years

PhD graduates up to 6 years

These changes are aimed at addressing skills shortages in Australia and attracting top global talent.

Who is eligible for 485 visas?

To qualify, you need:

Be under 50 years old

Hold a valid student visa within the past 6 months

Have completed a CRICOS-registered course

Filling the requirement of English language (eg, IELTS 6.0 overall, no band no less than 5)

Is sufficient health insurance

Meet Australian study requirements (minimum of 2 academic years of study)

Apply for the correct stream based on your qualifications

English Language Requirements

You have to provide evidence of English proficiency through one of the following tests:

IELTS: total no band is less than 6.0, 5.0 in total

PTE Academic: A overall score of at least 50

Toefl IBT: Total score of at least 64

Cambridge English (CAE): Score of at least 169

Health and Character Checks

Applicants must:

Undergo a medical examination by a panel doctor

Submit police clearance certificate from all countries for 12+ months in the last 10 years

How to apply for 485 visa

Step 1: Prepare documents

Passport bio page

Australian qualification certificates and transcripts

English test results

Overseas health insurance (OVHC)

Skills assessment (if applying under Graduate Work stream)

AFP (Australian Federal Police) check

2: Lodge Your Application Online

You must apply within 6 months of holding a student visa, and you must be in Australia when applying.

3: Receive Bridging Visa

Once your application is recorded, you will receive a bridging visa, allowing you to stay in Australia while your 485 visa is processed.

4: Wait for approval

Processing times can vary. See below for more detail.

Processing Times and Costs

As of 2025, estimated processing times are:

Graduate Work Stream: 5 to 9 months

Post -study work stream: 4 to 8 months

Visa application fee: AUD 1,895 for the primary applicant

Additional fees are applied to secondary applicants (partner, baby)

Can you work full -time on 485 visas?

Yes! The 485 visa allows full -time work rights, which means that you can gain valuable Australian work experience in your region or any other field. This work experience can help you:

Promote your start again

Apply for skilled migration visa (eg, 189, 190, 491)

Employer sponsoring sponsors (subcontinent 482 or 186)

Can You Bring Family Members?

Yes. You can include your partner and children in your application or add them later as subsequent entrants.They will have equal rights to live, work and study in Australia.

Path of permanent residence

Many graduates use 485 visas as a stepping stone for permanent residence. This way:

Gain work experience in a skilled occupation

Apply for General Efficient Migration (GSM) Visa

Get state nomination or employer sponsorship

Improve your points score for PR through Australian experience and qualifications

final thoughts

Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) is a golden opportunity for international students to live, work and build a future after completing their studies. Whether you aim to gain work experience, find out life in Australia, or apply for permanent residence, this visa is your first step.

 

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