The Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa allows international students who have recently completed eligible studies in Australia to live, work, and gain valuable experience after graduation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa?
The Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa allows international students who have recently completed eligible studies in Australia to live, work, and gain valuable experience after graduation. It is a temporary visa designed to help graduates transition from study to employment and potentially towards permanent residency.
With this visa, you can:
- Work full-time in any sector
- Stay in Australia for up to 18 months to 3 years (or 5 years for Hong Kong/BNO passport holders)
- Include family members in your application
- Travel freely in and out of Australia during the visa validity
Current streams of the subclass 485 visa
As of 1 July 2024, the visa streams have been renamed and restructured:
1. Post-Higher Education Work (PHEW) Stream
For graduates who completed a Bachelor, Master’s, or Doctoral degree in Australia.
- Stay period:
- Bachelor’s (including Honours): 2 years
- Master’s (coursework or extended): 2 years
- Master’s (research) & Doctoral (PhD): 3 years
- Special provisions:
- Hong Kong & BNO passport holders: 5 years
- Indian nationals under AI-ECTA:
- Bachelor’s: 2 years (3 years for STEM Honours)
- Master’s: 3 years
- PhD: 4 years
- No occupation list or skills assessment required
2. Post-Vocational Education Work (PVEW) Stream
For graduates with an associate degree, diploma, or trade qualification linked to an occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
- Stay period: Up to 18 months (5 years for Hong Kong/BNO passport holders)
- Skills assessment required
- Must nominate an occupation from the MLTSSL
3. Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream
For graduates who studied and lived in a regional area while holding a 485 visa (PHEW or Replacement).
- Stay period: Additional 1–2 years, depending on location
- Regional study evidence required
Key Eligibility Requirements
- Age: Generally 35 or under at application
(Exceptions: Hong Kong/BNO passport holders and Master’s by Research/PhD graduates – up to 50) - Recent study: Completed at least 2 academic years (92 weeks) of CRICOS-registered study in Australia
- Apply within 6 months of course completion
- Held a Student visa in the last 6 months
- English language:
- From 7 August 2025, accepted tests include IELTS, PTE, TOEFL iBT, OET, CELPIP, LanguageCert Academic, MET
- Minimum: IELTS 6.5 overall (5.5 each band)
- Test must be taken within 1 year before application
- Health insurance: Maintain OVHC during your stay
- Health & character checks: Required for all applicants
Important changes in 2024–2025
- Streams renamed:
- Graduate Work → Post-Vocational Education Work
- Post-Study Work → Post-Higher Education Work
- Age limit reduced: From 50 to 35 years (with limited exceptions)
- Stay durations standardised:
- Bachelor/Master’s coursework: 2 years
- Master’s research/PhD: 3 years
- Vocational: 18 months
- Graduate Certificates no longer eligible; Graduate Diplomas only in specific cases
- Replacement Stream closed (from July 2024)
- English test rules updated (new accepted tests and 1-year validity)
