485 Graduate Visa (Temporary Graduate) Australia: Complete 2026 Guide

Two Streams: Graduate Work vs Post-Study Work

The Graduate Work stream is for graduates whose qualification is closely related to an occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). It grants an 18-month stay and requires a skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority. This stream is narrower — only graduates in MLTSSL occupations qualify, and the skills assessment must be positive. The Post-Study Work stream is broader and more commonly used. It does not require an MLTSSL occupation or skills assessment. Eligibility requires completing a Bachelor's degree, Honours degree, Masters degree, or Doctoral degree at an Australian institution within the 6 months before applying. The duration depends on the level of qualification completed: Bachelor or Honours — 2 years; Masters by coursework — 3 years; Masters by research or Doctoral degree — 4 years. Graduates from regional Australia receive an additional year added to each of these durations.

Core Eligibility Requirements

You must: have held a student visa (subclass 500 or an earlier student visa) for the required period during your studies; have completed your qualification within the 6 months before applying (or be within the application window for your stream); have studied in Australia for the minimum required period — at least 2 academic years for most qualifications; have Competent English — IELTS minimum 6.0 in each band, or equivalent in PTE, TOEFL, OET, or Cambridge; meet health and character requirements. You must apply for the 485 within 6 months of receiving notice that your qualification has been completed (typically when your results or testamur are issued). Missing this 6-month window means you are no longer eligible. Apply as soon as your results are confirmed — do not wait for your graduation ceremony.

Work Rights and Conditions

The 485 grants full, unrestricted work rights. You can work for any employer in any occupation, full-time or part-time, anywhere in Australia. There is no requirement for the work to relate to your qualification — you can work in hospitality, retail, or any field while on the 485. You can also study, travel in and out of Australia, and bring eligible family members. The 485 does not restrict your work to your field of study. This flexibility is one of the visa's most valuable aspects — it allows graduates to explore career options, build Australian work experience across multiple industries, and take time to research their permanent residency pathway before committing to an employer-sponsored or points-tested route.

The Regional Bonus: Extra Year of Stay

Graduates who studied in regional Australia (outside Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Newcastle, Wollongong, Sunshine Coast, and Perth) receive one additional year on their 485 Post-Study Work stream grant. A Bachelor's degree from a regional institution gives 3 years instead of 2; a Master's degree gives 4 years instead of 3; a Doctoral degree gives 5 years instead of 4. Furthermore, if you live and work in a regional area during your 485, time spent in regional Australia can contribute toward state nomination requirements for the 491 Skilled Work Regional visa — a strong pathway to permanent residence for graduates.

Pathways to Permanent Residence After the 485

The 485 is temporary but it is one of the most valuable bridging positions in the Australian immigration system. The Australian work experience you accumulate during your 485 adds points to your SkillSelect score for the 189, 190, and 491 points-tested pathways — 1 year Australian work adds 5 points, 3 years adds 10 points, 5 years adds 15 points. Many 485 graduates also become eligible for the Professional Year program (in IT, accounting, or engineering) while on the 485, adding another 5 points. If you enter a genuine relationship with an Australian citizen or permanent resident, the partner visa pathway is open from the 485. If an Australian employer wants to sponsor you in a skilled role, the 482 employer-sponsored pathway is also available. A migration agent can map out your specific pathway options based on your occupation, points score, and employer situation.

Can I apply for a 485 if I studied partly online due to COVID?

In most cases yes — the Department made concessions for international students affected by COVID-19 border closures. Check the current Department guidance for your specific study period and circumstances.

Can my partner work on a secondary 485 visa?

Yes. Secondary applicants (partners and dependent children) receive the same work rights as the primary 485 holder.

What if my 485 expires before I get permanent residence?

You may be able to apply for a Bridging Visa A if you have a substantive visa application pending. The 485 itself cannot be renewed or extended — you need to transition to another substantive visa before it expires.

Does the 485 visa count toward the points test?

Time working in Australia on the 485 counts as Australian skilled work experience for the points test, provided the work is in your nominated occupation at the required skill level. Each year adds points toward the 189, 190, or 491 EOI score.