Post-Study Work Visa (Subclass 485): Eligibility, Streams and Pathways

What the subclass 485 visa is

The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) is designed for international graduates of Australian institutions to remain after completing a qualification and gain practical work experience. It is not, by itself, a permanent visa. Instead, it gives you a window of time to work in Australia, build skills, and potentially move toward longer-term options such as employer sponsorship or skilled migration.

The visa is temporary in nature — it does not lead directly to permanent residency. It allows you a defined period (around 18 months to three years depending on your qualification) to work and position yourself for a more permanent pathway.

Two streams

The subclass 485 has two main streams. The Post-Vocational Education Work stream is for graduates of eligible vocational qualifications and generally allows a stay of around 18 months.

The Post-Higher Education Work stream is for graduates of university degrees (bachelor, master, or doctorate). The duration depends on the qualification level: a bachelor's degree typically grants around two years, while a master's or doctorate can extend toward three years. This stream is the more common route for most international graduates and offers a longer period to gain Australian work experience.

Key eligibility requirements

To be eligible you must meet several core requirements.

Age: you must be under 35 at the time of application for most applicants. There are exceptions — holders of research master's degrees or doctorates can apply up to 50, and Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) passport holders may have longer stays.

Qualification: you must have completed an eligible CRICOS-registered qualification and met the Australian study requirement, which generally means at least two years of study in Australia.

English: you must meet the English requirement, which increased to IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each band (or an equivalent test), with results valid for one year before lodgement.

Health and character: you must meet standard health and character requirements, which can involve examinations and police certificates.

Fees and processing

The application charge for the subclass 485 visa rose significantly from 1 March 2026 and has increased again since — as at 1 July 2026 it is around AUD 5,750 for the primary applicant. This is a substantial rise and should be factored into your budget and timeline, and it is worth confirming the current amount on the Home Affairs fee schedule before you apply.

Processing times vary, typically from several weeks to a few months depending on how complete your application is and current volumes. You apply online through the Department of Home Affairs.

The COVID-era temporary extensions that allowed some graduates to remain beyond their original visa have been phased out by mid-2026. This means you can no longer rely on extensions and should plan your onward pathway before your current visa nears expiry.

Work rights and conditions

Once granted, the subclass 485 visa lets you work full-time in any occupation in Australia — there are no occupational restrictions, unlike some other temporary visas. You can also study further if you wish, though the main purpose is to gain work experience.

There is no state sponsorship requirement, so you can live and work anywhere in Australia. This flexibility is one of the visa's advantages compared with state-specific pathways.

Australian employers increasingly value local work experience, and many graduates use the 485 period to gain the Australian experience that strengthens a later skilled-migration or sponsorship application.

Pathways after your 485 visa

The subclass 485 is meant to be a transitional visa. After it expires, several longer-term pathways may be open, each with its own criteria.

Employer sponsorship through the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) may be available if your occupation is in demand and you have suitable experience, with a possible route to permanent residency.

Skilled migration (subclass 189 or 190) may be open if your occupation is on the relevant list and you meet the points requirements, where Australian work experience can strengthen your score.

Employer-sponsored permanent or regional visas (subclass 186 or 494) may be available if an employer is willing to sponsor you.

A second 485 visa is not routinely available, so use your 485 period strategically — to gain experience, credentials, and networks that position you for one of these longer-term pathways.

Can I apply for the 485 while still studying?

You can apply while in your final semester, but you must have completed your qualification before the visa is granted. Many graduates apply shortly after their results are finalised to maximise their available work time.

What if I'm over the age limit?

If you're 35 or older and don't hold a research master's degree or doctorate, you generally aren't eligible for the post-higher education stream. Some graduates may have other options, so it's worth getting advice on your specific circumstances.

Is the 485 a pathway to permanent residency?

Not directly. It's a temporary visa that lets you gain Australian work experience and credentials. During the 485 period you can position yourself to apply for permanent options such as skilled migration or employer sponsorship.

Can I work in any field or must it match my degree?

The 485 lets you work in any occupation — you're not restricted to your field of study. However, if you later pursue skilled migration, your work experience may need to align with your nominated occupation to count for points or sponsorship.

How long does processing take?

It varies with application complexity and current volumes, typically from several weeks to a few months. You can check current processing times on the Department of Home Affairs website.