From Student Visa to 485: Your Post-Study Work Visa Pathway

TL;DR

Don't panic. If you have completed the right study in Australia, you have a clear pathway from your student visa to the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485). But timing, study requirements, and stream selection all matter. Get the details right and you can stay in Australia to work after graduation.

Introduction

You are finishing your studies in Australia. Your student visa (subclass 500) will expire soon. What comes next?

For many international graduates, the answer is the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485). This visa lets you stay in Australia to work after you finish your course. It is one of the most important steps in the journey from student to skilled migrant.

But the 485 is not automatic. You need to meet specific study requirements, apply within a strict window, and pick the right stream. Students who get these details wrong risk missing out entirely.

This guide breaks down both streams, the eligibility requirements, and the timeline you need to follow. If your student visa is about to expire, read this carefully.

Two Streams: Which One Is Yours?

The 485 visa has two main streams. You apply for the one that matches your qualification.

### Post-Study Work Stream

This stream is for graduates who hold a bachelor's degree, master's degree, or doctorate from an Australian institution.

Key features:

- No skills assessment required
- No occupation list requirement
- Your qualification must be from an Australian institution and CRICOS-registered
- Visa duration depends on your qualification level and where you studied

Visa duration (Post-Study Work stream):

| Qualification | Metro area | Regional area |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | 2 years | 3 years |
| Master's by coursework | 2 years | 3 years |
| Master's by research | 3 years | 4 years |
| Doctorate | 4 years | 5 years |

Students who studied and lived in a designated regional area may also be eligible for a further one or two year extension after their initial 485.

### Graduate Work Stream

This stream is for graduates who hold a trade or vocational qualification (typically Certificate III, Certificate IV, Diploma, or Advanced Diploma) that is related to an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list.

Key features:

- Requires a skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your nominated occupation
- Your qualification must relate to an occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
- Visa duration is typically 18 months
- You must nominate an occupation and have the matching assessment before you apply

The skills assessment is the big difference. For the Graduate Work stream, you need to have your assessment completed (or at least applied for) before you lodge your 485 application. This takes time, so start early.

The Australian Study Requirement

Both streams require you to meet the Australian study requirement. This is one of the most common areas where students trip up.

You must have completed:

- At least two academic years of study. This means at least 92 weeks of study in a CRICOS-registered course.
- The study must have been completed in no less than 16 calendar months.
- The study must have been conducted in English.
- The study must have been completed while you held a valid student visa.

### What Counts Toward Two Academic Years?

You can combine multiple CRICOS-registered courses to reach the 92-week total, as long as each course contributes to an eligible qualification.

For example:

- A two-year master's degree (92+ weeks) counts on its own
- A one-year diploma (52 weeks) plus a one-year advanced diploma (52 weeks) can be combined if both are CRICOS-registered
- Accelerated study or credit for prior learning still counts, but you still need to meet the 16-month time requirement

The 16-month rule catches students who try to fast-track. Even if your course has 92 weeks of content, you must have spent at least 16 calendar months completing it. You cannot compress two years of study into 12 months and still meet this requirement.

If you have changed your course mid-way through your student visa, check that your total CRICOS study still adds up to 92 weeks. A course switch to something shorter could put you under the threshold.

Timing: The Six-Month Window

You must apply for the 485 within six months of completing your course.

The completion date is the date your provider issues your completion letter. This is not your graduation ceremony. Graduation ceremonies can be months after you finish. The clock starts when your provider tells Home Affairs you have completed all requirements.

Ask your education provider for the exact completion date they will report. Then count six months from that date. That is your deadline.

If you miss this window, you cannot apply. There are very limited exceptions, and they are difficult to get.

### What Visa Do You Need to Hold?

To apply for the 485, you must:

- Be in Australia at the time of application
- Hold a student visa, or have held a student visa in the last six months

The safest approach is to apply while you are still on your student visa. This gives you an automatic Bridging Visa A (BVA) that kicks in when your student visa expires.

Bridging Visa A: How It Works

When you lodge your 485 application while you hold a valid student visa, you are automatically granted a Bridging Visa A. Here is what you need to know:

- The BVA does not activate until your student visa expires
- Once active, the BVA gives you full work rights with no hour restrictions
- You can work for any employer in any role
- The BVA stays in effect until your 485 is decided (granted or refused)
- If you need to leave Australia while on a BVA, you will need to apply for a Bridging Visa B (which allows re-entry)

This means there should be no gap in your lawful status. Your student visa covers you until it expires. Then the BVA covers you until the 485 decision.

Many graduates from India, Nepal, and China rely on this period to gain Australian work experience while waiting for their 485 to come through.

English Language Requirements

Both streams require you to demonstrate English language ability. The minimum is:

- IELTS: overall score of 6.0 (or equivalent in other accepted tests such as PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, or OET)

You must have taken the test within three years before applying. If you hold a passport from the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, or Ireland, you are exempt from this requirement.

Score your test well before your application deadline. Booking slots fill up, and you may need to sit the test more than once.

Other Eligibility Requirements

Beyond study and English, you also need to meet:

- Health requirement: You will need a medical examination
- Character requirement: A police clearance from Australia and any country where you lived for 12 months or more in the last 10 years
- Adequate health insurance: You need Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) for the duration of the 485. This is different from OSHC (which covers you on the student visa)
- Age: You must be under 50 at the time of application

Order your police clearances early. International clearances can take weeks or months to arrive.

Common Mistakes

1. Not meeting the 16-month rule. Students who accelerate their studies or receive credit for prior learning sometimes finish in under 16 months. The 92 weeks of content is not enough on its own. You must have spent at least 16 calendar months completing it.

2. Applying too late. The six-month window is firm. Students who wait for their graduation ceremony instead of acting on their completion letter date risk missing the deadline. Know your completion date.

3. Not having the skills assessment ready (Graduate Work stream). If you are applying under the Graduate Work stream, you need a skills assessment from the relevant authority. These can take months. Start the process in your final semester. Do not wait until after you graduate.

4. Choosing the wrong stream. If you have a bachelor's degree, you apply for the Post-Study Work stream. If you have a vocational qualification, you apply for the Graduate Work stream. Applying under the wrong stream means your application is refused.

5. Forgetting about OVHC. Your student visa required OSHC. Your 485 requires OVHC. These are different products. Buy OVHC before you lodge your 485 application.

6. Ignoring the regional advantage. If you studied and lived in a designated regional area, your 485 may be longer. Some students move to a metro area straight after graduation without realising they are giving up extra work rights.

7. Letting the student visa expire first. If you apply for the 485 while still on your student visa, you get an automatic BVA. If your student visa has already expired, the situation is more complicated. Apply while your student visa is still current.

When to Talk to a Migration Agent

Consider speaking to a registered migration agent if:

- You are not sure whether your study meets the 92-week or 16-month requirement
- You changed courses during your student visa and are not sure if your total study still counts
- You failed a subject and it delayed your completion
- Your student visa has expired or is about to expire and you have not applied yet
- You are applying under the Graduate Work stream and are unsure about your skills assessment or occupation nomination
- You want to use the 485 as a stepping stone to permanent residency through employer sponsorship
- Your student visa was previously refused and you are concerned about how that affects your 485

A migration agent can check your eligibility, review your documents, and help you avoid costly errors.

Next Steps

Here is your action plan as you approach the end of your studies:

1. Confirm your completion date with your education provider (not the ceremony date)
2. Check your total CRICOS study adds up to at least 92 weeks over at least 16 months
3. Sit your English test (IELTS, PTE, or equivalent) and get results before your deadline
4. Order police clearances from Australia and any other relevant country
5. Book your medical examination through ImmiAccount
6. Buy OVHC (not OSHC) for the period of the 485
7. Get your skills assessment if applying for the Graduate Work stream
8. Lodge your 485 application while your student visa is still valid

Find a MARA-registered migration agent if you are not sure about any step or if your situation does not fit neatly into the standard pathway.

Related Resources

- Student visa expiring: know your options
- Changing your course on a student visa
- What to do if you failed a subject on your student visa
- Student visa refused? Here is what to do next
- 482 visa to permanent residency pathway
- Guide for Indian software engineers moving to Australia
- Filipino nurse pathway to Australia
- UK visa options for moving to Australia

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When does the six-month application window start?

It starts from the date your education provider issues your completion letter, not your graduation ceremony date. If your provider sends the letter on 1 March, you have until 1 September to lodge. Check with your provider for the exact completion date they report to Home Affairs.

Can I work full-time while waiting for my 485 decision?

If you hold a Bridging Visa A (granted automatically when you lodge your 485 while on your student visa), you get full work rights with no hour limits once your student visa expires. You do not need to wait for the 485 to be granted to work full-time.

What counts toward the two academic years of study?

You need at least 92 weeks of study in a CRICOS-registered course, completed in no less than 16 calendar months. Multiple courses can be combined if they are each CRICOS-registered and lead to an eligible qualification. Summer units and accelerated study count toward the 92 weeks but you still need to meet the 16-month minimum.

Do I need a skills assessment for the Post-Study Work stream?

No. The Post-Study Work stream does not require a skills assessment. You only need a skills assessment if you are applying under the Graduate Work stream, which is for trade and vocational qualifications linked to an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list.

What if my student visa expires before I apply for the 485?

If your student visa has already expired, you can still apply for the 485 if you held a student visa within the last six months and you are in Australia. But you will not get an automatic Bridging Visa A. You may need to apply for a Bridging Visa separately or risk being unlawful. Get advice from a migration agent immediately if you are in this situation.