Student visa to 485 in 2026: the study requirement, streams, and the 6-month clock
How to move from an Australian student visa to a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485): the 92-week Australian Study Requirement, the renamed Post-Higher Education and Post-Vocational Education Work streams, age limits, English score, OVHC, cost, and the six-month application window. Figures as at September 2026.
Read the full guide, with official sources →
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Chapters
- 0:00 You have 6 months to apply for your subclass 485
- 0:14 92 weeks of study, over at least 16 months
- 0:24 6 months from your completion letter — not the ceremony
- 0:49 2 years for a bachelor's or coursework master's, 3 for research or a d
- 1:00 Age 35, with two exceptions to 50
- 1:12 Overall 6.5, no component below 5.5
- 1:29 $5,750 for the primary applicant
- 1:50 Apply on time: an automatic Bridging Visa A covers the gap
- 2:02 Where to read more
Transcript
Finishing your Australian degree? You have six months to apply for the visa that lets you stay and work: the Temporary Graduate visa, subclass 485.
First, your study has to meet the Australian Study Requirement: 92 weeks of CRICOS-registered study, completed over no less than 16 calendar months.
The clock starts on your completion letter date, not your graduation ceremony. You have six months from that date to lodge.
Since 1 July 2024, the two main streams are renamed. Post-Higher Education Work, for bachelor's, master's and doctoral graduates. Post-Vocational Education Work, for vocational graduates with a skills assessment.
On the Post-Higher Education Work stream, a bachelor's degree or a master's by coursework gets you 2 years. A master's by research or a doctorate gets you 3.
You generally need to be 35 or under when you apply. You can be under 50 if you're using a master's by research or doctorate, or if you hold a Hong Kong or British National Overseas passport.
Both streams need the same English score: an overall 6.5, with no component below 5.5.
You'll also need Overseas Visitor Health Cover for the whole visa, with a minimum benefit of 1 million dollars a person, per year.
The visa application charge is 5,750 dollars for the primary applicant.
A common mix-up: the old regional bonus isn't automatic any more. It's now its own visa, the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream, applied for separately, after you already hold your first 485.
Apply for the 485 while your student visa is still valid, and you're automatically granted a Bridging Visa A — full work rights, no gap, until your 485 is decided.
The full guide, with the official sources, is on migratio.com.au. The link is in the description.
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