Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)

If you would like to stay in Australia to gain work experience after completing your Australian qualification you may be eligible to apply for a Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa. This visa allows you to stay in Australia for up to four years, depending on your qualifications or up to five years if you hold a Hong Kong passport. This visa allows you to live; work and study temporarily in Australia. The Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa has two main streams:

Graduate Work stream—for eligible international students who graduated with skills and qualifications that relate to an occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
Post-Study Work stream—for eligible international students who graduated with a bachelor, masters or doctoral degree from an Australian education provider, regardless of their field of study.
Second– Post-Study Work Stream– for eligible for visa holders of a first Temporary Graduate visa in the post-study stream. That is a visa holder who graduated with a degree from an Australian Institution located in a specified regional area.

Requirements for Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)

Age:

You must be under 35 years of age at the time of application.
Exceptions apply for certain passport holders (e.g. Hong Kong or British National Overseas) and for Master’s by Research / PhD graduates.

Visa status:

You must hold an eligible visa (usually a Student visa) or a Bridging visa, and in many cases, have held a Student (Subclass 500) visa in the last 6 months before applying.

Australian Study Requirement:

Must have completed a CRICOS-registered course(s) that totals at least two academic years (92 weeks) of study in Australia.
The study must be completed in the last six months before lodging the visa application.

English Language Proficiency: You must meet specified English test scores (IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, or equivalent). For example, IELTS: overall score of 6.5, with no component band below 5.5.

Health Insurance & Character Requirements:

Must maintain adequate health insurance while in Australia.
Must meet legal “character” and “health” standards. Background checks (including AFP police check) are required.

Qualification & Stream Eligibility:

Depending on the stream you apply under (Graduate Work / Post-Higher Education / Regional / Second-Post Study), your qualification must match the requirements. For example, Graduate Work Stream requires a qualification related to an occupation on the skilled occupations list.
You cannot change your stream once the application is submitted.

Steps to Apply

Eligibility Criteria for Subclass 485 Visa

Age Requirement: You must be under 50 years of age at the time of application.

Recent Graduate: You must have completed a qualification from an Australian institution within the last 6 months.

Eligible Qualification: Your course must be registered with CRICOS and meet the Australian study requirement.

Visa Status: You must hold an eligible visa when applying, such as a student visa.

English Proficiency: You must provide evidence of English language ability (IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, etc.).

Health & Character: You must meet health and character requirements set by the Department of Home Affairs.

Health Insurance: You must maintain adequate health cover for the duration of your stay in Australia.

What to Expect: Timeline, Fees & Essential Costs

Visa Type	Processing Time
Graduate Work Stream	7 - 11 weeks
Post-Higher Education Work Stream	7 - 12 weeks
Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream	6 - 10 weeks

Application Cost:

AUD 1,895 for the primary applicant
Additional charges apply for each family member included in the application.

FAQ:

Can Temporary Graduate Visa be lodged using an offer letter?

No, the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) cannot be lodged using an offer letter. You must have completed an eligible qualification in Australia and possess the official completion letter or academic transcript from a CRICOS-registered institution before applying.

What are the exemptions for English language requirement?

Applicants who hold a valid passport from the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, or Ireland are exempt from providing English language test results. Others must meet the required score in approved English tests such as IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, or Cambridge.

How the applicant is assessed against the character requirements?

You must meet Australia’s character requirements by providing police clearance certificates from every country you have lived in for 12 months or more during the past 10 years. The Department of Home Affairs will assess this information to ensure you meet the criteria.

What is difference between regular and streamlined categories?

The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) does not use the streamlined or regular categories used for student visas. However, applicants must ensure that their course and institution are CRICOS-registered and meet the study and qualification requirements under the relevant stream (Graduate Work or Post-Higher Education Work).

What are welfare arrangements for an applicant under 18 years old?

To be granted a student visa, the applicant must demonstrate that s/he has adequate welfare arrangements in place for the length of the student visa or until they turn 18 years of age. They can do this by demonstrating that they will be accompanied by a parent or legal custodian, a suitable relative or that the student’s education provider approves the arrangements for the student’s accommodation, support and general welfare.

What is a Confirmation of Enrolment?

A Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) is a document issued by an Australian education provider confirming your enrolment in a CRICOS-registered course. While it is not required for the 485 visa (since studies must already be completed), it serves as evidence of your prior study in Australia when applying.