Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) Guide

What the subclass 485 visa is

The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) is an Australian temporary visa that lets some recent graduates of Australian study stay in Australia for a period after they finish their course. It is administered by the Australian Department of Home Affairs.

This page is general information only and is not immigration advice. Eligibility rules, the conditions of each stream, age limits, and how long you may stay are set by the Australian Government and have changed in recent years. Always confirm the current requirements on the official Department of Home Affairs source before relying on anything here, and consider a registered migration agent for advice on your own situation.

The two streams

The subclass 485 visa has two streams. The Post-Higher Education Work stream (formerly called the Graduate Work stream) is broadly for graduates with qualifications and, in some cases, skills relevant to occupations on a relevant list. The Post-Study Work stream is broadly for graduates of a higher-education degree from an Australian institution.

Which stream you may be eligible for, and what each stream requires, is defined by Home Affairs. The exact rules differ between the streams, so read the official stream-by-stream guidance carefully.

• Post-Higher Education Work stream (formerly the Graduate Work stream)
• Post-Study Work stream (broadly for higher-education degree graduates)
• Each stream has its own eligibility rules — confirm on Home Affairs

Eligibility and duration changed in 2024–2025

Important: the eligibility settings for the subclass 485 visa — including the maximum age to apply and how long the visa may be granted for — were changed by the Australian Government across 2024 and 2025. Because these specifics are volatile and depend on your qualification and circumstances, this guide does not state a fixed age limit or a fixed number of months of stay.

For the current age limit, study and English requirements, and the period of stay that applies to your situation, check the official Department of Home Affairs page for the subclass 485 visa. Rules change frequently — verify on the official government source before acting.

Common requirements to check

While the precise criteria are set by Home Affairs and can change, applicants are generally expected to confirm a range of standard requirements. Treat the list below as a prompt of what to look up officially, not as the final rule.

• Holding (or recently holding) an eligible student visa
• Having completed an eligible Australian qualification (the "Australian study requirement")
• Meeting the relevant English language requirement
• Meeting health, character, and health-insurance requirements
• Being under the maximum age that applies (set by Home Affairs)
• Applying within the required time after finishing study

It is a temporary visa — not permanent residence

The subclass 485 visa is a temporary visa. Holding it, or studying in Australia, does not guarantee permanent residence or any later visa. Permanent residence in Australia is decided through entirely separate processes with their own criteria.

If permanent residence is a goal, research the relevant pathways directly and independently, and remember that decisions rest with the Australian Government. No course, agent, or website can guarantee a visa or permanent residence.