For the future you are studying towards
Student & Graduate Visas. Plan what comes next.
Plan your next step during or after study. Understand the options for studying in Australia, supporting a student and moving forward after graduation.
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A future worth planning for
Your studies. Your next chapter. A plan that connects them.
You may be preparing to study in Australia, caring for a younger student or getting ready to graduate. Each stage brings different visa questions.
The Student visa, Student Guardian visa and Temporary Graduate visa have different purposes and requirements. Your course, circumstances, current visa and timing help shape the right starting point.
We start with where you are now, then explain the evidence and next steps. If you have a longer-term goal, we can review how it fits alongside your immediate study or visa plans.
Different stages. Different possibilities.
Find the right place to begin.
Start with the purpose of your stay: studying, providing care or taking your next step after completion.
Student visa
(subclass 500)
For eligible study at an Australian education provider, with a genuine study purpose and the required enrolment and supporting evidence.
- Purpose
- Eligible study in Australia
- Focus
- Course, circumstances and evidence
- Check
- Application location and family rules
Student Guardian visa
(subclass 590)
For an eligible parent, custodian or nominated relative providing care and support for a student, usually under 18.
- Purpose
- Student welfare and support
- Work
- No work permitted
- Check
- Care, funds and family circumstances
Temporary Graduate visa
(subclass 485)
For eligible graduates of Australian study, with the stream, qualification, age, visa history and application timing checked together.
- Purpose
- A temporary stay after eligible study
- Streams
- First or eligible second-stage options
- Check
- Study, evidence and key dates
Look beyond
the next visa.
Post-study & longer-term pathway planning
Connect your qualification, experience and current visa to the options ahead. Review graduate, skilled and employer-linked pathways against your circumstances and the evidence you can support.
Explore post-study pathway planningEach visa has separate requirements. A course, qualification or temporary visa does not guarantee permanent residence.
Start with the right questions
The course. The circumstances. The evidence.
Your plans need to fit the visa purpose and the rules that apply when you lodge. We help you see what needs attention.
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01
What are you planning to do?
Study, student care and a stay after graduation have different requirements. Begin with the purpose of the application and your actual circumstances.
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02
Where and when can you apply?
Check your current visa, location, expiry and relevant application window. The Student and Student Guardian rules changed on 2 October 2026, including limits on applications in Australia.
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03
Which personal and study requirements apply?
Review enrolment or completed study, age, English, relevant assessments, financial capacity and insurance according to the visa and stream.
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04
Who else needs to be considered?
Check welfare for younger students, your family circumstances and any dependant eligibility. Student visa family inclusion now requires an exemption; later joining applications are restricted.
A little planning goes a long way
Your course today. Your next chapter in view.
Good preparation connects your immediate visa needs with the plans you may have after study. Your course and current visa conditions still come first.
We help you identify the evidence, dates and decisions that matter, with the scope and fees explained before work begins.
Explore post-study pathway planningconsidering together.
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01
Before you commit
Check the course, visa purpose, funding, application location and any family arrangements.
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02
While you study
Understand your conditions, keep study records and review changes before acting.
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03
As you complete
Check graduate eligibility, completion and visa dates, and any longer-term options.
A plan you can follow
From your starting point to your next step.
We help you understand what can be prepared now and what depends on eligibility, evidence or a decision.
The dates matter.
For an initial graduate visa, review the completion window well before your current visa expires. For a further Student visa, check whether you can apply where you intend to lodge.
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Understand your situation
Discuss your studies, care arrangements or graduation plans, alongside your current visa and any deadlines.
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Check the relevant pathway
Review the visa purpose, eligibility, location and required evidence before agreeing on the next step.
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Prepare and coordinate the application
Work through the agreed documents, application requirements and timing. Check any current visa expiry separately.
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Keep the next stage in view
Understand a decision and any visa conditions, then review future options when your circumstances change.
Your situation. Our support.
A plan built around the person studying.
You may be choosing a course, supporting a younger student or preparing for life after graduation. We help you connect the requirements and understand your choices.
- Review your study plans, background, current visa and key dates.
- Explain the relevant study, guardian or graduate requirements.
- Prepare and manage the application work and evidence agreed with you.
- Set out scope, fees and responsibilities before you proceed.
The questions on your mind
Let's make things clearer.
A few answers for your next step during or after study. We can look at the details when we understand your situation.
Which visa should I start with?
The Student visa (subclass 500) is for eligible study. The Student Guardian visa (subclass 590) is for an eligible person providing student care. The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) is for eligible graduates under the relevant stream. Start with your purpose and circumstances.
Can I work during or after study?
Student visa work is usually limited to 48 hours per fortnight while the course is in session, with specified exceptions and other conditions. Student Guardian visa holders cannot work. Eligible Temporary Graduate visa holders can work during their granted stay. Check your own visa conditions and work rights.
Can I apply for another Student visa in Australia?
The rules changed on 2 October 2026. Most current Student visa holders need a specific exemption to lodge a further application in Australia. Course completion or progression may qualify only when the detailed conditions are met. Review this before enrolling or planning travel.
Can my partner or children come with me?
The rules depend on the visa. Student visa family inclusion at lodgement now requires an exemption, and new subsequent-entrant applications are unavailable. The guardian and graduate visas have different family rules. Check your circumstances before making plans.
Does graduation automatically qualify me for a 485?
No. Check the qualification, eligible study, age, stream, recent visa history, location, English evidence and lodgement timing. The first graduate streams and the second regional stream have different requirements.
Can my studies lead to permanent residence?
A later skilled, employer-linked or other pathway may be relevant if you meet its separate requirements. A course or graduate visa does not guarantee an invitation, employment or permanent residence. We can help you review the options and preparation.
What if my visa is close to expiry?
Review your options promptly. An enrolment, course completion, job offer or expression of interest does not extend a visa. Check whether and where a valid new application can be made, and any bridging visa conditions separately.
How long will it take and what will it cost?
Use the current Home Affairs processing guide and visa fee information for your application. Times are guides and charges can change. We explain the agreed professional scope and fees before you proceed.
Your next step starts with you
Your next chapter starts with a conversation.
Tell us where you are in your study plans and what you would like to do next. We will help you understand your visa options and a practical next step.