Subclass 485 / Your next step after study
Temporary Graduate visa
(subclass 485)
Study completed. Possibilities to explore.
Your qualification may open a temporary opportunity to live, work and study in Australia. We help you check the right graduate stream, the evidence and the dates that matter before you apply.
- Purpose
- A temporary stay after eligible study
- Streams
- Check your qualification and visa history
- Age
- Usually 35 or under; exceptions apply
- Timing
- Completion and visa dates matter
What this visa can support
Room to take your next practical step.
A graduate visa can provide time after eligible study. It does not arrange a job or guarantee a later visa, so a clear plan still matters.
Explore work after study
An eligible graduate can work during the visa period and seek experience that fits their goals.
Consider your wider plans
Check any eligible family arrangements, further study or longer-term visa options against their separate requirements.
Prepare for the right stream
Review your qualification, completed study, age, English evidence, application timing and any required skills assessment.
The graduate streams
Choose the stream your evidence supports.
The qualification used for the study requirement and your previous visa history determine which stream to consider.
Post-Vocational Education Work stream
For eligible associate degree, diploma or trade graduates with a qualification closely related to an MLTSSL occupation. A suitable skills assessment is required; if pending, evidence of applying must be provided at visa lodgement. The usual stay is 18 months, with specified passport arrangements.
Post-Higher Education Work stream
For eligible degree-level graduates. A nominated occupation and skills assessment are not required for this stream. Usual stay periods are two or three years according to the qualification; specific passport arrangements can differ. Some related Graduate Diplomas qualify under additional conditions.
Second Post-Higher Education Work stream
For eligible holders with qualifying first graduate visa history, regional study and at least two years of eligible regional residence. This is a separate application, generally providing one or two further years according to the regional rules.
The requirements in context
What needs to line up.
The first graduate application needs its own eligibility and lodgement review. The Second Post-Higher Education Work stream has different history and residence requirements.
-
01
Qualification, study and completion date
For an initial graduate application, check an eligible qualification completed in the six months before applying, at least 92 CRICOS weeks and at least 16 calendar months of eligible study in Australia. Credits, overlapping study and offshore study need review.
-
02
Age, location and visa history
The usual age limit is 35 or under at application. Specified passport exceptions apply; research master's and PhD exceptions also apply in the Post-Higher Education Work stream. Check the eligible current visa, recent Student visa history and onshore application requirements.
-
03
Evidence required at lodgement
For initial streams, check the required English evidence, evidence of applying for an Australian Federal Police check, and adequate health insurance. The Post-Vocational Education Work stream also requires a valid assessment or evidence of applying for one.
-
04
The separate second-stream test
Regional study alone is not enough. Review your qualifying first graduate visa history, campus location, the required residence period and the other criteria before relying on a second grant.
Two study tests. One deadline to watch.
For the initial graduate streams, two academic years means at least 92 weeks of eligible registered study. You must also satisfy at least 16 calendar months of eligible study in Australia. Completing one test does not automatically satisfy the other.
The application generally needs to be made within six months of course completion, while you also meet the relevant visa-history and current-visa requirements. Your completion date is not necessarily your graduation ceremony date.
Plan early for English evidence, the AFP check application, health insurance and any required skills assessment. For the initial streams, a required English test must generally be completed in the 12 months before applying, unless a passport-based exemption applies. A missing lodgement requirement may not be something you can simply fix later.
A plan you can follow
From your circumstances to a practical next step.
Use the period before completion to check eligibility and prepare. Do not assume that graduating automatically gives you another visa or work rights.
-
Identify the stream and dates
Review your qualification, course completion, eligible study, age and visa history. For a second stream, review the regional history instead.
-
Prepare the evidence in time
Obtain completion and transcript records. Check English evidence, insurance, AFP check application evidence and any required skills assessment.
-
Check and lodge the application
Confirm the location, current visa, required evidence and relevant deadline before lodging online.
-
Use the grant period with a plan
If granted, check the visa dates and conditions. Review any later work, regional or skilled pathway against its own criteria.
Preparation that makes sense
The right records. A clearer picture.
The checklist depends on your circumstances and the work agreed with you. It may include:
- Passport, identity records and complete current and previous visa information.
- Completion letter, award, transcripts, CoEs and relevant CRICOS and credit records.
- Required English evidence or passport-based exemption and AFP check application evidence.
- Adequate health insurance and any required skills assessment or assessment application evidence.
- Eligible family records, or regional study and residence evidence for the second stream.
A little more clarity
Your 485 questions, made clearer.
A starting point for understanding the requirements. We can look at the detail when we know your circumstances.
Which stream should I consider?
Associate degree, diploma or trade qualifications generally point to Post-Vocational Education Work, subject to the occupation and assessment rules. Eligible degree-level qualifications point to Post-Higher Education Work. A second regional application depends on qualifying earlier graduate visa, study and residence history.
Is the age limit under 35?
The usual limit is 35 years or under when applying, so an eligible 35-year-old is not excluded by age alone. Specified exceptions allow applicants under 50, including certain passport holders and, in the Post-Higher Education Work stream, eligible research master's or PhD graduates. Check the specific stream.
Do I always need a skills assessment?
No. The Post-Vocational Education Work stream has occupation and assessment requirements. You must provide a suitable assessment or evidence that you applied for one when lodging, and ultimately meet the assessment requirement. A skills assessment is not required for the Post-Higher Education Work stream.
Can I apply before my graduation ceremony?
The important date is when you complete the academic requirements, supported by your provider's records. For an initial application, review the six-month completion window and other eligibility dates. Waiting for a ceremony can put those deadlines at risk.
Can I extend a graduate visa?
There is no general extension. Some eligible holders can apply separately in the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream after meeting its regional study, visa-history and residence requirements. The former select-degree two-year extension is no longer available.
Can my family be included?
Eligible family members may be included or may apply as subsequent entrants under the graduate visa rules, with location, relationship and other requirements checked. The restrictions introduced for Student visa family applications should not be assumed to apply identically to this visa.
Will this lead to permanent residence?
A graduate visa is temporary. A later skilled, employer-linked or other application is separately assessed. Relevant experience may help with a future pathway, but neither a job nor permanent residence is guaranteed.
How long will it take and what will it cost?
Check the current processing-time guide and visa fee information for the relevant application. Times are guides and charges can change. We explain the agreed professional scope and fees separately from government charges and other costs.
Your next step starts with you
Make your next step an informed one.
Tell us your qualification, completion date and current visa expiry. We will help you check the graduate requirements and what to prepare next.