How to apply for the Temporary Graduate visa after completing your studies in Australia — eligibility, streams, processing times, and PR pathways.
The Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa allows international students who have recently graduated from an Australian institution to live, study, and work in Australia temporarily. It is a critical stepping stone towards Australian Permanent Residency (PR).
Two Streams of the 485 Visa
The Graduate Work stream is for graduates with skills and qualifications in an occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). The Post-Study Work stream is for higher education graduates (Bachelor, Masters, or Doctoral degree) from an Australian institution.
Duration of Stay
| Qualification | Duration (Post-Study Work Stream) |
|---|---|
| Bachelor / Honours degree | 2 years |
| Masters by Coursework | 3 years |
| Masters by Research | 4 years |
| Doctoral degree (PhD) | 4 years |
| Study in regional Australia (any level) | +2 years bonus |
| STEM degree from select institutions | +2 years bonus (from 2023) |
From November 2023, graduates with STEM degrees from select Australian universities get an additional 2 years on their 485 visa, making it up to 6 years total for PhD graduates in regional areas.
Eligibility Requirements
- Applied within 6 months of completing your course
- Studied in Australia for at least 2 years (92 weeks)
- Hold a valid student visa or bridging visa
- Meet English language requirements (IELTS 6.0 overall, no band below 5.0)
- Under 50 years of age
- Meet health and character requirements
Pathway to PR from 485 Visa
The 485 visa gives you time to gain Australian work experience, which is crucial for PR pathways. With 1–2 years of skilled work experience, you can apply for Skilled Independent (189), Skilled Nominated (190), or Skilled Work Regional (491) visas through the SkillSelect system.
Pro Tip: Use your 485 visa period to gain work experience in your nominated occupation, improve your English scores, and accumulate points for the SkillSelect EOI. Aim for 90+ points to receive an invitation in competitive rounds.
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