If you’re an international student thinking about life after graduation in Australia, the Post-Study Work Visa Australia (more formally known as the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)) could be your key to staying, working and gaining valuable experience. In this article, we’ll walk you through what the 485 visa is, the eligibility & requirements, how long you can stay, costs, the application process, extensions, and what it all means for your life and career in Australia.
What is the Subclass 485 Visa?
The visa most often referred to as the “Post-Study Work Permit Australia” is the Subclass 485 visa, formally called the Temporary Graduate visa. It allows recent international graduates to live, study and work in Australia after completing an eligible course.
Why it matters: This visa provides you with post-study work rights, bridging your transition from student life (under, typically, a Student visa – Subclass 500) to full-time employment and potentially a pathway to permanent residency (PR).
Streams of Subclass 485 Visa
There are different pathways (or “streams”) under the 485 visa. These target different kinds of qualifications and occupations:
1. Graduate Work Stream (Post-Vocational Education Work)
Suppose you have a trade qualification, diploma, or associate degree and your qualification relates to an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) or Medium & Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). In that case, you may apply under this stream.
2. Post-Study Work Stream (Post-Higher Education Work)
For those who have completed a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in Australia (CRICOS-registered). This stream provides more years of stay than the vocational stream.
3. Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream
This is for graduates who studied in a “regional” area and meet certain additional criteria. It allows you to apply for another 1-2 years’ stay beyond your first post-study stay.
Eligibility for Subclass 485 Visa
To be eligible, you must meet several criteria, including study, age, visa status, English proficiency and health & character checks. Some of the key requirements:
- Recent completion of an eligible course: Your qualification must be from an Australian institution, in a CRICOS-registered course, and you must meet the Australian Study Requirement (e.g., at least 2 years’ full-time study for many cases).
- Age limit: Typically, you must be aged 35 years or under when you apply
- Hold a current eligible visa: You must hold (or have recently held) a Student visa (Subclass 500) or another eligible visa and be in Australia when you apply.
- English language proficiency: You may need to demonstrate an appropriate English level (e.g., IELTS or equivalent) depending on stream and your studies.
- Health insurance: For example, you must have Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) or other adequate cover for the period you’ll stay.
- Skills assessment (if required): In the Graduate Work stream, your qualification must relate to an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL), and you may need a valid skills assessment.
- Character & health checks: Provide a police clearance certificate, meet good character requirements, pass health checks.
Temporary Graduate Visa Checklist
Here are some of the key documents you’ll likely need:
- Passport bio-data pages
- Birth certificate / national ID
- Completion letter of your Australian qualification
- Official academic transcript
- Evidence that the course was CRICOS-registered
- Evidence of meeting the Australian Study Requirement (duration, full-time, etc)
- Evidence of English proficiency
- Evidence of health insurance (OVHC)
- Police clearance certificate
- Skills assessment (if required)
- Visa application fee receipt
Duration: How Long is the 485 Visa Valid?
The length of stay you’re granted depends on which stream you applied under, the level of your qualification, and other specific criteria (such as regional study).
- Under the Post-Vocational Education Work stream: Up to 18 months (for many cases) for a trade/diploma qualification.
- Under the Post-Study Work stream: Usually 2 to 3 years, depending on your qualification (bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral), following recent updates.
- Under the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream: Between 1 and 2 years, depending on regional criteria.
Recent commentary suggests stays of “up to 5 years” in certain cases, such as Hong Kong/BNO passport holders.
It’s important to check your personal eligibility because the duration can vary.
Cost of the 485 Visa
One of the key considerations for any student planning ahead is cost. Here are the approximate fees:
- For an initial application (primary applicant): AUD 2,235, which is approximately INR 130,200 from 1 February 2025.
- Additional applicant charge (aged 18 and over): AUD 1,115, ie, INR 64,900 (approx)
- Additional applicant charge (under 18): AUD 560, costing it to be INR 32,600 (approx)
For applicants holding a 485 visa and applying for a “subsequent” 485 visa:
- Primary: AUD 880.
- Additional applicant (aged 18+): AUD 440.
- Additional applicant (under 18): AUD 225.
Application Process for Subclass 485 Visa
Let’s break down the steps:
- Complete your study: You must have completed your eligible course and received the completion documentation (e.g., completion letter, transcript).
- Check eligibility: Confirm that you’ve met the Australian Study Requirement, age limit, hold a Student visa (or other eligible visa), and are in Australia.
- Gather documents
- Apply online via My ImmiAccount on the Department of Home Affairs website. Make sure you choose the correct stream (Graduate Work, Post-Study Work or Second Post-Higher Education Work) before submitting.
- Pay the fee.
- Await decision: Once you lodge the visa application, you may be granted a Bridging Visa if your current Student visa expires while your application is being processed.
- If required, respond to any requests for further information, health checks, character checks, or skills assessments.
- Visa grant: If approved, you will receive the visa grant letter, check the expiry date, and the visa conditions.
- Begin working/studying/living under the new visa: Once granted, you have work rights (unrestricted) and study rights according to your stream.
Application Timeline & Processing Times
Processing times vary significantly depending on stream, completeness of application, whether a skills assessment is needed, volume of applications, and how quickly you respond to requests. Some illustrative figures:
- If you apply under the Post-Study Work Stream and your application is complete and straightforward (i.e., meets all criteria, no additional requests, no complex issues), you can expect a decision within ~2 to 4 months.
- If you apply under the Graduate Work Stream, or if your case involves extra checks (skills assessment, heavy documentation, borderline eligibility), you should allow 4 to 8 months or more.
- For the Subsequent Entrant/Dependent applications (family members joining you): Typically, 3 to 6 months, depending on how complete the documentation is.
So overall, you should expect anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on the stream and your circumstances.
Working Rights and What You Can Do on a 485 Visa
One of the main advantages of the Post-Study Work Permit (Subclass 485) is the full-time work rights it grants.
- You can work in Australia in any occupation (i.e., unrestricted hours) while holding the visa.
- You can study further if you wish under the visa conditions, but check the specific stream rules.
- You may include family (partner/child) in your application or after grant, in some cases, provided they satisfy the health and character requirements.
- This period working in Australia helps you build local experience and improve chances for skilled migration/PR pathways.
Jobs You Can Do on a Temporary Graduate Visa
Since the visa gives you unrestricted work rights, you can take up full-time employment in your field of qualification or in any work of your choosing. It may especially be beneficial if your qualification is on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) or MLTSSL and you aim for a skilled migration path.
Post-Study Options After Graduation and Transitioning to PR
Many students treat the 485 visa as a stepping stone to permanent residency (PR) in Australia. Here’s how it can help:
- Use the time granted under the 485 visa to gain relevant work experience, preferably in an occupation on the SOL/MLTSSL.
- Improve your English proficiency further (higher scores can give more migration points).
- Consider state nomination visas (such as Subclass 190 or Subclass 491) or employer-sponsored visas (Subclass 186 or 457/482) once eligible.
- Ensure you maintain visa conditions and lawful status during your 485 period.
- Plan early: work with a registered migration agent (MARA) if you desire PR, to map the pathway.
Can You Extend the Subclass 485 Visa?
The idea of “extending” the visa may come up often. Here’s what you need to know:
- You cannot simply extend your Subclass 485 visa once granted, except under specific circumstances.
- The “Second Post-Higher Education Work” stream is not strictly a standard “extension”, but a new application for additional years if you studied in a regional area and meet certain criteria.
- For the graduate under the vocational stream, additional years may not be available unless special circumstances apply (e.g., COVID-19 disruption, regional study).
How to Apply for a 485 Visa Extension?
While a direct extension is rare, the pathway is:
- Check if you qualify for the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream (if you studied in regional Australia).
- If eligible, apply for that stream when your first 485 is nearing expiry (or as allowed).
- Ensure you meet relevant criteria: regional study, lived/worked in regional area during first visa, etc.
Always check current policy updates because migration rules change frequently.
Maximum Age, Family Inclusion
Maximum Age for Post-Study Work Visa Australia
As stated, the age limit is typically 35 years or under at the time of application. There are some exceptions (e.g., for Hong Kong passport/British National Overseas holders).
Bringing Family on a 485 Visa Australia
Yes, you can usually include eligible family members (partner and dependent children) in your 485 visa application, provided they meet health and character requirements.
Final Thoughts and Tips
- Plan early — Start gathering documents (transcripts, completion letter, English test) well before you finish your studies so that you don’t miss deadlines.
- Be meticulous with documentation — Incomplete or incorrect submissions are common sources of delay. A well-prepared application speeds up processing.
- Apply within the eligibility window — Make sure you apply while your visa is valid, you hold an eligible visa, and you meet the study-completion criteria.
- Use the 485 period wisely — Work full-time, gain experience, build your migration strategy if PR is your goal.
- Stay updated — Immigration policy is dynamic; what’s valid today (including fees, age limits, durations) may change. Use official sources of the Department of Home Affairs or consult a migration agent.
- Consider regionally-located study — If you study in Australia in a regional area, you may qualify for a longer stay via the “Second Post-Higher Education Work” stream—this may boost your stay period and migration prospects.
- Mind visa conditions — Even though a 485 gives full work rights, ensure you do not breach other visa conditions (e.g., health insurance, character requirements) because that might jeopardize your status or future migration eligibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many years can I stay on a 485 visa?
It depends on your stream: Up to 18 months for the Post-Vocational Education Work stream; 2-3 years (or more in certain cases) for the Post-Study Work stream; and 1-2 years for the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream (if eligible).
What are the documents required for a Subclass 485 visa?
The checklist includes passport, birth certificate, national ID, completion letter, transcript, proof of CRICOS-registered study, English test result, health insurance (OVHC) evidence, police clearance certificate, skills assessment (if applicable), visa fee payment receipt, among others.
How long is the 485 visa processing time?
It varies considerably. For the Post-Study Work stream, some sources quote 50% processed in ~3 months, 90% by ~5 months. For the Graduate Work stream, maybe 4-6 months for 50%, up to 8 months for 90%.
Can I extend my 485 visa?
You cannot generally “extend” the same visa. But you may qualify for a second visa under the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream if you studied in regional Australia and meet the criteria.
What is the maximum age for the Post-Study Work visa Australia?
Generally 35 years or under at application time. Exceptions may apply.
Can I bring my family on a 485 visa in Australia?
Yes, you can include partner and dependent children in your application (or apply for them as subsequent entrants) if they meet health and character requirements.
