🇦🇺 Australia · Work Visa
Subclass 485 — Temporary Graduate
Post-study work visa for international students who have recently graduated from an Australian institution. Two streams: Graduate Work (18 months, occupation on skills list) and Post-Study Work (2–4 years depending on qualification level, no occupation requirement). Allows open work rights in Australia.
- Scoring
- Criteria-based
- Timeline
- 1mo–3mo
- Est. cost
- $2K
- Category
- Work Visa
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Subclass 485, Temporary Graduate, is Australia's post-study work visa. If you've completed an eligible Australian degree as an international student, you can stay for 2-4 years to work for any employer, switch jobs, freelance, or start a company. No sponsor, no salary threshold, no occupation restrictions for the main stream.
Two streams. Post-Study Work stream is the main one: requires a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree from an Australian institution. Duration scales with qualification: bachelor's = 2 years, master's by coursework = 2 years, master's by research = 3 years, PhD = 4 years. Graduate Work stream is narrower and tied to specific occupations on the MLTSSL, 18 months only, used less since the Post-Study Work stream expanded.
485 is non-extendable for most. It's a single-use bridge from study to a longer-term Australian outcome, typically 482 (employer-sponsored work), 186 (employer-sponsored PR), or 189/190 points-based PR. About 65% of 485 holders successfully transition to a longer-term visa before expiry; the rest leave Australia or return to study.
Is this visa for you?
A strong fit if you…
- You've just completed an Australian bachelor's, master's, or PhD degree on a Student visa.
- You want unrestricted work rights in Australia to build experience, find sponsored employment, or test the market.
- You're a PhD graduate with 4 years of unsponsored work to test the Australian academic, research, or industry market.
- You want to accumulate Australian work experience to clear the 189 points cutoff (Australian work adds 5-20 CRS-equivalent points).
Look elsewhere if you…
- You didn't study in Australia. 485 is exclusively for graduates of Australian institutions.
- You're applying from outside Australia after returning home. Most applicants must apply while in Australia within 6 months of course completion.
- Your course was at a non-CRICOS-registered provider. The Australian institution must be on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).
Key requirements
- Completed a qualifying course at a CRICOS-registered Australian institution (within 6 months of applying)
- Held a student visa for the required portion of study
- English language proficiency: IELTS 6.0 (all bands) or equivalent
- Under 50 years of age at time of application (Post-Study Work stream); Graduate Work stream has no age limit
Eligibility, in plain English
Completed an eligible CRICOS-registered Australian course
You must have completed a course of at least 2 years (92 weeks) at a CRICOS-registered Australian institution. The qualification must be a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree. Diploma and certificate courses generally don't qualify for Post-Study Work stream.
Held a Student visa
You must have held a Subclass 500 Student visa for the majority of your studies. Switching to 485 from other visa types (e.g., Working Holiday) before completing the qualifying course typically disqualifies you.
Apply within 6 months of course completion
The application must be lodged within 6 months of your course completion date. Submit too late and you can't apply for 485.
Post-Study Work stream duration
Bachelor's degree = 2 years. Master's by coursework = 2 years. Master's by research = 3 years. Doctoral degree = 4 years. Duration is fixed at grant, non-extendable for most. Recent reforms have considered varying durations for occupation lists, but standard durations remain as listed.
Graduate Work stream, narrower
Graduate Work stream requires the qualifying degree to relate to an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List (MLTSSL), a positive skills assessment, and the studies to closely relate to the nominated occupation. Duration is 18 months. Less commonly used since Post-Study Work expanded.
English proficiency
Competent English (IELTS 6.0 in each band, PTE 50, OET B, or equivalent). Native English speakers from US, UK, Canada, NZ, Ireland are exempt.
Age under 50 (most streams)
Most 485 streams require applicants to be under 50 at the time of application. Doctoral graduates can be older, the age cap is more flexible for PhDs.
Open work rights
Work for any employer in any role. No sponsor, no salary threshold, no occupation restriction (except some health professions requiring registration). Self-employment and starting a company are allowed.
How the application actually goes
- 01
Complete the qualifying course
Finish your Australian bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree. Course completion is confirmed by the institution to Home Affairs once final grades are released.
Varies
- 02
Take English test (if needed)
If you haven't already met the English requirement (most students have during their visa), take IELTS, PTE, OET, or equivalent. Allow 2-4 weeks for booking and results.
2-4 weeks if needed
- 03
Lodge the 485 application
Submit the application via ImmiAccount with course completion evidence, identity documents, English test results, health, character. Apply within 6 months of course completion.
1-2 weeks
- 04
Bridging visa
Once you lodge a valid 485 application while in Australia, you're automatically granted a bridging visa that lets you stay and work while the application is processed. Your Student visa might expire during this period, the bridging visa is the legal basis for continued stay.
Automatic
- 05
Home Affairs decision
Processing typically 1-6 months. Times vary by season and case complexity. Most well-prepared cases approve cleanly.
1-6 months
- 06
Use the runway
On grant, work for any employer, switch jobs, build a business, or accumulate Australian experience for 189/190 points. Before expiry, transition to 482, 186, 189, or another route.
What it costs
Visa application fee (primary)
AUD 2,235
Visa application fee (dependant 18+)
AUD 1,115
Visa application fee (dependant under 18)
AUD 555
Skills assessment (Graduate Work only)
AUD 500-1,500
English test
Per attempt
AUD 350-450
Health examinations
AUD 350-500 per person
Police checks
AUD 50-200 per country
Legal/migration agent (optional)
AUD 1,500-3,500
Total typical cost (single, Post-Study Work)
AUD 3,000-5,000
Common pitfalls
- Missing the 6-month application window. Late applications can't be accepted. Apply within 6 months of course completion, ideally within 3 months to avoid risk.
- Studying at a non-CRICOS-registered provider. Some private colleges aren't CRICOS-registered, even with valid Student visas. Verify your institution before counting on 485.
- Course duration below 2 years. The qualifying course must be at least 92 weeks. Shorter courses (one-year master's or certificate programmes) don't qualify.
- Applying after returning home. Most 485 applicants must apply while in Australia. Going home after graduation and applying from there is generally not allowed unless you stayed on a bridging visa or other Australian visa.
- Treating 485 as extendable. For most graduates, 485 is single-use. Non-extendable. Plan the transition to 482, 186, 189, or 190 from day one.
- Forgetting to apply for skills assessment for 189/190 transition. If you plan to use 485 time to accumulate Australian work experience for points-based PR, start the skills assessment process during 485, not after expiry.
Consider these instead
AU
Subclass 189 — Skilled Independent
If you've accumulated 1+ year of Australian work on 485 and your points clear 80, 189 is the cleanest independent PR.
Read more →
AU
Subclass 482 — Temporary Skill Shortage
If you've found a sponsored role during 485, transitioning to 482 Medium-term starts the 2-3 year clock to 186 ENS PR.
Read more →
AU
Subclass 186 — Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS)
If you have 3+ years of post-Australia-graduate experience and a sponsor offering Direct Entry, 186 is the direct PR route without going through 482.
Read more →
Frequently asked
How long is the 485 Post-Study Work stream?
Bachelor's = 2 years. Master's by coursework = 2 years. Master's by research = 3 years. Doctoral = 4 years. Fixed at grant for most graduates, non-extendable.
Can I work in any occupation on 485?
Yes, Post-Study Work stream has no occupation restrictions. Work for any employer, in any role, switch jobs freely. Some health professions require registration with the relevant Australian regulator, but the visa itself doesn't restrict occupation.
Can my family come with me on 485?
Yes. Spouse/partner and dependent children can apply as dependants with full work and study rights. Each dependant has separate fees.
Can I apply for 485 from outside Australia?
Generally no. Most 485 applicants must be in Australia at the time of application. If you've already returned home after graduation, you'd typically need to enter Australia on another visa first.
Does 485 lead to PR?
Not directly. 485 is non-extendable; you must transition to another visa for long-term Australia status. Most common pathways: 482 → 186, or accumulate 485 work experience for 189/190 points-based PR.
What if I haven't found a sponsored job during 485?
Build points for 189/190 (every year of Australian work is worth 5 points; with Superior English and STEM you can clear 80 fast). Alternatively, transition to a Student visa for further study, or leave Australia.
How does 485 compare to other countries' post-study work?
Generally generous: 2-4 years duration, unrestricted work, family rights. Comparable to UK Graduate visa (2-3 years) and Canadian PGWP (1-3 years). The PhD 4-year duration is particularly competitive for international graduate students.
Other Australia visas
Permanent Residency
Subclass 189 — Skilled Independent
Points-tested permanent residence visa for skilled workers. No employer sponsor or state nomination required — candidates lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect and receive an Invitation to Apply based on their points score. Nomination-free, globally competitive.
Permanent Residency
Subclass 190 — Skilled Nominated
Points-tested permanent residence visa requiring a nomination from an Australian state or territory government. State nomination adds 5 points to your score; each state publishes its own occupation lists and requirements for nomination.
Permanent Residency
Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional (Provisional)
Five-year provisional visa for skilled workers nominated by a state/territory to live and work in a regional area of Australia. Regional nomination adds 15 points — significantly boosting scores. After 3 years of regional residence and work, eligible to apply for permanent residence via Subclass 191.
Work Visa
Subclass 482 — Temporary Skill Shortage
Employer-sponsored temporary work visa allowing Australian businesses to fill skills gaps with overseas workers. Streams: Short-term (2 years, limited renewal), Medium-term (4 years, pathway to PR), and Labour Agreement (negotiated with Home Affairs). Most professional roles fall under the Medium-term stream.
Permanent Residency
Subclass 186 — Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS)
Permanent residence visa for skilled workers nominated by an approved Australian employer. Three streams: Direct Entry (skills assessment + experience), Temporary Residence Transition (3 years on 482 with same employer), and Agreement stream (Labour Agreement). Leads directly to permanent residence.
Permanent Residency
Subclass 124 — Distinguished Talent
Permanent residence visa for individuals with an internationally recognised and distinguished record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in their field. No employer sponsor or state nomination required. Covers arts, sport, academia, and the professions. A recommending organisation provides the mandatory recommendation.
Ready when you are
Find your immigration path.
Pick where you're headed. We score you against every visa we cover in that country.
1 of 4 selected.
Show me my matches, free→