Post-Study Work Rights in Australia: The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)

One of the most compelling reasons to study in Australia is what happens after graduation. Australia offers some of the most generous post-study work rights, allowing international graduates to remain and work in Australia for up to six years, or in some cases even longer, after completing their degree.

The Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) is the primary pathway for international students who have graduated from an Australian institution to gain work experience in Australia after completing their studies. This guide provides a comprehensive, up-to-date overview of how the visa works, who is eligible, what changed following the 2023 reforms, and how you can use your post-study work rights as a springboard to permanent residency in Australia.

What Is the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)?

The Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) is a temporary visa that allows recent international graduates of Australian institutions to live, study, and work in Australia for a specified period after completing their studies. It is not a permanent visa, but it is a critical stepping stone for many international graduates to gain Australian work experience and potentially to qualify for permanent residency.

The visa has two distinct streams, each with different eligibility criteria and durations:

• Graduate Work Stream: For graduates with qualifications closely related to an occupation on Australia's skilled occupation list
• Post-Study Work Stream: For higher education graduates (bachelor's degree or above) who studied in Australia for at least two years

In addition to these two primary streams, there are specific extensions and conditions available for graduates who studied in regional Australia.

Major Changes to Post-Study Work Rights from 2023 and 2024

Australia has significantly expanded post-study work rights in recent years, particularly following the 2023 Migration Review and subsequent government announcements. These changes make the Temporary Graduate Visa substantially more attractive than in previous years.

Extended Stay Durations (from July 2023)

From 1 July 2023, the Australian government significantly extended the length of the Temporary Graduate Visa Post-Study Work Stream for many visa holders. The new stay durations are based on the level of qualification and location of study:

• Bachelor's degree (studied in a major city): 2 years (previously 2 years, unchanged)
• Bachelor's degree (studied in regional Australia): 3 years (previously 2 years — extended by 1 year)
• Bachelor's Honours degree: 2 years (standard city study)
• Master's degree (coursework, standard): 3 years (previously 3 years — unchanged for standard)
• Master's degree (coursework, studied regionally): 4 years (previously 3 years)
• Master's degree by research: 3 years
• Doctoral degree (PhD): 4 years (previously 4 years — unchanged)
• Doctoral degree (studied regionally): 5 years
• Sectors of national need (nursing, teaching, construction) in regional areas: An additional 1-year extension is available

Automatic Extension for Designated Regional Areas

Graduates who studied at an institution in a designated regional area of Australia (broadly, anywhere outside Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, the Gold Coast, and the ACT) are automatically eligible for an additional year on their post-study work visa compared to graduates who studied in a major city. This policy is designed to encourage international students to study in regional Australia, supporting local communities and education providers.

Sector-Specific Extensions

From 2024, graduates who complete a degree in a field directly related to a declared critical skills shortage sector, specifically nursing, aged care, teaching (early childhood, primary, and secondary), and certain construction trades, and who work in that sector in regional Australia, may be eligible for an additional one-year extension on top of their standard grant period.

Eligibility Requirements for the Subclass 485 Visa

Graduate Work Stream: Eligibility

To apply under the Graduate Work Stream, you must:

• Have graduated within the past two years (at time of application) from a CRICOS-registered Australian institution
• Qualify (certificate, diploma, trade qualification, or degree) directly related to an occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) or the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL)
• Have your skills assessed as suitable for that nominated occupation by the relevant assessing authority (e.g., Engineers Australia, AHPRA for health professionals, VETASSESS for trade occupations)
• Have studied in Australia for at least two years in a CRICOS-registered course
• Be under 50 years of age at the time of application
• Meet English language requirements (competent English: IELTS 6.0 in each band or equivalent)
• Meet health and character requirements

Post-Study Work Stream: Eligibility

To apply under the Post-Study Work Stream, you must:

• Have been granted a student visa (or bridging visa associated with a student visa) on or after 5 November 2011
• Have graduated from a bachelor's degree, bachelor's honours degree, a graduate certificate, graduate diploma, master's degree, or doctoral degree from a CRICOS-registered Australian institution
• Have studied in Australia for at least two years in one or more CRICOS-registered higher education courses
• Apply within 6 months of completing your course
• Be under 50 years of age at the time of application
• Meet English language requirements (vocational English: IELTS 5.0 in each band or equivalent for some stream requirements; specific band requirements apply)
• Meet health and character requirements

Note: VET (vocational) qualifications below bachelor's degree level are not eligible for the Post-Study Work Stream. Graduates of VET qualifications may apply under the Graduate Work Stream if their qualification relates to a listed occupation and they have a positive skills assessment.

Duration of the Temporary Graduate Visa by Qualification Level

The following table summarises the maximum visa grant periods for the Post-Study Work Stream as of 2025, including regional study bonuses:

• Qualification Level | Standard Duration | Regional Study Duration
• Bachelor's degree: 2 years | 3 years
• Bachelor Honours: 2 years | 3 years
• Graduate Certificate/Diploma: 2 years | 3 years
• Master's by Coursework: 3 years | 4 years
• Master's by Research: 3 years | 4 years
• Doctoral Degree (PhD): 4 years | 5 years

Work Conditions on the Subclass 485 Visa

The Temporary Graduate Visa grants you the right to live and work in Australia, with very few restrictions. Unlike the Student Visa, there is no cap on the number of hours you may work per week. You may work for any employer in any industry in any state or territory of Australia. You may also study while on a subclass 485 visa, though the visa is not designed for study as a primary activity.

You may travel outside Australia and return while your visa is valid, provided you hold a valid passport and your visa has not been cancelled. The visa is a multiple-entry visa by default.

English Language Requirements for the Subclass 485

You must demonstrate at least competent English to apply for the Temporary Graduate Visa. The requirements differ slightly by stream and are measured using approved English language tests:

Competent English (required for Graduate Work Stream and most Post-Study Work Stream applicants)

• IELTS: 6.0 in each of the four bands (listening, reading, writing, speaking)
• TOEFL iBT: 12 (listening), 13 (reading), 21 (writing), 18 (speaking)
• PTE Academic: 50 in each communicative skill
• Cambridge Advanced (CAE): 169 in each component
• Test results must be from a test taken no more than 3 years before the visa application date.

Exemptions

You may be exempt from the English language requirement if you hold a passport from the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand, or the Republic of Ireland. Citizens of these countries are deemed to have competent English without needing to provide a test result.

Application Process for the Subclass 485 Visa

When to Apply

You must apply for the Subclass 485 within 6 months of completing your principal course of study. The completion date is the date your results were formally finalised by your institution (not the date of your graduation ceremony). It is critically important not to miss this window; applications submitted after 6 months will generally not be accepted.

How to Apply

Applications are lodged online through your ImmiAccount on the Department of Home Affairs website. The process is similar to applying for your initial student visa:

• Gather all required documentation (see below)
• Log in to ImmiAccount and start a new Subclass 485 application
• Complete the application form with your personal, academic, and professional details
• Upload supporting documents
• Pay the visa application fee (currently AUD $1,895 for the primary applicant as of 2025)
• Await processing and respond promptly to any requests for further information

Required Documents

• Passport (valid for the intended stay period)
• Academic transcripts and a degree certificate from your CRICOS-registered Australian institution
• Evidence of Australian study duration (CoE documents, academic records)
• English language test results (unless exempt)
• Skills assessment results (Graduate Work Stream only)
• Health insurance or evidence of OSHC continuation
• Health examination results (if required based on nationality or previous countries of residence)
• Police clearance certificates from the home country and any country lived in for 12+ months
• Relationship documents for any secondary applicants (spouse/partner, children)

Processing Times

Subclass 485 visa processing times vary. Most straightforward applications are processed within 4 to 8 weeks. Applications requiring additional health checks, character assessments, or skills assessments can take considerably longer. Apply as early as possible within your 6-month window to avoid unnecessary time pressure.

Bridging Visa While Your 485 Application Is Processed

If your Student Visa (subclass 500) expires while your Subclass 485 application is being processed, you will automatically be granted a Bridging Visa A (BVA). The BVA allows you to remain lawfully in Australia while your application is under consideration and generally carries the same work rights as your substantive visa. Crucially, you can continue working while on a BVA, you will not be required to stop work simply because your student visa has expired.

However, be aware that if you travel outside Australia while on a Bridging Visa A, you may not be able to return. If you need to travel internationally while awaiting a decision, you should apply for a Bridging Visa B (BVB) before departing.

From Temporary Graduate Visa to Permanent Residency

For many international graduates, the Subclass 485 is the first step on the pathway to Australian permanent residency. The work experience and professional networks gained during the 485 period are often crucial to meeting the requirements for skilled migration visas.

Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)

This points-tested permanent residency visa is available to skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer or state government. Applicants lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect, and are invited to apply based on a points score. Points are awarded for age (maximum under 33), English language ability, years of skilled work experience, Australian qualifications, and other factors. Most successful subclass 189 applicants score 85 to 100+ points.

Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)

This visa requires nomination by an Australian state or territory government. In exchange for nomination (which adds 5 points to your score), you commit to living and working in the nominating state for at least two years. Each state has its own nomination criteria and occupation lists, which change regularly. Competition for nominations in popular occupations and states can be intense.

Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491)

This is a temporary (five-year) visa for skilled workers willing to live and work in a regional area of Australia. It requires either state/territory nomination or sponsorship by an eligible relative in a regional area. After three years of living and working in a regional area on a 491, you may be eligible to apply for a permanent Regional Residence visa (subclass 191).

Employer-Sponsored Visas

Many Subclass 485 holders find Australian employers willing to sponsor them for the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482) or the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa (subclass 186), which provides a direct pathway to permanent residency. Building professional relationships and industry experience during your 485 period is the most effective strategy for securing employer sponsorship.

Strategic Advice for Maximising Your Post-Study Work Rights

Consider Studying in Regional Australia

If you are flexible about your study location, choosing to study at a university or TAFE in a regional area of Australia can significantly extend your post-study work rights. A PhD completed in regional Queensland, for example, could entitle you to 5 years of post-study work rights compared to 4 years in Sydney, a potentially significant advantage when building your Australian career.

Choose Your Occupation Strategically

If your career goals are flexible, researching which occupations are on Australia's skilled occupation lists and planning your degree accordingly can strengthen both your Graduate Work Stream visa eligibility and your subsequent skilled migration points.

Start Building Your Professional Network Early

The contacts you make during your studies, through internships, casual work, industry events, and university career services, are often the foundation of your post-graduation employment network. Do not wait until you have your 485 visa in hand to start building these relationships.

Maintain Your English Language Score

Your English language test results must be from a test taken within 3 years of your visa application. If you took your IELTS or PTE during your student visa application and more than 3 years have passed since then, you will need to retake the test for your 485 application.

Track Changes to Occupation Lists

Australia's skilled occupation lists are reviewed regularly and can change with little notice. Monitor the Department of Home Affairs website and subscribe to migration newsletters or work with a registered migration agent to stay informed about changes that could affect your pathway.

Frequently Asked Questions: Australian Post-Study Work Visa

Can I extend my Subclass 485 visa?

The Subclass 485 is generally not renewable or extendable. Once it expires, you would need to apply for a different visa, such as a skilled migration visa, employer-sponsored visa, or a new student visa, to remain in Australia. The only exception is the additional year available to graduates in declared critical skills sectors working in regional Australia.

Can I include my family in the Subclass 485?

Yes. Your spouse/partner and dependent children can be included in your application as secondary applicants. Secondary applicants have the same work and study rights as the primary visa holder.

What if I completed multiple qualifications in Australia?

If you completed multiple qualifications in Australia, only your principal (highest level) qualification is used to determine your eligibility and grant period. However, the two-year minimum study requirement counts all time spent in CRICOS-registered courses in Australia.

Do I need a job offer to apply for the Subclass 485?

No. The Subclass 485 is not an employer-sponsored visa, and you do not need a job offer to apply. You apply on the basis of your qualifications and study history.

Can I work for any employer on the Subclass 485?

Yes. Unlike employer-sponsored visas, the Subclass 485 is a personal visa tied to you rather than a specific employer. You may work for any employer in any industry, in any state or territory of Australia.

Australia's post-study work framework represents one of the strongest international student value propositions in the world. By choosing the right degree, the right institution, and the right location, international students can maximise the time available to gain Australian work experience, build professional networks, and position themselves for long-term careers and potentially permanent homes, in one of the world's most desirable countries.