AACA
← Back to visas

Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485)

Updated 22 July 2026

This is general information, not migration advice. Visa rules, fees and eligibility change often — always confirm on the Department of Home Affairs website, and speak to a registered migration agent about your own situation.

Overview

The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) is a temporary visa that allows international students to live, study and work in Australia after they have finished their studies. It has separate streams: the Post-Higher Education Work stream (for graduates with a degree-level qualification or higher), the Post-Vocational Education Work stream (for graduates with an associate degree, diploma or trade qualification), and the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream (for eligible holders of a previous 485 visa who lived and studied in a regional area). You must generally be aged 35 or under when you apply, hold an eligible visa, have held a Student visa in the last 6 months, and have a recent qualification from a CRICOS-registered course. You can work in Australia and bring your family with you. The details below are for the Post-Higher Education Work stream. How long you can stay: Post-Higher Education Work stream: usually between 2 and 3 years, depending on your qualification (Bachelor degree including honours - 2 years; Masters coursework and extended - 2 years; Masters research - 3 years; Doctoral degree - 3 years; the default Graduate Diploma stay period is 2 years but may be longer where previous study would have attracted a longer stay period). Under the Australia India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement, Indian nationals may receive: Bachelor degree (including honours) - 2 years; Bachelor degree with first class honours in STEM including ICT - 3 years; Masters (coursework, extended and research) - 3 years; Doctoral degrees (PhD) - 4 years. Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders may stay up to 5 years. The Post-Vocational Education Work stream is up to 18 months, and the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream is between 1 and 2 years. The visa cannot be extended.

Step by step

  1. Step 1: Step 1 - Before you apply: check you meet the eligibility criteria for your stream, make sure you have a valid passport, apply for your Australian Federal Police check, arrange adequate health insurance and organise your English language evidence (you cannot change streams after you apply).

  2. Step 2: Step 2 - Gather your documents: collect evidence of your qualification and completion, your Student visa history, health insurance, English language evidence, AFP check receipt and identity documents; attach all required evidence when you apply.

  3. Step 3: Step 3 - Apply for the visa: apply online through ImmiAccount while you are in Australia (but not in immigration clearance), providing accurate information.

  4. Step 4: Step 4 - After you apply: provide biometrics and health examinations if asked, stay lawful in Australia (a bridging visa may apply while your application is processed), and tell the Department if your circumstances change.

  5. Step 5: Step 5 - Visa outcome: the Department tells you the decision in writing; if granted you receive your visa grant number, start date and conditions.

Eligibility & requirements

  • Be this age - you must be 35 years of age or under when you apply. You can be under 50 years of age when you apply if you are using a Masters (research) or Doctoral Degree (PhD) to meet the Temporary Graduate visa study requirement, or you hold a Hong Kong or British National Overseas passport.
  • Have this visa - you must be in Australia (but not in immigration clearance) when you apply, and hold an eligible Student visa, or have held a Student visa within the past 6 months and now hold a Bridging Visa A, Bridging Visa B or another substantive visa. If you previously held a subclass 485 or 476 visa as a primary applicant you cannot be granted this visa as a primary applicant again.
  • Hold an eligible qualification at degree-level or above - you must have been awarded an eligible degree, regardless of field of study, in the 6 months immediately before the day you apply.
  • Meet the Temporary Graduate visa study requirement.
  • Have studied with an Australian education provider that is CRICOS-registered and offers degree-level programs.
  • Have this passport or this level of English language - you must provide evidence of the required level of English with your application (or hold a passport from a specified country).
  • Have adequate health insurance for you and your family members for the duration of your stay; meet our health requirement; meet our character requirement (all applicants aged 16 and over).
  • Sign the Australian values statement (if you are 18 or older), have no debt to the Australian Government, and not have had a visa cancelled or an application refused.

Costs

ItemIndicative cost
Application charge - Post-Higher Education Work streamFrom AUD5,750.00 (concessions apply in limited circumstances).
Application charge - Post-Vocational Education Work streamFrom AUD5,750.00 (concessions apply in limited circumstances).
Application charge - Second Post-Higher Education Work streamFrom AUD2,265.00 (concessions apply in limited circumstances).
Charge for each family member who applies with youCurrent fee is published on the Home Affairs page for this visa — see Key links.
Other costs (health checks, police certificates, biometrics)Current fee is published on the Home Affairs page for this visa — see Key links.

Key links

Contacts

Registered migration agent (MARA)
For advice about your own circumstances, use a registered migration agent or a legal service. This page is general information only.