485 (Graduate Temporary) Visa

Basic Eligibility:

• The individual must be under 50 years of age.
• The individual must have held a student visa for the last 6 months.
• Nominate and stick to only one stream. Changing of visa streams after application is not permitted.
• Hold an eligible visa.
• The individual must have a recent qualification in any one CRICOS-registered course.

Currently, there are 4 visa streams under the Subclass 485 Visa – the Graduate Work Stream, the Post-Study Work Stream, the Second Post-Study Work Stream, and the Replacement Stream.

Graduate Work Stream (Subclass 485)

This visa stream is for recently graduated international students with qualifications that are relevant to certain occupations that Australia requires. The visa permits such recent graduates to live, work, and study in the country temporarily.

Key features:

• Stay in Australia for 18 months
• Travel, work, and study during this period

Eligibility:

• Have a qualification relevant to an occupation on the skilled occupation list.
• Nominate an occupation on the MLTSSL list.
• Be a citizen/hold a passport of the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand, or the Republic of Ireland OR have a certain level of English.
• Not have had a previous visa cancelled or refused.

Post-Study Work Stream (Subclass 485)

The visa stream permit international students who have recently graduated from an Australian institution with a degree to live, work, and study temporarily in Australia.

Key features:

• Temporary visa
• Stay in Australia between 2-4 years after completion of your studies.
• Travel, work, or study in Australia during the stay.
• Certain applicants with a select degree may be eligible for an extension of 2 years on their visa.
• Can include members of the family unit when applying.

Eligibility:

• Have studied with an Australian education provider registered on CRICOS
• Hold an eligible qualification at degree-level or higher
• Hold a passport from the UK, the USA, Canada, New Zealand, or the Republic of Ireland OR hold a required level of English
• Have no debt to the Australian government
• Not have had a visa cancelled or refused

Second Post-Study Work Stream (Subclass 485)

This visa stream is for those individuals who already hold a Temporary Graduate Visa – either the Post-Study Work Stream or the Replacement Stream, and who graduated from an Australian institution in a regional area with a degree. The visa allows the person to live, work, and study in Australia temporarily.

Key features:

• Travel, work, and study in Australia during your stay
• Stay in Australia between 1-4 years after completing your degree, depending on your degree, where you lived and studied

Eligibility:

• Hold a Temporary Graduate Visa – either the Post-Study Work Stream or the Replacement Stream, and graduate from an Australian institution in a regional area with a degree.
• Have studied with an Australian education provider in a designated (regional) area.
• Have lived in a designated (regional) area.

Replacement Stream (Subclass 485)

This visa allows current or former Temporary Graduate Visa holders who lost time on their original visa due to the COVID-19 travel restrictions to live, work, and study temporarily in Australia.

Key features:

• Travel, work, or study in Australia
• Bring your family along with you
• Stay in Australia between 18 months and 6 years after you have finished your studies – depending on the degree you hold
• Stay in Australia for 5 years if you are a Hong Kong or British National Overseas passport holder
• Apply before 1 January 2027

Eligibility:

• Be in or outside Australia when applying, but not in immigration clearance
• Be a current or former holder of the Temporary Graduate Visa