Temporary Graduate Visa Australia

What is the Temporary Graduate Visa 485 in Australia, and How Does it Work?

A Temporary Graduate Visa in Australia allows international students to live, study and work in the country once they have completed a course at an Australian education institution. This is a great way for students to extend their stay and gain work experience at the same time.

The 485 visa currently has three streams: 

  • Post-Vocational Education Work Stream
  • Post-Higher Education Work Stream 
  • Second Post-Higher Education Work stream.

Your stream depends on the qualification you use to meet the Australian study requirement. Once you apply under one stream, you cannot change streams after lodgement. Depending on your stream, qualification and passport, you may be able to stay in Australia for 18 months to 5 years.

Key Eligibility Requirements at a Glance

  • Have recently completed an eligible Australian qualification from a CRICOS-registered course.
  • Choose the stream that matches your qualification level, such as vocational, undergraduate, postgraduate or doctoral study.
  • Usually apply within 6 months of completing your Australian study.
  • Meet English language, health, character and visa history requirements.
  • Ensure your qualification is closely related to a relevant skilled occupation if applying through the Post-Vocational Education Work stream.
  • Choose the correct stream before applying, as it cannot be changed after lodgement.

Learn more about the 485 Visa requirements by contacting Immigration Gurus today.

Why choose Immigration Gurus for your 485 Temporary Graduate Visa?

  • We will take care of the whole application process — We understand how important it is to get your application right the first time, which is why our immigration experts prepare and submit your 485 Visa application on your behalf to ensure the best chance of success.
  • Quality, expert advice on the 485 Visa — With several years of experience in the immigration field, our team offers tailored guidance during your application process.
  • Accurate assessment of eligibility — No two applicants have the same needs. Our immigration experts will work with you to determine your eligibility to avoid visa rejections or application delays.
  • High Success rate for Temporary Graduate 485 Visas across Australia — When you partner with Immigration Gurus, you can rest easy knowing you’re working with a team committed to your success.

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What are the three main streams for the 485 Temporary Visa?

Post-Vocational Education Work Stream

The Post-Vocational Education Work Stream is for international students who have recently graduated from an Australian educational institution and have relevant skills and qualifications to Australia’s needs.

This visa allows you to live, work and study in Australia for up to 18 months. Hong Kong passport holders may stay up to 5 years, they can extend their stay for another 5 years and have a pathway to permanent residency after 5 years.

While your Australian 485 Temporary Graduate Visa is valid, you will be able to travel in and out of the country as many times as you want, and have the option to include accompanying family members in your application.

Post-Vocational Education Work Stream Requirements

To apply through the Post-Vocational Education Work Stream, you must:

  • Be 35 years of age or under when you apply, unless an eligible exemption applies
  • Hold an eligible visa
  • Have held a student visa within the last 6 months before your application
  • Have recently completed an eligible associate degree, diploma or trade qualification from an Australian education institution
  • Have a qualification that is closely related to your nominated occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list
  • Have applied for a skills assessment in your nominated occupation
  • Meet the Temporary Graduate visa Australian study requirement
  • Have adequate health insurance for yourself and any family members included in your application

Post-Higher Education Work

1. Post-Higher Education Work Stream

This stream lets eligible international students stay in Australia temporarily after completing a degree-level qualification or higher from an Australian education provider.

The length of stay depends on your qualification and passport. Most eligible graduates can stay for up to 2 years. Graduates with a master’s by research or doctoral degree may be able to stay for up to 3 years. Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders may be able to stay for up to 5 years.

While your 485 visa is valid, you can live, study and work in Australia. You can also travel in and out of Australia and include eligible family members in your application, such as your partner or dependent children.

  • Be under 50 years of age
  • Hold an eligible visa
  • Have held a student visa within the last 6 months before your application
  • Have a recent qualification in a CRICOS-registered course
  • Have adequate health insurance for yourself (and accompanying family members)
  • Provide evidence of your English language skills
  • Provide evidence that you have applied for an Australian Federal Police (AFP) check with your application
  • Meet the health and character requirements

Post-Higher Education Work Stream Requirements

To apply through the Post-Higher Education Work Stream, you must:

  • Be 35 years of age or under when you apply, unless an eligible exemption applies
  • Hold an eligible visa
  • Have held a student visa within the last 6 months before your application
  • Have recently completed a degree-level qualification or higher from an Australian education institution
  • Have completed a recent qualification in a CRICOS-registered course
  • Meet the Temporary Graduate visa Australian study requirement
  • Have adequate health insurance for yourself and any family members included in your application
  • Provide evidence of your English language skills
  • Provide evidence that you have applied for an Australian Federal Police check
  • Meet the health and character requirements

2. Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream

This stream is for eligible Temporary Graduate visa holders who completed a degree from an Australian education provider in a designated regional area.

It lets eligible graduates stay in Australia for an extra 1 to 2 years, depending on where they studied, where they lived and the regional category of that location. Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders may be able to stay for up to 5 years, depending on their circumstances.

While your visa is valid, you can live, study and work in Australia. You can also travel in and out of Australia and include eligible family members in your application.

A 485 visa may help you gain Australian experience, but it does not guarantee permanent residency. Permanent residency requires a separate visa pathway with its own eligibility requirements.

Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream Requirements

If you studied and lived in one of the following areas, you will be able to stay for another year:

To apply for a Temporary Graduate Visa in Australia through the Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream, you must:

  • Be 35 years of age or under when you apply, unless an eligible exemption applies
  • Hold a first Temporary Graduate visa in the Post-Higher Education Work stream, Post-Study Work stream or Replacement stream
  • Have completed a degree from an Australian education institution located in a designated regional area
  • Have lived in an eligible designated regional area for at least 2 years before applying
  • Meet the regional study and residence requirements that apply to your location
  • Have adequate health insurance for yourself and any family members included in your application
  • Meet the health and character requirements

If you studied and lived in one of the following areas, you will be able to stay for another year:

If you studied and lived in a regional centre or other regional area, you may be eligible to stay for another 2 years.

You must continue to meet the visa conditions, including maintaining adequate health insurance for yourself and any accompanying family members while you are in Australia.

If you studied and lived in regional centres and other regional areas, you will be able to stay for another 2 years.

You must meet the health and character requirements and hold adequate health insurance for yourself and accompanying family members for the length of your intended stay in Australia.

How long will my 485 Visa take to be approved?

The 485 Visa processing time depends on the stream you apply for and how thoroughly you complete your application. Other factors that can influence your approval timeframe include:

  • Submitting incomplete applications or missing documents.
  • Delays in health and character checks.
  • High application volume.

The Department of Home Affairs offers a free Visa Processing Time Guide tool to give students an estimated timeframe for processing their 485 Visa. If you’re eligible, we’ll help submit your qualification details and English proficiency results along with your visa application. Make sure your application is complete to avoid delays.

What must I avoid when applying for a 485 Visa?

Many applicants face delays or refusals due to common mistakes when applying for the Temporary Graduate Visa in Australia. Here are key errors we’ve helped applicants avoid:

  • Applying after your student visa has expired — You must apply within six months of holding a valid student visa.
  • Not meeting the Australian study requirement — Your course must be at least two years (92 weeks) of study.
  • Failing to take an English proficiency test — If required, ensure you meet the English language criteria.
  • Not obtaining health insurance — You must have Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) for the entire visa duration.
  • Incorrectly completing the application — Any errors or missing information can result in delays or rejection.

Find the right 485 Visa pathway for you

Starting your dream life in Australia doesn’t have to be complicated. Immigration Gurus is your trusted partner in ensuring a hassle-free immigration journey.
Contact us today to begin your 485 Temporary Graduate Visa in Australia.

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What our clients say

“Thank you so much for everything you have done for me! I was very satisfied with your work, you provided accurate advice and got me on the right student pathway. Now I am working full time in Australia and it is all thanks to you! When I need help for a visa again, I will come to the Immigration Gurus.”

ShunsukeJapan

“The Immigration Gurus are reliable, effective and helped us to get our partner visa. They closely followed our case which made us feel they were very professional and made us feel relieved. They always updated our case situation and progress. If someone is looking for a good quality immigration consultation service, we have no doubt to recommend the Immigration Gurus to them. We are very happy that we chose them.”

ZoeHong Kong

“The Immigration Gurus were fantastic in helping me obtain the right visa. The team were very organised and professional during the application process and made sure that I was given the best chance of success. Their expert advice gave me confidence from the lodgement date until my visa was granted. I would highly recommend the Immigration Gurus to anyone looking for top quality immigration advice.”

JuliaUSA

“The Immigration Gurus made the journey to permanent residency a breeze. Because I work and live in a remote area of Australia, I haven’t had the chance to meet the Guru team in person yet. However, the support and effort they provided during my immigration application was much appreciated. I highly recommend their services.”

GurpreetIndia

“The Immigration Gurus were always kind, fast and precise in answering our questions... they helped my partner and I in obtaining a student visa. Ask for their help and you will not regret it!”

ElisaItaly

“The Immigration Gurus made me feel comfortable asking questions and when the government changed the rules during my application, they bent over backwards to help me and my partner get our submission in. I appreciate everything the Gurus did, thanks for helping us get our de-facto partnership visa!”

RachelUSA

“Thank you so much to the Immigration Guru team, you are all such genuine, professional and approachable individuals. We had a great feeling about Nat and his team and we weren't disappointed, they guided us all the way. I will definitely be recommending you to everyone!”

EmiliaUK

“Thank you Immigration Gurus for making the whole visa process so simple. Everything was explained thoroughly, meaning all we really had to was tick the right boxes and wait for the visa to be approved! We would be happy to recommend the Gurus to anyone in the future! Big thumbs up!”

MandyUK

“The Immigration Gurus are great! They helped me not only for my visa, but also for every other issues as well. Thank you for your help, I will see you for my next visa!”

AllesandroItaly

“I can't express my gratitude in words, you handled my case with great professionalism. Due to a bad turn of events my visa was cancelled and I faced loosing all that I had here in Australia, you assured me from the start and were able to turn around the decision. I am now a citizen of Australia and am working toward building my own business and starting my family. Thank you very much!”

KuldeepIndia

FAQs

The length of a Temporary Graduate Visa 485 in Australia depends on the stream you apply under and the qualification you use for your application.

  • The Post-Vocational Education Work stream is generally valid for up to 18 months.
  • The Post-Higher Education Work stream usually allows you to stay for 2 to 3 years, depending on whether you completed a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or doctoral degree.
  • Some Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders may be eligible for up to 5 years.
  • A Second Post-Higher Education Work stream may also be available for eligible regional graduates.

Yes. A Temporary Graduate Visa in Australia allows eligible international graduates to live, study and work temporarily after finishing their studies. Unlike student visa work limits, Temporary Graduate Visa holders can work unrestricted hours and are generally able to work in any sector or occupation.

Eligible qualifications depend on the 485 visa stream you apply for.

  • For the Post-Vocational Education Work stream, you generally need an associate degree, diploma or trade qualification that is closely related to a nominated occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list.
  • For the Post-Higher Education Work stream, you need a degree-level qualification or higher from an Australian institution, such as a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or doctoral degree. Your qualification must come from a CRICOS-registered course and must be recent. The qualification you use determines your stream, and you cannot change streams after applying.

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