Temporary Graduate Subclass 485 Visa
Are you an international student who has just finished your studies and wish to remain in Australia after graduation? Well, the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) would be your best option! The Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) allows you to live, work and study in Australia for up to 4 years. It is a great pathway for you to extend your stay and improve your chances of becoming eligible for a permanent or temporary Australian skilled visa.
Temporary Graduate Subclass 485 Visa Brief Overview
Temporary Graduate visa, also known as subclass 485 visa Australia, is a work visa specifically designed for international students who have completed their 2 years of study in Australia. It is a good option for international students to extend their stay and upgrade their skills to meet the eligibility criteria for Australian skilled visa.
The applicant should be onshore and should have a valid student visa within the 6 month period prior to visa lodgment.
Temporary Graduate Visa 485 Australia has 3 streams, the Post-Vocational Education Work stream, Post Higher Education Work stream, and Second Post Higher Education Work stream.
Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) Updates
As part of the new migration strategy, the following changes are in place for Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485), applicable from July 2024:
- Preventing onshore Visitor Visa and Temporary Graduate Visa holders to apply for Student Visa.
- Reducing the validity period of each stream of Temporary Graduate Visa.
- Reducing the age requirements for Temporary Graduate Visa to a maximum of 35 years old.
- Increased on English requirements for Temporary Graduate Visa.
- Changes on streams names for Temporary Graduate Visa to:
- Post-Vocational Education Work stream (previously Graduate Work stream).
- Post-Higher Education Work stream (previously Post-Study Work stream).
- Second Post-Higher Education Work stream (previously Second Post-Study Work stream).
- Closure of Replacement Streamf 485 Visa.
You can find the details of each changes here
Temporary Graduate Visa 485 Australia Streams
Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) Australia has 3 streams: Post-Vocational Education Work stream, Post-Higher Education Work stream, and Second Post-Higher Education Work stream.
- Post-Vocational Education Work stream (previously Graduate Work stream) is the stream for international students who have completed a minimum of a Diploma degree with the specific skill and qualifications requirement.
- Post-Higher Education Work stream (previously Post Study Work stream) is for international students who have completed at least a Bachelor’s degree from an Australian institution.
- Second Post-Higher Education Work stream (previously Second Post Study Work stream) is an extension or continuation of the first Post-Higher Education Work stream that completed a degree from an Australian institution that is located in a regional area.
Temporary Graduate Visa to Australian PR
The Temporary Graduate Visa can be your jumping stone in obtaining an Australian permanent residency (PR). It is possible since the 485 Visa allows you to stay further in the country for up to 4 years, which is enough to build your professional work experience. You can consider the following 485 Visa to PR pathway:
- 485 Visa to Employer-sponsored pathway: if you have a potential sponsorship from an Australian business.
- 485 Visa to Skilled migration pathway: if you don’t have a potential sponsorship but are able to pass at least 65 points in the Expression of Interest (EOI) application.
- 485 Visa to Partner migration pathway: if you’re married or in a de facto relationship with an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
Find the details of each 485 Visa to PR pathway here.
Who is eligible for the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485)?
To be eligible for the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485), you must:
- be under 35 years old (or 50 years old in special cases);
- hold an eligible visa, in this case, a Student Visa;
- have a recent qualification in a CRICOS-registered course;
- meet the 2-year study requirement;
- meet the English skill requirement;
- provide the skill assessment from the assessing authority (if required).
Do I need to complete an English test?
Yes, you must complete an English test as required for Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) application. The Australian Government accepts the following English test for the purpose of 485 Visa application:
- IELTS,
- TOEFL iBT,
- PTE Academic,
- Occupational English Test (OET), and
- Cambridge C1 Advanced Test
You must meet the minimum required English score as explained here.
Do I need OSHC for my 485 Visa application?
You are required to have adequate health insurance at the time of your 485 Visa application. If you still hold a valid Student Visa, you’ll already be covered under an OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover). We strongly recommend having your OVHC activated before your Student Visa expires, but you must arrange a Working Visa cover to be approved a 485 Visa.
Application Process
Step One: Check your eligibility for the visa Temporary Graduate 485 Visa
Make sure you check your eligibility to see if you meet all the criteria and requirements for a Temporary Graduate Subclass 485 Visa. The requirements depend on each visa stream.
Step Two: Skills Assessment – for Post-Vocational Education Work stream
You must obtain a positive Skills Assessment from the relevant Skills Assessing Authority for your nominated occupation. This is required for Post-Vocational Education Work stream only.
You can check the relevant Skills Assessing Authority here.
Step Three: Submit 485 Visa Application
After ensuring the requirements for Visa 485 Australia, you can then gather all the required and additional documents to complete and support your application.
You can apply online through your IMMI account.
Step Four: Visa Outcome
If successful, you can stay temporarily in Australia, depending on which stream you’ve applied for. If you get refused, the DHA will inform you in writing.
485 Visa Cost 2025
The cost for 485 Visa as of February 2025 is as follows:
Post Vocational Education Work Stream
- AUD 2,235 for main applicant
- AUD 1,115 for additional applicant aged 18 and older
- AUD 560 for additional applicant aged under 18
Post Higher Education Work Stream
- AUD 2,235 for main applicant
- AUD 1,115 for additional applicant aged 18 and older
- AUD 560 for additional applicant aged under 18
Second Post Higher Education Work Stream
- AUD 880 for main applicant
- AUD 440 for additional applicant aged 18 and older
- AUD 225 for additional applicant aged under 18
The above fee is as of February 2025. Please note that the visa fee might increase in July every year.
How long does visa 485 Australia take to process?
As of 1 January 2025, the processing time for 485 Visa is as follows:
- Post-Vocational Education Work visa stream: 83 days to 7 months
- Post-Higher Education Work stream: 12 days to 4 months
- Second Post-Higher Education Work stream: No processing time specified by DHA
Can I Apply for 485 Visa from Outside Australia?
You must be in Australia (but not in immigration clearance) when applying for 485 Visa. However, the subsequent entrant applicants can be in or outside Australia when submitting the application.
You can be in or outside Australia at the time of receiving the decision of your 485 Visa application.
Can I Work Full-time on a 485 Visa?
You may work full time on any stream of the 485 visa Australia. There is no limit to the work hours.
485 Visa Frequently Asked Questions
ONE derland Consulting managing director and also registered migration agent, Indah Melindasari, B.Com (MARN 0961 448) is here to answer your subclass 485 visa questions!
- What is the difference between the Post-Vocational Education Work Stream and Post Higher Education Work Stream of the 485 visa Australia?
- The difference is in the qualification requirement.
- The Post-Vocational Education Work Stream of the subclass 485 visa Australia is eligible for applicants who have just finished their diploma or advanced diploma course.
- Meanwhile, the Post Higher Education Work Stream of the subclass 485 visa Australia is for applicants who have finished their bachelor, master, or PhD degree.
- Is it mandatory to have a skill assessment when applying for the Post-Vocational Education Work Stream?
- Yes, it is. You need to have a positive outcome of skill assessment in order to be granted the Post-Vocational Education Work stream of 485 visa Australia.
- If I do not meet the criteria for the IELTS requirement, what should I do?
- There are a few options to be able to show your English capability. Apart from IELTS, you can try TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, OET, or Cambridge C1 Advanced Test.
- I am holding an OSHC for my student visa. Can I use it for a subclass 485 visa Australia application?
- Unfortunately, you can’t. It’s okay to have OSHC at the time of your 485 Visa application, but you will need a Working Visa cover to be approved a 485 Visa.
- What if my visa got refused? Can I appeal?
- You must check the refusal letter given by the Department. If a review right is given, then you can lodge an appeal within a specific timeframe.
- Should I apply for the temporary graduate visa 485 Australia onshore or offshore?
- You must be in Australia when applying for the 485 Visa. You can be onshore or offshore at the time of receiving the decision of your 485 Visa application.
- Can I include my family members?
- Yes, you can include family members in your 485 visa Australia application when you apply. Family members who apply for the visa must meet the health and character requirements.
- Is there any time limit to apply for a temporary graduate visa 485 Australia?
- Yes, you must apply within 6 months of completion of your Australian studies.
- You must either hold a student visa when you apply, or to have held a student visa within the last 6 months.
- You must also make sure that you apply prior to expiry of your student visa.
- Will I get the bridging visa after I apply the visa onshore?
- If you apply for the onshore temporary graduate visa 485 Australia, before your student visa ceases, you will be granted the Bridging Visa A.
- This BVA will be your valid visa while waiting for the decision of the temporary graduate visa 485 Australia. Usually, this BVA will allow you to work in Australia.
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“I thank Ibu Indah, Ibu Vira, and the ONEderland Consulting team for assisting with my Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485). I received my Visa less than two weeks after my health assessment. They helped me thoroughly prepare my documents, communicated with the department, answered my inquiries and gave me clear advice. I highly recommend the ONEderland consulting service for Australian visa applications.”
Reynald Kusumahadi
Temporary Graduate Visa
Indah Melindasari, B.Com
Lead Migration Agent – MARN 0961 448
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