Skilled Graduate Visa – Subclass 485

The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) lets eligible international students who've recently finished studying in Australia stay on temporarily — to work, gain experience, or in some cases study further — rather than having to leave the moment their student visa expires.

Which stream and how long you get depends heavily on what and where you studied.

Post-Vocational Education Work Stream

For graduates of an eligible Certificate III, diploma or higher VET qualification relevant to a listed skilled occupation. This stream generally grants 18 to 24 months (longer — up to five years — for eligible Hong Kong or British National (Overseas) passport holders), and requires a skills assessment for the occupation. Applicants generally need to be under 35.

Post-Higher Education Work Stream

For graduates of an eligible bachelor's degree or higher completed in Australia. Duration scales with the qualification: generally two years for a bachelor's, bachelor's with honours or master's by coursework; three years for a master's by research; and four years for a doctorate. Applicants generally need to be under 35, and family members can usually be included.

Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream

An additional one to two years on top of the above, available to graduates who studied at, and lived in, an eligible regional area for the required period. It rewards choosing a regional campus over a big-city one.

Core Eligibility Across the Streams

• generally under 35 years of age when you apply;
• holding an eligible visa, or having held a Student visa within the required recent period;
• having completed a genuine CRICOS-registered course; and
• meeting the English language requirement unless your nationality or circumstances exempt you.

Note that from mid-2023, a skills assessment became a mandatory step for the Post-Vocational Education Work stream specifically, so check this requirement is current before assuming your VET qualification alone is enough.

Getting Started

1. Right After You Finish Studying

The clock on eligibility generally starts running from course completion, so it's worth planning your application timeline before your Student visa runs out rather than after.

2. Gather Your Documents

Proof of study and qualifications, skills assessment where required, identity documents, and relationship documents for any family members joining you.

3. Apply Online

The application is lodged through ImmiAccount.

How I Can Help

• working out which stream and duration actually applies to your qualification;
• skills assessment guidance where it's required;
• English language requirement checks;
• timing your application around your current Student visa; and
• preparing and lodging the visa application, including for family members.

Finished Studying and Not Sure What's Next?

Contact me to work out your best post-study options.

Important Information

The information on this page is general only and doesn't constitute migration advice for your circumstances. Stream eligibility, durations and skills assessment requirements are reviewed periodically and can change. Meeting the general requirements described above does not guarantee a visa will be granted.