Temporary Graduate Visa, Subclass 485 (Australia)

The Temporary Graduate visa, subclass 485, lets international graduates stay in Australia and work after they finish their studies. It has several streams, and the one you use depends on the qualification you completed. You cannot change streams after you apply, so choose with care.

Unlike employer sponsorship, this visa does not need a job offer. It is one of the main reasons people choose Australia for study, so it is worth understanding the eligibility rules before you enrol.

Study Australia summarises the general eligibility rules:

• You must be 35 years of age or under when you apply, unless an exception applies.
• You must hold an eligible visa and have held a Student visa in the last six months.
• You must have recently completed an eligible qualification in a CRICOS-registered course.
• You must apply for the stream that matches your qualification.

CRICOS is the register of courses that can be offered to international students. Check that your course is registered before you enrol, because a course outside the register will not count.

There are three streams that matter to most graduates:

• The Post-Vocational Education Work stream is for graduates of vocational qualifications. The visa can last up to 18 months. Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders may be able to stay up to five years.
• The Post-Higher Education Work stream is for graduates of higher education. The period depends on your qualification and circumstances. Home Affairs and Study Australia do not give one fixed period, so check the official page for the length that applies to you.
• The Second Post-Higher Education Work stream is for holders who studied in a designated regional area and meet the study and residence requirements. The length depends on where you studied and lived while you held your first visa.

Holders have unlimited work rights. You can work without a limit on the number of hours, in any field or occupation, regardless of your area of study. The work conditions on your visa still apply, so check them on VEVO.

This makes the visa useful as a bridge. You can gain experience, find an employer who is willing to sponsor you, or build a points score for skilled migration. See our guides on the Skills in Demand visa and on SkillSelect.

The Australian Government increased the visa application charge for the Temporary Graduate visa from 1 March 2026, according to Study Australia. The new rates apply to applications lodged on or after that date.

• Standard charge, primary applicant: from AUD 2,300 to AUD 4,600
• Standard charge, secondary applicant aged 18 or over: from AUD 1,150 to AUD 2,300
• Standard charge, secondary applicant under 18: from AUD 580 to AUD 1,160
• Second Post-Higher Education Work stream, primary applicant: from AUD 905 to AUD 1,810
• Second stream, secondary applicant aged 18 or over: from AUD 455 to AUD 910
• Second stream, secondary applicant under 18: from AUD 230 to AUD 460

Eligible applicants who hold a passport from 13 listed Pacific countries or Timor-Leste continue to pay the previous fees. Check the official list to see whether you qualify. Because charges change, confirm the amount for your lodgement date in the Home Affairs pricing estimator.

The sources checked for this guide do not state the English requirement, the exact deadline for applying after your course ends, or the period granted to each qualification in the Post-Higher Education Work stream. Those details matter, so read the Home Affairs page for the stream you plan to use and note the dates.

Do not assume the rules in an older article still apply. The visa has been changed several times in recent years.

If this visa is part of your plan, check three things before you pay a deposit. First, your course must be a CRICOS-registered course that gives you an eligible qualification. Second, you must hold a Student visa until you finish, and apply within the allowed time. Third, you should check that you will still be within the age limit when you finish, not just when you enrol.

If you want the regional extension, check which locations count as designated regional areas for study and residence, and plan where you will live.

Do not apply for the wrong stream, because you cannot change it afterwards. Do not leave it until after your Student visa expires, because holding a Student visa in the last six months is a condition. Do not assume a figure from last year is still the price. And keep your work records, because they help with later visa applications.