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Subclass 485

Subclass 485 — Temporary Graduate

Temporary visa for international students who have just completed an eligible Australian qualification.

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Pathway

Temporary

Processing time

5–10 months

Government fee

AUD 5,750+

Visa duration

2–5 years depending on stream and qualification

Overview

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Detailed legal content below is being updated. Contact VisaAffairs directly for an assessment of your specific circumstances.

Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) is a temporary visa for international students who have just completed an eligible Australian qualification. It allows unrestricted living, working and study during the visa period.

It’s an important bridge between the student visa (500) and skilled migration visas (186/189/190/491) — providing time to build Australian work experience, English proficiency, and a stronger PR pathway file.

Two main streams:

  • Post-Higher Education Work — for bachelor, master, PhD graduates.
  • Post-Vocational Education Work — for VET Diploma graduates.

Detailed legal content (full 485.221 criteria, Eligible Qualifications List, COVID Replacement Stream) is being updated. Book a consultation for an assessment of your file.

Key eligibility

  • Under 35 at lodgement (some exceptions, up to 50)
  • Meet the Australian Study Requirement (≥2 years full-time at a CRICOS provider, in a relevant CRICOS-registered course)
  • Apply within 6 months of completing your course
  • Competent English (IELTS 6.0 each band or equivalent)
  • Australian Federal Police (AFP) check
  • Health insurance for the visa duration
  • Meet health and character requirements

Process

  1. 01

    Complete an eligible course

    Qualification from a CRICOS provider, with study totalling ≥2 years (single or combined courses meeting the Australian Study Requirement).

  2. 02

    Get English + AFP + health checks

    Book IELTS / PTE, obtain AFP check (valid 3 months), complete health exam at a panel doctor.

  3. 03

    Lodge via ImmiAccount

    Lodge online — select the right stream (Post-Higher Education Work or Post-Vocational Education Work).

  4. 04

    Visa granted

    Live, work and study without restriction for the visa duration.

Estimated cost

Department of Home Affairs fee (per immi.homeaffairs.gov.au) AUD 5,750+
VisaAffairs service fee Quoted after initial consultation
Third-party costs (health, AFP check, translations, etc.) Varies by case
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All figures are indicative as of last update. Department of Home Affairs fees change periodically — verify on the official site before lodging. immi.homeaffairs.gov.au →

How VisaAffairs helps

Clear eligibility assessment

VisaAffairs reviews your full situation against current rules — no boilerplate templates.

Document set reviewed item-by-item

Every piece of evidence is checked before lodgement — minimising the risk of request for further information.

Case officer tracking

VisaAffairs monitors ImmiAccount and responds to case officer requests on time.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between the two streams?
Post-Higher Education Work: for bachelor, master, PhD — 2 years (Bachelor/Master), 3 years (Master by research), 4 years (PhD). Post-Vocational Education Work: for VET Diploma — 18 months.
What's the advantage of studying in a regional area?
Students who study and live in a designated regional area may qualify for an additional 1–2 years (Second Post-Study Work stream). Verify specific conditions.
Does 485 lead to PR?
Not directly. 485 is a temporary visa. But it provides the time to build Australian work experience, improve English, secure a nominator (for 186) or state nomination (for 190/491) — the bridge to PR.

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