Last updated: 20 May 2026

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The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) Post-Higher Education Work stream allows eligible international graduates to stay, work, and live in Australia after completing higher education studies.

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• Stay
  2 to 3 years

• Cost
  From AUD 4,600

• Processing Time
  Approximately 2 to 6 months

• Work Rights
  Full work rights

• Age Requirement
  Usually under 35 years old

• Study Requirement
  Minimum 2 academic years in Australia

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Explore our complete Temporary Graduate Visa 485 guide to compare streams, understand eligibility requirements, and learn possible PR pathways in Australia.

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You can also view the official Australian Government information for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), including eligibility, visa conditions, and current processing details via the Department of Home Affairs.

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What Is the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) Post-Higher Education Work Stream?

The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) Post-Higher Education Work stream is a temporary visa for international graduates who completed eligible higher education qualifications in Australia.

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This visa allows graduates to:

• stay in Australia temporarily after studies

• work full-time

• gain Australian work experience

• travel freely in and out of Australia

• potentially build a pathway towards permanent residency

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Unlike many skilled migration visas, this stream generally does not require:

• an occupation on the skilled occupation list

• employer sponsorship

• a skills assessment

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The Post-Higher Education Work stream is one of the most popular visa options for international students graduating in Australia.

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Who Can Apply for the 485 Visa Post-Higher Education Work Stream?

You may be eligible if you:

• are under the eligible age limit

• completed an eligible Australian qualification

• studied for at least 2 academic years

• held a student visa

• meet English language requirements

• apply within 6 months of course completion

• hold adequate health insurance

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485 Visa Post-Higher Education Work Stream Eligibility Requirements

Age Requirement

You generally must be:

• 35 years old or younger when applying

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Limited exceptions may apply for:

• Hong Kong passport holders

• British National Overseas passport holders

• certain doctoral graduates

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Australian Study Requirement

You must complete:

• a Bachelor degree

• Master degree

• Doctoral degree

• eligible Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate

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Your studies must:

• be CRICOS registered

• total at least 2 academic years

• usually involve at least 92 weeks of registered study

• be completed mainly in Australia

• be taught in English

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Eligible Qualifications for the 485 Visa

The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) Post-Higher Education Work stream generally accepts:

• Bachelor degrees

• Bachelor Honours degrees

• Masters by Coursework

• Masters by Research

• Doctoral degrees (PhD)

• some Graduate Diplomas and Graduate Certificates

The qualification must meet Australian study requirement rules.

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When Must You Apply?

You generally must apply:

• within 6 months of completing your studies

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You also usually must:

• hold an eligible visa at the time of application

• apply while in Australia

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English Language Requirement

You may need to provide an approved English language test unless exempt.

Accepted tests can include:

• IELTS

• PTE Academic

• TOEFL iBT

• OET

• Cambridge English

English test results generally must still be valid when lodging the application.

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Health Insurance Requirement

You must maintain adequate health insurance during your stay in Australia.

Many graduates move from:

• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)

to:

• Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) or working visa health insurance

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AFP Police Check Requirement

Applicants generally need:

• an Australian Federal Police (AFP) check

Family members aged 16 years or older may also require police clearances.

AFP checks should usually be arranged before lodging the visa application.

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How Long Can You Stay on a 485 Visa Post-Higher Education Work Stream?

The visa length depends on your qualification level.

• Bachelor Degree
  Usually 2 years

• Master Degree (Coursework)
  Usually 2 years

• Master Degree (Research)
  Usually 3 years

• PhD or Doctoral Degree
  Usually 3 years

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Some eligible passport holders may receive longer stay periods under international agreements.

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Can You Work on a 485 Visa Post-Higher Education Work Stream?

Yes.

The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) Post-Higher Education Work stream provides:

• full work rights

• no employer restrictions

• flexibility to change employers

• ability to work in most occupations

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This visa is commonly used to:

• gain Australian work experience

• improve skilled migration eligibility

• transition to employer sponsored visas

• increase PR opportunities

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485 Visa Post-Higher Education Work Stream Processing Time

Processing times can vary depending on:

• application completeness

• health examinations

• police checks

• Department processing demand

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Many applications are processed in around:

• 2 to 6 months

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Documents Required for a 485 Visa Post-Higher Education Work Stream

Common documents can include:

• passport

• qualification documents

• completion letter

• academic transcripts

• AFP police check

• English test results

• health insurance evidence

• current visa documents

Additional documents may be requested by the Department.

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Bridging Visa After Applying

Most applicants receive:

• a Bridging Visa A (BVA)

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This generally allows you to:

• stay lawfully in Australia

• continue working after your student visa expires

• remain in Australia while waiting for a decision

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If you need to travel overseas during processing, you may need:

• a Bridging Visa B (BVB)

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Can a 485 Visa Lead to Permanent Residency?

Yes.

Many graduates use the subclass 485 visa as a pathway towards:

• skilled migration visas

• employer sponsored visas

• regional visas

• permanent residency in Australia

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Common migration pathways include:

• Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)

• Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)

• Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491)

• Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186)

Australian work experience gained during a 485 visa can help improve migration opportunities.

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Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream

Some graduates who studied and lived in regional Australia may qualify for:

• a Second Post-Higher Education Work stream visa

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This may provide:

• additional temporary stay

• further work rights

• more time to gain skilled work experience

• additional time to improve PR eligibility

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Common Mistakes That Cause 485 Visa Problems

Applying Too Late

You generally only have 6 months after course completion to apply.

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Incorrect Health Insurance

OSHC alone may not be enough after studies finish.

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English Test Expiry

Your English test results must still be valid at the time of lodgement.

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Missing AFP Police Check

Police checks should usually be arranged before application.

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Why Many Graduates Choose the 485 Visa

The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) Post-Higher Education Work stream is popular because it:

• provides full work rights

• does not usually require sponsorship

• does not generally require a skills assessment

• allows time to gain Australian experience

• can support future PR pathways

For many graduates, it becomes an important transition between student life and long-term migration opportunities in Australia.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) Post-Higher Education Work stream?

It is a temporary visa for international graduates who completed eligible higher education studies in Australia and want to stay and work temporarily after graduation.

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How long can you stay on a 485 Post-Higher Education Work stream visa?

The stay period usually ranges from 2 to 3 years depending on the qualification completed.

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Does the 485 visa provide full work rights?

Yes. The subclass 485 Post-Higher Education Work stream generally provides unrestricted work rights in Australia.

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Is a skills assessment required for the 485 Post-Higher Education Work stream?

Generally, no skills assessment is required for this stream.

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Can the 485 visa lead to permanent residency?

Yes. Many graduates later transition to skilled migration or employer sponsored permanent visas.

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Need Help With a 485 Visa Application?

Applying for a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) Post-Higher Education Work stream can involve strict eligibility, timing, English, and study requirements.

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Professional guidance may help reduce delays, refusals, or incorrect lodgements, especially if:

• your studies involve multiple courses

• your visa is close to expiring

• you previously held another student visa

• you are planning a PR pathway after graduation