Last updated: 26 June 2026

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The Post-Higher Education Work stream of the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) allows eligible international graduates who completed a bachelor, master, or doctoral degree in Australia to stay and work full-time after graduation. No skills assessment is required and no employer sponsorship is needed.

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You must apply within 6 months of your course completion date. The government fee is AUD 5,750 from 1 July 2026. Most applications are decided within 30 days.

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Phew Stream Overview

• Stay
  2 to 3 years

• Cost
  From AUD 5,750 (additional applicant charges apply for partner/children)

• Processing Time
  50% within 30 days, 90% within 68 days

• 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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Post-Higher Education Work Stream Cost

• From AUD 5,750 (primary applicant, standard fee).

• Additional applicant charge (18 years and over): AUD 2,875

• Additional applicant charge (under 18 years): AUD 1,450

• Non-internet application charge: AUD 80

A lower visa cost applies to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens who lodge a valid Temporary Graduate visa application.

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Additional charges may apply for family members, health checks, English tests, skills assessments, and police certificates.

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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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Eligible qualifications for the Post-Higher Education Work stream:

• Bachelor degree (including Honours)

• Master by Coursework

• Master by Research

• Doctoral degree (PhD)

• Graduate Diploma — eligible only if commenced in the same or next academic year as your principal bachelor, master, or doctoral degree

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Graduate Certificates are not eligible for this stream. From 14 December 2024, Graduate Certificates no longer meet the definition of "degree" under the Migration Amendment (Graduate Visas No. 2) Regulations 2024.

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All qualifications must be CRICOS-registered, completed while holding a valid student visa, taught entirely in English, and total at least 92 weeks (2 academic years) over a minimum of 16 calendar months in Australia.

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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

Minimum English scores for the Post-Higher Education Work stream (tests taken on or after 7 August 2025):

IELTS Academic or General Training (in-centre only)

• Overall: 6.5, minimum 5.5 per component

PTE Academic (in-centre only)

• Overall: 55, Listening: 40, Reading: 42, Writing: 41, Speaking: 39

TOEFL iBT

• Overall: 64, Reading: 4, Listening: 4, Writing: 14, Speaking: 14

OET

• Overall: 1310, minimum B per component

CELPIP General

• Overall: 8, minimum 6 per component

LANGUAGECERT Academic

• Overall: 67, minimum 49 per component

MET

• Overall: 58, minimum 51 per component

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Online and at-home test formats are not accepted — including IELTS Online, PTE Online, and TOEFL iBT Home Edition. Your result must be from a single in-centre sitting taken within 12 months of lodging.

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No English test is required if you hold a valid passport from the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, or Republic of Ireland.

For Hong Kong SAR and BNO passport holders, lower thresholds apply. See the 485 visa English requirement guide for full details.

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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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You must hold OVHC at the time of lodgement. OSHC is student cover and expires with your student visa — it is not accepted for the 485 visa application.

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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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Indian Nationals — Extended Stay Under AI-ECTA

If you hold an Indian passport, extended stay periods apply under the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA):

• Diploma or trade qualification: up to 18 months

• Bachelor degree (including Honours): up to 2 years

• Bachelor degree with First Class Honours in STEM or ICT: up to 3 years

• Master by Coursework or Master by Research: up to 3 years

• Doctoral degree (PhD): up to 4 years

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These durations apply specifically to Indian passport holders. For all other nationalities, standard stream durations apply.

Source: AI-ECTA post-study work visa side letter, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

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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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As of June 2026, based on the Department of Home Affairs Global Visa Processing Times tool:

• 50% of applications decided within 30 days

• 90% of applications decided within 68 days

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Applications that are decision-ready at lodgement are processed faster. Processing times are updated monthly — check the DHA Global Visa Processing Times tool for the latest figures before you lodge.

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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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While holding this visa, you may also be eligible to enrol in a Professional Year program. Professional Year is available for Accounting, IT, and Engineering graduates and adds 5 points to your skilled migration points score. You must have at least 12 months remaining on your 485 visa when you start the program.

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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?

Bachelor and Master by Coursework graduates receive 2 years. Master by Research and PhD graduates receive 3 years. Hong Kong SAR and BNO passport holders receive 5 years

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Does the 485 visa provide full work rights?

Yes. You have full work rights with no employer restrictions and no cap on hours. You can work in any occupation and change employers freely.

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

No. The Post-Higher Education Work stream does not require a skills assessment or a nominated occupation on the skilled occupation list.

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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