Just finished studying in Australia? The 485 lets you live, work and gain real Australian experience after graduation — and it's often the launchpad to permanent residency.
The subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa is for international students who have recently completed an eligible qualification in Australia. It lets you stay temporarily to work, travel and build experience — and it buys you valuable time to plan your longer-term pathway.
The rules changed recently — age limits, English and stream names. In a short consultation we'll tell you exactly where you stand and your best next move.
The 485 has more than one stream, and the right one depends on what and where you studied.
For graduates of a bachelor, masters or doctoral degree. Generally lets you stay and work for a few years, with longer periods for some qualifications and nationalities.
For eligible trade and vocational (VET) qualifications tied to an occupation in demand. Generally a shorter stay, and usually needs a positive skills assessment.
An extension for eligible graduates of a regional Australian institution — additional time to live and work in a regional area.
Streams, stay periods, age limits and English requirements are set by the Australian Government and have changed recently. The above is general information only — book a consultation for advice specific to you.
This is exactly what we sort out in a consultation — your stream, your timeframe, and the smartest path from a 485 to permanent residency.
To qualify for a subclass 485 visa, you generally need to:
We confirm your stream, your age and English position, and that your study meets the requirements — before you spend on anything.
Completion letters, transcripts, English results, health insurance and (for the vocational stream) a skills assessment.
Timing matters with the 485 — we prepare and lodge a complete application within your eligibility window.
While your 485 runs, we help you build toward skilled migration or employer sponsorship for permanent residency.
Recent graduates who completed an eligible qualification in Australia on a student visa. The Post-Higher Education Work stream is for bachelor, masters and doctoral graduates; the Post-Vocational Education Work stream is for eligible trade and vocational qualifications. You must also meet age, English, health insurance and recency-of-study requirements.
Most applicants must be under 35. Limited exceptions apply — for example Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) passport holders, and some research masters and doctoral graduates, may apply up to age 50. We confirm your position under the current rules.
It depends on your stream and qualification. The vocational stream is generally around 18 months; the higher education stream is typically a few years, with longer periods for some qualifications and nationalities. Eligible regional graduates may access a second stream.
You can usually include eligible family members — a partner and dependent children — in your application. We advise on who's eligible and the evidence required.
The 485 is temporary, but it gives you time to gain Australian work experience, complete a skills assessment and build points for skilled migration (189/190/491), or pursue employer sponsorship — common routes to PR. We can map this out with you.
Book a confidential consultation with a registered migration agent and get a clear, honest plan from graduation to permanent residency.