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Temporary · Post-study work

Subclass 485Temporary Graduate visa

A post-study work visa for recent graduates already in Australia, with no occupation list or skills assessment required for most applicants.

The 485 is points-free and stream-based. It gives recent graduates full work and study rights for the duration of the visa. No occupation list. No skills assessment.

Check 485 eligibility
At a glance

The essentials

Visa type
Temporary, points-free
Streams
Post-Higher Education Work · Post-Vocational Education Work
Validity
Bachelor 2y · Masters (coursework) 2y · Masters (research) 3y · Doctorate 3y · Post-Vocational 18mo
Extended validity
+2–4y for Indian nationals (AI-ECTA) · up to 5y for Hong Kong / BN(O) passport holders · +1–2y for graduates of regional institutions
Occupation list
None
Skills assessment
Not required
Processing (quoted)
2–6 months
Costs

Government fees (from 1 March 2026)

  • Primary applicant
    AUD 4,600
  • Secondary applicant 18+
    AUD 2,300
  • Secondary applicant under 18
    AUD 1,160
Eligibility

Do you qualify?

  • Onshore at time of application
  • Held an eligible student visa within the last 6 months
Post-Higher Education Work stream
  • Completed a degree requiring ≥ 2 academic years (graduate certificate/diploma, Bachelor, Masters, or Doctorate)
Post-Vocational Education Work stream
  • Aged 35 or under at application (exceptions apply)
  • Meets the Australian Study Requirement — CRICOS-registered course taught in English, all course requirements completed, ≥ 92 weeks (2 academic years) of study, ≥ 16 calendar months physically in Australia
Process

How to apply

  1. 1
    1. Confirm stream
    Match your qualification to Post-Higher Education Work or Post-Vocational Education Work.
  2. 2
    2. Gather evidence
    Completion letter, transcripts, English test where required, health insurance, and passport.
  3. 3
    3. Lodge onshore
    Apply within 6 months of holding your eligible student visa. Full work and study rights start on grant.
No occupation list, no skills assessment
Most 485 applicants don't need a skills assessment or a listed occupation. If a page or agent tells you otherwise for the standard streams, that's out of date.
Recent extensions worth knowing about
Extended post-study work rights for graduates in shortage-area qualifications: Bachelor 2→4y, Masters 3→5y, PhD 4→6y. Plus 1–2 year extensions for graduates of regional Australian institutions.
Occupations that qualify

Which occupations open the 485 door?

The 485 has no occupation list. Any eligible degree qualifies.

FAQs

Common questions

Do I need to nominate an occupation?+

No — the 485 doesn't run against the skilled occupation list for its main streams.

Can I travel while on a 485?+

Yes, unrestricted travel for the full visa validity.

What comes after the 485?+

Most graduates use their 485 time to build the Australian work experience needed to qualify for a 189, 190, 491, or an employer-sponsored 482 / 186.

Ready to test your 485 chances?
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Run the check
Figures last updated 1 July 2026. Visa policy moves — verify against the Department of Home Affairs before lodgement.