Temporary Graduate visa

Subclass 485 – Temporary Graduate Visa

The Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) is a temporary visa for international students who have graduated in Australia and wish to stay to work, study and gain professional experience.

What rights does this visa provide?

With this visa, you may:
  • Remain in Australia after graduation
  • Work with no restriction on working hours
  • Study again if you wish
  • Travel freely in and out of Australia
  • Include eligible family members in your application
The Temporary Graduate visa is one of the main pathways for international students who wish to continue their professional and personal journey in Australia after completing their studies.

Visa Streams

1. Post-Vocational Education Work Stream

Designed for students who completed vocational or technical studies in Australia, such as:
  • Diplomas
  • Advanced Diplomas
  • Technical qualifications
  • Trade qualifications
The qualification must be related to an eligible occupation on the skilled occupation list (see list) and, in many cases, requires a positive Skills Assessment.

Duration:

Up to 18 months

2. Post-Higher Education Work Stream

Designed for students who completed higher education qualifications in Australia, including:
  • Bachelor Degree
  • Master Degree
  • Doctoral Degree (PhD)

Duration:

  • Bachelor Degree and Master Degree (coursework): up to 2 years
  • Master Degree (research) and Doctoral Degree (PhD): up to 3 years

Processing times

Processing times may vary depending on:
  • The visa stream
  • The applicant’s profile
  • Document verification processes
  • The volume of applications being processed by the Department of Home Affairs
Some applications may be finalised quickly, while others can take several months.

Main requirements

To apply for this visa, applicants generally must:
  • Be 35 years old or younger (some exceptions apply)
  • Have recently held a Student visa
  • Apply within 6 months of completing eligible studies
  • Have completed a CRICOS-registered course
  • Meet the Australian Study Requirement (minimum of 2 academic years of study in Australia)
  • Meet English language requirements
  • Hold adequate health insurance
  • Meet health and character requirements
Key requirement:
  • Post-Vocational Education Work Stream: vocational studies related to an eligible skilled occupation
  • Post-Higher Education Work Stream: completion of a higher education qualification
Important Migration policies and visa requirements may change at any time according to updates from the Department of Home Affairs. For this reason, it is strongly recommended to obtain updated professional advice before applying.

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for this type of visa?

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