The Australia Post-Study Work Visa is commonly used to describe the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), which allows eligible international graduates to remain in Australia temporarily after completing qualifying Australian study. The visa has different streams, and the correct stream depends mainly on the qualification used to meet the study requirement.
 |
| Australia Post-Study Work Visa subclass 485 guide for international graduates |
This guide explains the subclass 485 streams, eligibility requirements, post-study stay periods, English requirements, study requirements, documents, application process, regional pathways, costs and common mistakes. Because Australian immigration rules can change, applicants should verify the exact criteria that apply on the day they lodge their application.
Important Notice
This guide was reviewed on 29 September 2026. Admission criteria, tuition fees, scholarship conditions, application periods, visa requirements and document rules can differ by university, program, nationality and intake. Verify final requirements with your chosen university and the relevant official authority before applying.
Last Reviewed: 29 September 2026
Key Information
- Subclass 485 is a temporary visa for eligible international graduates.
- The main streams are Post-Higher Education Work and Post-Vocational Education Work.
- A separate Second Post-Higher Education Work stream can provide additional time for eligible regional graduates.
- The qualification used to meet the study requirement determines the relevant stream.
- Applicants must satisfy requirements covering study, location, age, English, health insurance, character and other applicable criteria.
- Holding a subclass 485 visa does not guarantee employment, permanent residence or another Australian visa.
Table of Contents
- What Is the Temporary Graduate Visa?
- Subclass 485 Streams Explained
- Post-Higher Education Work Stream
- Post-Vocational Education Work Stream
- Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream
- Study Requirement
- Age and English Requirements
- Required Documents
- How to Apply
- Visa Cost, Work and Study Conditions
- Common Mistakes
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Temporary Graduate Visa?
The Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) is an Australian temporary visa for eligible international graduates who have completed qualifying Australian study. It can allow the visa holder to live, work and study in Australia temporarily after graduation.
The visa is not a permanent residence visa. It also does not automatically lead to permanent residence. Graduates who want to remain in Australia beyond their subclass 485 period need to determine whether they qualify for another visa route.
The program was substantially changed from 1 July 2024. The former Post-Study Work stream became the Post-Higher Education Work stream, while the former Graduate Work stream became the Post-Vocational Education Work stream. The qualification used to satisfy the Temporary Graduate visa study requirement now determines which of these streams is relevant.
Subclass 485 Streams Explained
There are several subclass 485 pathways that should not be confused with one another.
| Stream | Main qualification/pathway | Typical purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Post-Higher Education Work | Eligible Australian bachelor's, master's or doctoral qualification | Temporary work and study after higher education |
| Post-Vocational Education Work | Eligible associate degree, diploma or trade qualification linked to an eligible occupation | Temporary work and study following qualifying vocational education |
| Second Post-Higher Education Work | Eligible previous subclass 485 holder with qualifying regional study and residence history | Additional temporary stay for eligible regional graduates |
The former Replacement stream has ceased, although certain family members can still apply as subsequent entrants where the applicable rules permit.
Post-Higher Education Work Stream
The Post-Higher Education Work stream is the main subclass 485 pathway for international students who have completed an eligible degree-level qualification in Australia.
Eligible qualifications
The qualification used for this stream can include:
- bachelor degree;
- bachelor honours degree;
- master's coursework degree;
- master's extended degree;
- master's research degree;
- doctoral research degree;
- doctoral professional degree; and
- certain graduate diplomas that meet the specific relationship and timing requirements.
The Department of Home Affairs states that the eligible degree must have been awarded within the required period before applying and must satisfy the Temporary Graduate visa study requirement.
How long can graduates stay?
| Qualification | Standard stay period |
|---|---|
| Bachelor degree, including honours | Up to 2 years |
| Master's coursework or extended | Up to 2 years |
| Master's research | Up to 3 years |
| Doctoral degree | Up to 3 years |
Indian nationals may have different stay periods under the Australia–India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement. Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders can also have different arrangements. Applicants covered by these special provisions should check the current Department of Home Affairs rules rather than relying on the standard periods above.
Main eligibility requirements
For the Post-Higher Education Work stream, applicants generally need to:
- be within the applicable age limit or qualify for an age exception;
- be in Australia when applying, subject to the rules for subsequent entrants;
- hold an eligible visa or have held a Student visa within the permitted period;
- have completed an eligible degree in a CRICOS-registered course;
- meet the Temporary Graduate visa study requirement;
- meet the English-language requirement unless an exemption applies;
- have adequate health insurance;
- meet character requirements; and
- satisfy the other applicable visa criteria.
Post-Vocational Education Work Stream
The Post-Vocational Education Work stream replaced the former Graduate Work stream. It is intended for eligible graduates who have completed an associate degree, diploma or trade qualification that is relevant to an occupation Australia needs.
Qualification and occupation connection
This stream is more occupation-focused than the Post-Higher Education Work stream. The qualification must be closely related to the nominated occupation, and the nominated occupation must be on the applicable skilled occupation list.
The applicant also needs a skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority or evidence that an application for the required assessment has been made, depending on the applicable rules.
Age requirement
The standard maximum age is 35 at the time of application, subject to specified exceptions. Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders may qualify under a higher age threshold, subject to the relevant rules.
Stay period
The Post-Vocational Education Work stream generally permits a temporary stay of up to 18 months. Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders can have a longer period under the applicable arrangements.
Who should investigate this stream?
This stream may be relevant to graduates of eligible vocational qualifications who have a clear relationship between their Australian qualification and nominated occupation. The occupation list and assessing-authority requirements should be checked before selecting a course with the expectation of using this visa after graduation.
Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream
The Second Post-Higher Education Work stream is different from the first subclass 485 application. It is designed for eligible Temporary Graduate visa holders whose qualifying Australian higher education study was undertaken with an institution in a designated regional area and who satisfy the required regional residence conditions.
Main requirements
Applicants generally need to:
- hold an eligible first Temporary Graduate visa;
- have obtained the qualification that supported the first Post-Higher Education Work or relevant earlier stream from an eligible regional institution;
- have lived in a designated regional area for the required period immediately before applying;
- be in Australia when applying;
- meet the applicable age rules;
- maintain adequate health insurance; and
- meet health, character and other visa requirements.
How regional residence affects the additional stay
| Relevant regional residence situation | Potential additional stay |
|---|---|
| Eligible Category 2 regional residence | Generally 1 year, subject to the detailed rules |
| Eligible Category 3 regional residence | Generally 2 years |
| Certain qualifying Tasmanian circumstances | Special regional provisions can apply |
Regional eligibility is technical. The Department assesses both where the qualifying study occurred and where the applicant lived during the relevant period. A person should therefore keep evidence of their address history instead of assuming that any location outside Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane will automatically qualify.
Temporary Graduate Visa Study Requirement
The study requirement is one of the most important parts of subclass 485 eligibility.
In general, the applicant must have completed, in Australia, an eligible qualification requiring at least 2 academic years of study, or eligible combinations of qualifications that together satisfy the required study component.
The Department describes 2 academic years as 92 weeks of registered study that contribute toward an acceptable qualification. The study must also have been undertaken over at least 16 calendar months while the applicant held a visa that authorised study.
Other study requirements
The relevant qualification or qualifications generally must:
- be from an Australian educational institution;
- have been undertaken in Australia;
- be taught in English;
- be registered on CRICOS where required;
- be undertaken while the applicant held a visa permitting study; and
- lead to an eligible qualification for the stream being used.
English-language courses and enabling programs cannot simply be added to create the required study period. Applicants should review the official study-requirement rules before assuming that several courses can be combined.
Timing after course completion
For the main Temporary Graduate streams, the relevant qualification must have been completed within the permitted period before the application. The current Home Affairs instructions specify that applicants using the Post-Higher Education Work or Post-Vocational Education Work stream must apply within 6 months of completing the relevant course or qualification.
Do not wait until the final days of the eligibility period. Collect English, police, health insurance and qualification evidence early enough to lodge a valid application.
Age and English Requirements
Age requirement
The standard maximum age for the main Temporary Graduate visa streams is 35 years or under at the time of application.
There are important exceptions. For example, applicants using a master's research or doctoral qualification for the Post-Higher Education Work stream can qualify for an age exception up to the higher threshold specified by Home Affairs. Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders can also be subject to different age arrangements.
Because the age rules differ between streams and exceptions, applicants should check the exact stream page rather than applying the standard age rule to every case.
English-language requirement
Most applicants need to provide evidence of English proficiency unless an applicable exemption applies. For tests taken on or after 7 August 2025, the Department's published minimums for the standard applicant include the following overall scores:
| English test | Published overall minimum |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 |
| IELTS General Training | 6.5 |
| PTE Academic | 55 |
| TOEFL iBT | 81 |
| CELPIP General | 8 |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic | 67 |
| MET | 58 |
| OET | 1310 |
The overall score is not the only consideration. The Department also specifies minimum scores for individual skills, and the accepted tests and scoring rules can vary according to the applicant's circumstances. The English test generally must have been taken within the permitted period before applying.
Applicants should therefore check the official Home Affairs English-language requirements immediately before lodging rather than relying only on the overall score shown above.
Required Documents for Subclass 485
The exact document checklist depends on the stream and the applicant's circumstances. Common documents can include:
- current passport and identity documents;
- evidence of the completed Australian qualification;
- academic transcripts or course completion evidence;
- evidence supporting the Temporary Graduate visa study requirement;
- English-language test evidence where required;
- Australian Federal Police check evidence where required;
- evidence of adequate health insurance;
- skills assessment evidence for applicants using the Post-Vocational Education Work stream;
- regional residence evidence for applicants using the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream; and
- family-member documents if dependants are included.
Australian Federal Police check
For the main Post-Higher Education Work application, applicants aged 16 or over must provide evidence that they applied for the required Australian Federal Police check within the specified period before lodging.
The timing matters. The Department states that the AFP check must not be applied for on the same day as the visa application and must fall within the required 12-month period ending before lodgement.
Health insurance
Applicants and relevant family members must have adequate health insurance for the required period. Evidence can include documentation from an insurer or other acceptable evidence specified by Home Affairs.
Skills assessment for the vocational stream
Post-Vocational Education Work applicants need to pay particular attention to the skills-assessment requirement. The relevant assessing authority can have requirements beyond the minimum visa study requirement, so completing a qualification does not automatically mean that the skills assessment will be successful.
Regional residence evidence
Applicants for the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream should retain documents such as rental agreements, utility records, bank statements and other evidence that can demonstrate where they actually lived during the relevant period.
How to Apply for the Temporary Graduate Visa
Step 1: Identify the correct stream
Start with the qualification you intend to use for the Temporary Graduate visa study requirement. A degree-level qualification normally points toward the Post-Higher Education Work stream, while an eligible vocational qualification can lead to the Post-Vocational Education Work stream.
Step 2: Check the study requirement
Confirm that your Australian study satisfies the required duration, location, CRICOS and visa conditions. Do not assume that two years of calendar time automatically equals the required registered study period.
Step 3: Check your age and any exception
Determine whether you meet the standard age rule or fall within a recognised exception based on your qualification or passport.
Step 4: Check English requirements
Confirm whether you are exempt and, if not, whether your test is accepted and recent enough. Check both the overall score and individual skill requirements.
Step 5: Obtain the AFP check
Apply for the required Australian Federal Police check within the permitted timeframe so the evidence is available when you lodge the visa application.
Step 6: Arrange health insurance
Make sure you have acceptable health insurance evidence covering the applicable period and any family members included in the application.
Step 7: Prepare qualification evidence
Obtain the documents proving successful completion of the qualification. If your university has not yet issued a final parchment, check what alternative completion evidence Home Affairs accepts.
Step 8: Prepare the ImmiAccount application
The subclass 485 application is lodged online through ImmiAccount. Attach the documents requested for your particular stream and circumstances and provide accurate information.
Step 9: Pay the visa charge
The application is not valid for processing until the applicable Visa Application Charge is paid. Additional applicants included in the process can also attract applicable charges.
Step 10: Monitor ImmiAccount
After lodgement, monitor ImmiAccount for requests for further information, health examinations or other documents. Keep your contact details updated and respond within any deadline given by the Department.
Visa Cost, Work and Study Conditions
Visa application cost
As of 29 September 2026, the Department of Home Affairs lists the Post-Higher Education Work stream Visa Application Charge from AUD 5,750, with limited concessions for eligible applicants from Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste. The amount can change, so applicants should use the official Visa Pricing Estimator immediately before lodging.
Work rights
The subclass 485 visa allows eligible holders to work in Australia during the visa period. Unlike the Student visa, the graduate visa is designed around the period after qualifying study has been completed.
The visa does not provide a job automatically. Graduates must find their own employment and remain responsible for complying with Australian workplace and visa laws.
Can you study on subclass 485?
Yes. The visa permits study, but it is a temporary graduate visa rather than a replacement for a Student visa for every type of long-term study. Anyone planning another substantial qualification should check whether subclass 485 conditions and the proposed study arrangement are appropriate.
Can you travel overseas?
Subclass 485 holders can generally travel outside Australia and return while the visa remains valid. Time spent outside Australia does not extend the visa period.
Planning Your Post-Study Work Period
Students who intend to use subclass 485 after graduation should think about the pathway before completing their degree.
Choose the qualification carefully
The qualification affects the available stream and possible stay period. A student should not choose a degree solely because they expect it to produce a particular immigration outcome.
Keep your documents throughout your studies
Maintain copies of enrolment records, academic transcripts, completion documents, accommodation records, visa documents and other evidence that could later become relevant to your application.
Check regional requirements early
If you are considering the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream, regional study and residence requirements should be understood before graduation. Moving into a regional area only shortly before applying may not satisfy the required residence history.
Do not confuse subclass 485 with permanent residence
The Temporary Graduate visa is temporary. A graduate who wants to remain in Australia after it expires needs to identify another eligible visa pathway. The availability of another pathway depends on the person's circumstances and the rules in force at that time.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applying under the wrong stream
The qualification used for the study requirement matters. Do not choose a stream based only on the job you want or the degree you happen to hold.
Missing the application timeframe
Subclass 485 applications have strict eligibility timeframes after course completion. Waiting until the final days can create unnecessary problems if a document, English result or police check is missing.
Ignoring individual English-skill scores
Meeting an overall English score does not necessarily satisfy the complete English requirement. Check the individual component requirements applicable to your test and circumstances.
Assuming any Australian course qualifies
Not every course or study arrangement automatically satisfies the Temporary Graduate visa study requirement. CRICOS registration, qualification level, study location, duration and visa status can all matter.
Forgetting the skills assessment
Applicants using the Post-Vocational Education Work stream should investigate the nominated occupation and relevant assessing authority before assuming their qualification will support the visa.
Not keeping regional evidence
Regional applicants should retain evidence of residence and relevant work or study. A simple statement that you lived regionally is not a substitute for documentary evidence when evidence is requested.
Treating subclass 485 as guaranteed PR
Subclass 485 does not guarantee permanent residence. Any future skilled, employer-sponsored, family or other visa requires its own eligibility assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Australia Post-Study Work Visa
1. What is Australia's Post-Study Work Visa?
The commonly used term “Post-Study Work Visa” generally refers to the Temporary Graduate visa subclass 485, particularly its Post-Higher Education Work stream. It allows eligible graduates to live, work and study temporarily after qualifying Australian study.
2. Is subclass 485 a permanent residence visa?
No. Subclass 485 is a temporary visa. It can provide time to work or study in Australia after graduation, but it does not itself grant permanent residence.
3. How long can I stay after an Australian bachelor's degree?
Under the standard Post-Higher Education Work arrangements, an eligible bachelor's degree can support a stay of up to 2 years. Special arrangements can apply to certain passport holders.
4. How long can I stay after a master's degree?
Under the standard rules, a master's coursework or extended qualification can support up to 2 years, while a master's research qualification can support up to 3 years. Specific passport-based arrangements can differ.
5. Can I apply for subclass 485 after a PhD?
Yes, an eligible doctoral degree can qualify for the Post-Higher Education Work stream, subject to the Temporary Graduate visa study requirement and all other criteria. A doctoral qualification can support a standard stay of up to 3 years.
6. What is the age limit for subclass 485?
The standard maximum age is 35 years or under at the time of application, but exceptions apply. In particular, certain master's research and doctoral graduates and certain Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders can fall under different age rules.
7. Do I need IELTS for subclass 485?
Most applicants need to demonstrate the required English level unless an exemption applies. IELTS is one accepted test, but Home Affairs also recognises other specified tests subject to its scoring and validity rules.
8. Can I work full-time on subclass 485?
The subclass 485 visa permits eligible holders to work in Australia. It is designed as a temporary graduate work visa, but employment is not guaranteed and visa holders must comply with Australian workplace and immigration laws.
9. Can I get a second post-study work period?
Some eligible first Temporary Graduate visa holders can apply for the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream if they meet the regional study, regional residence and other requirements. It is not automatically available to every subclass 485 holder.
10. Can subclass 485 lead to permanent residence?
It can provide time during which a graduate may explore other eligible visa options, but subclass 485 itself does not guarantee permanent residence. A future visa must be assessed separately against the rules applicable at that time.
Official Sources / Official Resources
- Department of Home Affairs — Temporary Graduate Visa 485: Post-Higher Education Work Stream
- Department of Home Affairs — Temporary Graduate Visa 485: Post-Vocational Education Work Stream
- Department of Home Affairs — Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream
- Department of Home Affairs — Temporary Graduate Visa Study Requirement
- Department of Home Affairs — Temporary Graduate Visa Program Changes
- Department of Home Affairs — Temporary Graduate Visa Subclass 485
- Department of Home Affairs — Visa Pricing Estimator
Final Thoughts
The Australia Post-Study Work Visa is not one single pathway with identical requirements for every graduate. The Temporary Graduate visa subclass 485 contains different streams, and the qualification, study history, age, English evidence, occupation, regional circumstances and other factors determine which route may be available.
For higher-education graduates, the Post-Higher Education Work stream is generally the central pathway to examine. Vocational graduates need to pay particular attention to the Post-Vocational Education Work stream's occupation and skills-assessment requirements. Graduates with qualifying regional study and residence may also need to investigate the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream.
The safest approach is to check the exact Department of Home Affairs stream page, confirm the study requirement, prepare the required evidence early and lodge within the applicable timeframe. Immigration rules can change, so information published today should always be checked again before an actual application.
Disclaimer
This article is provided for general educational and informational purposes only. Australian visa rules, fees, eligibility criteria, English requirements, occupation lists, processing arrangements and application procedures can change. MY TRKHAN does not provide immigration or legal advice. Always verify your individual circumstances and the latest requirements directly with the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs or an appropriately authorised migration professional before lodging a visa application.
Muhammad Taimur Khan is the founder and editor of MY TRKHAN, an educational platform covering scholarships, admissions, study abroad, academic opportunities, exams, and student resources. MY TRKHAN provides practical and research-based guidance to help students make informed academic decisions.