Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)

If you are applying under the Post-Higher Education Work stream, a skills assessment is generally not required. If you are applying under the Post-Vocational Education Work stream, you usually need evidence of a suitable skills assessment from the relevant authority.

The exact checklist varies by case, but common documents include current passports or travel documents, birth certificates showing the parents of both the primary applicant and spouse, evidence of any name change, certified marriage certificate, proof of at least 12 months of relationship for de facto couples, divorce, separation or death documents where relevant, and health and character documents.

The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) is a temporary visa for eligible international students who have recently completed their studies in Australia. It allows graduates to live, study and work in Australia temporarily after finishing their course.

You may be eligible if you recently completed an eligible qualification from an Australian educational institution, are inside Australia when you apply, meet the Australian study requirement, and satisfy the criteria for the stream you choose, such as the Post-Vocational Education Work stream or the Post-Higher Education Work stream.

This stream is for graduates whose skills and qualifications relate closely to an occupation in demand in Australia. Applicants generally need a qualification connected to an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list and a suitable skills assessment.

This stream is for graduates who have completed a higher education degree such as a bachelor's, master's or doctoral qualification from an Australian educational institution. The length of stay depends on the level of qualification completed and applicable settings at the time of grant.

The visa length depends on the stream and qualification level. The Post-Vocational Education Work stream is generally valid for up to 18 months, the Post-Higher Education Work stream can be valid for up to 3 years, and the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream may grant an additional 1 to 2 years depending on the regional location.

Yes. The Subclass 485 visa allows you to work in Australia. Depending on your stream and current rules, this may include broad or unrestricted work rights during the visa period.

Yes. You can study on the Subclass 485 visa in Australia. However, the main purpose of this visa is to allow graduates to gain work experience in Australia related to their field of study.

Yes. You can include certain eligible family members, such as your partner and dependent children, in your application. Eligible family members generally receive the same visa period and related rights attached to your visa.

The Subclass 485 visa is a temporary visa and does not directly grant permanent residency. However, the Australian work experience you gain while holding this visa may help you become eligible for other permanent residency pathways, including skilled migration or employer-sponsored options.

You generally apply online through the Australian Department of Home Affairs website. You should make sure you meet the stream requirements and provide all required supporting documents before lodging the application.

It is generally recommended that you apply within 6 months of completing your studies in Australia, because recent completion of an eligible Australian qualification is a key part of the visa requirements.

Applicants usually need an overall score of at least 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each module, unless they hold an eligible passport from the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand or Ireland. The score is valid for 12 months immediately before application, with later rule updates including One Skill Retake acceptance and revised accepted tests.