Subclass 485 — Temporary Graduate visa
The Temporary Graduate visa supports a temporary post-study stay for eligible Australian graduates. Choose the correct stream before assuming that your qualification, course history or age fits. A 485 visa is not points-tested and does not itself provide permanent residence.
Aarish Haider · Registered Migration Agent · MARN 2619656
Updated 2026-10-22 · General information · Official-source check 2026-10-22
Key facts
| Post-Vocational Education Work | An occupation-linked stream with skills-assessment requirements. |
|---|---|
| Post-Higher Education Work | A distinct stream for eligible higher education graduates, with its own qualification and other requirements. |
| Second Post-Higher Education Work | A further stream with additional regional study/residence and prior-visa criteria. |
| Application timing | Course completion, visa history, English, insurance and other time-sensitive requirements must be checked. |
| Later migration | Any skilled or employer-sponsored route requires a separate assessment of eligibility. |
Who this is relevant to
For recent Australian graduates deciding whether a post-study visa is available, which stream applies and how much time remains to prepare a valid application.
Requirements
Check the Australian study and qualification requirements, course-completion timing, age rules and exceptions, current and previous visas, English evidence, insurance, health and character. The Post-Vocational Education Work stream has occupation and skills-assessment requirements; do not copy a higher-education-stream exemption into that stream.
Process
- Identify the stream matching the qualification and prior visa history.
- Check application location, completion dates, English evidence and any required assessment application before the deadline.
- Prepare the stream-specific documents and lodge a valid application.
- Read the grant conditions and separately review any future study, employment or permanent migration options.
Evidence
Keep completion letters, transcripts, CoE history, visa and travel records, English results, insurance and any stream-specific skills-assessment evidence. A later permanent assessment may differ from a provisional assessment for a graduate visa.
Common issues
Further restrictions on family inclusion were described in the 7 October official update as still being developed. The commenced Student visa family rules should not simply be applied to 485. Check the current 485 criteria and any later commencement provisions for an actual application.
Official sources
Related pages
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